Pre-entry tests
Most medical schools will expect you to complete one of three pre-entry tests. Many applicants will decide which test(s) they will do, and factor it into their course decision making. You will need to book and pay for your tests weeks, or months ahead of the test date – for full details, including the current fees check the test providers websites.
1. BMAT - BioMedical Admissions Test
Test website: https://www.admissionstesting.org/for-test-takers/bmat/
Test details
- https://www.admissionstesting.org/for-test-takers/bmat/
- A two hour test with three sections.
- Apply for the test September - October.
- There is only one test date each year in early November, and it must be taken at an authorised test centre available across the UK.
Results
- You will receive your results in late November. Results go direct to UK medical schools as well as to you.
- Test results are valid only during the application year they are taken.
- You may only take the BMAT test once in any application round.
Preparation tips
- Look at the test details and example questions on the BMAT website
- For section 2 a revision of A-level content for Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths may be helpful
- For section 3 reminding yourself of good practice in presenting a balanced argument may be useful. Use this online resource from My Learning Essentials as a refresher on developing arguments in your writing
2. GAMSAT - Graduate Medical School Admissions Test
Test website: https://gamsat.acer.org
Test details
- 2021 Information booklet
- A full day six hour test with three sections sat at a designated test centre.
- Two test sittings each year in September and March. If applying to the October UCAS deadline you must have already sat your GAMSAT by the time you apply. If you sit the test in March you will have your results before applying via UCAS, if you sit the test in September you will receive your results after applying via UCAS.
- Apply for the test mid-May to mid-July for a September test date. Apply early Nov to early Feb for a March test date. There is a 10 day ‘late period’ when you may register but an additional fee must be paid.
Results
- You will receive your results in late March for a March test or mid-November for a September test.
- Results will be sent directly to medical schools you have applied to.
- Results are valid for two years. Check the GAMSAT website to confirm validity of test results in any application round.
- You can complete the GAMSAT test as many times as you wish and choose which set of results you will use.
Preparation tips
- Look at the test details and example questions on the GAMSAT website.
- For section 2 reminding yourself of good practice in presenting a balanced argument may be useful. Use this online resource from My Learning Essentials as a refresher on developing arguments in your writing.
- For section 3 a revision of degree content for Biology and Chemistry, and A-level content for Physics may be helpful.
3. UCAT - University Clinical Aptitude Test
Test website: www.ucat.ac.uk
Test details
- A two hour online test with five sections taken at a designated test centre.
- Test format
- Apply for the test June – mid-Sept.
- A choice of test dates at centres around the UK between end-July and end-Sept.
Results
- You receive your test results on the day of the test. This means that you can assess which institutions to apply to based on your test result.
- Each year UCAT quartiles are published. The final scores within each quartile vary from year to year depending on how many people have taken the test and their results. Where your score comes in relation to all the other people who sat the test will determine whether you are selected for interview for those Universities that use UCAT as a ‘first-sift’ tool.
- Your results will be sent directly to the medical schools you apply to, but if you wish you may include them on your UCAS form in the ‘Education’ section.
- You may only take one UCAT test in an application cycle and your results are valid for that year only.
Preparation tips
- Look at the test details and example questions on the UCAT website.
- For sections 1 – 4 try some of the practice psychometric test resources on the Careers Service website.
- For section 5 (the situational judgement test) prepare yourself to think about what you might do for the best outcome of the patient and good working relationships, whilst adhering to the strict moral code associated with a clinical career.