UCAT — University Clinical Aptitude Test (UK medicine)
Take the UCAT Situational Judgement, Set 1: 20 multiple-choice questions (30 minutes) with instant scoring and a full answer review. Covers 20 UCAT…
What this test covers
The first 5 questions of this test, with the correct answer and explanation.
Q1. A medical student on placement notices that a junior doctor has not washed their hands before examining a patient. How appropriate is it for the student to politely remind the doctor about hand hygiene before the examination continues?
Answer: A. A very appropriate thing to do
Explanation: Patient safety comes first, and a polite, timely reminder addresses the risk directly and respectfully.
Q2. A medical student on placement notices that a junior doctor has not washed their hands before examining a patient. How appropriate is it for the student to say nothing, because the doctor is senior?
Answer: D. A very inappropriate thing to do
Explanation: Staying silent leaves the patient at risk of infection; seniority does not override patient safety.
Q3. A medical student on placement notices that a junior doctor has not washed their hands before examining a patient. How appropriate is it for the student to mention the matter to their clinical supervisor after the ward round?
Answer: B. Appropriate, but not ideal
Explanation: Raising it is right, but it does not prevent the immediate risk to this patient.
Q4. A medical student on placement notices that a junior doctor has not washed their hands before examining a patient. How appropriate is it for the student to tell the patient that the doctor has dirty hands?
Answer: C. Inappropriate, but not awful
Explanation: It raises the issue but may cause the patient unnecessary alarm and undermine trust; speaking to the doctor would be better.
Q5. During a group project, a medical student realises that one team member has copied part of their section from a website without citing it. How important is it, in deciding what to do, that the project will be submitted for assessment?
Answer: A. Very important
Explanation: Plagiarism in assessed work is a matter of academic integrity that affects the whole group.
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Q6. During a group project, a medical student realises that one team member has copied part of their section from a website without citing it. How important is it, in deciding what to do, that the team member is a close friend of the student?
Q7. During a group project, a medical student realises that one team member has copied part of their section from a website without citing it. How appropriate is it for the student to speak privately to the team member and suggest they rewrite and cite the section?
Q8. During a group project, a medical student realises that one team member has copied part of their section from a website without citing it. How appropriate is it for the student to rewrite the section themselves without telling the team member?
Q9. A medical student is asked by a patient's relative for information about the patient's diagnosis. The student knows the diagnosis but is not sure whether the patient has agreed to share it. How appropriate is it for the student to share the diagnosis, since the relative is family?
Q10. A medical student is asked by a patient's relative for information about the patient's diagnosis. The student knows the diagnosis but is not sure whether the patient has agreed to share it. How appropriate is it for the student to explain that they cannot share information and suggest the relative speaks to the doctor in charge?
Q11. A medical student is asked by a patient's relative for information about the patient's diagnosis. The student knows the diagnosis but is not sure whether the patient has agreed to share it. How important is it, in deciding what to do, whether the patient has consented to sharing information?
Q12. A medical student is asked by a patient's relative for information about the patient's diagnosis. The student knows the diagnosis but is not sure whether the patient has agreed to share it. How important is it, in deciding what to do, that the relative seems very upset?
Q13. A medical student overhears two classmates in the hospital lift discussing a named patient's condition. How appropriate is it for the student to remind the classmates, after leaving the lift, that discussing patients in public breaches confidentiality?
Q14. A medical student overhears two classmates in the hospital lift discussing a named patient's condition. How appropriate is it for the student to report the classmates to the medical school immediately without speaking to them first?
Q15. A medical student overhears two classmates in the hospital lift discussing a named patient's condition. How appropriate is it for the student to join in the conversation?
Q16. A medical student overhears two classmates in the hospital lift discussing a named patient's condition. How appropriate is it for the student to ignore the conversation because it is not their responsibility?
Q17. A medical student has made a small mistake in recording a patient's blood pressure on a chart, which has not yet caused any harm. How appropriate is it for the student to inform the nurse or doctor responsible and correct the record properly?
Q18. A medical student has made a small mistake in recording a patient's blood pressure on a chart, which has not yet caused any harm. How appropriate is it for the student to correct the number quietly without telling anyone?
Q19. A medical student has made a small mistake in recording a patient's blood pressure on a chart, which has not yet caused any harm. How important is it, in deciding what to do, that the mistake has not yet caused harm?
Q20. A medical student has made a small mistake in recording a patient's blood pressure on a chart, which has not yet caused any harm. How important is it, in deciding what to do, that the student might be embarrassed?