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The Definitive Starter Guide To The GAMSAT UK (2024)

Written by: Matt Amalfitano-Stroud

If you’re considering studying medicine in the UK at a graduate level, chances are you’ll be facing the GAMSAT. But what exactly is the GAMSAT? Which UK universities use it? How is it scored? In this comprehensive guide, we will explore all these questions and more, providing you with a clear understanding of the GAMSAT and how you can navigate through it successfully. Let’s get started!

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WHAT IS THE GAMSAT?

The GAMSAT is one of the less common exams for medicine applicants, so you may not know much about it. Let’s review what exactly it is.

The Graduate Medical School Admissions Test, more commonly known as the GAMSAT, is a standardised test designed to assess the knowledge and skills of candidates seeking entry into various graduate-entry medicine programmes in the UK.

The test is run by the Australian Council of Education Research (ACER), an independent organisation that operates a wide variety of exams – mainly in Australia. The GAMSAT specifically is used in the UK, Ireland, Australia and more.

It’s designed to evaluate your capability to think critically, reason scientifically, and communicate effectively in a variety of contexts. As a prospective medical student, your GAMSAT score is a crucial factor that admissions tutors will consider when evaluating your application.

How does the GAMSAT Work?

The GAMSAT is a full-day, computer-based exam that lasts 5 Hours and 25 Minutes. It’s divided into three distinct sections that test applicants’ various abilities:

Section 1: Reasoning in Humanities and Social Sciences

In Section 1, you will encounter a variety of stimuli from different disciplines, such as literature, philosophy and ethics. You will need to answer 62 Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) in 100 minutes (including 8 minutes of reading time)

This section tests your ability to comprehend complex ideas, analyse arguments and draw logical conclusions, challenging you to think critically and apply your knowledge of humanities and social sciences to a variety of disciplines.

Section 2 - Written Communication

Section 2 focuses on your written communication skills. You will be given two tasks featuring a selection of quotes. You must interpret the common theme within these quotes and explain your reasoning within a piece of text. Applicants are given 60 minutes to do this, as well as 5 minutes of reading time.

This section assesses your ability to articulate your thoughts clearly and coherently, as well as your capacity to construct a well-structured argument. It is essential to showcase your ability to communicate effectively, as this skill is vital for success in medical school and future medical practice.

Section 3 - Reasoning in Biological and Physical Sciences

Section 3 is dedicated to assessing your scientific knowledge and reasoning abilities. It contains 75 MCQ’s covering Biology, Chemistry and Physics, which you will have 150 minutes to complete (including 8 minutes of reading time).

Section 3 requires you to apply your scientific knowledge to solve problems, interpret data and analyse experimental designs. The questions are designed to test your understanding of fundamental scientific concepts and your ability to think critically in a scientific context.

These three sections combined make the GAMSAT one of the longest admissions tests sat for UK university admissions. It’s a challenging test to get through, but those who have already made it through an undergraduate course should find it manageable. Here’s a summary of the basics to expect in the GAMSAT:

Exams.Ninja Tip

In total, it is suggested that you will be at the GAMSAT testing centre for up to 8 hours. You will be tested for 5 Hours and 25 Minutes, but you will need to arrive well in advance as testing start times aren’t set beforehand.

You will also have an hour-long break in between Sections 2 and 3 for lunch. You won’t be able to leave the testing centre at any point during the test, including breaks, so ensure you have food with you.

How is the GAMSAT Scored?

The GAMSAT is scored on a scale of 0 to 100, with 100 being the highest achievable score. The scoring process takes raw marks from each of the 3 sections and calculates a final score for each that is scaled to the performance of other applicants and to the exam difficulty compared to previous years. This process is known as Item Response Theory (IRT).

An overall GAMSAT Score is then calculated using these results. In most regions, including the UK, the GAMSAT weighs the scientific and non-scientific tasks equally, meaning Section 3 is the most influential individual section in the test. The calculation used for this is as follows:

Overall Score = (1 × Section I + 1 × Section II + 2 × Section III) ÷ 4

A Percentile Graph is also released after each sitting of the exam that allows applicants to view their rankings based on the scores they earned. Results and performance will vary from sitting to sitting due to the nature of the scale used by ACER.

