What is the GAMSAT?
Graduate Medical School Admissions Test Overview

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If you are researching graduate entry medicine in Australia, one of the first questions is usually what is GAMSAT? The GAMSAT meaning is straightforward: the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT ^®) — often shortened to the GAMSAT exam — is the computer-based admissions test used for most graduate-entry medical and selected health professional programs in Australia, as well as for some courses in the UK and Ireland. What is GAMSAT used for? Graduate medical schools use it to rank applicants on reasoning, problem solving, and written communication alongside GPA and interviews.

The GAMSAT ^® is developed by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) in conjunction with GEMPASS Australia Limited. ACER describes the purpose of GAMSAT ^® as assessing the capacity to undertake high-level intellectual studies in the medical and health professional programs. In practice, how the GAMSAT works is less about rote recall and more about reasoning, problem solving, and written communication under time pressure — skills graduate medical schools use alongside GPA and interviews when ranking applicants. Confirm current format details in ACER’s GAMSAT ^® Information Booklet.

Most Australian graduate-entry medical programs require the GAMSAT ^® exam, as do selected dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, and related health courses. If you already know the basics and want dates, registration, or preparation next, jump to GAMSAT ^® 2026 or our guide to GAMSAT preparation.

1. GAMSAT at a glance
   • How long is the GAMSAT exam?
   • What are the three GAMSAT sections?
2. What is the purpose of the GAMSAT ^® exam?
   • What does GAMSAT stand for, and who uses it?
   • What does the GAMSAT test?
3. Do I need to complete the GAMSAT ^® exam to study medicine?
4. How do I apply for the GAMSAT ^® exam?
   • GAMSAT vs GEMSAS
   • What to expect on GAMSAT day
5. How do I know if I am eligible for the GAMSAT ^® exam?
   • Can I sit the GAMSAT more than once?
6. How long are GAMSAT ^® results valid?
   • When are GAMSAT results released?
7. GAMSAT ^® exam structure
   • Current GAMSAT exam structure
8. How the GAMSAT ^® exam works — reasoning, not recall
9. How is the GAMSAT ^® scored?
10. Which universities require the GAMSAT ^® exam?
    • GAMSAT in the UK and Ireland
11. GAMSAT ^® FAQs
12. GAMSAT ^® preparation materials and next steps

GAMSAT at a glance

Use this snapshot if you only need what the GAMSAT exam is, who sits it, and how the current ACER sitting is organised. The sections below then explain purpose, eligibility, result validity, and which universities require GAMSAT ^®.

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How long is the GAMSAT exam?

The GAMSAT ^® is not one continuous sitting. Written Communication is 65 minutes and is completed at home under remote proctoring. About three weeks later, the test-centre day covers Reasoning in Humanities and Social Sciences (62 MCQs, 100 minutes), a 30-minute break, and Reasoning in Biological and Physical Sciences (75 MCQs, 150 minutes). ACER advises allowing at least 5.5 hours at the test centre because of registration and procedures.

What are the three GAMSAT sections?

ACER still describes three GAMSAT ^® sections. The delivery order is now Written Communication first, then the two reasoning sections on a later day. Section strategy belongs on the dedicated GAMSAT ^® Section 1, Section 2, and Section 3 guides.

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If you're new to the GAMSAT ^® exam, the detail can feel overwhelming. Our tutor Catarina summarises this page in the short What is the GAMSAT ^® exam video guide below.

What is the purpose of the GAMSAT exam?

The main purpose of the GAMSAT ^® exam is to help graduate medical schools assess whether candidates are ready for the intellectual demands of medicine and allied health study. ACER designs GAMSAT ^® around reasoning and problem-solving rather than simple content recall, because those skills matter in demanding graduate-level programs. ACER assesses this through the three sections of the GAMSAT ^®:

• Reasoning in Humanities and Social Sciences — evaluate a student's ability to sift through information, understand the material given, identify key points, make justifiable deductions, and select the best answer.
• Written Communication — assess your ability to generate and develop ideas in writing. It involves two 30-minute tasks; each currently offers four statements on a common theme.
• Reasoning in Biological and Physical Sciences — test the ability to apply learned knowledge of biological and physical systems to new information or data, or to understand new information and use it to answer questions.

What does GAMSAT stand for, and who uses it?

