Alison Clay, Careers Adviser

Admissions Tests for Medicine & Dentistry

Thursday 1 May, 2014

Today’s session

• The three admissions tests:

– UKCAT

– GAMSAT

– BMAT

• Key points

• How to prepare for them

• Useful links and information sources

Points to note (1)

• Admissions tests used for UG and graduate-entry courses

• Different Schools use different tests – check

• Separate to UCAS - YOU are responsible for taking and paying for the test

• Organise to take test via test provider website (UKCAT & GAMSAT). Direct with test centre (BMAT) NB: registration deadlines

• Limited dates (some before UCAS deadline) and locations for tests

• Only take the same test once in any given year

Points to note (2)

• Preparation and practice are vital – allow plenty of time

• Results sent directly to individual institutions (ie, they don’t see your other choices)

• No ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ - schools set their own criteria for use and will have own ‘cut-off’ points

• To repeat the test, reapply for medicine / dentistry the following year

• GAMSAT results viable for 2 years, UKCAT and BMAT for 1 year only

UKCAT: www.ukcat.ac.uk

Registration opens: 1 May 2014

Testing begins: 1 July 2014

Registration deadline: 19 September 2014

Bursary application deadline:

19 September 2014

Exemption application deadline:

19 September 2014

Last testing date: 3 October 2014

Helpdesk: 0161 855 7409

UKCAT (1)

• Used by just over half of Medical Schools and two-thirds Dental Schools – both UG and GEM/GED courses

• PC-based multi-choice tests of general aptitude not science: – Verbal reasoning (44 items in 22 mins) – Quantitative reasoning (36 items in 25 mins) – Abstract reasoning (55 items in 14 mins) – Decision analysis (28 items in 32 mins) – Situational Judgement Test (67 items in 27 mins)

• 2 hours in total

• Location of test centres: 150 in UK (see website)

UKCAT (2)

• Cost: £65 (until 31/08) then £80 (01/09 – 03/10) for candidates in EU; £100 for others at all times

• To prepare: – Guide on website – Test tutorial & practice test on website & Practice App – Careers Service psychometric tests briefing sheet has

links to other test providers. Profiling for Success – Read widely eg quality newspapers (verbal) and FT

(quantitative) – ‘Passing the UK Clinical Aptitude Test and BMAT’ by Taylor,

Hutton and Hutton (available from Careers Service) – SJTs for F1 : www.isfp.org.uk/SJT/Pages/default.aspx

GAMSAT: www.gamsatuk.org

Registration opens: 2 June 2014

Registration deadline: 8 Aug 2014

Late registration deadline (with late fee) 18 Aug 2014

Test date 17 Sept 2014

GAMSAT (1) • Graduate-entry: UCLAN; Liverpool; Nottingham at

Derby; St Georges; Swansea

• UG: Cardiff; Plymouth; Exeter; Keele (for non-scientists).

• Paper-based test:

– Reasoning in humanities and social sciences (multiple choice, 75 Qs in 1hr 40mins)

– Written communication (2 written tasks, 30 mins each)

– Reasoning in biological and physical sciences (multiple choice, 110 Qs in 2hrs 50mins)

• Total test time = 5 ½ hours

GAMSAT (2)

• Location of test centres: refer to GAMSAT website • Cost: £234 (+£60 late fee) • To prepare:

– Practice ‘e-books’ via GAMSAT website (one free with registration). Copies of old paper versions available to loan in Careers Service

– Careers Service psychometric tests briefing sheet has links to other test providers. Profiling for Success.

– Revision guides / short course for A-level Physics, L1 UG Chemistry and Biology

– Read widely (novels to newspapers) – What do they mean? What are your opinions? What is ‘good writing’?

BMAT: www.admissionstests.cambridgeassessment.org.uk/adt/bmat

Registration opens: 1 Sept 2014

Standard registration deadline: 1 Oct 2014

Late registration (with fee): 2-15 Oct 2014

BMAT takes place 5 Nov 2014

Results released 26 Nov 2014

Helpdesk T: 01223 553366

BMAT (1)

• Brighton & Sussex (UG for graduate entrants); Leeds (UG); UCL (UG and GEM); Imperial (UG and GEM); Oxford (UG and GEM), Cambridge (all UG and most colleges for GEM)

• Paper-based test:

– ‘Aptitude & skills’ inc. problem solving, data analysis and inference (multiple choice, 35 Qs in 1 hr)

– Scientific knowledge & application (multiple choice, 27 Qs in 30mins)

– Written skills (1-page essay, on ‘scientific’ or ‘learning’ theme, 30mins)

• Total test time = 2 hours

• Location of test centre: see website

BMAT (2)

• £44 for candidates in UK/EU, £74 for international + poss. admin fee charged by test centre – late fee £31.50

• To prepare: – Specimen papers on BMAT website plus links to other

useful preparation resources eg, critical thinking books – Official guide ‘Preparing for the BMAT’ by Butterworth

& Thwaites and ‘Passing the UK Clinical Aptitude Test and BMAT’ by Taylor, Hutton & Hutton (both available from Careers Service)

– Careers Service psychometric tests briefing sheet has links to other test providers. Profiling for Success.