Each section is marked separately and has equal weighting when calculating the overall score. Sections 1 and 3 are marked using the number of correct answers given (with no negative marking for incorrect answers), while Section 2 is marked by trained assessors who consider various aspects of your writing, including the depth of your analysis, the clarity of your expression and the overall structure of your work.

For the medical schools that use the GAMSAT in their application process, only the GAMSAT scores are considered by the admissions tutors, not the raw marks or Percentile Graphs. Be aware that your GAMSAT results are valid for up to two years after the date of your test.

You can learn more about the GAMSAT scoring system and results from previous years in our GAMSAT Scoring and Results Guide.

Which UK Universities Use the GAMSAT?

The GAMSAT is a widely recognised and respected examination used by several prestigious universities in the UK for their graduate-entry medicine courses. It serves as an important indicator of a candidate’s suitability for these highly competitive courses.

Within the UK, the following medical schools use the GAMSAT within their admissions process:

UK GAMSAT Medical Schools

While this is far from all of the UK medical schools that offer graduate medicine courses, there is a fair variety of locations here, meaning you may likely have the sit the GAMSAT for at least one of your options.

Outside of the UK, many more international medical schools also use the GAMSAT, you can find the full list of universities on the ACER website.

By requiring GAMSAT scores, these universities aim to select candidates who not only possess the correct academic ability but also have the necessary attributes to become successful and compassionate medical professionals. The GAMSAT serves as a benchmark for evaluating applicants’ potential to excel in the demanding field of medicine.

When and where is the GAMSAT sat?

Unlike many other admissions tests, applicants are able to sit the GAMSAT during two periods throughout the year. These periods last 5 days each and take place in March and September of each year. The exact dates will vary from year-to-year, so be sure to check the GAMSAT dates information on the official ACER website.

All GAMSAT testing takes place at approved GAMSAT Testing Centres. In the UK, different GAMSAT Testing Centres are available depending on which month you will be sitting the test.

The London test centre is open for both sittings, but applicants will also have the option to sit their test at the following locations based on the month of their test:

UK GAMSAT Testing Centres

March GAMSAT

September GAMSAT

A full list of all testing centres in the world is available on the ACER website.

How Do I Register for the GAMSAT?

All GAMSAT registration takes place online on the ACER website. Applicants must create a GAMSAT account, which can be used to complete the registration process when registrations are open for the relevant sitting.

Registrations open in November for the March GAMSAT and May for the September GAMSAT. Registration is open for 3 months each time and closes in January and July respectively.

When registering, applicants will need to fill out the online registration form and submit a payment of £271 to be registered. They will then be sent an Admission Ticket, as well as registration confirmation and a payment receipt, to the provided email address. This email address is also where your results will be sent to.

When registering for the GAMSAT, it is advisable to do so early for two reasons. Firstly, the demand for the exam is high, and popular test centres can fill up quickly. By registering early, you increase your chances of getting your desired test date and location. Secondly, a late registration fee will be charged for applicants who apply after the set deadline.

Do I Have To Pay For The GAMSAT?

Yes, all UK GAMSAT test-takers will need to pay a fee of £271 during the registration process. This fee varies depending on the country of application.

Also, be aware that there is an additional fee charged to late applicants to register after the set deadline.

Can I Resit The GAMSAT?

As the GAMSAT takes place twice each year, you can technically resit the test by taking the test twice in the same year. However, you can only register for the test once per testing cycle.

Key GAMSAT Dates

Below is a summary of the key dates and deadlines to consider for the GAMSAT :

Applicant Deadlines 2023	March GAMSAT	September GAMSAT
Registration Opens	November 2022	May 2023
Registration Closes	30th January 2023 (10AM, UK)	11th July 2023 (1PM, UK)
Late Registrations Window	10th February 2023 (10AM, UK)	21st July 2023 (1PM, UK)
GAMSAT Testing Dates	18th – 22th March 2023	8th – 12th September 2023
GAMSAT Results Released	Late May 2023	Mid-November 2023

Is the GAMSAT Hard?

Let’s address the elephant in the room: Is the GAMSAT hard? Well, it wouldn’t be an admissions test for a highly competitive field like medicine if it was a walk in the park. The GAMSAT requires you to demonstrate not only subject knowledge but also critical thinking skills and effective communication.

As graduate medicine applicants, you should already be well-versed in a lot of the skills being tested here. Those who performed well in the UCAT and especially the BMAT will likely be comfortable with a lot of the questions here, but the exam difficulty is certainly a step up from those tests.