What does GAMSAT stand for? GAMSAT stands for the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test. Universities use the GAMSAT ^® exam (alongside GPA and, usually, an interview) to select candidates for graduate entry medical studies in Australia and selected dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, and related programs. The GAMSAT ^® tests skills you will need as both a medical student and a healthcare professional: analytical thinking, clear written communication, and scientific reasoning with novel data.

In hospitals, interactions with patients begin by trying to understand the medical and social history of a patient. You must be focused and consider all details of a patient's story in order to determine their physical and mental state, and thus provide accurate medical care. The best medical students and professionals are able to provide holistic care in response to a person's unique situation. Imagine a person fractures their femur and comes to a hospital for care. There's no point sending them home with a repaired femur if they live alone in an upstairs bedroom with no railing. These are the critical thinking skills that ACER GAMSAT ^® aims to assess. GAMSAT ^® Reasoning in Humanities and Social Sciences aims to evaluate a student's ability to sift through information, identify key points, and make justifiable deductions as is critical in the life of a medical professional.

Communication is another essential skill in all medical professions. You need to be able to convey information clearly and empathetically to patients and their families, as well as communicating concisely and accurately with other medical professionals. More broadly, scientific communication is an essential ingredient in the trust communities will place in healthcare personnel. GAMSAT ^® Written Communication assesses your ability to generate and develop ideas in writing under time pressure — two 30-minute tasks, each with four statements on a common theme. That is a critical skill for healthcare professionals who need to communicate clearly with patients, colleagues, and the wider community.

Medical decisions and strategies are almost always based on assessments of data, scientific information and systems. The ability to interpret patterns and anomalies, and use this to make decisions regarding a person's health, is key in life as a medical professional. This information can come in almost limitless forms, whether that be imaging, blood tests, ECGs, histories or examinations. A good medical professional and medical student will have the ability to apply their learned knowledge of physiological systems to new information or data. These are the skills that are tested in GAMSAT ^® Reasoning in Biological and Physical Sciences.

What does the GAMSAT test?

ACER’s structure and content notes are more specific than “critical thinking”. What the GAMSAT tests in each section is:

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Official free context is also on ACER’s GAMSAT ^® preparation videos and the ACER Prepare page. Treat those as the benchmark for what GAMSAT questions are like, then use GradReady practice questions to drill the style.

In short, what is the GAMSAT used for is selection: schools want evidence you can read unfamiliar material, write a controlled argument, and reason with first-year science under time pressure.

Do I need to complete the GAMSAT Exam to study medicine?

To study medicine in Australia as a graduate, you will most likely have to complete the GAMSAT ^® exam. There are currently 14 medical schools that provide a graduate-entry medical program, 13 of which require the GAMSAT ^® exam — for the school list, see which universities require the GAMSAT ^®.

The main graduate-entry exception is Monash University. The GAMSAT ^® exam was removed as an admissions criterion for Monash in 2017 and is no longer required. Domestic applicants for Monash graduate-entry medicine must have completed one of the approved bachelor degrees at Monash University — external domestic applicants are not accepted. See Monash graduate-entry medicine entry requirements.

Bond University runs a separate medical program with its own application process and does not use GAMSAT ^®. Intake timing also differs from GEMSAS. See Bond University’s medical program for the current pathway.

Undergraduate how to become a doctor in Australia pathways use the UCAT ^® ANZ exam rather than GAMSAT ^®. If you are choosing between the two tests, use UCAT ^® vs GAMSAT ^® — this page stays on what the GAMSAT exam is.

So is GAMSAT required for medicine? For most Australian graduate-entry applicants, yes. For school-leaver undergraduate medicine, no — that pathway uses UCAT ^® ANZ. For Monash graduate-entry medicine and Bond’s medical program, also no.

How do I apply for the GAMSAT Exam?

The GAMSAT ^® exam is offered twice a year, once in March and once in September. Registration, fees, late windows, and test-centre lists change by sitting, so treat the steps below as the process and confirm the current cycle on ACER’s GAMSAT ^® registration page or our GAMSAT ^® 2026 dates and registration guide.

