How to Pass University and Graduate Admissions Tests: Complete Guide to GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT, UCAT & More

If you are trying to secure a place on a professional or vocational course at a university or graduate school then you may need to take a standardized test.

These types of test have been used in the US for many years and their use has now spread to the UK, particularly for courses which are heavily oversubscribed; for example, medicine, law and dentistry.

The most widely used tests are listed above, along with their acronym and the countries where the tests are used.

Many of the organisations that administer these tests maintain websites which offer information about the tests and practice questions may also be available.

If you think that you will need to take one of these standardized tests then you should check the prospectus of the university or graduate school that you are applying to confirm which test is being used.

Types of Graduate Admissions Tests

If you are trying to secure a place on a professional or vocational course at a university or graduate school then you may need to take a standardized test.

These types of test have been used in the US for many years and their use has now spread to the UK, particularly for courses which are heavily oversubscribed; for example, medicine, law and dentistry.

The most widely used tests are listed below, along with their acronyms and the countries where they are used:

• CAT (Common Admission Test) – An Indian management admissions exam required for postgraduate business schools (IIMs and others). It tests quantitative ability, logical reasoning and verbal skills.

• DAT (Dental Admission Test) – Used in the US and Canada for dentistry applicants. It measures natural sciences knowledge, perceptual ability, reading comprehension and quantitative reasoning.

• GAMSAT (Graduate Medical School Admissions Test) – Required by graduate-entry medical programmes in the UK, Ireland and Australia. It assesses reasoning in humanities, social sciences, biological and physical sciences.

• GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) – A global test for MBA and business programmes. It covers analytical writing, integrated reasoning, quantitative reasoning and verbal reasoning.

• GRE (Graduate Record Examination) – Widely used for entry to US and international graduate schools. It measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, analytical writing and critical thinking.

• HAT (History Aptitude Test) – A subject-specific test used by the University of Oxford for applicants to history and related courses. It evaluates essay writing, historical analysis and source interpretation.

• LSAT (Law School Admission Test) – Required by law schools in the US, Canada and some international institutions. It measures logical reasoning, analytical reasoning and reading comprehension.

• MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) – The standard test for entry into US and Canadian medical schools. It tests biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, sociology, and critical reasoning.

• MAT (Mathematics Admissions Test) – Used by Oxford, Imperial and some other UK universities for maths-related courses. It tests mathematical reasoning, algebra, calculus and problem-solving.

• LNAT (Law National Aptitude Test) – Used by UK universities such as Oxford, King’s College London and others for law courses. It measures reading comprehension, logical reasoning and essay writing.

• OAT (Optometry Admission Test) – Required in the US and Canada for entry into optometry programmes. It measures natural sciences knowledge, physics, quantitative reasoning and reading comprehension.

• PCAT (Pharmacy College Admission Test) – A US test for pharmacy courses. It covers biology, chemistry, quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension and writing.

• UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) – Widely used in the UK, Australia and New Zealand for medicine and dentistry. It measures abstract reasoning, decision making, situational judgement, quantitative and verbal reasoning.

Many of the organisations that administer these tests maintain websites which offer detailed information, including practice questions and past papers.

If you think you will need to take one of these standardized tests, check the prospectus of the university or graduate school that you are applying to confirm which test is required. You should then research the test thoroughly and use the official preparation resources where possible.

General Graduate Admissions Tests Example Questions

Q1. Verbal Reasoning (Reading Comprehension)

Passage:

“Global warming poses significant risks to biodiversity. Rising temperatures force species to migrate, but many cannot adapt quickly enough, leading to population decline. Conservation strategies must therefore include both habitat preservation and climate mitigation.”

Which statement best expresses the author’s conclusion?

a) All species will eventually go extinct.
b) Climate change only affects animals, not plants.
c) Protecting biodiversity requires tackling climate change.
d) Migration ensures survival for most species.

Correct answer: c)

The argument builds towards the conclusion that both habitat preservation and climate mitigation are essential.

