Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT)
What is the GAMSAT? How is the GAMSAT different from the MCAT?
The Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT), formerly known as Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test, is a standardized test for admissions to graduate medical schools in the UK, Ireland and Australia select students for medical programmes. GAMSAT assess the ability to understand and analyse material, organise and present ideas, and to apply critical reasoning skills across a range of subject areas. It is developed by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) in conjunction with the Consortium of Graduate Medical Schools.
In contrast, the Medical College Admission Test or MCAT is a standardised test administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) for prospective students seeking to study medicine in medical schools in the United States and Canada.
Read this article to learn more about the differences between the GAMSAT and MCAT
Duke-NUS accepts both MCAT and GAMSAT scores. Your MCAT or GAMSAT results are a critical component of the Duke-NUS Medical School’s admissions process for the MD and MD-PhD programmes.
What is the GAMSAT like?
The test comprises 3 sections:
Section I – 75 multiple choice questions on humanities and social sciences
Section II – 2 written essays
Section III – 110 multiple choice questions on biological and physical sciences
Those without a first degree in science may sit for the GAMSAT. It is entirely possible to achieve a good GAMSAT score, with hard work and ample preparation. Scores are calculated based on performance in all three sections, with more weightage given to Section III.
The GAMSAT includes 5 hr 30 min of testing time and 25 min of reading time, excluding pre-testing procedures. There is only one break between section II and III, for you to take your lunch.
When should I sit for the GAMSAT?
It is important to begin your GAMSAT preparation early. The recommended preparation period ranges from 3 - 6 hours per day for 4 -6 months. The GAMSAT is held twice a year, in March and September. Registration opens 3 to 4 months before the test date. For more details, please visit the ACER websiteOpen in new tab.
Do note the results for the March test date will only be released in late May. Prospective applicants should therefore plan ahead and take the GAMSAT in the year preceding your intended intake year at Duke-NUS.
Resources for the GAMSAT: Links and Guide Books
The Duke-NUS Library has copies of the Gold Standard GAMSAT textbooks that are available for borrowing for free, subject to availability. GAMSAT textbooks may be borrowed for 2 weeks at a time, limited to 1 book per person. The Duke-NUS library is located on Level 3, at 8 College Road Singapore 169857, and is open on weekdays, 9am - 5pm. Contact library@duke-nus.edu.sg for more information.
The Gold Standard GAMSAT textbook includes:
• Skills, strategies and practice questions for Section I and II
• Review and practice for Section III: Physical Sciences and Biological Sciences
• Basic concepts to GAMSAT-level practice questions
• Over 1200 multiple choice questions (MCQs) with worked solutions
As the GAMSAT requires substantial time management skills, it is important that you take timed practice of all the 3 sections. The ACER websiteOpen in new tab offers GAMSAT Questions and Practice TestsOpen in new tab, which are great resources to start with.
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