By looking at the GAMSAT as a souped-up BMAT, you should be able to get a better idea of what you will need to do to prepare and ensure you can make it through the test relatively painlessly. The two tests aren’t exactly the same, especially in Sections 1 and 2, but it is a suitable comparison that should help you begin your prep.

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GAMSAT SECTION 1: REASONING IN HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

Section 1 is the start of the GAMSAT, which will see you flexing your critical thinking and reasoning skills. Let’s take a closer look!

To recap, Section 1 of the GAMSAT assesses your ability to comprehend and analyse written and graphical information, as well as your reasoning in humanities and social sciences. This section consists of MCQs comparable to questions within the Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT) or Oxford Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA), although with a wider selection of prompts and stimuli.

You will be required to critically evaluate complex passages and draw logical conclusions about the questions asked. To excel in Section 1, it is essential to enhance your reading speed, comprehension skills and familiarity with various subject areas.

What Is Included In GAMSAT Section 1?

All questions in the GAMSAT are based on a variety of prompts, or stimuli, that are presented to you. You are likely to have around 15+ stimuli to review, with each having 2 – 5 questions to answer.

Within the test, you will find various types of stimuli, including:

That’s right, Section 1 of the GAMSAT is not just restricted to text-based stimuli but visual elements as well. This adds another layer to the test and will require additional preparation in order to get used to the types of questions that are asked here.

As well as the stimuli, the questions are also fairly different in their approach to testing the core skills of critical thinking and reasoning. In tests like the LNAT or TSA, you will frequently be asked questions relating to the author, be it their intentions, beliefs or arguments. However, many of the questions in the GAMSAT focus more on the stimuli itself.

Some of the common question types you will find in the GAMSAT including the following:

Observations

Which is the correct observation out of the available options?

Purpose/Message

What is the purpose of the stimuli? What is it trying to say?

Theme/Tone

What is the theme or tone presented within the text/image?

Comparisons

How do these two elements/texts compare with each other?

Descriptions

How can this certain aspect of the stimuli best be described?

Conventions

Which language or literary conventions are used?

Another aspect that sets GAMSAT Section 1 apart from similar tests is that it features many stimuli relating to emotional matters rather than factual ones. Where other exams will feature passages relating to historic events, political issues and social trends, the GAMSAT can deal with much broader, human themes such as love, pain, grief and more.

This adds even more difficulty to the test, as many questions could be interpreted in different ways by different people. However, each question will have a definitive answer, so it is important to read each stimulant and question very closely to get a full understanding of what is being asked.

There is a lot more to learn about Section 1 of the GAMSAT, so be sure to check out our GAMSAT Section 1 Guide.

Exams.Ninja Tip

Any comics/cartoons featured within Section 1 will usually be in the style of newspaper cartoons with up to 4 panels, so be sure to check out some examples in the paper and practice analysing them like a GAMSAT question.

GAMSAT Section 1 Preparation Tips

Read a wide and varied selection of texts in order prepare for the potential selection on the test.
The specific topic of each stimulant is rarely important, so subject knowledge is not necessary to practice.
When practicing, give yourself the 8 minutes of reading time that you would receive in the real test.
Decide which types of questions/stimulants you struggle with the most and focus the bulk to your practice on them.
Review and remember the types of words used in the questions to ensure your understand what each one means (especially adjectives).
Practice your data interpretation skills to ensure you can quickly read the graphs and tables featured in the test.

GAMSAT Section 1 Practice Question: Stimulant

The following three questions are based on The Republic by Plato.

So we went to Polemarchus’ house, where we found his brothers Lysias and Euthydems, and besides them Thrasymachus of Chalcedon, Charmantides of Paeania and Cleitophon, son of Aristonymus. Polemarchus’ farther, Cephalus, was there too; a very old man he seemed to me, for it was a long time since I had seen him last. He was sitting garlanded on some sort of an easy chair, as he had just been sacrificing in the courtyard. There were some chairs standing round about, so we sat down besides him. As soon as he saw me Cephalus welcomed me and said, ‘You don’t come down to the Piraeus to see us, Socrates, as often as you should. If I were still strong enough to make the journey to town easily, there would be no reason for you to come here; I would visit you. As it is, you ought to come here more frequently: for I myself find as age blunts one’s enjoyment of physical pleasures, one’s desire for rational conversation and one’s enjoyment of it increases correspondingly. So don’t refuse me, but come and talk to the young men here and visit us as if we were old friends.’ ‘As a matter of fact, Cephalus,’ I said, ‘I enjoy talking to very old men, for they have gone before us, as it were, on a road that we too may have to tread, and it seems to me that we should find out from them what it is like and whether it is rough and difficult or broad and easy. You are now at an age when you are, as they poets say, about to cross the threshold, and I would like to find out how it strikes you and what you have to tell us. It is a difficult time of life, or not?’

