UCAT vs GAMSAT Everything You Need to Know

1. UCAT vs GAMSAT: Everything You Need to Know

2. UCAT® vs GAMSAT®: Everything You Need to Know The UCAT® exam and the GAMSAT® exam are two of the most important exams for any aspiring medical student. They both function as a requirement for medical school entry, but at the same time, they are fundamentally different, and are used for different entry points. Our UCAT® and GAMSAT® tutors have put together this guide to help explain the difference and cover everything you need to know about the UCAT® vs GAMSAT® exam. • What is the UCAT® and GAMSAT®? – The University Clinical Aptitude Test (or UCAT® ) is a standardised computer-based test contributing to the selection process for a consortium of Australian and New Zealand universities. More specifically, the UCAT® exam assesses skills that are useful in degrees in Medicine, Dental and other clinical science programmes. This two hour computer-based exam consists of a total of 228 multiple choice questions divided into five subtests, each designed to test different skills.The UCAT® exam is targeted towards those who have completed or are completing their final year of secondary school and opens up applications to undergraduate medicine programs. 

3. UCAT® vs GAMSAT®: Which One Should I Sit? • Decision Making – This is ultimately dependent on your situation and your goals. Any candidate who is completing or has completed Year 12 is eligible to sit the UCAT® for entry into undergraduate medical programs. Notably, some universities will only accept highschool leavers - This means that some undergraduate medical schools may not accept students who have already completed or even commenced an undergraduate degree. In contrast, the GAMSAT® is perfect for students who have already completed an undergraduate degree and are looking for entry into graduate medicine programs. • How does the UCAT® help me get into medicine?- the UCAT® exam plays a role in the admissions criteria for several universities offering undergraduate programs. The exam is only one part of the admission criteria. Competitive academic scores (e.g. ATAR) and interview scores are necessary to score a place in an undergraduate medicine program. • How does the GAMSAT® help me get into medicine? - The GAMSAT® exam is part of the admission criteria for graduate-entry medicine programs, which require applicants to have completed an undergraduate degree prior to entry.

4. UCAT® vs GAMSAT®: What is the Difference? • UCAT® Eligibility - Must be undertaking or completed the final year of secondary school or higher. Dates - The test cycle runs annually in July.     Questions - 228 Multiple Choice Questions     Timing - 2 Hours  Sections - Five Subtests: Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning, Situational Judgement Style - Time-pressured exam with many questions     Assumed Knowledge - No assumed knowledge.     Skills Tested - Critical evaluation of both written and numerical forms, decision making, inferring abstract relationship, appropriate behaviour in real world scenarios. Scoring - Out of 3600 marks.    

5. UCAT® vs GAMSAT®: What is the Difference? • GAMSAT® Eligibility - Must have completed a Bachelor or undergraduate degree or be in the final/penultimate year of study. Dates - Two testing windows each year in March and September.   Questions - 137 Multiple Choice Questions and 2 Essay Prompts. Timing - 5.25 Hours testing time but around 8 hours including administrative time and lunch break. Sections - Three Sections: Section I: Reasoning in Humanities, Section II: Written Communication, Section III: Reasoning in Biological and Physical Sciences Style - Long exam with endurance required.    Assumed Knowledge - First year university level Biology and Chemistry Year 12 equivalent level Physics. Skills Tested - Critical thinking and logical reasoning in both a scientific context (requiring adequate levels of basic Biology, Chemistry, and Physics knowledge) and within a humanities and social sciences domain. Also tests your ability to effectively communicate ideas in a written format with the essay marking section. Scoring - Scores provided in a scale out of 100 marks.

6. UCAT® vs GAMSAT®: Conclusion • So which exam should you sit? Well, the UCAT® exam is designed for those coming out of high school or who have completed highschool and want to pursue an undergraduate medicine degree. The GAMSAT® exam is for students who have completed, or are currently completing, their undergraduate studies and who are interested in pursuing entry into a graduate medicine program. Now that you know what is the difference between UCAT® and GAMSAT® exam, the decision of which one you should sit is yours to make. At the end of the day, upon completing the degree, whether it be graduate or undergraduate, medicine is an extremely rewarding career and the opportunities for graduates remain the same.

7. Further Materials • Australian Medical Schools: General Overview • Australian Graduate Medical Schools - Admission Requirements • Medical Pathways in Australia • Free GAMSAT Practice Questions and Materials • GAMSAT Results: The Definitive Guide • Don’t forget to tune in to our GAMSAT® To Med School Podcast! Listen as our experienced GAMSAT® tutors explore diverse topics about everything from the GAMSAT® exam to their journeys through medical school: https://gradready.com.au/gamsat-podcast