UCAT Quantitative Reasoning 5

Question 1

A confidence interval for a treatment effect is 1.2 to 3.8 (relative risk). What does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

The treatment significantly increases risk — the interval excludes 1

Answer

A CI for relative risk that excludes 1.0 indicates statistical significance. Since both bounds are above 1, the treatment is associated with increased risk.

Question 2

A hospital reduces average length of stay from 6 days to 4.5 days. By what percentage was it reduced?

Accepted Answer

25%

Answer

Reduction = 1.5 days. Percentage = (1.5/6) × 100 = 25%.

Question 3

Two drugs: Drug X reduces systolic BP by 12 mmHg (SD 4), Drug Y by 10 mmHg (SD 8). Which has more consistent effects?

Accepted Answer

Drug X — smaller standard deviation relative to effect

Answer

Drug X has a smaller SD (4 vs 8) relative to a larger mean reduction, indicating more consistent, predictable effects.

Question 4

Prevalence of diabetes in UK = 6%. In a GP practice of 2,500 patients, how many are expected to have diabetes?

Accepted Answer

150

Answer

Expected = 6% × 2,500 = 0.06 × 2,500 = 150.

Question 5

A line graph shows weight loss over 12 weeks. Weeks 1–4: steep decline. Weeks 5–8: plateau. Weeks 9–12: gradual decline. At which point is the rate of loss greatest?

Accepted Answer

Weeks 1–4

Answer

Steepness of slope on a line graph represents rate of change. The steepest section (weeks 1–4) represents the fastest rate of weight loss.

UCAT Practice Test

UCAT Practice Test

UCAT Quantitative Reasoning 5