which to choose, GAMSAT or MCAT?

dxd8827 · Rookie Joined: 01 Nov 2009 Posts: 6 Location: adelaide

hi, i'm new to GAMSAT and i came from a non-english speaking background.which med-entry exam is more suitable? on both the level of difficulty and structure...what's the difference?
is it worth taking both? Confused

if it is, where about in Sydney is MCAT exam held in?
come on~somebody help mmmmmmmmmmme Embarassed

eternal.abyss · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 5:35 am Post subject:

hey,

Australian citizens can only take the gamsat for aust. med school entry, so that solves your problem if you're a local student =). If you're international then you have choices.

I've taken neither exam so don't take this to heart, but I've heard that the mcat requires more memorization and recall of large amounts of information, while the gamsat is based more on problem-solving skills. So each would have its ups and downs. Again, I haven't sat either test so I'm not positive about this, but based on my experience in both Australian and US school systems I can say that this mirrors the learning assessment style implemented in each country.

Rather than take both tests, I would concentrate on one and study/practice for that. The two testing styles may be slightly different, but in the end both are used to weed out med school applicants so they'd be on the same level of difficulty.

I hope that helps a bit! I have no clue when/where/if Syd. mcat is held..

GAMSAT Tutor · Regular Joined: 14 Oct 2007 Posts: 12 Location: Sydney

Hi dxd8827,

eternal.abyss is totally right about the difference between the MCAT and the GAMSAT. The MCAT is primarily a knowledge-based exam, whereas the GAMSAT focuses more on your critical thinking skills and conceptual understanding of the sciences.

Regarding the venue for MCAT testing in Sydney, I found the following information from the MCAT website:

The testing site in Sydney is located at:
World Tower Building, Suite 1709, 87-89 Liverpool Street, Sydney, 2000

The dates for testing in Australia are:
January 29
April 17
May 21
June 17 (p.m. only)
July 16
August 12, 19
September 2, 9.

Whether you choose to sit the MCAT or the GAMSAT, I wish you all the best with your exam preparation.

Best regards,
GAMSAT Tutor