Result of Law grad in GAMSAT - opinions please

**Donal** · 25-03-2004, 10:49 PM

Hi guys -
I sat the GAMSAT and got overall 56 - not very good but I did only three and a half months study(from a low knowledge base). My science mark was 44 but the other sections were quite high.
I am considering a resit of the exam and wondering if any other students in similar situations could give me some pointers

i'd be very interested in purchasing Gradmed material from last years course from anyone who fortunately will not be in need of it again!

Thanks
Doney -
Dublin - Ireland

**mouse** · 26-03-2004, 02:19 PM

Hi Donal,

I am an English and law grad and sat the GAMSAT this year and passed with 66. I too had low science knowledge and crammed my revision into a couple of weeks. I can't emphasise strongly enough that you are wasting time getting bogged down with scientific minutiae. It's all technique and learning how to read the questions. I felt that most of my revision (even though it is was only a couple of weeks) was a waste of time and it simply wasn't required in the exam.

I found an excellent chem book that gives you the basics in an excellent conversational, readable style (even though it is to 1st year degree level) which I'll try to remember the name of.

Good luck

**edtomu** · 26-03-2004, 02:55 PM

There's only so much advice people can give you as everyone is different. Non-scientists can do well in the science sections - not necessarily because they used particular books or took certain courses, but just because they are so damn clever!

Some people will never pass GAMSAT

, whereas others can do so with no effort at all (and that's not me by the way!). You know yourself best and what you've got to do. Be realistic and plan accordingly.

**dangerrat** · 26-03-2004, 04:23 PM

completely agree edtomu, thats the best piece of advice bout gamsat i've read.

at the end of the day, ur the only one who knows urself well enough to know exactly how and what preparation u need to do. its as simple as that. just because a particular preparation worked for someone else, doesnt mean its gonna work 4u!

dont get me wrong, all the advice on here is very useful and interesting but dont be to concerned with how other people have done it, do what feels right 4u

**hippopotty** · 26-03-2004, 04:45 PM

Here here!!

**Dr Zoidberg** · 31-03-2004, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by Donal

I did only three and a half months study(from a low knowledge base). My science mark was 44 but the other sections were quite high.

The Physical Science section is no different from the Social Science. Both sets of questions are about reasoning your way through rather than regurgitating facts, although in both cases some questions will not have enough information for you to work out the answer in the time given. For me, familiarisation with the subject area was the key.

If you were not “Mr Science” at the start of that period that’s a damned good score. This year’s science section was actually a lot harder that last year– not just my opinion, but also that of a friend who got 100% on the science last year but also retook this year (a long story).

You should definitely go for it again. It was only my essay score that was significantly different from last year but it got me an interview. It can be a lottery but with an extra years prep you can go for it and get through. The extra study is only going to help you cope better with the degree anyhow.

**Donal** · 31-03-2004, 09:52 PM

Hi Guys -
Thanks for the encouragement! - Just wondering if there were other people in the same situation really.
I reckon I will give it another lash this Winter - though I don't want to end up like those who have given up on life outside the GAMSAT - and retake it three four and five times. You have to be realistic about these things too

Donal