What you need to know about UK GAMSAT

The GAMSAT Exam, run by ACER, can be taken in Australia as well as in the UK and Ireland, in both March and September. The exam format, standard and marking schemes are identical regardless of the location where the exam is taken. UK and Australia GAMSAT® can be used interchangeably, meaning that you can use your UK GAMSAT® score to apply to Australian medical schools, and vice versa.

Both GAMSAT® exams are split into three sections. GAMSAT Section 1 assesses reasoning in the humanities, GAMSAT Section 2 assesses written reasoning in the humanities in response to two sets of prompts, and GAMSAT Section 3 assesses the candidate’s reasoning in biology and physical sciences. 

We’ve explained the similarities between UK and Australia GAMSAT® exams above. Now, we will share some details about the differences between these exams.

UK vs Australia GAMSAT Test Centers

The GAMSAT® exam, regardless of where it is taken, can be used to apply at any of the institutions that are listed in GAMSAT ACER Information Booklet. There are several institutions in Australia, the UK and Ireland that use the GAMSAT as part of their admissions process. Your GAMSAT® score can also be used to apply to some Australian universities that are not a part of GEMSAS.

There are several testing centres in the UK and Ireland. These include:

UK:

• Birmingham

• Bristol

• Derry

• Edinburgh

• Leeds

• Liverpool

• London 

• Newcastle

Ireland:

• Cork

• Dublin

• Limerick

• Sligo

Sitting the GAMSAT® exam is expensive, and for many people, that likely influences when they can and cannot sit the exam. It’s important to be aware of the costs associated with registering and sitting the GAMSAT® exam for your location, as well as the costs associated with application through ACER or individual institutions. Some people may also have to travel for their sitting based on whether or not there are local testing centres. When applying for different testing venues, keep these things in mind.

UK vs Australia GAMSAT Exam Timing

As mentioned before, students can use their GAMSAT results interchangeably. Meaning, students can apply to Australian medical schools using their UK GAMSAT® scores, and to UK medical schools using their Australian GAMSAT® results. Nonetheless, it's critical to comprehend how exam timings and academic calendars can differ between the UK and Australia.

The UK GAMSAT® is designed for applicants to UK medical schools, where the academic year typically begins around July. UK candidates usually sit the exam in September, submit their applications toward the end of the year, and commence their studies the following July.

If an Australian student chooses to take the UK September GAMSAT®, their application will be for the next year’s admission cycle. For example, a candidate who sits the exam in September 2025 would apply in June 2026—alongside those who took the March 2026 exam—and begin medical school in 2027.

UK vs Australia GAMSAT Score Validity

It is worth noting that GAMSAT® scores can be used to apply to universities for up to four consecutive years in Australia, and two years in the UK and Ireland. 

It is worth noting that the GAMSAT Exam score is not the only entry criterion and students will also need to consider their GPA and other admission requirements. To learn more about this, check out our article What GPA do I need to get into Med School?

UK vs Australia Medical School Cutoff Scores

The minimum scores required for admission to medical school can differ greatly between the UK and Australia. The GAMSAT® cutoff requirements for Australian universities are often higher than those for UK universities. The reason is because there are fewer spots available in Australian medical schools compared to the UK, so it’s more competitive.

Although there is fierce competition in the UK as well, the wider selection of programs and medical schools frequently lead to somewhat lower GAMSAT® cut-offs.

That said, cutoff scores can fluctuate each year depending on the difficulty of the exam, the quality of the applicant pool, and the number of available spots in each program. Candidates should therefore treat previous years’ scores as a general guide, rather than a fixed benchmark for success.

Conclusion

There is a bit of nuance when applying to UK and Ireland medical schools, so being familiar with the information booklet will be of high value. Several medical schools in Ireland are applied to via the Central Applications Office (CAO), and it is very important to follow their instructions in the application process. Likewise, applications made to UK universities are made through UCAS. Both the UK and Ireland have processes that are quite different to Australia’s. Thus, it’s imperative to refer to the information booklet. 

Applying to medical programs in Australia is done through GEMSAS. It is highly encouraged to be well acquainted with the GEMSAS requirements, as well as the individual requirements of all of the institutions that one may want to apply to. This information is clearly outlined in the GAMSAT® Information Booklet, which may vary from year to year. Information regarding application to UK and Ireland medical schools can also be found in the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test - Information Booklet.

For more details on sitting the GAMSAT® Exam overseas, including enrolment dates, test centres and fees, it is best to consult the ACER website as well as the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test - Information Booklet. 

Whether you’re planning to sit the Australian or UK GAMSAT® exam, be sure to check out our guide on How to Prepare for the GAMSAT.