GAMSAT Format
This article will explain the Gamsat format to help you prepare for the test in the easiest and most optimal way possible.
The format of the Gamsat or Graduate Medical School Admissions Test is as follows:
The test is composed of three papers -
The first paper is multiple choice and has 75 questions. It lasts 1 hour and 40 minutes and this paper tests reasoning in the humanities and social sciences.
The second paper is written and requires two essays to be completed in 60 minutes and this paper tests written communication skills.
The third paper is multiple choice and has 110 questions. It lasts 2 hours and 50 minutes and this paper tests reasoning in the biological and physical sciences.
The test is a paper based test carried out in a single day at a testing centre.
There is no break between paper one and two. There is a one hour lunch break between paper two and paper three.
Gamsat is held twice a year in March and September. You may sit the test in either sitting and you can take it as many times as you want.
The universities you apply to do not know how many times you have sat the test, only your highest score is passed to them at the time you make your application.
Format By Country
Gamsat is used in different countries but the format of Gamsat is exactly the same regardless of where you sit it.
The only variation is in the timescales.
Australian candidates normally take the test in March for university applications in May for entry to courses the following year.
Irish candidates also normally take the test in March for the university applications which have already been made up to the end of February for entry to courses in September of the same year.
UK candidates normally take the test in September for university applications submitted up to the middle of October for entry to courses in September the following year.
Having said all this, as mentioned above you can however sit the test whenever you want. So an Australian candidate could for example sit the test the previous September for applications the following May instead of taking it in March.
For more detailed information about all the universities which require GAMSAT and the timetable of events for applications, sitting the test etc you can read my other article here - Gamsat Universities
Test Locations
Finally for Australian candidates the test can be taken in the following locations -
Adelaide
Ballarat
Brisbane
Canberra
Darwin
Dubbo
Hobart
Melbourne
Perth
Sydney
Townsville
Wollongong
In the UK the locations are -
Birmingham
Cardiff
Edinburgh
Liverpool
London
Sheffield
In Ireland you can take the test in -
Cork
Dublin
Limerick
Further Resources
For more help with GAMSAT check out Griffiths Gamsat Review Home Study System which takes you step by step through all three sections with advanced strategies for each.