‘I’ll certainly tell you how it strikes me, Socrates,’ he said. ‘For some of us old men often meet together, like the proverbial birds of a feather. And when we do meet, most of them are full of woes; they hanker for the pleasures of their youth, remembering how they use to make love and drink and go to parties and the like and thinking it a great deprivation that they can’t do so any more. Like was good then, they think, whereas now they can hardly be said to live at all. And some of them grumble that their families show no respect for their age, and proceed to harp on the miseries old age brings. But in my opinion, Socrates, they are putting the blame in the wrong place. For if old age were to blame, my experience would be the same as theirs, and so would that of all other old men. But in fact I have met many whose feelings are quite different. For example, I was once present when someone was asking the poet Sophocles about sex, and whether he was able to make love to a woman; to which he relied, “Don’t talk about that; I am glad to have left it behind me and escaped from a fierce and frenzied master.” A good reply I thought then, and still do. For in old age you become quite free of feelings of this sort and they leave you in a peace; and when your desires lose their intensity and relax, you get what Sophocles was talking about, a release form a lot of mad masters. In all this, and in the lack of respect their families show them, there is only one thing to blame; and that is not their old age, Socrates, but their character. For if men are sensible and good-tempered, old age is easy enough to bear: if not, youth as well as age is a burden.’

GAMSAT Section 1 Practice Question 1

When considering the interactions found within the passage, it could be suggested that…

A) Socrates maintains a disdain for Cephalus’s advanced age.

B) Sophocles is regarded as the quintessential male.

C) Cephalus regards Socrates as family.

D) Cephalus welcoming Socrates is oxymoronic.

The correct answer is D.

This stem starts us off with a Technical – Logical Reasoning question that invites us to not only comprehend the explicit narrative but also use this to inform our implicit understanding of what’s occurring. What makes this question more challenging is our need to correlate information in different places of the passage before applying it to our answer options. As such, questions like this can become time sucks quite quickly so keep in mind your time cost to reward ratio.

Starting with our correct answer Option D, we are being asked to examine an interaction by the question and more specifically, the welcoming/opening interaction between Cephalus and Socrates. This helps us pinpoint the locus of our analysis around the second third of the first paragraph ‘As soon as he saw me Cephalus welcomed me and said, ‘You don’t come down to the Piraeus to see us, Socrates, as often as you should. If I were still strong enough to make the journey to town easily, there would be no reason for you to come here; I would visit you. As it is, you ought to come here more frequently: for I myself find as age blunts one’s enjoyment of physical pleasures, one’s desire for rational conversation and one’s enjoyment of it increases correspondingly. So don’t refuse me, but come and talk to the young men here and visit us as if we were old friends.’’ If we dive deeper into what Cephalus is saying, we should notice there is a displeasure in the way he speaks to Socrates’ lack of visiting, ‘You don’t come down to the Piraeus to see us, Socrates, as often as you should’, ‘As it is, you ought to come here more frequently’ and ‘So don’t refuse me, but come and talk to the young men here and visit us as if we were old friends.’ However, the oxymoronic (defined in this instance as a contradiction) aspect here is that despite this overt display of displeasure, he is also experiencing pleasure in the seeing of Socrates again. In other words, he is displeased and pleased to see Socrates at the same time. As such, this is our best answer.

