GAMSAT Sep 2007

[maikol]

omd, is it just me or the physics questions could not have been easier, the equations were given and you just had to plug in the numbers. I had to stop myself from laughing out loud so many times.
the chemistry and biology I felt required a bit of intuition and investigating to work out the right answer but it was always there (barely any knowledge was necessary). and hardly any physical chem that was strange.
the thing is I like calculations because as you plug in the numbers you can only get one answer.
and what was paper 1 about, am I right in remembering a poem on an ill person taking alcohol to relieve pain and another poem about poets (felt strange!), it all feels like a dream now, I didn't even finish paper1 coz I was taking too long staring at the questions
I hope the ex aminers dont read this and make the exam harder for next year, I might have to sit it again

[joanne82]

Well, im so glad its over!! Im also glad that everyone thinks the same about section 1 its always been my worst but it took me ages to read through the passages- the one on space, science and time was so boring! I didnt finsh and guessed about 10. You really had to read the whole thing through to get the answers. I was quite relieved at section 2- i could think of something to write, not great but OK. Section 3 wasnt too bad a few of the bio graphs took a while but think that was cause u was under pressure. Guessed most of the physics but most not too bad.Loads of organic chem a couple i thought quite difficult.
I dont think it was more difficult than the practice ones but i underestimated how long it would feel- i was so tired by the end.

Just wondered if we could work out how many sat it yesterday? I was at Nottingham and there were about 150. Anyone else remember how many?

[andyx]

I hated the Section 1. So many of those passages were impossible to read, and the content and writing was pretentious crap (Have I got a career as a literary reviewer if medicine fails?). I guessed a scary amount by skim reading. It was seriously harder than any practice paper I'd done. Now just hoping to get the pass mark of 55% on that one. The other two sections weren't as bad though so hoping they'll pull my mark up to interview standard.

Joanne, I think London had around 800 people. I was seriously shocked when I turned up and seeing people queuing right down the street. Gave myself a (nother) panic attack.

[joanne82]

You only have to get 50 in section 1 as long as you get over 55 in 2 and 3. Forgot about this til yesterday and now feel a bit better- hope you do too!

[Platypus]

I felt the whole test was weird! Where was the physical chemistry? Where were the velocity, forces and proper electricity questions? And how about the pig in Section I (among other gems)? I don't remember anything like that in last January's exam.

I am glad it's over though - roll on BMAT!

[joanne82]

so youre doin UKCAT, GAMSAT and BMAT- im sure you already know this but youre mad!! Good luck- where BMAT for?

[Arch_Angel]

Originally Posted by cyberjay

The Forge by Seamus Heney threw me a bit but otherwise... .

This poem is about poems and poets

Bull.....crap

It was about blacksmiths. Whoever said it was pretensious crap was totally right. As for that fecking pig poem. Those stage directions they kept putting in made the whole thing even more confusing.

Section 1 was impossible

I was however, thrown by the total omission of Physical chemistry and very few physics questions. I wasn't going to play with the equations as I always end up with the wrong answers, but those questions on the wheels? They seemed so easy that I was sure I'd missed something out..... Outer wheel > inner wheel in distance covered....surely right?

I think in Swansea there were about 100 people. It's worrying that so many people took the exam and that when you look at the number of places offered by GAMSAT unis .... well...

Anyway glad it's over and hope everyone did ok.

Nik

[cyberjay]

Originally Posted by Victoria09

Could the reason be that you are an arts grad and they are science grads?? (...just guessing CJ- not sure what your/their background is)

Well done though... when do you get the results?

Arts grad!!! The cheek; I'm a Social Scientist me.

'Tis interesting reading all the posts though; we my all claim to loathe the GAMSAT but I do respect it as a test. I've taken a fair few in my time and most tests are seriously flawed in one way or many, whereas the GAMSAT, whilst not perfect, is, I think, very well crafted for its purpose. It is an attempt to assess a broad range of ability, and, crucially that people are able to perform not only in those areas where they have a lot of education but also well outside their comfort zone and under pressure. The information you need to answer the multiple choice questions is all there in front of you for Section 1 and 3, its just handling the data quickly, accurately and rationally - the more familiar you are with the material the easier this will be. We all have our areas where we are adept and those where we flounder - I am a physics and chemistry fish in this analogy!

I've enrolled to do AS & A2 Chemistry this year so Section 3 may make more sense to me if I re-take next year: honestly, I think this is likely but I have 6 - 8 weeks left to fantasize that the next thing I have to worry about is an interview.

CJ

[mimx]

I did the GAMSAT in London at Lawrence Hall. It was packed I have the desk 720. During the break before section 2 there was an interminable cue to go to the bathroom. I think my worst section was section 2 because I almost did not have time finish. I did think that in section one there was one too many poems I guess one a couple of q's especially at the end because I run out of time again. In Section 3 I was glad there little physics q's.
The food thing was B.S. because I brought sweets and lollipop and no asked anything and a granola bar.

[Platypus]

Originally Posted by joanne82

so youre doin UKCAT, GAMSAT and BMAT- im sure you already know this but youre mad!! Good luck- where BMAT for?

BMAT is for RF&UCMS - and yes, I have been told a few times I am mad for doing this!