In outline, how to register for GAMSAT is:

1. Create an ACER online account with a valid email address. ACER uses this account for test times, remote-proctoring access, and results.
2. Register for one March or September sitting and pay the registration fee. ACER currently lists AUD$568 in Australia, €378 in Ireland, and £296 in the UK — confirm the live figure before you book.
3. Schedule the remote-proctored Written Communication session, then select a test centre, date, and AM or PM session for the humanities and science sections.

You can only submit one registration per person per GAMSAT ^® cycle. ACER also requires that you are a genuine applicant to a course that uses GAMSAT ^®.

What is the difference between GAMSAT and GEMSAS?

Students often mix the two names. GAMSAT is the exam ACER writes and scores. GEMSAS is the later application hub used by ten Australian graduate-entry medical schools. You sit GAMSAT ^® first, receive a Statement of Results, then apply through GEMSAS or a direct university process (Sydney, Flinders, Tasmania, and Monash). GEMSAS does not administer the test.

What to expect on GAMSAT day

The GAMSAT ^® has been computer based since 2020. Written Communication is delivered by remote proctoring (ACER currently uses ProctorU). The later humanities and science sections are sat at a supervised test centre unless ACER approves an alternative-delivery request.

• The Admission Ticket is required only for the test-centre day. ACER releases it about two weeks before that window, and only after your identification details are in your account. It is not issued for remote Written Communication.
• Calculators are not allowed. Needed constants and values are usually printed in the stimulus.
• You may use a small whiteboard or limited A4 scratch paper. ACER currently allows two sheets for Written Communication and four sheets for the test-centre sections (two per section).
• If English is not your first language, a printed bilingual dictionary is allowed in Written Communication and Humanities. It is not used in the science section.
• Photo ID must match the name on your ACER account. Student cards and phone photos of ID are not accepted.

Centre lists, reporting times, and reasonable-adjustment deadlines belong on GAMSAT ^® 2026 and in the Information Booklet — this page only explains how the GAMSAT exam is delivered.

How do I know if I am eligible for the GAMSAT exam?

GAMSAT ^® eligibility is determined mainly by your progress through a bachelor or undergraduate degree, and your intention to apply for a course where GAMSAT ^® is a prerequisite. ACER’s GAMSAT ^® eligibility rules say you may sit if you have completed a bachelor or undergraduate honours degree, or are currently enrolled in one, or you will meet the entry requirements of your prospective institution at the time you apply.

In almost all cases, you are still eligible to take the GAMSAT ^® exam if you have studied an undergraduate degree in a non-scientific field. ACER states that universities encourage applications from people who have achieved academic excellence outside science, while also stressing that success is difficult without knowledge and ability in the biological and physical sciences. GAMSAT ^® preparation from a non-science background is therefore about catch-up science plus reasoning practice, not about whether you are allowed to sit. Very few Australian graduate-entry medical schools set subject prerequisites; the University of Queensland is the usual exception. See UQ Doctor of Medicine admissions and then confirm the current prerequisite list on UQ’s site.

There is a special UK case for the University of Exeter Medical School and the University of Plymouth Faculty of Health: ACER says you are also eligible if you believe you have sufficient intellectual maturity and subject knowledge to meet the demands of the test. Exeter also admits applicants for whom it will be more than two full academic years since they completed Level 3 (A level or equivalent) studies.

Can I sit the GAMSAT more than once?

Yes. ACER sets no limit on the number of times an eligible candidate may sit GAMSAT ^®. Results from different sittings are directly comparable, and you can usually submit your best valid score. That is why many applicants sit March and September, or sit again in a later year while an earlier result is still current.

What GPA do you need to sit the GAMSAT exam?

You do not need a minimum GPA to sit the GAMSAT ^® exam. GPA matters later, when medical schools combine your GAMSAT ^® score, GPA, and usually a medical school interview. A GPA around 6.0 and above is often a useful application target because a stronger GPA can offset a mid-range GAMSAT ^® score at schools that weight both. For school-by-school rules see graduate entry medicine requirements, or our article on studying medicine with a low GPA.

Eligibility in one line: who sits the GAMSAT is any genuine applicant who has a bachelor pathway underway and is applying to a course that lists the test. Science background, GPA, and citizenship affect preparation and later admissions, not the right to register.

How long is the GAMSAT exam valid for?