To reinforce our choice, we should be able to quickly reject our other option through flaws in part of their answers. Option A suggests ‘Socrates maintains a disdain for Cephalus’s advanced age’ however, nowhere in the passage does Socrates offer such an opinion. While it could be said that Socrates is quite candid when addressing Cephalus (e.g.,‘You are now at an age when you are, as they poets say, about to cross the threshold’), this is in no way displaying a disdain towards him or his age. Option Bis a bit of a left field answer that doesn’t really offer anything substantial. Sophocles is quoted by Cephalus to further the point about age and the changes to physical desires but it would be a large stretch to imply that Sophocles is quintessentially male. Furthermore, at the start of paragraph two Cephalus says ‘For some of us old men often meet together, like the proverbial birds of a feather. And when we do meet, most of the are full of woes; they hanker for the pleasures of their youth, remembering how they use to age love and drink and go to parties and the like and thinking is a great deprivation that they can’t do so many more’. From this, we are unable to get a clear majority of what the quintessential ‘old man’ would represent (‘For some of us old men often meet together’ the key word here is ‘some’) and as such, we can reject this option comfortably. Finally, Option C can be rejected due to a lack of objective evidence and too great of an inference. While Cephalus clearly does miss Socrates and wishes he would visit more often, there is nothing to define the level of relationship they hold with one-another. If anything, the line ‘visit us as if we were old friends’ is more likely to suggest their relationship is closer to the friendship level than that of a family member.

GAMSAT Section 1 Practice Question 2

When Sophocles is quoted as saying, ‘Don’t talk about that; I am glad to have left it behind me and escaped from a fierce and frenzied master’ (paragraph 2, last third), Cephalus is implying to Socrates that…

A) Only the wisdom of age allows us to see through the haze of desire.

B) That lust and love are polarised by age.

C) Both A and B.

D) Neither A nor B.

The correct answer is D.

This question utilises our Technical – Argument Deconstruction skills to ascertain both what the poet, Sophocles, is implying as well as the main point of Cephalus quoting him. As such, we should first consider our explicit understanding before using this to help inform any implicit associations. The quote, simply put, is suggesting that Sophocles has aged to a point whereby he is less influenced (‘Don’t talk about that’; meaning he is maintaining a distance from the subject, likely to ensure he cannot relapse) by his servitude to physical desires (‘I am glad to have left it behind me and escaped from a fierce and frenzied master’). Cephalus then uses this to support his own position that aging is not as bad as some of his peers suggest, ‘And when we do meet, most of them are full of woes; they hanker for the pleasures of their youth, remembering how they use to age love and drink and go to parties and the like and thinking is a great deprivation that they can’t do so many more’ and that in fact, to age to is experience and increase in liberty ‘For in old age you become quite free of feelings of this sort and they leave you in a peace; and when your desires lose their intensity and relax, you get what Sophocles was talking about, a release form a lot of mad masters.’

Looking at Option A, while there is truth in this answer, we need to ensure we are responding to the correct and specific aspect of the question – what Cephalus is implying to Socrates. The purpose of using this quote is to support Cephalus’s position that with age comes an increase in liberty; no longer is the poet, Sophocles, nor Cephalus, enslaved by their physical desires. Essentially, age brings them both control over things that the youth cannot. So while wisdom that comes from age may allow sight through some cloud of lust/desire, this would not be as accurate of a supporting point given Cephalus is not talking about the wisdom of age but is talking about the control and liberty that comes with age. Option B can be rejected much in the same way as we did that of A. Cephalus is not implying lust and love are polarized by age but that increased age brings with it an increase in liberty. Additionally, there is no mention of the relationship between lust (sex/physical desires) and love to be found within the passage; love is not mentioned in general, expect when used as a synonym for sex (to ‘make love’).

Based on our rejection of both A and B, and subsequently Option C, we can conclude Option D to be the correct answer.

GAMSAT Section 1 Practice Question 3

The view of aging given by Cephalus can be said to be…

A) Condemning.

B) Liberating.

C) Conflicting.

D) None of the above.

The correct answer is B.

The last question in this stem makes use of our Technical – Argument Deconstruction skills and relies heavily on a general understanding of the passage. As such, we should look to explore the explicit views of aging given to us by Cephalus before correlating our findings into a specific theme. If we were able to read through and understand the majority of what we read, this question should (hopefully) be a nice one to finish on.

Going in order, Option A implies Cephalus condemns aging. Arguably, condemning is a relatively strong word to use in this context but even so, there is very little of it (or even that of a softer tone) going on in the passage. The only instance of anything that resembles this is when Cephalus references his peers however, this does not accurately depict his view of aging, ‘And when we do meet, most of them are full of woes; they hanker for the pleasures of their youth, remembering how they use to make love and drink and go to parties and the like and thinking it a great deprivation that they can’t do so any more’.

