Which GAMSAT prep course for non-science grads?

**vasco378** · 14-01-2010, 07:43 PM

I am going to be sitting GAMSAT UK in Sep 2010, come from a non-science background and work full time. Going to start my science revision soon.

Was wondering if anyone has any tips on which home study GAMSAT course would be best for someone in my position? I have heard that the Des O Neill Home Study Package and the Med Prep Classic courses are good.

Suggestions anyone?

**Martigan** · 14-01-2010, 07:51 PM

I had a copy of the Des O Neill from the prior year. It never clicked with me. In the end I just used the Griffiths GAMSAT Guide and the Collins Advanced science text books (Biol and Chem) and read them in my lunch break. Plus did the ACER supplied practice / sample questions.

To be honest I don't feel that the courses as good value for money.

HeavenlyJohnson, has also put together a good site to tackle most of it anyway.

However you have to look how you study? Can you create your own structure, or do you need some one to help give you that structure. If the first, the you sould be OK on your own, if the second, and have the money, consider the course.

**vasco378** · 14-01-2010, 09:55 PM

Hi Martigan,

Thanks for the reply. Can you expand a little as to why you didn't like the Des O Neill book as a preparation source?

Did you go through the Collins Advanced Science text books in Bio and Chem in their entirety, and would you recommend these books?

Good luck for your interview at St Georges..

**Martigan** · 15-01-2010, 12:22 AM

I found reading the Des O'Neill materials torture and the perfect cure for insomnia.

However the person (SGUL final year medstudent) who lent me her notes, also lent me her Collins Advanced Biology text book -that I found a fascinating. It brought the subject to life.

Its structure is visually rich, with colourful side bars that added context to the topics covered. As you go through the subjects there are constant questions in the side bars which help you check and consolidate your understanding.

But remember every one learns differently, which is part of my comment about structure above. The advance books worked for me, especially the biology one. (Which I found hard to put down!)

However in support of my Chem A-level, I have been using the George Fraser texts for the EdExel course. They are written in a different style, which although I didn’t find as stimulating, however topics that didn’t gel as well the fist time, this time seemed to click. I don’t know if that’s an effect of consolidation, or the different approach of the boots to certain topics.

This way suited me as I could do it to my own timings and it worked for me.

I know I respond well to visual teaching. However I didn’t use the YouTube vids that Heavenly makes good use of on his site, as my learning was without a PC. Plus it was easier for me to reread sections that I hadn’t fully grasped first time. However I recommend you try them.

You need to work out what will suit you, which may or may not be the same as worked for me. Think about past learning and what worked for you.

However if you do go down a route similar to me, I really do recommend the Giffiths review. To me the advice on that was bang

**goldhawkgonk** · 15-01-2010, 05:18 AM

I looked at someones Des notes and they are turgid. Full of information you don't need and relentlessly dull.

IMHO all the courses are a waste from what Ive seen.... BUT the Griffiths guide is fantastic and gives you a syllabus to hang all your revision off. Then find text books and sites to help- you really don't need to spend big bucks, just understand the exam and what it's looking for. Good luck!

**vasco378** · 15-01-2010, 05:53 AM

Thanks guys for your replies, very helpful. Sounds like the syllabus in the Griffiths guide is what I should base my revision on instead of forking out lots of money on these home study prep courses.

Do you think the sources recommended in the Griffiths guide for science revision are good enough? (Letts study guides). I tend to learn from notes which are condensed and to the point rather than verbose text books.

**Martigan** · 15-01-2010, 06:12 AM

I didn't use letts so couldn't say. Another key element of my prep were the ACER sample/practice questions/tests. To my knowledge they don't change often, so getting last years, second hand should do you. (These were the same a the prior years, and I believe also to the year before that aswell.)

**vasco378** · 15-01-2010, 04:07 PM

I have already ordered the ACER sample/practice questions/tests from the official website. If what you say is right, there is no point in trying to get hold of papers from years past as they are probably all the same.

Will have a go at using the sources recommended in the Griffiths guide as the Letts guides are inexpensive and good for a first run through of the material according to the guide and then see if I need more in depth text books after this.

Thanks for your help.