As of a change announced by ACER in November 2022, your GAMSAT ^® results are now generally valid for four years in Australia. Previously, results were only valid for two years. For example, if you sat the exam during March 2025, the result will be valid for your:

• 2025 application for a program commencing in 2026;
• 2026 application for a program commencing in 2027;
• 2027 application for a program commencing in 2028;
• 2028 application for a program commencing in 2029.

This change is backdated, so GAMSAT ^® exam results from September 2022 can be used for medical school applications in 2026 with a 2027 start.

Currency is not identical everywhere. ACER currently treats UK and Irish results as valid for two consecutive years, with Ulster University as a four-year exception. Some Australian schools also apply a shorter application window — the University of Sydney is the usual example. Check ACER’s results and currency guidance and the Australian medical schools you are targeting before you rely on an older sitting.

When are GAMSAT results released?

ACER typically releases March results in late May and September results in mid-November. You download a Statement of Results from your ACER account — that document stays available there for up to four years. A September sitting cannot be used for the same-year Australian GEMSAS cycle because applications open around May, before those results exist. For scoring mechanics and percentile context, use the GAMSAT ^® scores and results guide.

Currency of GAMSAT ^® Results

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Results from a September Sitting cannot be used for an application in that same year for commencement in the subsequent year. For example, if you sit the September 2026 GAMSAT ^® Exam, you will be able to use the results of this exam for application in 2027 for a program commencing in 2028, for application in 2028 for a program starting in 2029, for application in 2029 for a program starting in 2030, and for application in 2030 for a program starting in 2031. You won't be able to use this result for an application in 2026 for 2027 entry. This is because medical school applications, which require submission of GAMSAT ^® scores, start around May with offers for interviews being made from August to September.

In November 2022, ACER announced that your GAMSAT ^® results are now valid for four years. Previously, results were only valid for two years. This change is backdated, so GAMSAT ^® exam results from September 2022 can be used for medical schools application in 2026 with a 2027 start.

Note that the above information is specific to Australian universities and the details may differ, particularly for students based in the UK. To learn more about sitting the GAMSAT ^® Exam this year, read the ACER Information Booklet.

To learn more about how GAMSAT ^® Scores are actually calculated, visit our guide: Understanding your GAMSAT ^® Scores.

To learn more about applying for Graduate Entry Medical Schools in Australia and the different admissions criteria and weightings, visit our guide: Australian Medical Schools - Entry Requirements.

GAMSAT Exam Structure

Since 2020, the exam has been administered in a digital format.

In addition, in November 2022, ACER announced that GAMSAT ^® Exam results are now valid for 4 years instead of the usual 2. You can learn more about how this major change affects your GAMSAT ^® Preparation and medical school application through our comprehensive guide to GAMSAT ^® 2026.

Since 2024, the GAMSAT ^® exam has been split into two distinct test windows. The initial window focuses on the GAMSAT ^® Written Communication Section, which will be administered through remote proctoring for all participants. The next test window, usually about 3 weeks after the initial one, encompasses the GAMSAT ^® Reasoning in Humanities and Social Sciences, as well as Reasoning in Biological and Physical Sciences. These sections will be undertaken at physical test centers.

Current GAMSAT Exam Structure

Remote Proctored Component

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Test Centre Component

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ACER has now also released their 2026 GAMSAT ^® Information Booklet with details on the format of the exam.

Although the total test time is itself around 4 hours and 10 minutes for the Test Centre Component, ACER recommends that you be prepared to spend at least 5.5 hours at the test centre due to registration and procedural time. As such, it can be argued that the GAMSAT ^® Exam is as much a test of perseverance and stamina as it is a test of your analysis and critical thinking skills.

GAMSAT is offered twice a year, in March and September. GAMSAT which was previously delivered as paper based test will be delivered as a digital test from 2020 onwards. ACER (Information Booklet)

ACER will randomly allocate candidates to testing venues and sessions in their selected test centre location. This is subject to candidate demand and the availability of testing venues at that location. ACER advises to register early as places may be limited.

The structure of the GAMSAT ^® Exam has undergone several revisions. For the current format, there is a 30 minute break between the Humanities and Science sections.

When sitting the GAMSAT ^® Exam, students are allowed two (2) sheets for the Written Communication Section, and four (4) sheets for the Humanities and Biological Sciences test Sections (2 sheets per section). In regards to other equipment allowed during the exam, this is comprehensively covered in the ACER Information Booklet. Also outlined in the information booklet is that students should make sure that they have the correct identification documents prepared before exam day, as well as their Admission Ticket.

