Management of Applications for 2012 entry

Upon receipt of UCAS forms in October, all UCAS applications undergo an initial review to determine the suitability of academic qualifications offered and subsequent achievements. Applications, which clearly do not fulfil our basic minimum academic requirements, are not processed further.

UCAS applications that offer suitable academic standards of qualifications are then processed in the following manner. 

An Objective Scoring System is initially applied to all aspects of the application that produces three separate scores:  

  • Academic score
  • UCAS form score
  • UKCAT score

A summary of these scores determines which candidates are then selected for interview which will then produce an:

  • Interview Score

Offers are then made to candidates who achieve an overall score that is greater than the designated threshold.

(see also Leaflets – Selection of Applicants and Planning an Application).

Academic Score

An objective score is given for the attained or predicted qualifications. This includes qualifications obtained in school in S5 & predicted in S6 (Scotland) and A2 or final year academic predictions elsewhere

Contributes up to 25% of total score

UCAS Form Score

Each UCAS form is then reviewed by two Selectors

Each Selector carefully considers all aspects of the remaining application and scores the form objectively, based upon three categories

  • Commitment to medicine.
  • Knowledge of core qualities required of a doctor and candidates' personal qualities relating to this.
  • Understanding of professional issues (eg, teamwork); evidence of outside interests

Contributes up to 22% of total score

UK CAT Score

The score allocated is based upon an applicant's overall performance in the UK CAT compared with the performance of all other applicants to Aberdeen.  Achievements are ranked in octiles and determine the appropriate score allocated.

Contributes up to 8% of total score

Interview Score

Only the top 600 applicants based on the above scoring system are likely to be asked to attend for an interview when the attributes mentioned above will be further explored.

Once more, an objective scoring system will cover the same categories scored previously, but in greater depth.  Other qualities will be assessed which otherwise would not be apparent from a written statement e.g. understanding of issues, problem-solving and analytical skills, enthusiasm interest and motivation to study Medicine and communication and interpersonal skills

For 2013 entry the interview process will change to the Multiple Mini Interview format.  Five candidates will rotate around five questioning stations in turn.  A Selector will explore one questioning area or domain at each station for 7 minutes and score the candidate's performance against pre-determined criteria.  Communication and interpersonal skills will also be scored at each station.  The whole of the MMI experience will last about 40 minutes for each candidate

For help regarding different aspects of the interview process, see Interview Advice

Contributes up to 45% of total score

See also Leaflets - Selection of Applicants, Planning an Application and How Offers are Made (Flow Chart).

The interviews are undertaken between the end of October through to the end of March. Candidates will be invited for interview by letter and asked to confirm their intention to attend at the appointed time and date. Interviewees will also be offered a tour of the Medical School, on the day of the interview. The medical student guide will be very pleased to answer any questions and discuss the Aberdeen MB ChB experience!

A Health questionnaire will be issued to all interviewees that should be returned to Occupational Health in the envelope provided.