ATAR Notes: Forum
VCE Stuff => VTAC Discussion => Topic started by: TheEagle on January 25, 2020, 06:52:07 pm
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I am in year 12 this year and I am planning to do med (85% sure). I am aware of the process, however, having such a heavy workload in year 12, I am thinking of not sitting the UCAT this year, but rather next year. Would anyone agree on doing so? I want to really make the most of my Atar this year and secure monetary prizes from my school ($5000 for the dux)
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The UCAT is supposed to be a skills-based aptitude test. It cannot be likened to studying for your year 12 exams, where you can be certain you will get x score if you study well and familiarise yourself with all the knowledge on the study design. It is not a good idea to take a gap year only for the UCAT, as you cannot rely on getting a good score no matter how much you study. It's very possible to do well, however impossible to predict how well you will do. I would not take a gap year solely for the purposes of the UCAT. It is definitely possible to dux the school AND sit the UCAT in the same year - I'm sure others who also have a high workload in year 12 who take the UCAT have also duxed. I would highly recommend you sit the UCAT this year instead of taking a gap year. Your motivation to become dux is valid (who wouldn't want to be dux?) however you cannot depend on a good UCAT score due to the nature of the test, unfortunately. Taking a gap year for other reasons is fine (volunteering, working, experience), however just to resit the UCAT is a very big risk you wouldn't want to take. Read this for more info.
EDIT: It's ultimately up to you what decision you make. Mine is just a recommendation you should take into consideration - it is important to understand the risks so you are not disappointed/don't regret taking a gap year.
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I am in year 12 this year and I am planning to do med (85% sure). I am aware of the process, however, having such a heavy workload in year 12, I am thinking of not sitting the UCAT this year, but rather next year. Would anyone agree on doing so? I want to really make the most of my Atar this year and secure monetary prizes from my school ($5000 for the dux)
The UCAT is conducted during the holidays, so just book it near the end and start preping a week before. You only need to get yourself familiarised with the format and the way the test works - you won't improve drastically no matter how much time you spend on it imo. On a side note, 5k for dux jeez ;o lol. But seriously, if you became an intern one year faster, that's a 60k difference for short term vs long term gain.