Are you preparing to sit the GAMSAT in 2024? In this GAMSAT 2024 FAQ article, we cover the most commonly asked questions so that you know exactly what you’re up against. Read on to find out about the test changes for GAMSAT 2024, how to prepare for multiple test sessions, and what your test day will be like if you sit Sections 1 and 3 at a test centre.
If you’re just starting your preparation journey, we recommend gaining as much knowledge about the GAMSAT exam as possible. A great starting place is reading through our GAMSAT blogs, where we break down GAMSAT Section 1, Section 2, and Section 3, GAMSAT timing, and common GAMSAT preparation mistakes.
What are the GAMSAT 2024 test changes?
How can I prepare for multiple GAMSAT test sessions?
What is remote proctoring and how do I prepare for it?
How do I use the new online tests to boost my preparation?
What will my day look like if I sit Sections 1 and 3 at a test centre?
Will GAMSAT scores still be comparable to previous sittings?
Can I just sit one of the GAMSAT test components?
In December 2023, ACER released the GAMSAT 2024 Information Booklet, which contained a number of significant changes to the test. We explore each of these changes below.
1) Section names have been updated:
It’s worth noting that, even though the official naming has changed, many students (particularly reapplicants) are used to the old terminology and may still refer to the sections as ‘Section 1’, ‘Section 2’, and ‘Section 3’. To limit confusion, we will continue to refer to these sections using their previous names in our communications.
2) Previously, you would sit all three sections in a test centre. The exam ran for 5.25 hours, with an hour break between Section 2 and 3. If you’re sitting the GAMSAT in 2024, you will only complete Sections 1 and 3 in a test centre. Testing runs for 4 hours and 10 minutes, with a 20-minute lunch break between Section 1 and 3.
3) Section 2 is now remote. You will sit this part of the exam on a separate test date, around two weeks before you complete the in-person sitting (Sections 1 and 3). Plus, Sections 1 and 3 can also be taken online by students living at least a three hour drive away from the closest test venue.
4) For the test centre sitting, there are now AM and PM sessions. You will need to decide whether you’re best suited for an AM or PM test session, and sit mock exams according to the time of day that your test is booked for. Read ‘What will my day look like if I sit Sections 1 and 3 at the test centre?’ for a more comprehensive overview of this test change.
5) New official online practice tests are now available for purchase. We go through how to use these to boost your preparation later in the article.
6) Something else to be aware of is that the GAMSAT registration fee has increased from £271/€344 to £286/€365, and the late registration fee has increased from £65/€75 to £69/€80.
In the past, you would sit all three sections in a test centre, so the GAMSAT was also a test of endurance. Although you will still need to build your mental stamina for GAMSAT 2024, you should be strategic with your revision to improve your chances of performing well across all test sessions.
We advise creating a GAMSAT study timetable, so that you can split your revision into manageable chunks for all three sections and not become overwhelmed. When you do this, keep the following in mind:
Remote proctoring involves completing an exam under the supervision of a proctor through screen sharing and webcam monitoring. As part of the test changes for GAMSAT 2024, you will now be required to sit Section 2 of the exam remotely. Also, if you live more than a three hour drive from the closest test venue, you have the option of completing the test centre sitting (Sections 1 and 3) remotely too.
So what does this mean in terms of exam preparation? To ensure you’re not negatively affected by this change, we recommend the following:
Check out our GAMSAT remote proctoring blog for more tips on how to succeed in your remote proctored test session, plus find out how to book your remote exam and view the full list of technical requirements.
To succeed in the GAMSAT, you should utilise all official ACER preparation materials. Previously only E-books were available which consisted of five booklets of sample and practice questions, and practice tests in PDF format. Now, in addition to the E-books, you can purchase interactive materials for all three sections to boost your preparation.
ACER advises that you use the E-books to familiarise yourself with the style, difficulty, and types of questions that you’ll encounter in the exam. Once you’ve gained this knowledge, you can apply what you’ve learnt in the online practice tests. As Section 1 and Section 3 practice tests contain real items from previous GAMSAT exams, and are delivered via a test replica, you can feel assured that you’re simulating the exam as closely as possible. After completing the practice tests, you’ll be able to review your answers, which is critical for increasing your score. By reflecting on what type of questions you got right or wrong, you can make sure to target your practice accordingly, so that you don’t get stuck in a loop of being unable to improve.
For GAMSAT Section 2, you can purchase ACER’s Online Test Generator (there is no limit to how many times you can purchase and undertake tasks using the generator). It allows you to submit two essays in response to two tasks that you’ve chosen. When you submit your responses, they’ll be automatically scored and you’ll receive a percentile band and score range. You can choose from an untimed and timed version – the untimed version is beneficial for focusing on your writing skills when you begin preparation. When you’re confident with your writing ability, you should practise with the timed version as it simulates the testing conditions (i.e. remote proctoring).
Something else to keep in mind is, although the official materials will be necessary for your revision, these materials are limited. If you run out of material, you may lose momentum, which could halt your progress. Therefore, many students will benefit from using a trusted GAMSAT preparation course to supplement revision (such as our GAMSAT Online Course).
If you’re sitting Sections 1 and 3 in person, you can expect to spend around 5 hours and 30 minutes at the test centre (4 hours and 10 minutes of this is test time). As mentioned previously, you can choose between an AM or PM test session.
Below is an example of a typical GAMSAT test centre schedule:
As you can see, the PM session ends around 8.20pm, so if you usually struggle with practising in the evenings, it may be better to opt for the morning session. Also note that you only have a 20-minute break between Section 1 and Section 3, where you can leave the test room to eat or use the bathroom. It’s up to you to decide how to use this time, but it’s advisable to eat during the break so that you’re not hungry during the exam. Keep in mind that you’re not allowed to leave the test venue during this short break, and there are no food shops at the venue, so it’s best to bring something convenient to eat.
Yes, ACER uses scaled scoring to ensure that scores are comparable from test to test. A raw score (the numbers of questions answered correctly) is placed on a measurement scale to generate a scaled score. This measure allows a fair comparison between test-takers who take different versions of a test. In addition, this method accounts for differences in test difficulty to ensure all scores are directly comparable. So the higher the GAMSAT score, the better the performance, regardless of the sitting.
No, you must sit all GAMSAT test components (Section 1 and 3 at the test centre, and Section 2 via remote proctoring) to receive your GAMSAT results and be considered for graduate entry medicine or dentistry. You will receive a score for each of the three GAMSAT sections plus an overall GAMSAT score. You will also receive a percentile ranking to help you understand how you’ve performed compared to other test-takers. Dental and medical schools will use your section and overall scores in the selection process but how they use it will differ (e.g. some may have strict cut-off scores).
We understand that graduate entry into medicine or dentistry can be challenging. If you need help with preparing for the GAMSAT, our GAMSAT Online Course provides:
If you’re not ready to commit to our GAMSAT preparation course, check out our sample questions (Section I, Section II, Section III) and free cheat sheets to get a flavour of what to expect.
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