GAMSAT – The Graduate Medical School Admissions Test

The Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) is a standardized exam developed by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) and used as an admissions requirement for graduate-entry programs in Australia, UK, and Ireland. These programs include Medicine, Dentistry, Optometry, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, and Veterinary Science. This guide will cover the structure of the test, how to prepare, and how to register for the exam.

1. Overview of the GAMSAT

The GAMSAT is designed to assess your ability to understand and analyse complex concepts, as well as your problem-solving and written communication skills. The exam is divided into three sections:

1. Section I: Reasoning in Humanities and Social Sciences – This section tests your comprehension and reasoning skills in a humanities and social sciences context.
2. Section II: Written Communication – This section tests your ability to produce two pieces of writing in response to a set of stimuli.
3. Section III: Reasoning in Biological and Physical Sciences – This section tests your reasoning and problem-solving skills in a scientific context. The science assumed knowledge for this section is first-year university level in Biology and Chemistry, and A-level/Leaving Certificate (or equivalent) in Physics.

The GAMSAT is held twice a year, typically in March and September.

2. How to Prepare for the GAMSAT

Preparation for the GAMSAT involves a combination of revising basic science concepts, improving reasoning and essay-writing skills, and taking practice tests. Here are some resources to help you prepare:

• ACER’s GAMSAT Practice Materials: ACER provides official practice materials on its website. These include sample questions and practice tests.
• GAMSAT Online Courses

3. How to Register for the GAMSAT

To register for the GAMSAT, you must create an online account with ACER. Once you have an account, you can register for the test during the registration period. You can find more information on registration on the official GAMSAT website.

Please note: You must be a graduate, or in your penultimate year of your degree, at the time of sitting the GAMSAT to be eligible to sit the test.

4. After the GAMSAT

After you’ve taken the GAMSAT, your scores will be sent to you via the online account you created when you registered. You can then use these scores to apply to the graduate programs that require the GAMSAT.

The GAMSAT is not the only factor considered in admissions; universities also consider your academic record, references, and performance at an interview.

5. Contact Information

For more information about the GAMSAT, you can visit the official website or contact ACER directly:

• GAMSAT Website: https://gamsat.acer.org
• ACER Contact: https://www.acer.org/contact-us

 

We hope this guide serves as a helpful starting point for your journey towards preparing for the GAMSAT. Good luck with your academic pursuits!