Sat my UCAT yesterday, faced technical issues on TWO exams in one cycle, got 1900 B2 and don't know where to apply for GEM

[u/Apart_Needleworker58]

Hi guys, I'm v lost on what to do and would appreciate ANY advice, especially if anyone has had a UCAT annotation before or knows how unis deal with them!

So on my first UCAT sitting on 23rd Sep, I had a technical issue in QR where my calc stopped working. My keyboard/num lock wouldn't work either, and there was a delay when I raised my hand for help and login issues from the staff. I reported it and Pearson confirmed that I lost 3+ mins. My case was referred to the Consortium office and I was offered a contingency resit ... yay!.......BUT-

...I sat my resit yesterday (14th October) and AGAIN had a technical issue, my calculator didn't even have numbers this time...!! it was just a blue blank square!. I lost around 40 seconds and then the interruption around 3 mins while staff were trying to log me back in/stop the test . It threw me off and I lost track of where I was in the questions. It definitely affected me during the test.

I got 1900 B2 this time....

It's so frustrating that I had another issue during the resit itself. I don't know if UCAT will give me an annotation for this one or if there's even anything else they can do now because I doubt I will get another resit...NOW....

I've been calling unis right after my exam yesterday because I need to decide on my four GEM choices and I'm getting nowhere with definite answers.... Chester said they wouldn't usually take anything under the mean, but then said they could consider it and that it might be worth applying since I'm close?....

Pears Cumbria said I was close to their previous contextual cutoff of 1910, but they didn't know how the cutoff would change this year or how an annotation would be taken....

Warwick said similar, they couldn't really tell me....much really...

Swansea had a minimum of 1900 last year but they don't know how it'll change this year.....

Worcester also couldn't give me a definite answer about annotations or what UCAT score would be competitive, but said it might be worth applying....

UEA said they don't know and don't have anything set in stone regarding the UCAT yet...they would look at it but they don't have a minimum UCAT points yet...

I haven't called Barts or Southampton yet. I feel like they'll probably tell me the same thing anyway, but idk....idk much about the

I have a 2:1 in Biomedical Science, GCSEs maths4 and eng5s (twas a tough time), BTEC DDM AppSci, so I'm also trying to make sure I only apply to GEM courses where I actually meet the academic requirements.

Can anyone help me out? Is it likely I'll get an annotation for the second incident, considering I was already given a resit because of the first one? and do unis acc take annotations into account? Everywhere I look online, people say they don't care about them, so I'm wondering if there's even any point hoping it'll make a difference.... ;;-;;;;

My top choice was Chester bur with 1900 B2, I'm not sure which universities to stick to and go for since they're all just saying the same things....

I even find it comical how my calculator didn't work TWICE now. Why are candidates losing time because of equipment issues in the first place 😭 come onnnnn... I think I just find it so ridiculous that I haven't had time to feel down yet

I know 1900 isn't an amazing score and I just genuinely don't know what the best decision is now

(Also, if anyone would be willing to have a quick peak at my personal statement for GEM, I'd really appreciate it...)

[u/Old_Tower_5793]

we got an hour you can quickly research some undergrad courses and probs do 3 counties + aru + sgul or smth !!!! good luck either way :)

[u/Apart_Needleworker58 → u/Old_Tower_5793]

I'll do that right now, thank you! All the best to you!

[u/Ok_Caramel_6439 → u/Old_Tower_5793]

Aru needs gcse maths 6 so be careful with er

[u/Difficult_Hair_4103 → u/Ok_Caramel_6439]

they don’t

[u/Boring_Surprise_484]

You’re way too low for Bart’s. 2130 minimum for interview last year, and that was people with firsts not 2:1 (Bart’s weight degree class).

Sorry about your UCAT though. Guess you’ll just have to suck it up if you don’t get any offers and try next year. It’s bad luck but not much else to do. Maybe book a different test centre, or don’t leave it so late!

[u/Apart_Needleworker58 → u/Boring_Surprise_484]

I see, I just didn't think it would happen twice. Welp, it's okay, don't worry for I am not a quitter. 5th try it is! I trust in Allah. I will be patient and keep hope.  Thank you, kind person

[u/Educational-Fall3585]

I got 1900 band 2 😭 and I’m applying to Worcester, Chester, Surrey and Warwick. I’m not hopeful but inshallah, I somehow get at least one offer

[u/Key_Employer_2410]

Look at st gorgoes and aru undergrad!

[u/R1_2]

I would recommend putting Queens Belfast as your back up ik it's a 5 year course but if u don't get in this year it might be worth it. Hopefully you do get a GEM course this year