Resources for GAMSAT section 2
When I was studying for Gamsat I spent hours looking for resources for section 2. If you're looking for your own resources for Gamsat section 2 I've written this short article to help you out so you can save yourself from spending hours like I did.
So a good strategy for section 2 is to get a good overview of current ideas and theories in a range of broad topics.
This way you'll be able to work them into your arguments in your essays and appear well informed and able to relate your arguments to the real world.
So if you can have a reasonably good idea of the most important historical ideas, plus the latest developments in a range of commonly discussed disciplines such as philosophy, politics, economics, art etc. that is a good strategy to adopt for section two.
Here's three useful resources which will help you achieve just that.
TED Talks
The first resource on our list is a website which has literally thousands of videos covering many topics.
This is TED which is a non profit organization which is devoted to spreading ideas in the form of short talks presented by experts in their fields from every discipline and culture who seek a deeper understanding of the world.
The average length of these videos is about 20 minutes so you can watch them in easily digestible little chunks.
The Meaning of Things
This resource is a book written by well known British philosopher A.C. Grayling.
It consists of a series of brief articles which aim to help the reader think about life, common human dilemmas and universal difficulties. Encouraging introspection into life and experience to help us achieve a life worth living.
Some of the topics covered include include courage, love, betrayal, ambition, cruelty, wisdom, passion, beauty and death.
This book will help you generate concepts to support your arguments in your Gamsat section two essays.
50 Big Ideas
Another great book - 50 Big Ideas You Really Need to Know by Ben Dupré is a concise, accessible and popular guide to the central tenets of Western thought. Every important principle of philosophy, religion, politics, economics, the arts and the sciences is profiled in a series of short illustrated essays, complemented by an informative array of timelines and box features. Platonism, The Soul, Communism, Aristotelianism, Faith, Fascism, The Golden rule, Atheism, Racism, Altruism, Secularism, Feminism, Pluralism, Fundamentalism, Islamism, Liberty, Creationism, Capitalism, Toleration, War, Globalization, Scepticism, Duty, Classicism, Reason, Utopia, Romanticism, Punishment, Liberalism, Modernism, Materialism, Democracy, Surrealism, Relativism, Conservatism, Censorship, Utilitarianism, Imperialism, Big Bang, Existentialism, Nationalism, Chaos, Evil, Social contract, Evolution, Fate, Republicanism, Relativity, Quantum mechanics, Gaia.
These three resources are great way to get going with your Gamsat section 2 practice.
Quote Generator
The final resource on my list is a quote generator which will help you to generate an unlimited number of quotes on hundreds of topics in a format virtually identical to the real test.
When doing your practice essays I always recommend typing them under timed conditions as in the real thing so you can practice your timing skills and also improve your typing speed and accuracy.
The second thing I recommend is to always write two in a row one directly after the other to replicate test conditions so you can develop the mental agility to quickly switch from one topic to another.
Further Resources
For more detailed help with your GAMSAT essay writing please refer to Griffiths GAMSAT Review which contains an essay writing model which practically allows you to have your essays pre-written before you even walk into the test.
