This post was original planned for a later date, but with the GAMSAT less than three weeks away, I thought it was important to impart some advice.
Tip 1: Group Study
The biggest thing I can recommend to most people preparing for the GAMSAT is to get into a study group. Preferably, where you are about midrange (in terms of the knowledge/skill required for the different sections). This allows you to learn from those more advance, but at the same time assists your learning by teaching others in areas in which you are knowledgeable. It is also good just to have a group with people undergoing similar pressures, and sharing similar concerns as yourself.
Obviously, some individuals will just study better by themselves, and will find group study less beneficial. If that is the case you probably already know who you are and this tip will not really help you as much. Keep in mind however, that groups can useful in creating a supportive social structure around you, and that it will help you deal with other issues.
80-20 rule
At this late stage in the game, with less than three weeks away until the GAMSAT, it is more important than ever that the steps you take now, yield the maximum results.
Therefore, while just bulk reading biology, chemistry and physics textbooks may assist you in achieving a reasonable score in the GAMSAT, to properly learn this material to be of sufficient usage requires weeks of study.
Unfortunately for those of you, who have just started studying you can not really cram all this information into your head so quickly. Some people will be able to, as they either have the time or have a certain amount of intelligence (either naturally or as a by-product of their education) that enables them to learn new/revise concepts quickly. In contrast, for those of us who don't have this ability, we need to make sure that we use our time wisely, and undertake tasks that will lead to the best result.
So here is my second tip for studying for the GAMSAT.
Tip 2: Practice, Practice, Practice.
Like most things, practice is fundamental in improving in a task. As such, I recommend that you do as many GAMSAT-style questions as possible. It will allow you to get use to applying your knowledge, inferring information and evaluating data of questions, similar to those on the GAMSAT. Practice questions are available from ACER and a number of courses.
ACER: Questions and Practice Tests
http://gamsatau.acer.edu.au/booklets.php
The two main GAMSAT courses I know of,
The test lightly covers all three sections of the GAMSAT at this stage. However, the project has stalled a bit and needs your help.
Here is what you can do?
Remember other people have put in the time to write this up, the least you do is provide some minimal assistance.
An older version is shown below.
Information regarding the PagingDr test is available here.
There are also a number of other courses out there which you may be able to obtain practice questions.
I would also recommend doing a full day practice test, to get yourself used to the exam conditions. However, at this late stage it may be impossible to enroll in such a course.
Just remember to at the very least, supplement your study with GAMSAT-style practice questions. That 20% of time, that you put into doing questions, could ultimately account for 80% of your mark.
Stayed tuned for my recount of the GAMSAT experience....
So you think you could do medicine series
Introduction | Where to Study | GAMSAT: The Day Before. On the Day. Tips. | UMAT: An Introduction
Tip 1: Group Study
The biggest thing I can recommend to most people preparing for the GAMSAT is to get into a study group. Preferably, where you are about midrange (in terms of the knowledge/skill required for the different sections). This allows you to learn from those more advance, but at the same time assists your learning by teaching others in areas in which you are knowledgeable. It is also good just to have a group with people undergoing similar pressures, and sharing similar concerns as yourself.
Obviously, some individuals will just study better by themselves, and will find group study less beneficial. If that is the case you probably already know who you are and this tip will not really help you as much. Keep in mind however, that groups can useful in creating a supportive social structure around you, and that it will help you deal with other issues.
80-20 rule
At this late stage in the game, with less than three weeks away until the GAMSAT, it is more important than ever that the steps you take now, yield the maximum results.
As Pareto an Italian economist put it, roughly 80% of the effects comes from 20% of the causes. In this scenario, it could be implied that 80% of your GAMSAT score is a reflection of 20% of your study.
Therefore, while just bulk reading biology, chemistry and physics textbooks may assist you in achieving a reasonable score in the GAMSAT, to properly learn this material to be of sufficient usage requires weeks of study.
Unfortunately for those of you, who have just started studying you can not really cram all this information into your head so quickly. Some people will be able to, as they either have the time or have a certain amount of intelligence (either naturally or as a by-product of their education) that enables them to learn new/revise concepts quickly. In contrast, for those of us who don't have this ability, we need to make sure that we use our time wisely, and undertake tasks that will lead to the best result.
So here is my second tip for studying for the GAMSAT.
Tip 2: Practice, Practice, Practice.
Like most things, practice is fundamental in improving in a task. As such, I recommend that you do as many GAMSAT-style questions as possible. It will allow you to get use to applying your knowledge, inferring information and evaluating data of questions, similar to those on the GAMSAT. Practice questions are available from ACER and a number of courses.
ACER: Questions and Practice Tests
http://gamsatau.acer.edu.au/booklets.php
The two main GAMSAT courses I know of,
- MedPrep - http://www.medprepinternational.com
- Des O'Niells - http://www.comptext.com.au/
Des O'Neill offers a free 50 question prognostic GAMSAT test.
The test lightly covers all three sections of the GAMSAT at this stage. However, the project has stalled a bit and needs your help.
Here is what you can do?
- Download the exam, enjoy it, test your knowledge.
- Provide Feedback: from spelling mistakes to general ideas for improvement.
- Write up at least one question, it's much easier than you think. (most importantly do not under any circumstances copy an existing question from copyrighted sources. free doesn't = copyright free. All questions need to be original.)
Remember other people have put in the time to write this up, the least you do is provide some minimal assistance.
An older version is shown below.
View more documents from Aaron Sparshott.
There are also a number of other courses out there which you may be able to obtain practice questions.
I would also recommend doing a full day practice test, to get yourself used to the exam conditions. However, at this late stage it may be impossible to enroll in such a course.
Just remember to at the very least, supplement your study with GAMSAT-style practice questions. That 20% of time, that you put into doing questions, could ultimately account for 80% of your mark.
Stayed tuned for my recount of the GAMSAT experience....
So you think you could do medicine series
Introduction | Where to Study | GAMSAT: The Day Before. On the Day. Tips. | UMAT: An Introduction
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