Q2. Critical Thinking (Argument Flaw)

“All doctors are highly educated. Some highly educated people are poor communicators. Therefore, some doctors are poor communicators.”

What is the flaw?

a) Confuses necessary and sufficient conditions.
b) Assumes that what is true of some applies to all.
c) Generalises beyond the evidence.
d) Uses circular reasoning.

Correct answer: c)

The argument doesn’t establish that doctors specifically are among the poor communicators.

Q3. Numerical Reasoning (Percentages)

A company’s revenue increased from £120,000 to £150,000. What was the percentage increase?

a) 20%
b) 25%
c) 30%
d) 35%

Correct answer: b) 25%

Increase = £30,000

$30,000 ÷ 120,000 × 100 = 25$

Q4. Data Interpretation

A bar chart shows student enrolment:

• 2019 = 200 students

• 2020 = 260 students

• 2021 = 310 students

What is the average enrolment across these three years?

a) 250.9
b) 256.7
c) 260.0
d) 270.1

Correct answer: b) 256.7

(200 + 260 + 310) ÷ 3 = 770 ÷ 3 ≈ 256.7

Q5. Logical Reasoning

If all roses are flowers, and some flowers fade quickly, what can we conclude?

a) All roses fade quickly.
b) Some roses fade quickly.
c) Some flowers are not roses.
d) No roses fade quickly.

Correct answer: c)

“All roses are flowers” and “some flowers fade quickly” only prove that not all flowers are roses.

Q6. Abstract Reasoning

Which shape comes next in the sequence?

▲ → ■ → ● → ▲ → ■ → ?

a) ●
b) ▲
c) ■
d) ◆

Correct answer: a) ●

The sequence repeats every three symbols (triangle, square, circle).

Q7. Numerical Reasoning (Ratios)

In a graduate programme, the ratio of male to female students is 3:5. If there are 200 students, how many are male?

a) 60
b) 70
c) 75
d) 80

Correct answer: c) 75

Total ratio parts = 8. Each part = 200 ÷ 8 = 25. Male = 3 × 25 = 75

Q8. Problem Solving

A train leaves City A at 9:00 am at 60 km/h. Another train leaves City A at 10:00 am at 90 km/h on the same track. At what time will the second train catch the first?

a) 11:00 am
b) 12:00 pm
c) 12:30 pm
d) 1:00 pm

Correct answer: b) 12:00 pm

First train has 1-hour head start = 60 km. Speed difference = 30 km/h. Time to catch up = 60 ÷ 30 = 2 hours. Add to 10:00 → 12:00.

Q9. Vocabulary / Word Meaning

Choose the word that is closest in meaning to “mitigate”:

a) Worsen
b) Lessen
c) Complicate
d) Strengthen

Correct answer: b) Lessen

Mitigate means to reduce or make less severe.

Q10. Critical Thinking (Evidence Evaluation)

A study shows that students who drink coffee score higher on exams. Which of the following, if true, most weakens the conclusion that coffee improves exam performance?

a) Students who drink coffee also tend to study longer hours.
b) Coffee can cause anxiety in high doses.
c) Exam performance varies by subject.
d) Not all students like coffee.

Correct answer: a)

The correlation may be due to longer study hours, not coffee itself.

Final Thoughts

Graduate and university admissions tests are designed to measure the core skills that selective programmes demand – whether that’s logical reasoning, problem solving, verbal comprehension or numerical analysis. While the question styles vary between tests, they all assess how well you can think under pressure and apply knowledge quickly.

Success comes from preparation. Familiarise yourself with the test format for your chosen course, practise as many sample questions as you can, and work on both speed and accuracy. Just as important, approach test day with a clear strategy: read questions carefully, manage your time, and use estimation and logic to eliminate wrong answers.

With focused preparation and a calm, systematic approach, you’ll maximise your score and give yourself the best chance of securing a place on your chosen programme.