Some Tips for UCAT
Tags: interview
Published: 2022-08-13 14:51:03

- Evaluating Arguments
    - After reading the question, and any text with it, you’ll be provided with a choice of
        
        arguments. You’ll then have to choose which is the best/most relevant/valid
        
        argument.
        
    - Be presented with data, graphs, text which you must interpret and decide which
        
        conclusions follow.
        
- Deductive Reasoning
    
    ⚬ You’ll be provided with an opening statement, and you’ll have to decide which of the
    
    conclusion statements you are provided with follows.
    
- Statistical & Figural Reasoning
⚬ Here, you need to be able to make conclusions based on data (numbers and graphs) provided to you.

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# **EVALUATING ARGUMENTS**

- Recognizing assumptions & strong arguments
- Based on facts and evidence
    - Not based on emotion, opinion, subjective views or ASSUMPTIONS!
        - I think
        - In my experience
- Directly connected to **subject** matter
- Mentions **all parts** of the subject matter
- Pay attention to the wording of the argument:
    - must = will happen
    - might/could = can happen but you don't know if it is likely or unlikely
    
- Interpreting information and drawing conclusions
    - Written passages, graphs, data, charts
    - Some charts & graphs might include a lot of information, focus on what the question refers to
    - Drag and drop your answer
    - Can be multiple correct answer options
    

# **DEDUCTIVE REASONING**

Deductive reasoning is a logical process in which a conclusion is drawn based on multiple premises that are generally assumed to be true.

## Example:

Premise → In a classroom there are 2 students sitting on chairs. There are two students sitting on the floor.

Conclusion→There are 4 students in the classroom.

Logic puzzles and syllogisms are based on multiply steps/layers of deductive reasoning.

- Syllogisms contain **at least two statements** and **a list of conclusions**. You have to work out if the conclusions logically follow.
- Use your whiteboard/scratch pad, Venn diagrams and abbreviations to help you.
- Pay attention to the language used e.g. **all, some, this, many**

# **STATISTICAL & FIGURAL REASONING**

## Venn Diagram

- Choose the correct Venn diagram based on the text given
- Implicit Venn diagrams
- Choose the correct answer using the Venn diagram provided

## Probability

- Revise basic probability
- Note whether you are using independent or non-independent probability
- Use probability trees to help you
- Be able to convert quickly between rations, % and fractions

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# **VERBAL REASONING**

Forget all prior knowledge! Just concentrate on what logically follows from the passage. Act
like you are an alien who knows nothing about earth.

## Strategy

1. Read first couple of sentences of passage & the first question - note the key words
2. Skim read the passage looking for key words
3. Read the sentence before and after each keyword
4. Scan the remainder of the passage for more instances of the key words
5. If you find more instances of the key words, repeat step 3
6. Choose your answer

## DEFINITION OF TERMS

Target reading – only read what is necessary to answer the question, scanning the text looking for the key words

Key words – words in a given item that stand out and are as specific as possible to that item e.g. date or place.

Watch out for synonyms! Just because the key word/phrase isn’t there it doesn’t mean the answer is can’t tell.

over estimated = less than expected


## Language

EXTREME

- the best
- no longer used
- biggest
- tallest
- full
- most
- never
- certainly
- must
- will/must happen
- always

MILD

- one of the best
- rarely used
- could
- might
- occasionally
- can
- sometimes
- maybe
- frequently


1. Look out for reverse questions:
Which of the following is incorrect/not true?
What statement cannot be inferred from the passage?
2. Be careful of discrepancies in text and question e.g UK & England
3. Key word synonyms e.g quarterly, 3 months, Jan-March, 1/4
4. Don't be a perfectionist - once you have the answer, move on.