Option B, liberating, is the most fitting of our answers. Throughout the passage, Cephalus is discussing how his aging ‘… blunts one’s enjoyment of physical pleasures’, which leads to an increase of control and freedom, ‘For in old age you become quite free of feelings of [physical pleasure] and they leave you in a peace; and when your desires lose their intensity and relax, you get what Sophocles was talking about, a release form a lot of mad masters’. Equally, this means we can reject Option D too.

Finally, Option C suggests a conflict is present in Cephalus’s view of aging. Choosing this option, much like that of option A, can stem from the mistake of placing too much weight on a small aspect of the passage take out of context; namely Cephalus’s disagreement with his peers. Equally, Cephalus is not conflicted (in the sense of confused) by aging as he is able to clearly articulate his views surrounding it as well as provide a deeper analysis to why he holds his position.

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GAMSAT SECTION 2: WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

Section 2 is all about essay writing, so let’s see what you need to know about the Written Communication section of the GAMSAT.

Section 2 of the GAMSAT tests your written communication skills. You will be required to complete two tasks (Tasks A & B). Within each task, you will find a selection of four – five short texts, usually in the form of quotes, from which you will need to interpret a common theme. You will need to present your answer and reasoning in a written piece.

This section aims to evaluate your ability to form and express arguments clearly, concisely, and convincingly. Strong analytical thinking and effective planning are key to performing well in Section 2, although your writing style is less important as long as the theme and prompts have been appropriately covered.

What Is Included In GAMSAT Section 2?

Section 2 will present you with two tasks that feature multiple quotes. This is all you will be given to work off of, so you need to ensure you are well-practised in this section before entering the exam.

This section’s first challenge is correctly interpreting the common theme among the quotes in each task. You are given 5 minutes of reading time which you will need to use effectively in order to have enough time to complete your writing. You should aim to have the themes for both tasks figured out by the end of this time and be ready to begin planning your work.

The planning phase itself is important but will likely be very short due to the limited time you have available. However, having a basic structure is key to writing effectively and efficiently. Due to the time restraints, you won’t be expected to write a long piece of work, so aim to clearly express your thoughts in as few words as possible (400 – 500 words is a good amount for the GAMSAT).

Exams.Ninja Tip

Correctly interpreting the theme within each task is crucial, as your work will not receive any marks if you discuss the wrong topic. Therefore, using your reading time effectively will help you properly determine the correct answer.

What Does GAMSAT Section 2 Test?

GAMSAT Section 2 is a test of your ability to communicate complicated ideas and understand themes. However, it does not necessarily test you on this in the same way as a traditional essay task.

Firstly, Section 2 does not specifically require applicants to write a traditional-style essay. Instead, applicants can approach their writing in a number of ways, including:

The assessors for Section 2 essays will not be marking you on the format of your work but on your ability to convey your thoughts on the prompts. With the limited time you have to plan and write your essay, you won’t have much time to worry about the creative structure of your writing; especially if you’re having trouble identifying the common themes within the tasks.

You will also not specifically be judged on your writing and syntax, in the sense that you do not need to have an expert grasp of the finer points of English. While you will still need to display the correct use of basic grammar and spelling, the assessors will not mark you down for using simple language. In some cases, simple language may be favoured as the ability to clearly and concisely present your discussion points is the most important aspect when writing these tasks.

GAMSAT Section 2 Preparation Tips

We have even more information on what to expect and how you can prepare in our GAMSAT Section 2 Guide.

GAMSAT Section 2 Example Question

A community is strongest when everyone shares a basis of fact.

Healthy debate is only healthy when society agrees on a shared reality.

How can we know reality when the ‘reality’ is different for everyone?

We all share a common reality. We need to start acting like we do.

Boost your skills in all three sections of the GAMSAT today!

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GAMSAT SECTION 3: REASONING IN BIOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES

Section 3 may be the most challenging section as it is the longest and most subject-specific part of the GAMSAT. Let’s see what you need to know and how you should prepare for the final part of the test!

In Section 3 of the GAMSAT, you will be faced with 75 Multiple Choice Questions centred around the three core sciences: Biology, Chemistry and Physics. These questions will require you to apply scientific principles and problem-solving skills to real-world scenarios at a fairly high level. To excel in Section 3, it is crucial to have a solid foundation in the sciences and to practice applying your knowledge in a time-pressured environment.

What Is Included In GAMSAT Section 3?

