What is the GAMSAT?

13 February 2014

If you’re considering studying at an Australian Medical School or at an Australian Dental School, you’re aware that you’ll most likely need to sit some form of admissions test as part of the program’s application requirements.

Australian Dental Schools
Decisions, decisions!

While the Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT®) and the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) are well known, not many people know about another admissions test option, the Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT). Students may choose to write the GAMSAT instead of writing the MCAT or (for dentistry program admissions) the Canadian DAT or US DAT.
Who can write the GAMSAT?
GAMSAT is available to students who have already completed a bachelor degree, or who will be enrolled in their second-last or final year of study for a bachelor degree, at the time of sitting the test.
What is on the GAMSAT?
The GAMSAT is considered a reasoning- rather than knowledge-based test. GAMSAT evaluates the nature and extent of abilities and skills gained through prior experience and learning, including the mastery and use of concepts in basic science as well as the acquisition of more general skills in problem solving, critical thinking and writing.
GAMSAT Content and Structure

  • Biology and Chemistry – first year university level
  • Physics – Grade 12 level
  • English – Grade 12 level
  • Section I – 75 questions in 100 minutes from the humanities and social sciences
  • Section II – 2 essays assessing written communication (1 hour)
  • Section III – 110 biological and physical science questions in 170 minutes after 1-hour lunch

Students should be prepared to be at the testing centre for at least 8 hours. The test itself is 5.5 hours, with a 1-hour lunch break. In addition, pre-testing procedures will take some time to complete.
Where is the GAMSAT held?
The GAMSAT is an admissions test that can be used to apply to OzTREKK’s graduate-entry medical and dental programs. Canadians can write this only in Washington, DC, in North America, as this is the only testing centre on the continent. Other test locations include Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and the UK.
Good luck to all OzTREKK students writing the GAMSAT in Washington on March 22!
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Find out more about studying medicine in Australia at the following Australian Medical Schools:

Would you like to study medicine in Australia? Please contact OzTREKK’s Australian Medical Schools Admissions Officer Broghan Dean at broghan@oztrekk.com.

Interested in dentistryOzTREKK represents the following Australian Dental Schools:

If you have any questions regarding dental schools in Australia, please contact OzTREKK’s Australian Dental Schools Admissions Officer Adam Smith at adam@oztrekk.com.

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