Entry exams
On this page:
Medical school entry exams
UKCAT
BMAT
MSAT
GAMSAT
OEE
Medical school entry exams
In addition to A. Levels, medical schools may also require you to sit another entry exam. It is really important that you investigate these before applying. Most of these require you to register before a certain date and complete the exam on a certain date. It is possible to do past papers, and it may be advisable to do some revision! All of these cost money to do, but universities may offer bursaries to cover the costs. To get you started, here are a few pointers. For more information, visit the newmediamedicine.com forum (open in new window). This area of the medical admissions process is undergoing great change at the moment and we are uncertain of accurateness of some of the information on this page (due to the constant changes). Therefore it is vital that you use this information as a guide and do your own research.
UKCAT (www.ukcat.ac.uk)
United Kingdom Clinical Apitude Test is a new test made for medical admissions. Dental and veterinary science may also be affected. Thanks to MedSchoolsOnline, download the UKCAT leaflet here (pdf).
What is the UKCAT and why do i have to do it?
The UKCAT will test mental ability, problem solving, logical reasoning, critical thinking, information management. It is designed so medical schools can make a more informed decision about applicants and ensure that the candidates selected have the best combination of skills required to make good doctors.
The test currently costs £60 for students within the EU, with bursaries available for those from poorer backgrounds. There will be registration for the 90-minute test in June and it can be taken anytime between July-Sept in one of 150 or so test centres around the country. Talk to your school about this- they may have more information regarding where and how you can take the test. International students may also have to take the test, however some countries are exempt. There is a deadline to take the test, and this can be found on the website.
Although most medical schools take the UKCAT score into account when assessing applications, the amount of weighting may vary. For example, some medical schools give points based on the UKCAT score when deciding on which candiates to interview, whereas other medical schools only use the UKCAT score when faced with two closely comparible applicants. Check each medical school website for more information on weighting.
Which Medical Schools require me to take the test?
For a full list of Medical Schools which require the UKCAT to be taken, click on this link.
However, do make sure you check individually with each medical school you are applying to, probably by phoning them, as the school's involved are constantly changing.
For more information, check out each university website, this BMJ article or this studentBMJ article.
BMAT
This is the BioMedical Admissions Test, which is a subject-specific admissions test taken by applicants to Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and some other related courses. It is a two-hour exam consisting of three sections: aptitude and skills (multiple choice and short answer question), scientific knowledge and applications (multiple choice and short answer question) and a writing task (short essay question). The BMAT exam takes place once a year and is £21.50 for UK candidates. For more information on the BMAT, including information about where to take the test and when to register, visit www.bmat.org.uk (opens in new window).
Current universities which require the BMAT include:
University of London, Imperial College (A100)
University of London, University College (A100)
University of Cambridge (A100, A101)
University of Oxford (A100)
MSAT
The Medical School Admissions Test is another wonderful test to make things easier for the admissions tutors. The MSAT has been developed in consultation with medical schools for use in the selection of students into 4 and 5-year medicine degrees. MSAT scores are used in conjunction with academic results and performance at interview.
Universities which require the MSAT include:
University of London, King's College (A102)
University of London, Barts and The London (A101)
The University of Warwick (A101)
For more information, visit this website (link opens in new window).
GAMSAT
The Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test was developed in Australia and has since been pioneered in the UK. The GAMSAT helps to assist in the selection criteria mostly for students who are applying to graduate entry programmes. The GAMSAT is predominantly multiple-choice questions and tests a general knowledge base that manifests a broad spectrum of skills and aptitudes. Divided into three parts, the GAMSAT tests your reasoning and communication skills, and you'll need to have some knowledge of biology and physics to do well. It actively encourages a lateral thinking approach, thinking 'outside of the box' and exploration of wider parameters in achieving solutions. One disadvantage is the cost - a whopping £176.00!
The GAMSAT is used in the following graduate entry programmes:
St. George's Hospital Medical School
University of Nottingham
University of Wales, Swansea
And in Peninsula Medical School for non-standard applicants.
For more information, visit this website or join the Yahoo GAMSAT group (links open in new window).
Page last updated by WAMS 22/02/09
UKCAT (www.ukcat.ac.uk)
United Kingdom Clinical Apitude Test is a new test made for medical admissions. Dental and veterinary science may also be affected. Thanks to MedSchoolsOnline, download the UKCAT leaflet here (pdf).
What is the UKCAT and why do i have to do it?
The UKCAT will test mental ability, problem solving, logical reasoning, critical thinking, information management. It is designed so medical schools can make a more informed decision about applicants and ensure that the candidates selected have the best combination of skills required to make good doctors.
The test currently costs £60 for students within the EU, with bursaries available for those from poorer backgrounds. There will be registration for the 90-minute test in June and it can be taken anytime between July-Sept in one of 150 or so test centres around the country. Talk to your school about this- they may have more information regarding where and how you can take the test. International students may also have to take the test, however some countries are exempt. There is a deadline to take the test, and this can be found on the website.
Although most medical schools take the UKCAT score into account when assessing applications, the amount of weighting may vary. For example, some medical schools give points based on the UKCAT score when deciding on which candiates to interview, whereas other medical schools only use the UKCAT score when faced with two closely comparible applicants. Check each medical school website for more information on weighting.
Which Medical Schools require me to take the test?
For a full list of Medical Schools which require the UKCAT to be taken, click on this link.
However, do make sure you check individually with each medical school you are applying to, probably by phoning them, as the school's involved are constantly changing.
For more information, check out each university website, this BMJ article or this studentBMJ article.
BMAT
This is the BioMedical Admissions Test, which is a subject-specific admissions test taken by applicants to Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and some other related courses. It is a two-hour exam consisting of three sections: aptitude and skills (multiple choice and short answer question), scientific knowledge and applications (multiple choice and short answer question) and a writing task (short essay question). The BMAT exam takes place once a year and is £21.50 for UK candidates. For more information on the BMAT, including information about where to take the test and when to register, visit www.bmat.org.uk (opens in new window).
Current universities which require the BMAT include:
University of London, Imperial College (A100)
University of London, University College (A100)
University of Cambridge (A100, A101)
University of Oxford (A100)
MSAT
The Medical School Admissions Test is another wonderful test to make things easier for the admissions tutors. The MSAT has been developed in consultation with medical schools for use in the selection of students into 4 and 5-year medicine degrees. MSAT scores are used in conjunction with academic results and performance at interview.
Universities which require the MSAT include:
University of London, King's College (A102)
University of London, Barts and The London (A101)
The University of Warwick (A101)
For more information, visit this website (link opens in new window).
GAMSAT
The Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test was developed in Australia and has since been pioneered in the UK. The GAMSAT helps to assist in the selection criteria mostly for students who are applying to graduate entry programmes. The GAMSAT is predominantly multiple-choice questions and tests a general knowledge base that manifests a broad spectrum of skills and aptitudes. Divided into three parts, the GAMSAT tests your reasoning and communication skills, and you'll need to have some knowledge of biology and physics to do well. It actively encourages a lateral thinking approach, thinking 'outside of the box' and exploration of wider parameters in achieving solutions. One disadvantage is the cost - a whopping £176.00!
The GAMSAT is used in the following graduate entry programmes:
St. George's Hospital Medical School
University of Nottingham
University of Wales, Swansea
And in Peninsula Medical School for non-standard applicants.
For more information, visit this website or join the Yahoo GAMSAT group (links open in new window).
Page last updated by WAMS 22/02/09