UCAT Decision Making question types and methods
Name the question type, then use its first move. Some items have one answer; others have five Yes/No statements.
All shortlisted applicants submitted a portfolio. No applicant who submitted late was shortlisted. At least one applicant who submitted a portfolio submitted late. For each statement, answer Yes only if it necessarily follows; otherwise answer No. Treat only the stated facts as certain.
- At least one portfolio applicant was not shortlisted.
- Everyone who submitted on time was shortlisted.
- No shortlisted applicant submitted late.
- At least one shortlisted applicant exists.
- Every portfolio applicant was shortlisted.
The worked answer
All shortlisted applicants submitted a portfolio. No applicant who submitted late was shortlisted. At least one applicant who submitted a portfolio submitted late. For each statement, answer Yes only if it necessarily follows; otherwise answer No. Treat only the stated facts as certain.
Answer: At least one portfolio applicant was not shortlisted: Yes. Everyone who submitted on time was shortlisted: No. No shortlisted applicant submitted late: Yes. At least one shortlisted applicant exists: No. Every portfolio applicant was shortlisted: No
- The shortlist is a subset of portfolio applicants and excludes late applicants.
- An existing late portfolio applicant is therefore outside the shortlist; no shortlist member is guaranteed.
Ready for the whole test? Sit the full free UCAT mock: 184 questions, marked by subtest.
Six types
| Type | First move | Trap |
|---|---|---|
| Syllogisms | Translate each condition without reversing it | All A are B does not mean all B are A |
| Logic puzzles | Write the fixed constraints first | Possible is not necessary |
| Interpreting information | Check each statement against the data | Outside knowledge |
| Arguments | Match the reason to the exact question | True but irrelevant |
| Venn diagrams | Separate overlaps from totals | Counting the overlap twice |
| Probability | Define the event and the denominator | Assuming independence |
Check each statement on its own
Worked example A training group
Exactly 30 trainees attend at least one of two workshops: coding or statistics. Twenty attend coding and 18 attend statistics. Yes or No: (1) Eight attend both. (2) Twelve attend coding only. (3) Ten attend statistics only. (4) Every statistics attendee attends coding. (5) More attend coding only than statistics only.
Why this works: Yes, Yes, Yes, No, Yes. Overlap = 20 + 18 − 30 = 8. Coding only = 12, statistics only = 10. Statement 4 fails: ten attend statistics without coding.
Why the tempting route fails: Reading 20 + 18 = 38 as people counts eight of them twice.
Syllogisms in depth: UCAT syllogisms
What some, most and either mean: UCAT Decision Making definitions