The UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) is an admissions test used by many medical and dental schools in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand to assess candidates’ critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. It’s important because it helps universities evaluate qualities essential for healthcare careers beyond academic grades. Unlike traditional exams that test scientific knowledge, the UCAT focuses on cognitive abilities, situational judgment, and behavioral traits, making it a measure of aptitude rather than learned content.