UKCAT and BMAT

**medickhead** · 08-03-2006, 10:46 PM

As I'm sure you know, certain unis almost entirely based selection for interview on BMAT (like UCL and Oxford), but the rest who use it simply used it as a factor in deciding. Given its recent introduction, I'm sure most will adopt the latter approach for the UKCAT.

TBH, I really wouldn't worry about it! It's going to be the same for everyone else, just bear that in mind =)

**mohamed Y** · 14-03-2006, 07:47 AM

I just found out about this site from a medic. just wana say Halloooo to everyone.

**Rake** · 23-04-2006, 11:36 PM

Originally Posted by medimickeymouse

Doesn't the government and the overall population of the world need more doctors anyhow? and they're trying to DECREASE the amount of them by introducing expensive tests for us?! The government's great =)!!

Oh, the UK needs piles more doctors - the government just doesn't want to pay for their training, so med schools don't have the funding to create more places. That's my understanding of it anyway. It makes me sick that they can find the money to bomb Baghdad but not to open hospitals, but then that's not really on-topic is it?

**noworries** · 24-04-2006, 06:50 PM

At the start of As we were told to try to arrange w/e for the week before Easter and I got in touch with my GP. My GCSE's aren't filled with A*'s so I need all the help I can get. I'm waiting for whatever information I can get about the UKCAT and will also sit the BMAT if I have to. It's a means to an end.
But there are girls in my class who are REALLY smart and don't know what they want to do. I know that's an awful way to feel but I also know they are sitting there with 11 A*'s at GCSE and will do really well with the AS and A2. What bothers me is that they just don't care. The way they look at it is 'hey I have 11A*'s and a billion A's, what can I do with this? Ok, I'll be a doctor because I like the white coat.' AND 'well I'll only work for a couple of years and then I'll find a rich husband and I'll stay at home.' I'm not being bitter or making this up because they have actually said it. So IMHO if an extra couple of exams will be too much bother for people with this mindset and will keep them out of medicine then I don't mind. Those of us that want to do medicine will do just about anything to get there.
That's the end of my rant this morning. Time to catch a bus.

**Rake** · 25-04-2006, 04:26 AM

Originally Posted by noworries

What bothers me is that they just don't care. The way they look at it is 'hey I have 11A*'s and a billion A's, what can I do with this? Ok, I'll be a doctor because I like the white coat.' AND 'well I'll only work for a couple of years and then I'll find a rich husband and I'll stay at home.' I'm not being bitter or making this up because they have actually said it. So IMHO if an extra couple of exams will be too much bother for people with this mindset and will keep them out of medicine then I don't mind. Those of us that want to do medicine will do just about anything to get there.

That sounds an AWFUL lot like my class, I know exactly what you mean. There are two other girls in my year who want to do Medicine. One of them does want to do it, but in an idle sort of "that looks interesting" sort of way.
The other girl told me that if she doesn't get into Queens to do Medicine - she probably will, and fair play to her - she'll go there to do Accountancy instead.

By no means am I trying to say that I deserve a place more than either of them, it's just infuriating that they can be so flippant about it - especially the second girl, who has better marks than me and will therefore get offers long before I do - where as I'm sitting here chewing my fingernails with worry, because I couldn't even imagine doing anything but Medicine.

*le sigh*

**DrM** · 21-05-2006, 03:58 AM

Ok, well you guys worry about your GCSE results?! Well, I can assure you that I didn't get all A*s in my GCSE's nor did I get all A's either (no thanks to the fact I went to the WORST secondary school on the planet, which I've thankfully left for a better place). I've always, ALWAYS wanted to do medicine and speacialise in Paediatrics (Children). I know, GCSE wise, im not the most.... ideal student, but grades aren't everything, of course, they are vital and get you the interview needed, but if you have a great personal statement, and loads of extra cirricular activities (and help out at school/college whenever you can) then you'll still be considered a good candidate, and who knows, you will get an offer.
All I know is, I'm gna keep trying till someone, somewhere accepts me! with amazing GCSEs or not (but yea, im planning to get great a level grades!!)
or am i being completely naive and should give up now?!

**sal3469** · 23-05-2006, 11:42 AM

as for your comment on the gcse grades.....i totally agree with you. gcses in my opinion, dont really highlight your abilities in a way thats needed for medicine. thats my opinion. coz i mean u get teachers helping you, doing stuff 4u etc!alevels....well then its just u on ur own!unless that is...if u go to a sixth form!

**DrM** · 23-05-2006, 08:11 PM

exactly, GCSE's just show wat u can do with a range of subjects, alevels are much more concentrated on the subjects you like and are good at. hence, this is where it really counts. Besides, what's done is done now, and aslong as you work butt off for As and A Levels, then GCSE's shouldn't really matter.

**Daniel-Wilkins** · 30-05-2006, 11:53 PM

I plan to take BMAT and UKCAT and apply for a combination of schools, including one or two of Bristol, Birmingham and Liverpool because they require no admissions test, Oxbridge for the BMAT and one or two UKCAT schools. That way, if I muck up the admissions tests I still stand a chance of getting in!

In some ways I think the introduction of the admissions test is good - it will stop some people, who aren't really committed, from applying and ensure the places go to those with the aptitude for medicine. IF the admissions test is enough o put you off from applying to medicine, then maybe you aren't committed enough? That's my conceited view anyway!

But I think we're lucky that atm the unis don't really know how to use the results! Who knows what could happen?!

**DrM** · 31-05-2006, 12:16 AM

I plan to take the UKCAT and only apply to one uni which requires it (Kings = 1st choice). In a way, it's true that it will sort the one who do want to do medicine from those who don't, and true, as we are the first do to it, then it's likely that the Uni's won't actually know how to use it, hence, it shouldn't be a massive factor in their decision of who to/who not to offer places to. However, I don't understand, why the tests cost so much and, well isn't the whole reason they are introducing it, is because they can't now just go by grades as so many people are getting A grades at a level, hence isn't it likely that people are going to get the high scores required by unis from these tests, (with time and practice), and they are only going to have to find another way to test a person's ability as a doctor/who they should accept on the course?