For more information on the exam day itself and how to register for the GAMSAT ^® Exam, visit our guide to taking the GAMSAT ^® Exam in 2026:
GAMSAT ^® 2026 - What you need to know

Download our GAMSAT ^® Study Syllabus for a full list of science topics as well as tips and advice for humanities:

GAMSAT STUDY SYLLABUS

Your overall score is in general determined as follows:

Overall Score = (1 × Humanities & Social Sciences + 1 × Written Communication + 2 × Biological & Physical Sciences) / 4

*This formula means that your Overall GAMSAT ^® score is 50% Science and 50% Non-science.

Note however that there are some exceptions to this formula - to learn more about how GAMSAT ^® scoring works and view different university score cutoffs, visit our GAMSAT ^® Results Guide

Previous GAMSAT Exam Structure

Paper GAMSAT Exam Structure

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A quick glance of the numbers above should reveal that the paper GAMSAT ^® Exam was a real marathon, with around 6 hours of testing time - Students could in fact expect to remain at the venue for roughly 8-9 hours including administrative time and the 1 hour lunch break.

That is not to say that the new digital format is any less gruelling - Indeed there are additional challenges posed by the digital test, including an inability to directly annotate questions as well as the added element of eye strain from viewing a device screen for such an extended period of time.

May 2020 Online GAMSAT Exam Structure

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Interestingly, this particular sitting was delivered remotely with online proctoring. In addition, Section 1 & 2 was conducted in a different session from Section 3. Students could sit Section 1 & 2 on a particular day and Section 3 roughly a week later. There was no separate reading time for this sitting - Reading time was incorporated into the writing time.

It now appears that the format of the May 2020 Online GAMSAT ^® Exam will remain a one-off occurrence, reflective of the unique and challenging circumstances at the beginning of 2020 and COVID-19.

2021 GAMSAT Exam Structure

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From September 2020 onwards, the GAMSAT exam moved to a computer based test delivered in supervised test centres, rather than remotely. The above exam structure ran from September 2020 - September 2021, and included a 30 mins lunch break rather than a 1 hour lunch break. Due to the shortened duration, ACER ran two sittings a day, with a morning sitting at around 7 AM and an afternoon sitting at 2PM.

How the GAMSAT exam works — reasoning, not recall

In answering what is GAMSAT ^®, remember that the GAMSAT ^® exam examines reasoning and problem-solving rather than recall of a fixed syllabus. That is especially true of Reasoning in Biological and Physical Sciences . Although the assumed knowledge is equivalent to first-year university biology and chemistry plus Year 12 physics, you will largely face novel graphs, diagrams, and relationships designed to test whether you can apply those principles. Over recent sittings the paper has continued to shift away from content-only MCQs toward reasoning with data.

That is why GAMSAT preparation has to look different from a typical university exam plan. Foundational science still matters, but the higher-return work is applying that knowledge to unfamiliar stems.

Since problem-based learning techniques are central to modern medical curricula, GAMSAT ^® is constructed with a major focus on the assessment of problem solving ability across a wide range of subject areas. ACER (Structure and Content)

A common error is to prepare as though GAMSAT ^® were a knowledge test. Understanding the foundations is necessary, but the greater focus must be application — problem-based learning rather than rereading notes. For a general explanation of that teaching approach, see the University of Illinois problem-based learning overview. ACER states:

The purpose of GAMSAT ^® exam is to assess the ability to understand and analyse written and graphically presented material. GAMSAT ^® measures … the ability to reason, make logical deductions and form judgments…. some specific preparation covering relevant basic sciences to first year university level is highly recommended. ACER (Prepare)

It must be stressed that success in GAMSAT ^® is unlikely without knowledge and ability in the biological and physical sciences. ACER (Eligibility)

That's why GradReady GAMSAT ^® Preparation Courses build foundational content first, then train application in the reasoning environment of the GAMSAT ^® exam — including question formats and MCQ strategy.

