GAMSAT

The Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) is a standardized test used to

assess the academic ability of students seeking admission to graduate-entry medical programs in

Australia, Ireland, and the UK. The test measures a range of skills, including critical thinking,

problem-solving, and analytical writing. The GAMSAT is a computer-based test that is offered twice a year, typically in March and

September. It consists of three sections:

1. Reasoning in Humanities and Social Sciences: This section measures your ability to analyze, interpret,

and understand written and visual information from a variety of sources.

2. Written Communication: This section assesses your ability to write effectively and coherently, using

correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

3. Reasoning in Biological and Physical Sciences: This section tests your knowledge of the basic

principles of biology, chemistry, and physics, and your ability to apply this knowledge to solve

complex problems.

The Reasoning in Humanities and Social Sciences section tests skills in the interpretation and understanding of ideas in social and cultural contexts. Different kinds of text are used as stimuli, including passages of personal, imaginative, expository and argumentative writing. Although most of the stimuli materials in this section are in the form of written passages, some units present ideas and information in visual and tabular form. Materials cover a range of academic and public issues, with an emphasis on socio-cultural, personal and interpersonal topics. Questions in this section are in multiple choice format, with four alternative answers from which test takers choose the most appropriate.

Section 2 of the ACER GAMSAT (Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test) is a written communication test that assesses the candidates ability to analyze and evaluate ideas and arguments presented in written form. This section includes two tasks that require the candidate to produce written responses. Section 2 is broken into "Task A" and "Task B". Prompts are provided, and you are required to respond to one of the prompts for each task. The essays are designed to test your ability to evaluate and communicate ideas.

Task A: typically focused on politics, sociocultural or current affairs issues.

Task B: typically focused on a theme (e.g., relationships, belonging, originality, conformity). The theme is communicated through the quotes and not directly stated, so a key skill to success in Section 2 is the ability to identify the theme and stay on topic!

Although there is no one-size-fits-all approach to GAMSAT prep, at MedGrads we promote a holistic approach including:

• Regular practice essays (1-2 per week) under timed conditions

• Staying up to date with news and current affairs (podcasts are great for this!)

• Discussion of essays in tutorials

• Developing an "idea bank"

• Game planning for exam day - understanding how to approach questions, identify the theme, plan your essay and stay on topic

• Reading widely to learn more about philosophy, psychology and literature

Section III is made up of questions in three discipline areas in the following proportions (Chemistry 40%, Biology 40%, Physics 20%). Questions from the three discipline areas are integrated throughout the section and are in multiple choice format, with four alternative answers from which test takers choose the most appropriate. Stimulus material is presented in a variety of formats including text, mathematical, graphs, tables and diagrams.

The level of subject knowledge required for the Reasoning in Biological and Physical Sciences section of the test generally corresponds to the first year of university studies in biology and chemistry, and A-level/Leaving Certificate/Year 12 in physics. The test however, focuses primarily on problem solving and on the use of the prerequisite knowledge.