Ah, the
GAMSAT® exam. That marathon of mental gymnastics, the triathlon of test-taking. Just when you thought you had the rhythm down, the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) throws in a little twist, because why not? Life was getting a bit too predictable, wasn't it?
Here's the scoop: the GAMSAT
®, once a formidable one-day challenge, has decided to play a game of temporal Tetris with its sections. The new format? A two-day affair.
Firstly, let's get a grip on the old format. It was a test-taking triad:
GAMSAT Section I (62 questions, 100 minutes), Section II (2 essays, 65 minutes), and
GAMSAT Section III (75 questions, 150 minutes), all crammed into one brain-busting sitting.
But now, in a move that can only be described as 'ACER's quirky way to keep things interesting', they've decided to split it up. The essay-writing escapade of
GAMSAT Section II (still 2 essays, still 65 minutes) gets its own exclusive day in the spotlight. The other two sections, I and III, will be hosted on a separate day, still following their original timelines. In addition, Section II will now be conducted online and monitored via remote proctoring. Section I and III will still be conducted in-person. Because that writing day now stands alone, working through
GAMSAT example essays is a useful way to see what a complete Task A and Task B response looks like under timed conditions.
Is it a big change? Well, not really. ACER is just keeping us on our toes. But as with all things GAMSAT, there's likely more detail lurking around the corner, waiting to be revealed. Keep an eye out for those additional nuggets of information.
Now, let's talk deadlines because, let's face it, they're the real MVPs in the world of exams. All you future test-takers, mark these dates in your calendars, set alarms, tie a string around your finger - do whatever it takes to remember! For the March session, get your ACER accounts in order and complete your registration by 1 February 2024 (9pm AEDT, 10am GMT). For the September session, the deadline is 11 July 2024 (10pm AEST, 1pm BST). For ongoing updates to
GAMSAT registration and test dates, keep a close eye on the official timeline. And for those seeking a reasonable adjustment, the deadlines are 22 January 2024 (March session) and 4 July 2024 (September session).
For the March GAMSAT Exam itself, the Written Communication section is currently scheduled for 9 - 10 March 2024 (yes, we will be altering our Revision Weekend Dates to accommodate for this; new dates will be pushed soon in mid December) with the Humanities and Biological Sciences components on the 22 - 24 of March 2024. Conversely, the September Written Communication dates are 31 August - 1 September 2024, with Humanities and Biological Sciences held between 13 - 15 September 2024.
Now, a bit about the GAMSAT
® itself. It's not just any exam; it's a rite of passage for those aiming to
study medicine in Australia, the UK, and Ireland. Many
Australian medical schools rely on it when shortlisting graduate applicants. This test is designed to assess your ability to understand and analyse material, think critically, and write effectively - skills essential for a career in medicine. It also sits alongside GPA and interviews in typical
graduate entry medicine requirements.
For the uninitiated, here's a practical starting point for
how to prepare for GAMSAT:
- Understand the Format: Know each section inside out; our GAMSAT syllabus guide can help you map what sits where.
- Practice, Practice, Practice: There's no substitute for it. The more you work through GAMSAT practice questions, the better you'll perform.
- Time Management: Learn to juggle the questions and time effectively with a timed GAMSAT practice test.
- Stay Informed: Keep an eye on ACER's website for any updates or changes, and use free GAMSAT preparation materials to fill any gaps.
- Balance Your Study: Cover all sections evenly with a realistic GAMSAT study schedule. Don't play favorites.
- Rest and Relaxation: Yes, studying is crucial, but so is rest. Your brain needs it.
In conclusion, the GAMSAT
® may have changed its stripes slightly, but the beast remains the same. It's a test of endurance, intellect, and perseverance. So, embrace the change, prepare diligently, and remember – it's just ACER's way of spicing things up! For more detailed information about this recent update, you can refer to
ACER's 2024 information booklet.
Now that you've become familiar with the beast that is the GAMSAT
®, it's time to tackle it head-on. Sign up for our
GAMSAT Free Trial to get access to practice MCQs, an ACER-like GAMSAT
® exam system, study guides, and more! If you've signed up for the Free Trial already and you'd like more, be sure to check out our
GAMSAT courses! Enrolments for our January courses are closing soon, so don't miss out!
