Question Tutorial for Decision Analysis

www.ukcat.ac.uk

UKCAT2015

What is in the Test?

Verbal reasoning - assesses ability to critically evaluate information that is presented in a written form.

Quantitative reasoning - assesses ability to critically evaluate information presented in a numerical form.

Abstract reasoning - assesses the use of convergent and divergent thinking to infer relationships from information.

Decision analysis - assesses the ability to make sound decisions and judgements using complex information.

Situational judgement - measures capacity to understand real world situations and to identify critical factors and appropriate behaviour in dealing with them.

Test Format

Section Items UKCAT Standard Test(includes 1 minute

per subtest for instruction)

UKCAT Extended Test(includes 2 minutes

per subtest for instruction)

Verbal Reasoning 44 22 minutes 28 minutes

Quantitative Reasoning 36 25 minutes 31.5 minutes

Abstract Reasoning 55 14 minutes 17.5 minutes

Decision Analysis 28 32 minutes 39 minutes

Situational Judgement 68 27 minutes 34 minutes

Total time   120 minutes 150 minutes

In this session...

Strategies for approaching questions from the Decision Analysis subtest of the UKCAT

Worked through example questions with answer rationales General tips and advice Please note, strategies and tips for ALL OTHER subtests

are covered by the new online Question Tutorial on the UKCAT website

Decision Analysis

The test assesses the ability to make decisions in situations

of uncertainty, where information may be incomplete,

complex and ambiguous. Using a deciphering scenario, the test requires a move from

logical reasoning to decisions requiring increasing degrees

of judgement. The associated confidence rating measures your

awareness of your own decision making. 31 minutes to answer 28 items associated with one

scenario, each with a related confidence rating.

Decision Analysis strategies

You need to concentrate fully during this section. Keep in mind the timings in this subtest; in 2014

approximately 14% of candidates failed to answer every question.

Use your laminated booklet during this section – especially as the codes get more complex later in the section.

It may help you to translate the code literally and then decide which answer gives the best fit. This should at least help you narrow down your options even if you are still unsure.

Remember to answer each question in full when it is presented or you will not be able to proceed.

Decision Analysis instructions

Ancient Tomb Codes

An ancient tomb contains strange hieroglyphics which a team is working to decipher. You can join the team once you have demonstrated that you understand the codes. The codes that the team have managed to decode so far are presented in the table below. You can demonstrate your understanding by examining particular codes or sentences and then choosing one from five possible interpretations.

Sometimes the information you have will be incomplete or unusual but there is always some sense to the message. You will therefore need to make your best judgement based on the codes rather than what you might expect or what you think is reasonable.

There is always a “best” answer, which makes the most sense based on all the information presented but bear in mind that this test is about making judgements rather than simply applying rules and logic.

Decision Analysis – Confidence RatingsFollowing each Decision Analysis item you will be asked to rate how confident you are that the answer you gave was right on a 5-point scale (low confidence to high confidence).  A response of 1 would mean that you are not very confident that you answered the corresponding item correctly and a response of 5 would indicate that you are very confident that you answered the corresponding item correctly.

Use your best and honest judgement to indicate your confidence level.  The confidence rating is about how your self-reported confidence correlates to the Decision Analysis response.  Reporting high confidence on all items does not necessarily translate to good self-monitoring ability.

Decision Analysis Q1

What is the best interpretation of the following coded message:

11, 12, 7

A: Today it is bright and sunny.

B: The light from the sun is brighter than usual.

C: Today the sun came up.

D: Today the sun’s rays have a strange hue.

E: The sun is floating in the sky.

How confident are you that the answer you gave was right?

Decision Analysis Q1 - Answer

What is the best interpretation of the following coded message:

 11, 12, 7

A: Today it is bright and sunny.

B: The light from the sun is brighter than usual.

C: Today the sun came up.

D: Today the sun’s rays have a strange hue.

E: The sun is floating in the sky.

How confident are you that the answer you gave was right?

Option A is the correct answer

A) Today it is bright and sunny (best fit)B) The light from the sun is brighter than usual (introduces “brighter than usual”)C) Today the sun came up (“light” does not lead to “coming up”)D) Today the sun’s rays have a strange hue (introduces “strange hue”)E) The sun is floating in the sky (no use of “today”; introduces concept of “floating”)

Decision Analysis Q2

Which of the following would be the most useful and the second most useful additions to the codes in order to convey the following message accurately?

My bag is full of heavy and unusual toys

(You may select up to 2 responses)

A: My

B: Full

C: Heavy

D: Unusual

E: Toys

How confident are you that the answer you gave was right?

Decision Analysis Q2 - Answer

Which of the following would be the most useful and the second most useful additions to the codes in order to convey the following message accurately?

My bag is full of heavy and unusual toys

(You may select up to 2 responses)

A: My

B: Full

C: Heavy

D: Unusual

E: Toys

How confident are you that the answer you gave was right?

Options D and E are the correct answers

A) My (can be achieved with “personal” = 1)

B) Full (can be achieved with “opposite” of “empty” = C106)

C) Heavy (can be achieved with “opposite” of “light” = C12)

D) Unusual (best fit)

E) Toys (best fit)

General Test Advice

We know that candidates who take our test early do better! 

If you book early and you will have your choice of test slots. If you feel unwell or unprepared you can reschedule.  This might not be easy in the final weeks of testing.

If you are not well, reschedule your test to a later date – even if you lose your test fee. In presenting yourself for testing, you are declaring yourself fit.  We will not consider health issues as extenuating circumstances.

General Test Advice

Make sure you are given a laminated booklet and pen before the test starts. Check your pen is working before you start to avoid the need to seek assistance during testing.

There will be other people taking tests in the same room as you and there may be some limited disturbance as other test takers arrive and leave the room. The test centre will endeavour for such disturbance to be kept to a minimum. Ask for earplugs and/or headphones if you think you may find this disturbing.

Candidate Preparation Toolkit

Freely available from the UKCAT website Includes 3 fully timed Practice Tests and additional

questions from each subtest UKCAT Official Guide containing over 100 practice items Free UKCAT Practice App for iPhone / Android Our official UKCAT YouTube Channel has a number of

videos to support your preparation.  There are many companies offering UKCAT preparation

material; be careful as they may not necessarily be of a high standard and may not be up to date enough to mirror the actual test.

Preparation for the UKCAT

Familiarise yourself with the requirements and question styles in each subtest. It is important to understand the time limitations in each section and to develop strategies to approach each subtest with this in mind.

Make full use of the free preparation material on the website, including the fully timed practice tests.

Go to www.thestudentroom.co.uk where there is advice available from current/past candidates.  This includes links to free practice resources which can be found on the internet.

Spend around 21-30 hours in preparation for the UKCAT.  This is the amount of preparation done by the highest scoring respondents to our recent survey.

Further information

Your main source of information should be the UKCAT website www.ukcat.ac.uk

www.thestudentroom.co.uk has lots of information dedicated to entry into medicine or dentistry.

See also: General Medical Council gmc-uk.org British Medical Association bma.org.uk NHS Medical Careers medicalcareers.nhs.uk Get into Medicine getintomedicine.co.uk

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