Sign up for our GAMSAT Free Trial today, which includes 40 MCQs from our Intelligent MCQ Bank, a full-length practice test, access to our week-by-week study guide for each section, and a wealth of other GAMSAT resources:

The practical takeaway for how the GAMSAT works: learn enough first-year science to read the stem, then spend most of your time on timed MCQs, graphs, and written tasks. ACER’s own Prepare page is the official statement of that balance.

How is the GAMSAT scored?

ACER reports three scaled section scores plus an overall GAMSAT ^® score on a 0–100 scale. These are not percentage marks. The standard overall formula double-weights Reasoning in Biological and Physical Sciences:

Overall Score = (1 × Humanities & Social Sciences + 1 × Written Communication + 2 × Biological & Physical Sciences) / 4

That makes the overall score about 50% science and 50% non-science. Some universities ignore that formula and use an unweighted average or section-by-section ranking. The percentile chart on your Statement of Results is for self-comparison only — schools use the scaled scores. Full worked examples, cutoffs, and “what is a good GAMSAT score” sit on the GAMSAT ^® scores and results guide.

Which universities require the GAMSAT Exam?

There are currently 14 medical schools that provide a graduate-entry medical program, 13 of which require the GAMSAT ^® exam. Confirm the live list on ACER’s Australian university admission page and the current GEMSAS Admissions Guide, because course names and pathways can change.

Of the GAMSAT ^®-requiring schools, 10 process applications through GEMSAS (Graduate Entry Medical Schools Admissions System). GEMSAS is the application hub: it calculates GPAs and applies school selection rules for interview and course offers. It is not the exam itself. You sit GAMSAT ^® with ACER, then apply through GEMSAS or a direct university process.

The University of Sydney and Flinders University are not part of GEMSAS, but still require the GAMSAT ^® exam and separate direct applications. The University of Tasmania offers a longer combined medical degree with a GAMSAT ^® pathway and a separate direct application.

Medical schools that require the GAMSAT ^® exam include:

Canberra

• Australian National University (ANU)

New South Wales

• University of Notre Dame Sydney (UNDS)

• University of Sydney (USYD)

• University of Wollongong (UoW)

• Macquarie University

Queensland

• Griffith University

• University of Queensland (UQ)

South Australia

• Flinders University

Victoria

• Deakin University

• University of Melbourne (UniMelb)

Western Australia

• University of Notre Dame Fremantle (UNDF)

• University of Western Australia (UWA)

Tasmania

• University of Tasmania

In addition, ACER lists the GAMSAT ^® exam for selected graduate-entry health programs:

University of Melbourne

• Doctor of Dental Surgery

• Doctor of Optometry

University of Sydney

• Doctor of Dental Medicine

• Master of Pharmacy

University of Queensland

• Doctor of Dental Medicine

University of Western Australia

• Doctor of Dental Medicine

• Doctor of Podiatric Medicine

Monash University is the graduate-entry medical school that does not require GAMSAT ^®. Domestic applicants must have completed an approved Monash bachelor degree. Bond University is a separate medical program and is not part of this GAMSAT ^® graduate-entry list.

For admissions criteria, GPA calculations, and school weightings, use Australian graduate-entry medicine requirements rather than this overview.

GAMSAT in the UK and Ireland

The same GAMSAT ^® exam is used for selected graduate-entry programs in the UK and Ireland. You can sit in Australia and still apply overseas, or the reverse — ACER scores are not tied to the country of the test centre. Application systems differ: UK courses generally go through UCAS, and Irish medicine and veterinary medicine generally go through the CAO.

Irish GAMSAT ^® courses currently listed by ACER include graduate-entry medicine at RCSI, University College Cork, University College Dublin, and the University of Limerick, plus veterinary medicine at UCD. UK course lists change, so use ACER’s UK university admission page and ACER’s Ireland university admission page rather than a copied table. Remember that UK and Irish result currency is usually two years, not four.

GAMSAT FAQs

What is the GAMSAT ^® (Graduate Medical School Admissions Test)?

The GAMSAT ^® is a computer-based admissions exam developed by ACER in conjunction with GEMPASS Australia Limited. It is used for most Australian graduate-entry medical programs and selected health courses in Australia, the UK, and Ireland. It assesses reasoning, problem solving, and written communication rather than a memorised syllabus.

What does GAMSAT stand for?

GAMSAT stands for the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test. In older material you may still see “Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test”; the current official name is Graduate Medical School Admissions Test.

