Is Gamsat Multiple Choice?
Yes 2 out of 3 papers in Gamsat are multiple choice. Paper 1 reasoning in humanities and social sciences and paper 3 reasoning in biological and physical sciences are both multiple choice with 4 answer choices A,B,C or D. The remaining paper, written communication, is type written answers.
Section 1 and section 3 of Gamsat are the two largest sections in the Gamsat test.
Section 1 has 62 questions to be completed in 100 minutes and section 3 has 75 questions to be completed in 150 minutes. Both of these sections are multiple choice with a choice of 4 answer choices.
The test is conducted on a computer in designated test centres and your answers are entered onto the computer system. However your score is not provided immediately afterwards but is rather sent to you a couple of months afterwards.
Section 2 consists of writing two essays in 65 minutes which have to be typed on the computer.
Section 1 and 2 are completed consecutively with no break in between.
There is then a one hour lunch break after which section 3 starts.
Multiple Choice Test Strategy
1. As with most multiple choice tests you have a chance of getting the correct answer just by guessing. In Gamsat there are 4 answer choices so you have a theoretical 25% chance of getting the mark even if you have no idea (actually it is possible to reduce your chance below 25% we discuss this further in the Gamsat Review course) so whatever you do always answer something even if it is just a wild guess.
2. Related to the previous argument, there are no points deducted for getting an answer wrong, so again always put something.
3. Time management - keep an eye on the clock and always leave a few minutes at the end to quickly fill in any blanks on your answer grid. If the invigilator says "stop working" and you've still got 20 questions left then you've just lost 5 marks for no reason (assuming you'd get 25% by chance).
Practicing Multiple Choice Questions
The best way to practice your multiple choice test taking strategies is by putting in plenty of practice with questions of a similar style to the real test.
ACER who are the test administrators publish three full length practice tests and two further short practice papers which you can purchase from within your ACER Gamsat account.
However most people like to get more practice than that and will also purchase alternatives. The Gamsat Review course comes with seven question practice books with fully worked answers.
You can download a free sample in the form of a full length section 3 test by clicking on the following link - Gamsat Practice Test
Scrap Paper
Finally remember that although the test is multiple choice and taken on a computer, many of the questions will require you to perform complex calculations.
To assist with this you are given two pieces of scrap paper per session. This means two pieces for Sections 1 and 2 and then another two pieces for Section 3.
However please be sure to hand them in at the end. You are not allowed to remove them from the test centre and attempting to do so could lead to your test not being marked.
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.
