Is A-level standard enough for GAMSAT?

**Delilah** · 04-11-2003, 02:44 AM

I'm using my old A-level Chemsitry and Biology books but I know the exam is due to be pitched at first year degree level. any thoughts on whether a-level standard will be enough or am I deluding myself??? In which case can anyone recommend any decent first year texts that won't terrify me?

**weegie neurosurgeon** · 04-11-2003, 02:50 AM

No what u should be aiming for is covering the syllabus layed out by companies like gradmed and des o'neil. I can e-mail these to u. I have had to get a personal tutor to bring me up to this level and take the gradmed intensive prep course. Theres no way in hell i could learn all this stuff by just using a book. I'm not trying to sound condescending, i just wouldnt want u to think that it was that easy then get a terrible mark. I hope this helps. Get in touch if u want anymore help.

**Delilah** · 04-11-2003, 02:57 AM

Thanks weegie. I've PM-ed you!

Any other thoughts anyone? Anyone like to tell me not to worry and A-level will be fine...... I thought not!

**msminti** · 04-11-2003, 01:11 PM

Hiya!

Personally its been 1989 since I last did any sciences so I am having help in my preparation for Gamsat, but I do know people who got to Interview stage last year, not having done the work I am doing now and with simply going through the A-level text-book...but they had science based degrees.

At the St G Open Day they gave out a hand-out illustrating how non-science people got in doing just A--level revision. They must be geniuses or I am very thick.. but it can be done.

Guess its depends entirely on your circumstances.

I agree with Weegie's advice. If you stick to the Gradmed's outline of topics you should be grand....and anything you can't find, go to your local library and they should have something there.

Mx

**exms** · 04-11-2003, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by Delilah

Any other thoughts anyone? Anyone like to tell me not to worry and A-level will be fine...... I thought not!

I only prepared up to A-level, but I was taking A-level Bio & Chem concurrently which helped a lot. I agree with weegie that you can't just pick up an A-level textbook and hop in.

HTH

xmas

**Delilah** · 04-11-2003, 03:17 PM

I did a Bsc with Biology for two years at uni so to be honest its the chemistry thats the major concern as I did it at a-level 9 years ago now (oh and the lovely physics too... but that only needs to be a-level). I guess its time to start looking at the funds and see if I can afford a chemistry tutor.... wonderful :!:

Thanks all.... :lol:

**Parker** · 05-11-2003, 01:52 AM

Hi - still on this topic - ish, could anyone reccomend a good textbook for the Physis element? I am in final yr of a Biology and Chemistry degree but the Physics bit scares me! Has anyone got any ideas for ways to tackle a subject from scratch like this? Am thinking will probably try to afford an A-level Physics tutor nearer the time - or try and get a Physics postgrad from Uni??

**msminti** · 05-11-2003, 03:04 AM

Hi..

I am using a Physics A-level book by Muncaster which I like. Otherwise, I think the BBC website is quite good and I guess there are the Letts Revision guides also. Not sure what others are using

M.

**Delilah** · 05-11-2003, 03:19 AM

i'm using the physics GCSE stuff from the BBC website...its definetly a good way of getting on track with the A-level physics anyway.

**Parker** · 05-11-2003, 03:31 AM

fab - thanks, will get onto it as soon as I get a little break from my dissertation and 3rd yr research project, not to mention Physical Chemistry assignments which are enough to put me off anything physical for life!!! :shock: