Quiz: How well do you know these UCAS terms?

When it boils down to it, UCAS has just four simple steps: Apply > Wait to hear back > Reply to offers > Find out if you’ve got your place.

But anyone who has used the UK organisation’s application process knows it can be a little confusing. Hidden within the four steps above are numerous other procedures and terminologies.

What happens if there’s a mistake? Or you’ve changed your mind about your five choices? Or what if you’ve made a potentially fatal mistake in the personal statement you’ve already submitted?

For school leavers, applying through UCAS is a necessary procedure in which there’s so much at stake – so much so that UCAS is now coming up with flowcharts and explanatory videos to complement guidelines and help distressed applicants along.

UCAS is confusing😩

— LIAM TYLER (@LiamOliverTyler) August 15, 2015

These are informative treasure troves that every UCAS applicant should explore. Pages like UCAS terms explained and Application deadlines on the UCAS website, as well as the first-hand accounts from university students who’ve used the service are certainly worth your time.

Once you’ve had a thorough read, try this quick quiz below to see whether you’re up to speed with these crucial UCAS terms. Good luck!

1. What does "buzzword" refer to?

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Please select 2 correct answers

A word given by a school, college or centre for applicants to add to their registration for a UCAS Undergraduate application.

A word provided by universities to applicants to include in their personal statements, as a means to specify which course they want to apply for.

Correct! Wrong!

2. When UCAS states you have received a "Conditional Offer," that means you're already accepted onto the course, regardless of your upcoming exam results. Is this true or false?

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True

False

Correct! Wrong!

3. How does "Clearing" work?

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It's a service where universities and colleges fill vacant spaces they still have on their courses.

Once you confirm a Conditional Offer, it notifies all other universities from which you have received Conditional Offers that you have made this decision.

Correct! Wrong!

4. The phrase "Course and Training Providers" does not include conservatoires "a provider of performance-based music, dance, screen, and drama courses," which is a separate category on its own. Is this true of false?

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True

False

Correct! Wrong!

5. What is the term used to describe carrying an offer over to start the following academic year?

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Extension

Deferral

Deferment

Correct! Wrong!

6. What does "HEP" stand for?

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Higher Education Provider

Higher Education Preparation

Higher Education Portfolio

Correct! Wrong!

7. What does "Firm Choice" mean?

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In your application, an offer you accept as your first choice.

In your application, your most favoured college or university among the five choices.

Correct! Wrong!

8. What is the term given to your second choice among the five choices?

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Alternative choice

Insurance choice

Stand-in choice

Correct! Wrong!

9. How is your "Personal ID" displayed?

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123-456-7890

123456-789-0

Correct! Wrong!

10. Both applicant and university can choose to "withdraw" a choice before the decision has been made on whether to make you an offer or not. Is this true or false?

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True

False

Correct! Wrong!

How well do you know these UCAS terms?

UCAS Wizard

You're a true champ. Your knowledge of the application process for British universities displays an eye for detail, an enviable memory and a deep comprehension of what's likely the most stressful time for school-leavers. Stay on this course, because this is the winner's lane!

Better-Than-Average Joe

Well done! You've done your reading and dabbled enough around the site to have an above-average understanding of an application process that has befuddled many before you. A little more research on the UCAS website and our UCAS content will bring you up to wizardly levels.

Slacking Sally

With UCAS deadlines coming up left, right and centre, you're not pulling enough weight to make sure you don't caught out on the technicalities when the time comes to submit your application. We recommend spending sometime on the UCAS website and reading their articles (and ours too!) to get you up to speed and ready to go!

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