UCAT Calculator Trainer and Simulator
Build speed and accuracy with the UCAT-style on-screen calculator.
Written and reviewed by Dr Akash Gandhi, NHS GP (GMC 7601216) and founder of TheUKCATPeople, teaching the UCAT since 2012. Last reviewed .
Frequently asked questions
What is the UCAT calculator trainer?
It is a free online UCAT calculator simulator modelled on the basic on-screen calculator in the real test. The keypad has the same simple keys: digits, the four operations, square root, percentage, a sign change key, ON/C and the memory keys MRC, M+ and M-. You can drag it around the screen, practise freely, or run timed drills that score your accuracy and keystrokes per second. There is nothing to install and no account is needed.
Which UCAT sections let you use the calculator?
Only Decision Making and Quantitative Reasoning have the on-screen calculator. Verbal Reasoning and Situational Judgement do not offer one. Throughout the test you also get a laminated A4 notebook and pen for working. The calculator is basic, not scientific, so most of the work is choosing the right calculation and entering it accurately and quickly, which is exactly what the drills on this page train.
Can I use the keyboard and Num Lock with the UCAT calculator?
Yes. In the real test, turn Num Lock on so the number pad types numbers into the calculator. The trainer works the same way: digits and the decimal point, the plus and minus keys, * for multiply, / for divide and Enter for equals, while Backspace or Esc clears. The trainer also greys out the calculator when you click away from it, so you build the habit of clicking back on it before typing. Open Shortcuts for the full key list.
How do the memory buttons work on the UCAT calculator?
M+ adds the number on the display to memory, M- subtracts it, and MRC recalls the stored total; pressing MRC twice in a row clears the memory. Memory saves writing down intermediate answers. For (14 × 6) + (9 × 8), work out 84 and press M+, then 72 and press M+, then press MRC to show 156. The Memory Marathon drill gives you sums of exactly this shape. On the keyboard, P is M+, M is M- and C is MRC.
What is the Pearson lag setting in the calculator trainer?
Pearson lag is an optional switch at the top of the trainer that adds a 40 millisecond delay to every key press before it registers. The real test runs in Pearson VUE software on test centre computers, so the calculator can feel less immediate than a handheld one. Practising with the lag on teaches you to keep a steady rhythm and glance at the display before pressing equals, instead of typing ahead and trusting the result.
Can I download the UCAT calculator?
No download is needed. The trainer runs in your web browser on a laptop, desktop, tablet or phone and works straight away. The real UCAT calculator exists only inside the test software, so the closest you can get is a simulator like this one, plus the free official practice tests on the UCAT website. Phones are fine for quick sessions, but do most practice on a computer with a mouse and number pad, as you will in the test.
How do I practise the UCAT calculator to get faster?
Use the drills rather than only free practice. The Sprint gives you 60 seconds of sums at easy, medium or hard, and the clock starts on your first key. UCAT Ready has five stages of 5 to 10 questions, including percentages and two-step sums, and needs 100% or 95% accuracy to pass each stage. Memory Marathon builds fluency with the memory keys. Your accuracy and keystrokes per second are tracked across sessions, so you can see your speed improve.
Is this a UCAT score calculator?
No. This page is the UCAT on-screen calculator trainer, for practising the basic calculator used in Decision Making and Quantitative Reasoning. If you want to turn raw marks from a practice test into estimated scaled scores, from 300 to 900 per section and up to 2700 in total, use TheUKCATPeople's free UCAT score calculator instead. The two free full-length mocks on this site also give you estimated scaled scores automatically.