Non-Science Graduate Help: Basic Study outline.

**Lawyer to Doctor** · 19-02-2010, 09:48 PM

Hi, I’m hoping to sit GAMSAT this September 2010. I have a Law Degree and Bar Exams/BVC, but no science experience except for some poor GCSE.

Can someone please help with a basic study outline? For Chemistry, do I just need to study Organic Chemistry? I have read it makes up a large percentage of section 3 and it's all people seem to talk about. I have some A-Level texts books and Organic Chemistry for Dummies, also similar for Biology.

I have about 7 months to study for GAMSAT, is this enough time, for someone from a non science background, to study and learn what is required for GAMSAT?? Has anyone else done this??

I am 30 years old and will be 32 when I start Medical School in 2011, any advice from people in similar age groups would be appreciated.

**minnako** · 21-02-2010, 06:51 PM

I haven't done the GAMSAT (bought the books, though, moulding on my shelf somewhere...) so I can't say for that specifically. I do believe the GAMSAT is more A level than GCSE stuff, so I would look at general chemistry of A level first. A level chemistry does have a heavy organic component, but rate of reactions is also a major topic. If you can get the GAMSAT books I do think this would help you decide what you need to know. They should also help you practice. If you can, I recommend briefly covering GCSE level chemistry and biology first (does GAMSAT cover chemistry or maths as well?), as a quick overview just to get you into the flow and help jog your memory a bit, and that shouldn't take too long. But it depends on how much you feel you need a basic primer first. Many people might just do better launching straight into A levels. I recommend A level textbooks, I hope people here can recommend particularly useful ones, since I doubt they stock the ones I would recommend any more. Definitely stick to A level textbooks as a primary tool: I'm not sure what level 'For dummies' books are aimed at, or if they would teach the kind of stuff useful in the GAMSAT.

I know non-sci grads who had to teach themselves bio or chem, so it's definitely possible in a year. The above is just how I would go about it, I don't know if it will help you personally.

**Lawyer to Doctor** · 21-02-2010, 07:58 PM

Originally Posted by minnako

I haven't done the GAMSAT (bought the books, though, moulding on my shelf somewhere...) so I can't say for that specifically. I do believe the GAMSAT is more A level than GCSE stuff, so I would look at general chemistry of A level first. A level chemistry does have a heavy organic component, but rate of reactions is also a major topic. If you can get the GAMSAT books I do think this would help you decide what you need to know. They should also help you practice. If you can, I recommend briefly covering GCSE level chemistry and biology first (does GAMSAT cover chemistry or maths as well?), as a quick overview just to get you into the flow and help jog your memory a bit, and that shouldn't take too long. But it depends on how much you feel you need a basic primer first. Many people might just do better launching straight into A levels. I recommend A level textbooks, I hope people here can recommend particularly useful ones, since I doubt they stock the ones I would recommend any more. Definitely stick to A level textbooks as a primary tool: I'm not sure what level 'For dummies' books are aimed at, or if they would teach the kind of stuff useful in the GAMSAT.

I know non-sci grads who had to teach themselves bio or chem, so it's definitely possible in a year. The above is just how I would go about it, I don't know if it will help you personally.

Hi thanks for your reply which was very helpful, I am starting with A-Level chemistry and Bio Text books and some As/2 revision guides, I am starting from scratch really so I'm just trying to sort my plan of attack so to speak, I have looked at some links which others have posted and have found them quite useful, I'm starting chemistry first, structure/bonding etc and moving on from their, GAMSAT is in september so I'm hoping if I put the hours in, it should pay off. I don't think GAMSAT has a specific maths section, you just need it to help with physics etc, which only makes 20% of the Exam thank god..

Thank you for your reply, if you or anyon else has any more tips, then I would really appreciate it .