– Revision guides for KS4 up to A-level Physics, Chemistry , Biology and Maths

Example questions

Verbal Reasoning (UKCAT) Q1

Similar to verbal reasoning in GAMSAT & BMAT

Verbal Reasoning (UKCAT) Q2

Quantitative Reasoning (UKCAT) Q1

NB: Similar to scientific knowledge and applications (BMAT)

How many stores does

the distribution centre

serve?

A. 60

B. 70

C. 80

D. 90

E. Can’t tell

Quantitative Reasoning (UKCAT) Q2

EG: Abstract Reasoning (UKCAT) Q1

EG: Abstract Reasoning (UKCAT) Q2

Decision Analysis (UKCAT) Passage

Example 1

Example 2

Table of codes – Q1

Decision Analysis (UKCAT) Q2

What is the best interpretation of

the following coded message:

5, 12c, 3

A. Water is lighter than air

B. Water and air don’t mix easily

C. Water is darker than air

D. Water is the opposite of air

E. Water is heavier than air

EG: Situational Judgement Test

Explain to the patient that he is unable to comment on what the tests will show as he is a

medical student

A. A very appropriate thing to do

B. Appropriate, but not ideal

C. Inappropriate, but not awful

D. A very inappropriate thing to do

My fifth wife doesn’t

understand me The point of this cartoon is that: A Marriage must be based on understanding

B The speaker has been unlucky in marriage

C People look to others for understanding

D The speaker is a poor husband

Reasoning in humanities and social sciences (GAMSAT)

Scientific knowledge & application (BMAT) 13 Signals are transmitted from one neuron to the next neuron, by molecules. These statements are about this process:

1. Transmitter molecules are formed in the receptors.

2. The signal is transmitted across the synapse by osmosis.

3. Transmitter molecules are released once the signal has been transmitted across the synapse.

4 .The release of transmitter molecules is triggered by an impulse.

5 .The signal is transmitted across the synapse by diffusion.

Which of the above statements are correct?

A 1 and 2 C 1 and 5 E 3 and 4

B 1 and 3 D 2 and 4 F 4 and 5

Written communication (GAMSAT)

Consider the following comments and develop a piece of writing in response to one of them.

• If poverty is the mother of crime, stupidity is the father. (Jean de La Bruyere)

• The faults of the burglar are the qualities of the financier. (George Bernard Shaw)

• Speaking generally, punishment hardens and numbs, it produces concentration, it sharpens the consciousness of alienation, it strengths the power of resistance. (Nietzsche)

NB: Similar to writing task (BMAT)

General strategies for all tests (1)

• Know what to expect re format, procedures, etc • Work through sample questions and practice tests

(start at least 3 months before test) • Know what to take on the day (eg: I.D., forms, writing

equipment, etc) • Contact the test provider well before the test date if

you have a disability which requires additional support

• Follow the instructions on the day • Work steadily through the test • Keep an eye on the time! • If you are disturbed during the test, report it asap

General strategies for all tests (2)

For multiple choice:

• No credit if more than one answer marked

• No deductions for a wrong answer

• Check value of each Q

• Attempt as many questions as possible

• Don’t spend too long on one question

• Be careful of ‘nearly right’ answers

• If optical scanning / machine scoring is used (ie GAMSAT, BMAT) mark your answer clearly (HB pencil and good quality eraser)

General strategies for all tests (3)

For written sections:

• Check assessment criteria eg, give opinions, present a logical argument, show how you can develop your ideas, etc

• Spelling, grammar, language

• Well structured, logical flow not necessarily the ‘correct’ answer

• Clear and concise

• Give the piece an appropriate title

• Several independent assessors

www.careers.dept.shef.ac.uk/presentations/medicinetests/player.html

Includes info sheet ‘Admissions Tests for Medical & Dental Schools

For a copy of the slides:

www.shef.ac.uk/bms/undergrad/careers/index

See ‘Medicine & Dentistry’ section on right-hand side of screen for PDF of this presentation.

23/04/2014 www.sheffield.ac.uk/careers

Careers Service - 388 Glossop Road (behind SU building) Open 9am - 5pm Mon to Fri (11am – 5pm Tues)

Student Jobshop – Students’ Union Open 10am – 3pm Mon to Fri (11am – 3pm Tues)

www.shef.ac.uk/careers

Where to find us…..