Similar to Sections 1 and 2, Section 3 is also based on a series of stimuli with corresponding questions. However, everything is now related to science, so the prompt will be more straightforward and factual.

As with any other science-based exam, the GAMSAT has a set syllabus of key topics that you will need to have an understanding of in order to succeed. These topics include:

UK GAMSAT Section 3 Syllabus

GAMSAT Biology Syllabus

GAMSAT Chemistry Syllabus

GAMSAT Physics Syllabus

Applicants are expected to understand these topics to a first-year university level (although Physics is closer to Year 12 Level). For each of these sciences, you will need to be familiar with the major symbols, formulae and equations that are associated with the subjects, but you will also be required to understand various mathematical principles. While there are no specific mathematics questions in the GAMSAT, these principles will be required throughout the section to answer the questions:

UK GAMSAT Mathematics Syllabus

As for the questions included in Section 3, you will be presented with a mixture of questions from each of the three sciences. The GAMSAT favours Biology and Chemistry when it comes to questions, with the weighings for each subject being 40% Chemistry, 40% Biology and 20% Physics. However, it is still important to ensure you are well-prepared for all three sciences.

Stimuli you can expect to find in these questions include passages, formulas, graphs, tables and diagrams. The types of questions associated with each stimulant can range from data analysis to comparisons and evidence evaluation, all in the form of MCQs.

What Does GAMSAT Section 3 Test?

Section 3 of the GAMSAT may seem to be a simple test of scientific knowledge, but the questions here are also testing much more general skills like problem-solving and reasoning. You will still need to have a good understanding of the syllabus outlined, but you will also need to think logically as the solution won’t always be obvious based on the information given.

The stimuli you will be given will deal with a wide range of complex issues, but you are not expected to fully understand everything included. Similar to the other two sections, you will need to use the information given to solve each question, which will not require the use of additional external knowledge outside of the basic principles outlined.

This means that much of the challenge of these questions comes from analysing the information and deducing the solution using your scientific skills rather than understanding specific elements of the stimulant. This may be easier or harder for you depending on your skillset, as you won’t need to memorise as much specific knowledge but will need to be able to utilise more broad thinking skills.

Exams.Ninja Tip

ACER states that the GAMSAT can be effectively completed by those with non-scientific backgrounds. However, these applicants will still need to put the time in to build their knowledge of the principles listed in the syllabus. Preparation courses and materials, be it general science or GAMSAT-specific, can help ensure that you are well-versed in everything you need to know in a relatively short period of time.

GAMSAT Section 3 Preparation Tips

Practice questions are the most effective way to prepare for Section 3 of the GAMSAT, so ensure you put the time in to work through as many as you can.
Don't start with standard revision (re-reading text books, etc). Instead, start by reviewing the actual exam, getting familiar with your practice questions.
When practicing, identify your weakest topics so that you can revise them further and dedicate more time to getting them right.
Seek out worked solutions for questions wherever possible, as they will help you effectively learn from your mistakes.
Practice your stimulant reading and analysis to reduce your time spent trying to understand what is being presented (data interpretation is especially important).
For additional practice resources, try out BMAT, PAT and NSAA past papers and practice questions. Though not identical, thwey will give you more opportunities to test your general science knowledge.

If you want a deeper dive into the topics covered in Section 3 and how you can perfect your technique, check out our GAMSAT Section 3 Guide.

GAMSAT Section 3 Practice Question: Stimulant

Astrocytes take up glucose from the bloodstream to provide energy to the brain, thereby allowing neuronal activity and behavioural responses. The energy demands of astrocytes are almost exclusively met by glycolysis, whereas those of neurons mainly rely on oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Active mitochondrial complex I is assembled into supercomplexes to increase OXPHOS in neurons, whereas the majority of astroglial complex I is inactivated and free, which results in low OXPHOS efficacy in these cells.

The type-1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1) is the main agonistic target of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)—the psychoactive component of Cannabis sativa. Astroglial CB1 associated with mitochondrial membranes (mtCB1) has been detected in mouse hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, piriform cortex and nucleus accumbens. Activation of astroglial mtCB1 modulates the communication between astrocytes and neurons which can affect synaptic transmission and behaviour. Figure 1 illustrates the change in activity of complex I with varying concentrations of THC (CB1 agonist) and HU210 (intracellular CB1 agonist). Figure 2 outlines the process of mitochondrial respiration.

