GASMAT from scratch! How should I divide 10 months' of study time?

[Iapetus]

Hello to all,

I have decided to take the plunge and try every trick in the book to get into med school by 2010! I'd really appreciate any help as to how to split 10 months of study for GAMSAT, considering the following:

* I hold a 2:1 degree in English, so Sections I and II don't terrify me too much, although I have never sat an examination like this one and will obviously need to devote some time to it.

* I have never studied Science beyond GCSE, but I have always been interested in Science in general. Chemistry is the one which I'm sure will prove to be the most taxing. How long would it take to learn Organic Chemistry wish a basic understanding of Biology and Chemistry would you say?

* I'm terrible at Maths. Do you think I should study GCSE maths or beyond?

* I'll be working full time, but I don't really have any other commitments. I'm sure I could put away at least 6 hours of study a week.


Any help at all would be great - thanks!



P.S.: if there is anyone in Manchester in a similar situation and would like a GAMSAT study partner, please pm me.

[clemette]

I wanted to share my experience of this year's GAMSAT to reassure you. I decided that I was going to sit the exam in June. I have a PhD in history but no science qualifications except GCSE Biology. I bought a copy of Griffiths GMASAT review and worked my way through his list of suggested topics. For each one I made two sides of notes from AS/A2 revise in a week textbooks with extra notes from the internet. For the topics I couldn't fathom (mainly physics and organic chemistry) I just ignored them.
I also work full-time so probably did about 25 hours scienc study before the exam, plus the ACER past papers and some Oximed ones. I had no confidence about this being near enough but, by some happy fortune, it was and I scraped through the science with a 53! I have lots of science still to learn obviously, but am proof that GAMSAT can be passed without much science.

So - it can definitely be done. In the exam I found Section 1 harder than expected so I would definitely practice these. The essays were pretty straightforward for me with a history background as they are what I call "judgement essays" in the classroom - give both points of view and reach a conclusion.
The science bit is much more based on understanding of data/graphs/diagrams/text than I had thought. Most of the answers are in the information given and with ten months of basic revision you should do well. My advice would be to practise reading loads of different types of graphs (there were types in there that I had never seen) and concentrate on biology. There were lots of organic chemistry questions that I simply didn't understand and I just marked "c" on the paper.

So - get hold of a copy of Griffiths review and some basic revision textbooks. If you want mine send me a personal message and we can reach a deal

Good luck - think positive and it can be done. ONE WORD OF CAUTION THOUGH, AS WELL AS STUDYING FOR GAMSAT YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE GETTING RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE. With me having left it so late, I think this is where I will fall down at interview

[Iapetus]

Thank you very much, clemette.

I'm aware that I need work experience, and I'm currently applying for Nursing Assistant jobs. Hopefully I will have about 9 months' of experience full time in a hospital environment before I apply to UCAS, and I'll look into shadowing as well. But thank you for that word of caution.

As to GAMSAT, I keep hearing that people get the required mark with less work than I'm willing to put in, which is very reassuring. I have heard good things about the GAMSAT Review and so will probably try and buy a copy. I'll pm you about those other books! That's interesting about the variety and frequency of graphs in the examination, thank you kindly for that tip, and for taking the time to respond to my question.

I hope you get an interview - good luck.

[Ven]

Griffiths GAMSAT review has got some really good advice in it, so if you are looking for a revision plan, that would be the best place to start. Its got a syllabus of what comes up in the science section, some really good practice questions, advice for what to do on the exam day plus loads more.

If you want to structure your revision, follow that review, find out what you know already and slowly get to grips with you are struggling with. I am not advertising it or anything, but it was by far the best all-in-one guide that I found.

And finallly, buy the ACER past paper questions and practice them. They were invaluable and are also the best way to find out what might come up in the exam. As much as I want to say more about the exam, it might only confuse you more or even frighten you

PM me, if you want more specific advice about the different sections or anything else like that. Good luck!!