Some students who are preparing for the UCAT are uncertain as to whether they should enroll in weekly UCAT classes or hire a private tutor. This is often due to the fact that it is the behavior they are accustomed to in high school. However, UCAT is fundamentally distinct from school, necessitating an alternative methodology. We recommend group study as a more cost-effective and efficient method of preparing for the UCAT.
The advantages of group study are widely recognized: it is more effective, more pleasant, and more social, particularly for examinations like the UCAT. Extensive pedagogical research has demonstrated that group study is significantly more effective than passive learning through didactic teaching or instruction in the development of higher-order cognitive skills, including those required for high-stakes tests like the UCAT.
Synergy in UCAT Prep by Learning from Each Other
Students who are pursuing a career in medicine are a genuinely distinctive cohort. They possess exceptional intelligence and motivation. Forming a UCAT study group with individuals of this nature will allow you to learn and be motivated by one another. For instance, you may acquire novel strategies for addressing UCAT questions and gain insight into the perspectives of others. The act of engaging in a conversation with other students regarding a UCAT problem can frequently serve as a valuable learning instrument by elucidating one’s own thought processes. It is crucial to be aware of the correct and probable incorrect methods of reasoning for a question, as test designers consider these factors when creating answer alternatives. The learning of all group members will be enhanced by the unique approach, strengths, and weaknesses of each student.
It is anecdotal that numerous students who attain the 99th percentile on the UCAT attribute their success to group study. Additionally, commencing group study early in preparation for the UCAT can assist in the cultivation of collaboration abilities, which are crucial for success in the field of medicine.
Group Study Fosters Lifelong Learning and Well-being
Group study is also a significantly more active study instrument than didactic instruction. Passive learning, which is less effective, is promoted by weekly UCAT classes and private UCAT tutoring. Active learning entails persevering in the face of challenging problems and actively engaging with the UCAT content. Rather than being instructed on how to resolve the issue, which is more likely to result in a cognitive miser in your thinking, investing time in attempting to comprehend a UCAT question enables you to develop new strategies that are effective for you. This will ensure that you are adequately prepared to address comparable inquiries during the UCAT, which will be conducted without the presence of your tutor or teacher. One of the talents that the UCAT tests is the capacity to persist. Active group learning also fosters lifelong continuous development and independent learning, which are essential for success in the study and practice of medicine.
Additionally, group learning is enjoyable and social. This should not be overlooked during the challenging and frequently distressing final year of education. Sharing your UCAT challenges, anxieties, and apprehensions with others will assist in the reduction of tension and the development of greater confidence, both of which are essential for success in the UCAT.
We strongly advise that you establish a study group rather than enlist the services of a UCAT tutor. It is crucial to remember that group study is both enjoyable and effective, and it can help you cultivate critical skills that will be beneficial in your future as a medical student and doctor.
Is the UCAT causing you stress? How to Maximize the Benefits of Stress?
You may have heard that tension has a detrimental effect on performance, particularly in an intellectually demanding test like the UCAT.
It is possible that you have been advised that excessive tension in the preparation for a significant exam like the UCAT will result in poor performance.
It is possible that you were advised to seek methods to alleviate the tension associated with the UCAT.
Although this may be accurate, there are instances in which the attempt to alleviate UCAT tension can actually result in an increase in stress. A novel approach, which may initially appear absurd, is to accept the tension associated with the UCAT. In addition to enhancing your UCAT performance, the subsequent three strategies will also assist you in tension management.
Technique 1: Reappraisal of Arousal
Stress is an automatic tool that takes over in the event of a peril and is an important evolutionary response to danger. Stress responses facilitate the ability to process more quickly, see more clearly, and run more quickly. Before a high-stakes test like UCAT, it is common to experience symptoms of tension, including a quickened pulse, sweaty palms, and butterflies in the stomach. The majority of students interpret these physical signals as a message from their bodies that conveys the message “I am apprehensive,” which in turn increases their anxiety. Instead, arousal reappraisal is a method that enables you to evaluate your physical state and intentionally choose to approach it from a different perspective. By reinterpreting “I’m so anxious” as “I’m so thrilled,” “I’m prepared for this test,” or “I’m prepared for anything,” you can leverage your physiological arousal to your advantage. Utilize it to enhance your enthusiasm for the UCAT!
Technique 2: Acquire a new perspective
Stress is frequently perceived as an external force that is beyond our control. This is evident in our language, as we use the phrase “I am anxious” rather than “I feel overwhelmed.” An emotion, such as tension, can become an integral component of our self-perception when we intensely identify with it. However, it is crucial to bear in mind that stress is a physiological reaction to an emotion indicative of our perception of the present circumstances. Stress is not always a reality.
Consider rephrasing the tension from “I am stressed” to “I am in a situation that necessitates me to take the UCAT, an essential test.” I am experiencing a sense of tension, and my body is responding accordingly. You will acquire a valuable perspective by taking a step back, even if it is only a small one. Rather than resisting your tension, recognize it for what it is: a response to your perspective on a specific situation, such as the UCAT.
Technique 3: Comprehend the rationale
It is beneficial to contemplate the reasons for your anxiety regarding the UCAT and the source of your tension. Please allow a few moments to reflect on and document the causes of your concern regarding the UCAT. In relation to UCAT, what are you concerned about? Are your concerns regarding the UCAT well-founded? Is there anyone or anything that is exacerbating your concern regarding the UCAT? What is the effect of tension on you? Do you tell yourself anything when you are feeling anxious, and does it assist or hinder you? This will assist you in comprehending the root causes of your tension and implementing strategies to mitigate them.
Contrary to conventional belief, the concept of “stress alleviation” may not be as straightforward as it appears. Instead of opposing UCAT tension, consider accepting it. It is important to remember that tension serves as a catalyst for success, enhancing your energy and preparing you for battle. Utilize it to your advantage during the UCAT!
