Is Gamsat or MCAT Harder?
Of the two medical school admissions tests which is harder, Gamsat or MCAT?
So I've only actually sat Gamsat but during my preparation for that test I did buy some MCAT preparation materials also which included A LOT of MCAT type questions.
The reason I did that was because back when I sat Gamsat it was still quite a new test and there were very few prep companies selling materials for it.
Which is what eventually inspired me to create my own home study course.
Anyway...
In the end I didn't end up using them much. As I began using the MCAT materials I discovered the two tests are very different and the style of questions differs a lot between the two.
On the whole I'd say MCAT is DEFINITELY HARDER.
You need much more memorized science knowledge for MCAT and I'd say at a higher level than you need for Gamsat.
Gamsat science questions are more reasoning based and even if you have zero knowledge you could make an attempt at them. That just isn't the case with MCAT.
The verbal reasoning questions are also different.
Although in this case I'd say that they are easier in the MCAT.
The reason being that the verbal reasoning paper in MCAT (called Critical Analysis and Reasoning skills) is much more like the traditional verbal comprehension tests we are all familiar with.
You can read the questions and then quickly skim through the text to find the answer.
Gamsat verbal reasoning questions aren't like that. In Gamsat you have to understand the whole article and then questions are set which test your understanding.
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IN SUMMARY
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The verbal reasoning part of MCAT is easier than in Gamsat but the science section is harder.
Overall the MCAT is harder.
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.
