Top Essential Tests Before Joining the Medical Industry

In order to select candidates for medical school who have the most potential, admissions require several other tests in addition to A level grades. Most medical schools also require the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT), the BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) or the Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT). 

Training for a career in the medical field can take years but it’s an incredibly rewarding industry that provides excellent job satisfaction. The entrance to medical school is competitive so students often need to take additional tests to secure a place. After completing their degree, applicants then need to complete a residency where they can gain real-life experience and work with seasoned professionals. Here’s what students should expect from each of the tests to gain a spot in the medical industry. 

UCAT Test 

Formerly known as the UKCAT, the UCAT test is the most widely used test by medical and dental schools to seek out candidates with the most potential to succeed. This two-hour computer-based test is multiple choice with several different sections. 

These include:

• Verbal reasoning, or your ability to think in a logical manner, which forms 22 minutes of the test
• Quantitative reasoning, or your ability to solve numerical problems, which takes up 25 minutes
• Abstract reasoning, which comprises 14 minutes
• Decision making, which comprises 32 minutes
• Situational judgement which forms the final 27 minutes of the test.

BMAT Test

The BMAT test spans two hours and comprises three sections:

• A one-hour multiple choice test which focuses on aptitude and skills
• A 30-minute multiple choice test which is based on scientific knowledge and the ability to apply it to different scenarios
• A 30-minute writing task based on a topic of the applicant’s medical, scientific or general interest in this field.

GAMSAT Test

The Graduate Medical School Admissions Test is primarily used by medical schools which offer Graduate Entry Programmes. This is the longest of the three tests, taking a total of five hours and 30 minutes to complete. 

There are three sections to the GAMSAT which include:

• Reasoning in humanities and social sciences, which is a multiple-choice test that takes one hour 40 minutes to complete
• Written communication, which is two 30-minute essays based on sociocultural and social issues
• Reasoning in biological and physical sciences, which is a multiple-choice test lasting two hours 50 minutes. This test is designed to test the applicant’s knowledge of chemistry, biology and physics. 

For each of the tests, it’s important to practice a few times before taking the actual test so that you’re familiar with the format of the questions and the requirements of each one. Each of the tests has its own dedicated site where you can find practice papers and resources to help you familiarise yourself and get prepared. On each site, you’ll find more information about the content of the test itself and what’s expected of you, how to register for the test, where you’ll sit the actual test and the dates, the fees associated and how you can best prepare.