You’ve signed up for the GAMSAT® and you sit down to start studying for the big day. You are overwhelmed by the thought of the exam and the wealth of
GAMSAT study resources available. Where do you start? What is the best way to study? Which resources should you use?
Adequate preparation for the GAMSAT® is crucial in maximising your potential on exam day. Having a clear study plan will also ensure that you cover all important aspects of the exam, which will also increase your confidence and reduce anxiety on the day. Whilst there is no one definitive way to
prepare for the GAMSAT, this article aims to provide you with some important tips and guide you in developing your ideal GAMSAT® study plan.
Here's a summary of our top high yield tips for GAMSAT® study:
- Start Early
- Familiarise Yourself with the Exam
- Identify Your Weaknesses
- Make a Study Plan
- Start Practice Questions Early
- Review ALL Questions
- Gather Feedback
- Adjust Your Study Schedule
- Read Widely
GAMSAT Study Tip #1: Start Early
The ideal amount of time needed to prepare for the GAMSAT® will differ from person to person and will depend on your knowledge level and exam experience. The earlier you are able to start preparation, the more time you will have to consolidate your knowledge and develop exam-taking skills. As a general guide, it is recommended that you begin preparations at least 3 months before the exam date.
GAMSAT Study Tip #2: Familiarise Yourself with the Exam
The GAMSAT® consists of 3 sections. The exam is delivered as a computer based test under supervised conditions.
Section I: Reasoning in Humanities and Social Sciences
GAMSAT Section 1 tests comprehension and interpretation of a variety of stimuli covering a range of academic and public issues, with a particular focus on socio-cultural, personal and interpersonal topics. There are 62 questions to be completed in 100 minutes.
Section II: Written Communication
GAMSAT Section 2 tests your ability to identify a theme and develop ideas in writing. This involves writing 2 essays in 60 minutes, with 5 minutes reading time. The first task aligns with socio-cultural issues, whilst the second task deals with more personal and social issues.
Section III: Reasoning in Biological and Physical Sciences
GAMSAT Section 3 tests chemistry, biology and physics knowledge through a variety of stimuli including text, graphs, tables and diagrams. The level of knowledge expected in this area corresponds to the first year of university studies in biology and chemistry, and A-level/grade 12 in physics. This section contains 75 questions over 150 minutes.
GAMSAT Study Tip #3: Identify Your Weaknesses
Based on your past studies and experiences, you may find one or more areas of the GAMSAT® easier than the others. Most people have an idea of what areas they struggle with and may need to spend more time on in preparation for the exam. If you are not sure, you may choose to split your study time evenly at first and adjust accordingly when your weaknesses become more apparent through practice.
GAMSAT Study Tip #4: Make a Study Plan
Making a realistic study plan is the key to staying on track. Many students lead busy lives and have many commitments, which can make it difficult to set time aside for GAMSAT® study. Set aside a regular time to study for the GAMSAT® that is achievable and aligns with your other responsibilities. This will help integrate your study into your life and set a routine that you are able to keep.
GAMSAT Study Tip #5: Start Practice Questions Early
The biggest mistake that students make is spending too much time learning content and focussing on the theory. Starting practice questions early under exam conditions will help you familiarise yourself with the timing of the GAMSAT® and ensure that you are able to complete the exam under pressure. Practicing questions early will also help you develop MCQ techniques.
Generating an idea and writing an essay in 30 minutes is a skill that requires a lot of practice. Therefore, it is also essential that you begin writing early on in your preparation for the GAMSAT® exam. It is also essential that you take a realistic
GAMSAT practice test to fine tune your ability to solve questions under time pressure, like the one that we provide for free.
GAMSAT Study Tip #6: Review ALL Questions
After completing practice questions, it is extremely beneficial to review each question, even the ones you got correct. Reading through answer explanations and comparing them with your own reasoning will help you identify useful MCQ techniques and highlight the reasoning often seen in GAMSAT® questions.
GAMSAT Study Tip #7: Gather Feedback
Asking others for feedback is extremely valuable in GAMSAT® preparation. Ask your family or friends to read your essays, or ask a professional
GAMSAT essay marking tutor to provide you with feedback.
GAMSAT Study Tip #8: Adjust Your Study Schedule
As the exam approaches, it may be helpful to increase the amount of time you dedicate to GAMSAT® study. Take this time to work on your weaknesses and adapt your study schedule to focus on these areas. Consolidate any concepts that you find difficult and work on skills that may help you with harder questions. This process is often draining but makes up an essential part of maximising your score on exam day.
GAMSAT Study Tip #9: Read Widely
Outside of dedicated GAMSAT® study, start reading a variety of texts including poetry, newspapers, literature, non-fiction and more. Whilst reading, try to read as fast as possible. Stop after each page and try to summarise what you have just read. As you improve, you will find that you are able to read faster whilst still comprehending the majority of what you read.
Although it is important that you read texts covering a wide variety of topics, there is still scope for you to pick and choose what you read. Try picking books, articles and magazines that interest you. This will make the process more enjoyable and feel like less of a burden. As you come across ideas or thoughts that stick with you, write these down in an ‘ideas list’ that you can draw from in your written essays. Also check out our suggestions on
what to read for the humanities section of the GAMSAT.
The GAMSAT® is a big exam that seems very daunting at first. Good preparation is key to performing your best on exam day. Following these steps will provide a good foundation and put you in good stead for the GAMSAT® exam. Don’t forget to download our
free GAMSAT study syllabus for a more detailed explanation on how to study for the GAMSAT®.