GAMSAT Section 3 Practice Question 1

Which of the following is true regarding oxygen consumption of neurons?

A) Spare reserve capacity is 460 pmol/min for neurons in the control medium.

B) Basal reserve capacity is 450 pmol/min for neurons in the THC medium.

C) Spare reserve capacity is 590 pmol/min for neurons in the THC medium.

D) Basal reserve capacity is 450 pmol/min for neurons in the control medium.

The correct answer is A.

This question requires you to determine what the 2 lines represent in Figure 3. In Figure 1, THC was found to decrease complex I activity and thereby decrease OXPHOS. Recall that OXPHOS is a process that consumes oxygen. Therefore, the circle and dotted line with less oxygen consumption represents THC medium and the square and solid line with more oxygen consumption represents control medium. Spare reserve capacity (first part of Figure 3) of neurons in control medium is:

maximal respiratory capacity (~950 [from second part of Figure 3]) – basal respiration (~490) = 460.

Not B Basal respiration of neurons in THC medium is ~290.

Not C Spare reserve capacity of neurons in THC medium is: 590-290=300.

Not D Basal respiration of neurons in control medium is ~490.

GAMSAT Section 3 Practice Question 2

Which of the following is represented by compound X in Figure 2?

A) Antimycin A

B) FCCP

C) Oligomycin

D) THC

The correct answer is C.

In Figure 2, X is inhibiting ATP synthase. In Figure 3, after oligomycin is added, oxygen consumption rate decreases and the change in oxygen consumption rate is labelled “ATP-linked respiration”. Therefore, it can be concluded that oligomycin inhibits ATP synthase and decreases OXPHOS.

Not A Antimycin A and rotenone completely shuts off mitochondrial respiration which is seen by the resulting oxygen consumption from non-mitochondrial respiration. Inhibiting only ATP synthase would not stop all mitochondrial respiration since the TCA cycle will continue to function, as seen in Figure 2.

Not B After FCCP is added, oxygen consumption increases to maximal respiratory capacity. As ATP synthase is important for OXPHOS and therefore increases oxygen consumption, the inhibition of ATP synthase should decrease oxygen consumption.

Not D THC decreases oxygen consumption rate in general (see explanation given in question V).

GAMSAT Section 3 Practice Question 3

The next question refers to the following additional information.

To investigate the potential effects of these molecular mechanisms on mouse behaviour, social behaviour was recorded and converted to a social index. Mice with more social interaction were given a higher social index.

Which of the following statements is correct?

A) Mice given THC had less social interaction compared to vehicle.

B) Mice given THC had more social interaction compared to vehicle.

C) Mice given THC had increased lactate compared to vehicle.

D) Mice given THC had increased social interaction when given lactate instead of saline.

The correct answer is D.

The x-axis indicates the addition of saline or lactate to mice given vehicle or THC. Mice given THC with lactate had higher social index compared to mice given THC with saline. High social index indicated higher levels of social interaction as stated in the passage.

Not A Mice given THC had less social interaction compared to vehicle when also given saline. However, mice given THC had similar levels of social interaction when concurrently given lactate. Therefore, statement A is not true for all circumstances.

Not B Similar to option A, this statement is not true for all circumstances. Mice given THC had less social interaction compared to vehicle when concurrently given saline.

Not C Lactate levels are not shown in the graph.

So that’s the GAMSAT in a nutshell! There’s a lot more that you can learn about this test, so be sure to check out our other preparation guides (including effective preparation techniques for the full exam), but the information you’ve learned here should give you a solid foundation for the rest of your preparation! Here are some final tips to get you started with your prep:

Exams.Ninja GAMSAT Tips

Start as Early as Possible. Don't wait until after you've registered!
Practice with Questions.As we've seen, much of what is being tested here is general thinking skills, which can't really be revised for in a book.
Look for Practice Materials Everywhere. Practice your Section 1 and 2 skills with any form of text or image, while Section 3 can be practiced with a variety of other past papers.
Take Mock Exams. Ensure you're exam ready by practicing under realistic conditions.

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GAMSAT Preparation: How To Prepare for the GAMSAT UK

The Definitive Guide to GAMSAT UK Section 3

Your Ultimate Guide to GAMSAT UK Section 2

The Ultimate Guide to GAMSAT UK Section 1

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