Who needs to sit the GAMSAT ^®?

You need GAMSAT ^® if you are a genuine applicant to a course that lists it as a prerequisite — most commonly graduate-entry medicine in Australia, plus selected dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, podiatry, and UK or Irish programs. School-leaver undergraduate medicine uses UCAT ^® ANZ instead.

Who is eligible to sit the GAMSAT ^®?

ACER requires that you have completed, or are enrolled in, a bachelor or undergraduate honours degree, or that you will meet your target institution’s entry requirements when you apply. You must be a genuine prospective applicant. A science degree is not required.

How long is the GAMSAT ^® exam?

Written Communication is 65 minutes remotely. The later test-centre day is 100 minutes of humanities MCQs, a 30-minute break, and 150 minutes of science MCQs. Plan for at least 5.5 hours on the test-centre day.

How do I apply for the GAMSAT ^® exam?

Create an ACER account, register for a March or September sitting, pay the fee, then book remote Written Communication and a test-centre session. Use the GAMSAT ^® 2026 guide for the current dates and fee windows.

How long are GAMSAT ^® results valid?

Generally four years in Australia after ACER’s November 2022 change, and generally two years in the UK and Ireland. Check university exceptions, including Sydney’s shorter Australian window and Ulster’s longer UK window, on ACER’s results page.

Can I sit the GAMSAT ^® more than once?

Yes. There is no attempt limit. Many candidates sit twice or more and choose which valid result to submit.

Can I sit the GAMSAT ^® without a science degree?

Yes. Eligibility does not require a science degree. Section 3 performance still depends on first-year biology and chemistry plus Year 12 physics. See GAMSAT ^® for non-science backgrounds.

What are GAMSAT ^® questions like?

Humanities items are multiple choice from written and visual stimuli. Written Communication is two timed typed tasks with four statements each. Science items are multiple choice and mix biology, chemistry, and physics through text, graphs, tables, and diagrams. Try free GAMSAT ^® practice questions to see the style.

What is a good GAMSAT ^® score?

There is no single good score. Universities use scaled section and overall scores. In recent sittings, scores around 59 have sat near the 50th percentile and scores around 64 near the top 25%, but your target depends on GPA and school rules. Use the GAMSAT ^® scores and results guide for the scoring formula, percentiles, and cutoffs.

Is the GAMSAT ^® exam harder than the UCAT ^®?

They are different exams for different pathways. GAMSAT ^® is longer, includes essays, and assumes first-year science. UCAT ^® ANZ is a shorter undergraduate skills test with no assumed science content. Compare them on UCAT ^® vs GAMSAT ^®.

Which universities require the GAMSAT ^® exam?

In Australia, 13 graduate-entry medical programs currently require it, along with selected dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, and podiatry courses. Monash graduate-entry medicine does not. Confirm the current list on ACER’s Australian admission page.

What does the GAMSAT ^® test?

It tests reasoning with written and visual material, the ability to generate and develop ideas in writing, and scientific problem-solving with first-year biology and chemistry plus Year 12 physics. Humanities and science items are four-option multiple choice. Written Communication is two typed tasks.

What is the difference between GAMSAT ^® and GEMSAS?

GAMSAT ^® is the ACER exam. GEMSAS is the application system used later by ten Australian graduate-entry medical schools. Sit the test first, then apply.

Is the GAMSAT ^® computer based?

Yes. It has been digital since 2020. Written Communication is remote-proctored. Humanities and science are sat at a test centre on a later day.

Is a calculator allowed in the GAMSAT ^®?

No. ACER lists calculators as prohibited. Needed values are usually printed in the stimulus. A small whiteboard or limited scratch paper is allowed. A printed bilingual dictionary is allowed in Written Communication and Humanities if English is not your first language.

Do I need a GAMSAT ^® Admission Ticket?

Only for the test-centre day. ACER releases it about two weeks beforehand, after your ID details are in your account. Remote Written Communication does not use a ticket.

When are GAMSAT ^® results released?

Typically late May after a March sitting and mid-November after a September sitting. Download the Statement of Results from your ACER account and see the GAMSAT ^® scores guide for how to read it.

How is the GAMSAT ^® scored?

