The Graduate Medical School Admissions Test

The Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) is a test composed of three sections:

• Section I – Reasoning in the Humanities and Social Sciences. This section is composed of 75 questions. Passages of written information are presented (approx. 350 words), along with information in visual or table form. The multiple-choice questions are designed to assess your ability to deal with complex verbal information, to think logically and conceptually, and to employ both objective and subjective thinking.
  
  
• Section II – Written Communication. This section involves two 30 minute writing tasks. The first task deals with socio-cultural issues, and the second with more personal and social issues. The idea is that you are assessed on the quality of your writing in terms of how you develop (build-on) each task, and the kinds of thoughts and feelings offered in response to the piece; plus its overall organisation, and the effectiveness and fluency of your language.
  
  
• Section III – Reasoning in Biological and Physical Sciences. This last section is the longest and contains 110 questions. It is concerned with the recall and understanding of basic scientific concepts. For example, how enzymes work. The knowledge required spans Chemistry, Biology, and to a lesser extent, Physics. The level corresponds to a university first year in Biology and Chemistry.

How long does it take? The time allowed is a marathon 5.5 (five and a half) hours, plus one hour recess time. The timings for the sections are: 100 minutes for Section I, 60 minutes for Section II, and 170 minutes for Section III.

How are the results reported? A score is produced for each of the three sections, plus an overall GAMSAT score. Each of the scores is expressed on a scale of 0 to 100 (but these are not percentage marks). Various charts are available which allow you to work out your percentile rank. Universities also use the results in different ways, for example, Nottingham require candidates to score 55 or more in Section II, and 55 or more in either Section I or III, with a minimum of 50 in either section!

Hint: The overall GAMSAT score is calculated using a formula which gives twice as much weight to Section III (Reasoning in Biological and Physical Sciences), as to Sections I and II.

Who uses it? St. Georges Medical School (London), Nottingham University, Peninsula Medical School and the University of Wales (Swansea) use it for graduate/non-school leaver entry to medical programmes.

How do I take it? By attending a test centre in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Nottingham or Sheffield. You must register and a fee is payable.

How do I prepare?

• Basic. If you take a look at the GAMSAT website you will find advice and limited practice material. Some online practice material is available for Section I and III only. Other preparatory material may be purchased.
  
  
• Advanced. The Verbal and Numerical reasoning tests available via the practice tests page of this website provide an opportunity for some additional preparation – although shorter & less complex in style, they will help you to develop the critical thinking skills you need for Section I of the GAMSAT.