Regional Medical Pathway in Detail

The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT ANZ) is an admissions test used by the UCAT ANZ Consortium of universities in Australia and New Zealand for their medical, dental and clinical science degree programs. The test establishes applicants’ abilities in the following areas:

• Verbal Reasoning
• Decision Making 
• Quantitative Reasoning
• Abstract Reasoning
• Situational Judgement

Students do not require medical knowledge to undertake this test. 

How much does it cost?

Registration cost was $325 in 2024. This needs to be paid on registration (in Year 12). Please refer to the UCAT ANZ website for more information. 

UCAT bursaries may be available through UQ, but conditions apply.

Where do I sit for the test?

The UCAT ANZ is a computer-based test that is provided in person in Pearson VUE test centres. Test centres are provided in Bundaberg and Rockhampton. Learn more, including other site locations, on the UCAT ANZ website. 

Helpful UCAT links

• Key Dates and Bookings
• Preparation Resources (including question banks and practice tests)

A Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) is a multi-station, multi-interview format where applicants rotate through a range of interview stations with multiple interviewers. If you're attending the MMIs, you'll receive a score for each interview station, which contributes to the overall admissions rank. Scores are reviewed by an MMI Results Board. 

How do I get invited to the MMI?

The overall UCAT ANZ score is used to determine a ranked interview list for MMIs. The minimum UCAT ANZ score the University requires will vary each year, determined by the performance of all applicants competing for a place in the Pathway to Medicine course. Therefore, the UCAT cut-off score cannot be determined in advance.

Preparing for an MMI

If you're preparing for an MMI, it's best to prepare in the same way you would prepare for any interview. An understanding of your self, motivations, values, the way you respond to situations, and an understanding of the world around you is helpful.

There are no right answers. You'll be assessed on how you respond rather than on specific content.

It is not recommended that you pay for professional training as it often results in a more rigid, robotic, and coached response and is not a true reflection of who you are as an individual. Bringing your true selves to the interviews rather than a set of pre-prepared responses is the best approach. 

Helpful MMI Links

• What is an MMI (and How to prepare for one) - Video
• UQ MMI Guide 

ATAR Requirement

The higher the ATAR score, the more competitive you will be when applying for the Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine). The ATAR score makes up 25 per cent of the final offer score when assessing an application.  

To be considered for a place in the Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine), the minimum ATAR for eligibility to the RMP is 95.00. 

Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine) has several adjustment schemes available. As an applicant, you'll be eligible for a maximum of five adjustment points. 

Adjustment Schemes

Subject Incentive Scheme

You may be eligible for this scheme if you are applying for CM17 Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine) and have successfully completed specific Year 12 subjects or university-level study while at school.

The number of ATAR/rank adjustments you can receive depends on the subjects/units you complete. Adjustments will be applied automatically for eligible subjects, including:

• 2 ATAR/rank adjustments for achieving a grade of C or higher in Units 3 and 4 of an approved language other than English subject (or an equivalent subject from another approved senior program)
• 2 ATAR/rank adjustments for achieving a grade of C or higher in Units 3 and 4 of Queensland Specialist Mathematics (or equivalent)
• 1 ATAR/rank adjustment for successfully completing units CHEM11043 Atoms, Molecules and Matter or ESSC11002 Measurement and Evaluation in Health Science through CQUniversity's Start Uni Now (SUN) program.

If you have completed SUN units, you will need to provide extra details in your QTAC application and upload a copy of your transcript to the supporting documentation section.

Rural Access Scheme

If you are applying for CM17 Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine) and live in an eligible rural location, you may apply for the following:

• 2 ATAR/rank adjustments if you have lived in Rural Australia or
• 3 ATAR/rank adjustments if you have lived in both Rural Australia and Central Queensland or Wide Bay.

To check your eligibility for the rural access scheme ,visit the Health Workforce Locator Tool and select the Modified Monash Model (2019) and click on the “Find Address” box and enter your full address.

To identify as a resident of Central Queensland or Wide Bay applicants must submit an application and supporting documentation to demonstrate residence of at least 10 years cumulatively or any 5 years consecutively in Central Queensland and/or Wide Bay since birth.

Central Queensland and Wide Bay means the geographic area defined by the following Local Government Areas, which comprises the designated catchment of the Regional Medical Pathway (or view the Central Queensland and Wide Bay Boundaries map for visual reference):

• Banana
• Barcaldine
• Barcoo
• Blackall Tambo
• Boulia
• Bundaberg
• Central Highlands
• Diamantina
• Fraser Coast
• Gladstone
• Gympie
• Isaac
• Livingstone
• Longreach
• North Burnett
• Rockhampton
• Winton
• Woorabinda

Applications for the Rural Access Scheme are administered by QTAC. When you apply for CM17 Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine), you'll need to provide documents that prove your rural background together with the QTAC cover sheet for the Rural Access Scheme.

The types of documentation may include supporting letters from: a school, university or workplace, health care professional, pharmacist or government agency stating your residential address during the period of enrolment/employment or engagement in that service.

Supporting documents may also include: other documents to verify the duration of residency such as utility bills or bank statements showing your (or your family’s) address at the time of issue, and dates/length of time of residency. These documents can be in your parents’ name(s).

Central Queensland/Wide Bay Schooling Adjustment Scheme

In addition to the Rural Access Adjustment Scheme, you may be eligible for the Central Queensland/Wide Bay School Adjustment Scheme. As an applicant for CM17 Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine), you could be eligible for 3 adjustment factors, if:

• your permanent residence is in Central Queensland or Wide Bay, and 
• you have completed Years 11 & 12 in Central Queensland or Wide Bay

Applications for the Central Queensland/Wide Bay Schooling Adjustment Scheme will be administered by QTAC. When you submit your application for this course via QTAC, the QTAC team will be in contact to confirm your eligibility and to invite you to apply for the Scheme. They'll also inform you of the evidence you should provide (note, evidence will include a letter from the School where you have completed Years 11 and 12). 

The geographic areas of Central Queensland and Wide Bay are as defined under the Rural Access Scheme.

Start Uni Now (SUN)

Start Uni Now (SUN) offers high school students the opportunity to complete university units while still in high school. Completing an approved SUN unit/s from the Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine) will provide you with a maximum of 1 ATAR/ rank adjustment when applying for the Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine). 

If you’re successful in gaining admission into the Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine), you may be eligible for credit transfer for successful completion of specified SUN units.

Adjustment Scheme Caps

Please note the total adjustments an applicant is eligible to receive for CM17 Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine) is capped at 5 ATAR positions or 5 selection rank improvements for all eligible adjustment schemes.

A Bonded Medical Place aims to provide more doctors in areas of workforce shortage in regional, rural and remote Australia. 28.5% of the Medical Pathways cohorts are required to be on the Bonded Medical Program. 

The Bonded Medical Place requires a return of service obligation throughout candidates’ medical careers.  When applying via QTAC, you may list a Bonded Medical Place as a preference as part of your QTAC application, or you may opt-in during the first half of your first year of study. 

Bonded medical places are available for CQU's Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine). 

Learn more about the Bonded Medical Program.