Re: GAMSAT Study Plan
With GAMSAT just around the corner, it is important to get the last week of study right. You MUST replicate exam conditions so you can get the feel of what the actual exam will be like.
By sitting the practice exams under timed conditions you will get the feel for the speed in which you have to move through the exam. By completing the practice GAMSAT exams you will be able to identify your strengths and weaknesses, so you can breeze through the easy question topics in SIII and leave the more challenging questions to the end. With practice, you will be well prepared to write the two essays in the allocated time.
The following is a sample GAMSAT routine that can be followed 1 week before the GAMSAT.
G-7:
– Acer half exam – check solutions and note down incorrect answers
– 1-2 hours reading ‘The Meaning of Things by A.C. Grayling’ or ‘ 50 Big Ideas You Really Need to Know by Ben Dupré + taking notes of important ideas/quotes you can use for section II
G-6:
– Acer full exam – check solutions and note down incorrect answers
– 1-2 hours reading above books + taking notes
– 5-10 sets of words from www.vocabulary.com (select MCAT word-list = closest to GAMSAT)
G-5:
– Acer half exam – check solutions and note down incorrect answers
– 1-2 hours reading above books + taking notes
– 5-10 comprehension practice units from www.readtheory.org
G-4:
– Acer full exam – check solutions and note down incorrect answers
– 1-2 hours reading above books + taking notes
– 5-10 sets of words from www.vocabulary.com
G-3:
– Attempt AceGAMSAT SIII Mock-Exam – check solutions and note down incorrect answers
– 1-2 hours reading above books + taking notes
– 5-10 sets of words from www.vocabulary.com
– 5-10 comprehension practice units from www.readtheory.org
G-2:
– Go back and attempt all the questions that you marked as wrong in the previous exams. Check solutions again and make sure you know where you went wrong (important)
– Write 2 timed-essays using quotes from Random Quote Generator
G-1:
– Relax and Meditate
– Read topics from ‘The Meaning of Things’ and ’50 Big Ideas You Really Need to Know’ throughout the day
Sample Meditation!
Find a quiet comfortable place to sit. Sit upright on the ground with legs crossed. You can close your eyes, or you can look down at the ground. Start by focusing on your breath, taking slow, deep breaths. Remember to breath in through your nose and out through your mouth. Breath the surrounding air into your belly, not just your chest. Pace your breath: Breath in for 3 seconds and out for 3 seconds. During this process you will feel your thoughts and emotions settling down as you focus on your breath.
It also helps to have a quiet tune playing in the background. I recommend the following:
Meditation tune 1: Rose theme
Meditation tune 2: Braveheart theme
Be aware that as you attempt to quiet your mind, thoughts will still come in to pay a visit. Acknowledge them, then let them go, always returning your focus to your breath.
The aim of meditation is to clear your mind for the following exercises and allow you to have laser-focus on your priorities for the day.
G:
Day of the GAMSAT!
– Bring a jumper just in case. Even if it’s 30 degrees plus outside, the air-conditioning can be very cold.
– Get enough sleep! Sleep at least 8 hours the night before the GAMSAT.
– Do not bring any study notes to the exam. This will only cause stress. Simply relax before the exam.
– Arrive early – nothing is more stressful than worrying about being on time.
– Remember your pencils and invest in a good pen for section 2 (this is very important)
– Pack a nice morning tea and good lunch so you have something to look forward to. Include lots of low GI food for long-lasting energy. Good examples are: Chicken and salad sandwich on multigrain bread, yogurt, fruit and tuna.
– DO NOT nap in the afternoon in the weeks/days leading up to the exam. It is not good for your body to expect a nap at 3 in the afternoon – because you will be doing S3 at this time.
– Bring water in a clear bottle (label removed).