ACER reports three scaled section scores and an overall score. The standard overall formula double-weights Section III. Percentiles are not the admissions score.

Can international students sit the GAMSAT ^®?

Yes, if you are a genuine applicant to a course that requires it and you meet that course’s academic rules. Some Australian graduate-entry schools accept MCAT instead of GAMSAT ^® for international applicants. Check the current school guide — that detail belongs on graduate entry medicine requirements.

GAMSAT preparation materials and next steps

Once you understand what the GAMSAT ^® exam is and how it is structured, the next step is usually dates, preparation strategy, and practice. These free GradReady guides sit around this overview page:

1. ACER GAMSAT ^® Information Booklet

   Official format, eligibility, remote proctoring, and test-day rules for the current sitting.

2. GAMSAT ^® 2026 dates and registration

   Registration windows, sittings, fees, and key 2026 logistics for the GAMSAT ^® exam.

3. How to study for the GAMSAT ^® exam

   Preparation strategy and how to build a realistic GAMSAT ^® study approach by section.

4. GAMSAT ^® study syllabus and topic checklist

   Assumed knowledge themes across Sections 1–3 so you know what the GAMSAT ^® syllabus covers in practice.

5. GAMSAT ^® study schedule

   6-month, 3-month, and shorter planners once you know which sitting you will take.

6. Free GAMSAT ^® preparation materials

   A library of free GAMSAT ^® study materials, guides, and tools to start preparing.

7. Free GAMSAT ^® practice questions

   Short sample questions with worked solutions so you can see GAMSAT ^® question style by section.

8. Free online GAMSAT ^® practice test

   A full-length, exam-style practice test under timed conditions with an ACER-like interface.

9. Understanding your GAMSAT ^® scores and results

   Scoring, percentiles, results release timing, and what a competitive GAMSAT ^® score looks like.

10. GAMSAT ^® Section 1

    Reasoning in Humanities and Social Sciences — timing, passage types, and question strategy.

11. GAMSAT ^® Section 2

    Written Communication — Task A/B essays, marking criteria, and timed writing.

12. GAMSAT ^® Section 3

    Reasoning in Biological and Physical Sciences — assumed knowledge and science-section strategy.

13. GAMSAT ^® for non-science backgrounds

    How to prepare for the GAMSAT ^® exam if your undergraduate degree is not in science.

14. Australian medical schools

    Compare undergraduate and graduate medical schools in Australia after you understand what the GAMSAT ^® is used for.

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For an academic overview of candidate performance patterns, see this ten-year retrospective of the GAMSAT ^® exam (published 2015): GAMSAT ^® Exam — Retrospective Review

GradReady GAMSAT ^® Preparation Courses

To learn more about our GAMSAT ^® Preparation courses and compare their different components, view an in depth comparison here: GradReady Course Comparison

If you’re after a single feature, such as our Textbook, or access to our 8000+ Intelligent MCQ Bank, or if you want to customise your preparation, you can do so here: GradReady GAMSAT ^® Custom Course.

At GradReady, we pride ourselves on providing students with the Best Results at the Best Value:

• Our team is consistently reinvesting in our internal operational technology to ensure that we're constantly improving our efficiency and productivity. The end result for our students is that we stand head and shoulders above our competition in the comprehensiveness of the tools we offer and the effectiveness of our teachings – all at the best value .
• We believe in a data-driven approach: using student performance data to fine tune our practice questions, study content and teaching styles has allowed us to achieve unparalleled results for our students.
• We are the only provider with Statistically Significant Proven Results – our students achieved an average improvement of 20+ Percentile Points, 12+ years in a row, with an average improvement of 25 Percentile Points for the May 2020 GAMSAT ^® exam.
• We achieve these results through our interactive teaching style and adaptive online learning technologies. Our classes are capped at 21 students, and taught by a specialist tutor for each subject, tutors who are themselves Medical Students who have sat the GAMSAT ^®.
• Our online systems make learning into a science and we are the only provider with a proprietary online system that uses algorithmic-assisted, targeted learning. Unlike other providers who purchase a 3rd Party System, the targeted system that we've developed tracks your performance, quickly identifying your weaknesses and pointing you to the most relevant materials and even tutor assistance.

To learn more about our courses and compare us to the competition, visit: GradReady GAMSAT ^® Preparation Courses