Are you looking to get into the medical field? Have you completed your undergraduate degree and biological and physical Master’s? Well, I am afraid to tell you that your degree is not enough to get into a postgraduate university. Every candidate who wants to pursue tertiary education in the medical and health fields must take the GAMSAT test.
Now, the first thought that comes to mind is, what is GAMSAT? Australian Council for Educational ACER developed the Graduate medical Admission Test to help make the admission and selection process of medical and health students easier. It is a standardized test that is held in Australia, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. The test is held in specific test centers. Candidates are divided into the centers depending on their geographical location while applying. Some international centers are in Singapore, Washington D.C, and Wellington, New Zealand.
Is GAMSAT compulsory?
The short answer is, yes. You need a minimum of 50 average overall marks. The test is divided into three sections.
· Reasoning in humanities.
The total number of questions is 62 and the total time given for this test is 100 minutes.
· Written communication.
There are 2 questions to attempt and the total time given is 65 minutes. Students mostly find this section to be most difficult to manage.
· Reasoning in biological and physical sciences.
The total number of questions is 75. The time limit is 150 minutes.
The test occupies nearly your whole day which is what makes GAMSAT a very exhausting test. You need at least a 50 score in each section of the test.
When can I take a GAMSAT?
Gamsat test can be taken twice a year, in March and in September. The most common question about GAMSAT is, how long does a gamsat score last? Your GAMSAT test scores, obtained from either of the two sittings can be usable for up to two consecutive years.
When are the scores released?
GAMSAT test score results are released in under two months of the test.
What score is good enough for me?
Being honest, only passing a GAMSAT is a massive accomplishment.
An average GAMSAT score is 56-58. Approximately 34% of the students score in this range. The above-average score is 59-65. Roughly 14% of students score in this range. The rarest score is above 80 marks on average. Less than 0.1% of candidates have been able to score above 80 point average.
In short, an above average score is more than enough for any applicant. It is noteworthy to remember that even after you have scored a satisfactory score in the GAMSAT, it is still not promised that you will be called for an interview.
Remember that your selection does not entirely depend just on the GAMSAT. So do not be disheartened if you are unable to do well in the test. The GAMSAT test is very challenging, lengthy, and very exhausting. Only 20-25% of candidates can clear the test successfully. You can always be selected based on your academic previous performance as well.