Just starting to look at GAMSAT for January. AAAAARGH!!

matty boy · Rookie Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 8

Hey people,
Just started looking at GAMSAT and am wondering (hopefully like a lot of you) whether I have enough time to study for the British exam in January (therefore have 3 and a half months). I have diddly squat knowledge about physics and chemistry, but know a little about biology as I've worked as a nurse for the past 3 years. If anyone is in the same boat (just to make me feel better) or if anyone can give me some sound advice I would be eternally grateful.

Here's hoping Rolling Eyes

Hawkeye · Regular Joined: 07 Sep 2006 Posts: 28 Location: Brisbane

Three and a half months should be plenty of time, just do a bit of study each day.

matty boy · Rookie Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 8

Thanks Hawkeye,

Have you done the Gamsat in the past? What's your story? Thanks for putting my mind at rest, I'm taking a month off work to get ready for this damn thing. Are you a med student in Oz now then?

Hawkeye · Regular Joined: 07 Sep 2006 Posts: 28 Location: Brisbane

Not a Med student yet, I'm a Physio student and have decided to sit the GAMSAT next year. Med has always been in the back of my mind, and doing Physio has brought it closer to the front. At the moment, I wouldn't be able to study for end-semesters and GAMSAT at the same time, but doing some and building onto alot more during the holidays should be ample by March. Not sure yet about doing a course, though I have heard they are fantastic. I probably will, and I'll try to have a good prep beforehand though.
But presently I'm just enjoying life, trying not to stress too much, and letting things fall as they may.

kaytee · Rookie Joined: 27 Sep 2006 Posts: 1 Location: Cornwall, UK

I am the same as you matty! well, not as much medical knowledge as I am not a nurse! Laughing

Am sitting it in January, have no knowledge of physics and chem aside from my GCSE's a few years back....not educated further than GCSE standard for Biology, but I have always loved it and done lots and lots of reading up for years and years, since I was about 5, so have no worries on that sense. The physics and chem is a lot more worrying, I have a few GCSE and A-Level books from the library and am studying for a couple of hours each day.....hope 3 months is enough!

does anyone know what areas of physics and chemistry I should look at in detail? Or should I have a good knowledge of all of it?

Way I see it, I have to give this a damn good go...if I fail, then I will try again next year and give myself another 12 months to study more - not ideal, but it's worth it! Laughing

matty boy · Rookie Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 8

Hi kaytee,
It sounds that you really want to do this so I'm sure you'll succeed. I'll put a list up of what I've been told to look at in physics and chemistry in the next couple of days. I'm also considering doing it next year if I fail this year but we'll wait and see. I'm also considering doing chemistry A level in a year if I fail and try and get into Cambridge's medical course (but that's all hypothetical). Anyway I'll send you the info. as soon as I can. TTFN Very Happy

Hoose · Rookie Joined: 10 Oct 2006 Posts: 1

Hi guys
Only just joined the forum and hope this information is useful. I've just got back from my med interview in Sydney having passed the GAMSAT in April in Australia. The three months leading up to it I studied for three and a half hours a day, as well as worked full time in a locum position in Wolverhampton (blessed place that it is-there certainly wasn't any social life to distract me!! Very Happy

).
I used GAMSAT directed courses which were booklets specifically targeting the areas of biology, chemistry and physics that they look at. I graduated just under three years ago and my science background was nowhere near enough to get me through. I also think that had I just gone for general revision it wouldn't have been enough as the questions are asked in a certain style which the prep guides give you practise at.
There are plenty of these courses around, but certainly if you're keen they're worth exploring.
Good luck with the preparation!!
PS The exam itself is a BITCH!!!! Twisted Evil

Supergirlsarah14 · Rookie Joined: 10 Oct 2006 Posts: 2

Hey guys right im very new to this! im comin to the end of my degree in Biomedical science, im on a 2:1...just and applying for med to start in 2007. very very nervous bout the GAMSAT so any advice is greatly appreciated!!! thanks guys x

matty boy · Rookie Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 8

Hi,
Firstly well done for getting through your biomedical science degree (and hopefully picking up a 2:1). I can't give you advice about how to approach GAMSAT but what I've heard from going to a couple of the Graduate school open days is that you need to get a basic understanding of the A level sciences (I'm using the "Demystified" series of books for this, and some Des O' Neill revision booklets I bought off e-bay) and just practice GAMSAT style questions regularly under timed conditions (so that you feel comfortable once the dreaded test date arrives). Don't worry though, having just come out of a science based degree gives you a huge advantage over someone like me who hasn't done a degree for 6 years!! I'm sure you'll be fine. Good luck Wink

Supergirlsarah14 · Rookie Joined: 10 Oct 2006 Posts: 2

Hey thanks for ure reply...yeah Biomedical Science is tough..in my last year now and all i ever do is sit in a lab growing crystals lol fun eh?! I'm so nervous about the GAMSAT even tho it is a long way off. what job do u do mattyboy?x

matty boy · Rookie Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 8

Well, I've become a health care assistant to get as much experience as I possibly can. I was a joint director of a small company near Cambridge so stress levels have come down a bit. Absolutely love having other people taking responsibility for a while rather than me; it does get difficult sometimes though when you know there's a better option. Anyhoo, where are you intending to take the exam? I'm going to London. Dragging my heels a bit with swotting up at the minute but hopefully be ready on the day. Taking three weeks off work prior to the exam to do some last minute cramming. Where have you applied? I've applied for Newcastle, Manchester, and Derby (Uni. Nottingham). Really only want to go to Derby as I went there and loved the place. The building's only four years old and the environment is really relaxed. Like the Problem Based Learning set up also. Hope the Biomed course is going well. Dissertation coming up soon I suppose? Rather you than me. Wink

Carrie · Rookie Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 1

Hi all,

I've only just joined the forum on the off chance someone might be able to help, I'm a student nurse in my final year in Cardiff Uni, I've applied for entry '07, but really worried about the GAMSAT, I've done hardly any chemistry or physics for a very, very long time.

If anyone can help me with what topics to focus my studies on, I would be so very greatful as January's closing fast, I have a dissertation to finish, a group presentation to organise and a critical care placement, all before January.......Nightmare, so any help or direction would be so appreciated.

I've applied to Nottingham, Swansea, Kings london & St Georges London I haven't been to any opendays, so any inside info on these places would be great to hear.

Thanks Carrie x Smile