How to Pass The GAMSAT

Two of the three sections of the GAMSAT consist of multiple choice questions.

The Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) evaluates skills and abilities obtained by students applying to medical school programs. Many universities in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia require high scores on the GAMSAT from applicants to their programs. Passing the GAMSAT with the scores you will need to secure interviews at prospective medical schools takes time and effort, but with the right preparation you can increase your chances of scoring well.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Test preparation materials
• Admissions ticket
• Identification
• Writing utensils

1. Register for the exam. The GAMSAT exam is offered once a year in mid- to late-March in Australia and in Ireland. UK students can take the test in mid-September. Register for your exam at least a month in advance of the test date in order to secure your seat.

2. Familiarize yourself with the content and structure of the test. The GAMSAT takes five and a half hours to sit through and is divided into three basic sections: humanities and social sciences reasoning, written communication and biological and physical sciences reasoning. The science and social science sections consist of multiple choice questions, while the written section consists of two essay prompts.

3. Study the material you will be tested on. One of the best ways to do this is to sign up for a GAMSAT preparation course or purchase a GAMSAT study book. However, you can also find resources online, including sample test questions. Review class notes or a textbook on physical and biological sciences and practice problem-solving skills. Write practice essays and score yourself based on GAMSAT guidelines. Practice reading passages of text and isolating the main ideas to improve your reading comprehension skills.

4. Arrive at your exam location on test day at least half an hour early or as specified on your admissions ticket, as once all test-takers are seated, latecomers may not be admitted to the testing room. Bring your admission ticket, identification in the form of either a valid passport or current driver's license with your photo on it, and writing utensils including No. 2 pencils with erasers and a pen with blue or black ink. You can bring a bottle of water into the testing room with you, and although you are not permitted food during the test, you should bring a packed lunch for the hour-long lunch break.

Tips & Warnings

• Start studying early. The more time you have to prepare for the test, the better you will do on it. For most students, three months of preparation is usually adequate to prepare for the exam.

• This exam can take 2-3 years to get through if you are not well informed and prepared. Make sure you get the best advice and help you can.

References

• GAMSAT: What Is GAMSAT?
• GAMSAT Ireland: Registration
• Med Prep International: What Is GAMSAT?
• Med Prep International: Improve Your Score
• GAMSAT: Information Booklet 2011, Version 2

Resources

• GAMSAT: How Do I Register for GAMSAT?