GAMSAT What are best revision books?

**mussed** · 02-08-2007, 02:05 AM

I think Griffiths is excellent, by far and away the best, but you do need something else - I thought Des O'Neills was good (although the GRADMED notes are better). My degree was in maths and philosophy. Although the Des biology is a bit off the mark, I got a 78 with very little biological knowledge - I knew the physics and chemistry straight through though, between Des and Organic Chemistry for Dummies. I spent a month revising, too.
If you're really looking for inexpensive stuff look around on here. I was really lucky with mine (which I will be passing on at some stage, as soon as I've worked out where precisely it all is), got old notes for postage cost.

**Arch_Angel** · 02-08-2007, 03:20 AM

Any tips for learning physics? I've not bothered learning any bio because I'm 2/3 of the way through a genetics degree and i'm unlikely to come across anything biological I either don't know or can't work out, and time can be much better spent on Organic chemistry

Any tips for the physics though? I'm really struggling to get to grips with it. As I said before, I find the "guru" method is about as effective as writing equations on a knife and stabbing myself in the eye with it, and the Des o'neil, while very thorough, is a bit hard to take in an remember.

I agree the review is the best thing out there, but like you said, it doesn't offer much in the way of actual knowledge. Any advice is welcome

Nik

**flukeesdm** · 05-08-2007, 10:30 PM

I do physics at uni (three yrs) and in first year there was a recommended book called "the physics companion" which has explanations on a list of basic formulas (arranged by topic). it proved to be a good reference (it doesn't contain many examples just explanations). check it out if there is a copy available at the local bookstore/library.

In A-level we did quantities first as there are only 7 base quantities in physics (unlike the many groups in organic chem) and everything else is derived from them. knowing the manipulation of these in formulas is considered to be so helpful that apparently you can do up to first year undergraduate physics.
then mechanics needs a bit of practice especially when you are dealing with modelling (working out speed, time, mass and putting it into formulas) a situation.
Also I remember the thermodynamics is applied to chemistry, same with quantum mechanics.

sorry if I sound a bit lame, its just that I am struggling to find gamsat material so don't know what physics is required for the exam. PM if anyone can help, will reimburse.

PM / email i'll try my best to offer advice.
flukesdm@hotmail.co.uk

**Dick Cheney** · 06-08-2007, 02:14 AM

Speaking as a physicist, I don't agree with the Griffiths approach to physics. Memorising equations is useless. You need to develop a good understanding of basic physics. In all the practice exams and the real thing I never came across anything more difficult than F=ma or V=IR.

**Arch_Angel** · 06-08-2007, 03:07 AM

From what I've seen (in the Ozimed practice exams) the most difficult thing physics wise was a question regarding throwing a ball and the hight it would reach, luckily, that's the only physics equation I know except the really basic ones.

It seems mostly being able to infer what to do with an equation it may or may not give from info given in a passage. But if anyone can give any further advice it'd be great. (thanks by the way)