UKCAT
2015
Question Tutorial for
Decision Analysis
www.ukcat.ac.uk
What is in the Test?

Verbal reasoning - assesses ability to critically evaluate
information that is presented in a written form.

Quantitative reasoning - assesses ability to critically evaluate
information presented in a numerical form.

Abstract reasoning - assesses the use of convergent and
divergent thinking to infer relationships from information.

Decision analysis - assesses the ability to make sound
decisions and judgements using complex information.

Situational judgement - measures capacity to understand
real world situations and to identify critical factors and
appropriate behaviour in dealing with them.
Test Format
Section
Items
UKCAT Standard Test
(includes 1 minute
per subtest
for instruction)
UKCAT Extended Test
(includes 2 minutes
per subtest
for instruction)
Verbal Reasoning
44
22 minutes
28 minutes
Quantitative Reasoning
36
25 minutes
31.5 minutes
Abstract Reasoning
55
14 minutes
17.5 minutes
Decision Analysis
28
32 minutes
39 minutes
Situational Judgement
68
27 minutes
34 minutes
120 minutes
150 minutes
Total time
In this session...

Strategies for approaching questions from the Decision
Analysis subtest of the UKCAT

Worked through example questions with answer rationales

General tips and advice

Please note, strategies and tips for ALL OTHER subtests
are covered by the new online Question Tutorial on the
UKCAT website
Decision Analysis
The test assesses the ability to make decisions in situations
of uncertainty, where information may be incomplete,
complex and ambiguous.
 Using a deciphering scenario, the test requires a move from
logical reasoning to decisions requiring increasing degrees
of judgement.
 The associated confidence rating measures your
awareness of your own decision making.
 31 minutes to answer 28 items associated with one
scenario, each with a related confidence rating.

Decision Analysis strategies

You need to concentrate fully during this section.

Keep in mind the timings in this subtest; in 2014
approximately 14% of candidates failed to answer every
question.

Use your laminated booklet during this section –
especially as the codes get more complex later in the
section.

It may help you to translate the code literally and then
decide which answer gives the best fit. This should at
least help you narrow down your options even if you are
still unsure.

Remember to answer each question in full when it is
presented or you will not be able to proceed.
Decision Analysis instructions
Ancient Tomb Codes
An ancient tomb contains strange hieroglyphics which a team is
working to decipher. You can join the team once you have
demonstrated that you understand the codes. The codes that the
team have managed to decode so far are presented in the table
below. You can demonstrate your understanding by examining
particular codes or sentences and then choosing one from five
possible interpretations.
Sometimes the information you have will be incomplete or unusual
but there is always some sense to the message. You will therefore
need to make your best judgement based on the codes rather than
what you might expect or what you think is reasonable.
There is always a “best” answer, which makes the most sense based
on all the information presented but bear in mind that this test is
about making judgements rather than simply applying rules and logic.
Decision Analysis – Confidence
Ratings
Following each Decision Analysis item you will be asked to
rate how confident you are that the answer you gave was right
on a 5-point scale (low confidence to high confidence). A
response of 1 would mean that you are not very confident that
you answered the corresponding item correctly and a
response of 5 would indicate that you are very confident that
you answered the corresponding item correctly.
Use your best and honest judgement to indicate your
confidence level. The confidence rating is about how your
self-reported confidence correlates to the Decision Analysis
response. Reporting high confidence on all items does not
necessarily translate to good self-monitoring ability.
Decision Analysis Q1
What is the best interpretation of
the following coded message:
11, 12, 7
 A: Today it is bright and sunny.
 B: The light from the sun is
brighter than usual.
 C: Today the sun came up.
 D: Today the sun’s rays have a
strange hue.
 E: The sun is floating in the sky.
How confident are you that the answer you
gave was right?
Decision Analysis Q1 - Answer
Option A is the correct answer
A) Today it is bright and sunny
(best fit)
B) The light from the sun is brighter
than usual (introduces “brighter
than usual”)
C) Today the sun came up (“light”
does not lead to “coming up”)
D) Today the sun’s rays have a
strange hue (introduces “strange
hue”)
E) The sun is floating in the sky (no
use of “today”; introduces concept
of “floating”)
What is the best interpretation
of the following coded message:
11, 12, 7
 A: Today it is bright and sunny.
 B: The light from the sun is
brighter than usual.
 C: Today the sun came up.
 D: Today the sun’s rays have a
strange hue.
 E: The sun is floating in the
sky.
How confident are you that the answer you
gave was right?
Decision Analysis Q2
Which of the following would be the
most useful and the second most useful
additions to the codes in order to
convey the following message
accurately?
My bag is full of heavy and unusual toys
(You may select up to 2 responses)
 A: My
 B: Full
 C: Heavy
 D: Unusual
 E: Toys
How confident are you that the answer you
gave was right?
Decision Analysis Q2 - Answer
Options D and E are the correct
answers
A) My (can be achieved with
“personal” = 1)
B) Full (can be achieved with
“opposite” of “empty” = C106)
Which of the following would be the
most useful and the second most
useful additions to the codes in order
to convey the following message
accurately?
My bag is full of heavy and unusual
toys
(You may select up to 2 responses)
 A: My
 B: Full
C) Heavy (can be achieved with
“opposite” of “light” = C12)
D) Unusual (best fit)
E) Toys (best fit)
 C: Heavy
 D: Unusual
 E: Toys
How confident are you that the answer you
gave was right?
General Test Advice

We know that candidates who take our test early do
better!

If you book early and you will have your choice of test
slots. If you feel unwell or unprepared you can
reschedule. This might not be easy in the final weeks of
testing.

If you are not well, reschedule your test to a later date –
even if you lose your test fee. In presenting yourself for
testing, you are declaring yourself fit. We will not consider
health issues as extenuating circumstances.
General Test Advice

Make sure you are given a laminated booklet and pen
before the test starts. Check your pen is working before
you start to avoid the need to seek assistance during
testing.

There will be other people taking tests in the same room
as you and there may be some limited disturbance as
other test takers arrive and leave the room. The test
centre will endeavour for such disturbance to be kept to a
minimum. Ask for earplugs and/or headphones if you
think you may find this disturbing.
Candidate Preparation Toolkit

Freely available from the UKCAT website

Includes 3 fully timed Practice Tests and additional
questions from each subtest

UKCAT Official Guide containing over 100 practice items

Free UKCAT Practice App for iPhone / Android

Our official UKCAT YouTube Channel has a number of
videos to support your preparation.

There are many companies offering UKCAT preparation
material; be careful as they may not necessarily be of a
high standard and may not be up to date enough to mirror
the actual test.
Preparation for the UKCAT
Familiarise yourself with the requirements and question
styles in each subtest. It is important to understand the
time limitations in each section and to develop strategies
to approach each subtest with this in mind.
 Make full use of the free preparation material on the
website, including the fully timed practice tests.
 Go to www.thestudentroom.co.uk where there is advice
available from current/past candidates. This includes links
to free practice resources which can be found on the
internet.
 Spend around 21-30 hours in preparation for the
UKCAT. This is the amount of preparation done by the
highest scoring respondents to our recent survey.

Further information

Your main source of information should be the UKCAT
website www.ukcat.ac.uk

www.thestudentroom.co.uk has lots of information
dedicated to entry into medicine or dentistry.

See also:
 General Medical Council gmc-uk.org
 British Medical Association bma.org.uk
 NHS Medical Careers medicalcareers.nhs.uk
 Get into Medicine getintomedicine.co.uk
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