GAMSAT 2023: GAMSAT Preparation Tips
Preparation for the GAMSAT is essential. Preparation will help you to achieve higher marks. It will also help to build your confidence and reduce your anxiety on the day. Read this article to discover how best to prepare for the GAMSAT 2023!
GAMSAT 2023 Preparation Tips:
- Register
- Start preparing early
- Make a study schedule
- Familiarise yourself with the exam
- Revise the content and theory
- Practice GAMSAT MCQs and write essays
- Get feedback and help
- Track your progress and highlight specific areas of difficulty
- Start practising under exam conditions
- Increase your reading in your spare time
1. Register
The first step is to register for the GAMSAT 2023. This can be done online, here. Registrations for the September 2023 sitting close on Tuesday 11th July 2023 at 10 pm AEST. So make sure to get this done as soon as possible!
2. Start preparing early
It’s difficult to say how far in advance you should begin preparing as it will depend on your current level and background knowledge. The exam covers humanities, essay writing and science so you may find differing sections easier, depending on your background and previous studies. However, in general, it’s recommended to start at least 3 months before.
3. Make a study schedule
To remain focused, make a realistic study schedule. Graduate students tend to lead busy lives, whether they’re in full time employment or finishing another degree, it can be hard to find time to set aside for the GAMSAT. Try to make a realistic study schedule and stick to it. Even an hour of study each week will help to improve your grade.
4. Familiarise yourself with the exam
The GAMSAT consists of 3 sections which cover different content and are allocated different timings. Make sure to familiarise yourself with the different sections and prepare for each one separately. Here is a breakdown of the different sections and allocated time:
| Section | No. of Questions | Reading time | Writing time | Total test time |
| Section 1: Reasoning in Humanities | 47 MCQs | 6 minutes | 64 minutes | 70 minutes |
| Section 2: Written Communication | 2 Essays | 5 minutes | 60 minutes | 65 minutes |
| Section 3: Reasoning in Biological and Physical Sciences | 75 MCQs | 8 minutes | 142 minutes | 150 minutes |
5. Revise the content and the theory
As mentioned, each of the three sections are quite different and require different preparation strategies.
For Section 1, you should revise the different question styles and types of units that can come up. For specific units such as poetry, you can improve your marks by studying poetry and the techniques and devices used. For more information on section 1, check out our ‘10 Top Tips for Section 1’ guide.
Section 2 involves essay writing and requires a different study approach. Create an ideas bank through reading and watching different forms of media and begin practicing writing essays on some of the common themes. Feedback on your essays is the best way to ensure your writing improves. We also have 10 Top Tips for Section 2 so make sure to read this to maximise your marks in section 2.
Section 3 involves three science disciplines and it is a good idea to learn each of the topics that can arise in section 3, these can be found in our ‘10 Top Tips for Section 3’ guide.
6. Practice GAMSAT MCQs and write essays
Familiarise yourself with Multiple Choice Questions; you are presented with 4 answer options for each question in the GAMSAT in sections 1 and 3. There are tips and tricks to answering MCQs and practising them will allow you to learn to use ‘process of elimination’ and will also help you to spot common traps. For section 2, there are no MCQs, just two essays so practice writing these. Our GAMSAT online course includes GAMSAT practice questions as well as other preparation resources.
7. Get feedback and help
Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback and help. It can be great to get friends and family to read your essays, additionally our tutors are able to provide this. Check out our website and find out how a GAMSAT tutor can help you to achieve top marks in the GAMSAT 2023 to help you get into medical or dental school.
8. Track your progress and highlight specific areas of difficulty
The only way to improve is to work on your weaker areas. Make note of recurrent topics that you are finding difficult. This may be a specific style of question in section 1, e.g. cartoons, or a topic in section 3, e.g. radioactivity.
Spend extra time on the areas you have found to be most difficult. Practising questions will help you to discover these and then you should take time to work on these. To improve your understanding of a topic, use online resources, tutoring, and look at our specific guides for each section and Best Rated Preparatory Material.
9. Start practising under exam conditions
As you approach the exam, begin practising MCQs and essays under GAMSAT conditions. This means putting away the calculator, dictionary and Google! It’s also a good idea to time yourself and stick to the timings used in the GAMSAT 2023. This will give you a realistic idea of your capabilities and allow you to work on any other areas of improvement.
10. Increase your reading in your spare time
As mentioned in top tips for section 1 and 2, reading in your spare time will help to increase your reading time. Additionally, reading various books, newspapers and magazines will give you ideas for your section 2 essays.
The GAMSAT is a long exam (4.45 hours) and has various different aspects. It can be a daunting challenge but preparation is key. Check out our other blogs for top tips for each section and please get in touch if you’re considering tutoring for the GAMSAT 2023.
Feel free to leave a comment or question below.
FAQs
The GAMSAT fee varies depending on the location and administration of the exam. The current fee in ANZ is AUD $515 for the standard sitting, and AUD $665 for the late sitting. There is also an additional fee if you need to change the date or location of your test.
The GAMSAT is a challenging exam, and it requires a considerable amount of preparation. It covers a broad range of topics, including humanities, social sciences, and physical sciences. Many students prepare for several months, if not longer, using a combination of textbooks, practice tests, and study groups. It is important to develop a study plan that works for you and to stick to it consistently.
Yes, the GAMSAT provides accommodations for students with disabilities. If you have a documented disability, you may be eligible for extra time, a separate testing room, or other accommodations. You will need to submit an application and provide documentation of your disability well in advance of your testing date. It is important to check the GAMSAT website for details on how to apply and the deadlines for submitting your application.
A good GAMSAT score is one that meets the minimum requirements set by the medical schools you are applying to. The GAMSAT is scored on a scale from 0 to 100 for each section, and the final score is an average of the three sections. The minimum score required varies from school to school, but a score of 60-65 is generally considered competitive.
The average GAMSAT scores for successful applicants vary depending on the medical school and program. For example, the average GAMSAT score for successful applicants to the University of Melbourne Medical School is around 65-70. The average score for successful applicants to the University of Sydney Medical School is around 68-70. It is essential to check with the specific schools you are interested in to determine their average GAMSAT scores for successful applicants.
Yes, you can retake the GAMSAT if you do not get a good score the first time. However, there are restrictions on how many times you can take the exam. In ANZ, you are allowed to take the GAMSAT a maximum of three times in one testing year, and a maximum of five times overall.
Frequently Asked Question
How can I improve my section 1 GAMSAT?
- Register
- Start preparing early
- Make a study schedule
- Familiarise yourself with the exam
- Revise the content and theory
- Practice GAMSAT MCQs and write essays
- Get feedback and help
- Track your progress and highlight specific areas of difficulty
- Start practising under exam conditions
- Increase your reading in your spare time
How can I improve my GAMSAT?
Preparation for the GAMSAT is essential. Preparation will help you to achieve higher marks. It will also help to build your confidence and reduce your anxiety on the day.
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