GAMSAT Section 1 Preparation

From: AceGAMSAT
Re: GAMSAT Section 1 Preparation

GAMSAT Section 1 preparation should be approached with a strategic plan and this section is called the ‘reasoning in humanities and social sciences’ section. This section of the exam consists of multiple choice comprehension-based questions which are based on a variety of different stimulus materials. Students are being examined on their ability to extract / understand information from the stimulus and then apply this information to determine the correct multiple choice answer (A, B, C, or D).

What types of stimulus material / extracts can you expect?

Different types of extracts can include fiction, opinion pieces, cartoons, diagrams, flow charts, graphs, newspaper articles.

How to prepare for Section 1?

The approach to Section 1 of the GAMSAT may vary for different people depending on their strengths and weaknesses. The fastest and most effective way to improve your performance in Section 1 is to practice as many GAMSAT-like questions as possible. Students should ensure the questions they use for practice are as close as possible to the complexity and difficulty of the question in the actual GAMSAT exam.

Here is a free sample of GAMSAT Section 1 Questions

A great place to start your preparation is to purchase the 4 x ACER practice papers. Our team at AceGAMSAT have also released 1000+ GAMSAT Practice Questions for section 1 of the exam. Click below to learn more about our section 1 package.

gamsat section 1 preparation

 

Some Common GAMSAT Questions Some Students May Ask

Who can sit the gamsat

Any person can sit the GAMSAT who has completed a Bachelor or an undergraduate honours degree, or who will be in the second-last or final year of study at the time of sitting the test. If it will be more than two full academic years from the time you have completed your level 3 (A level or equivalent) studies, you are also eligible to sit the exam. There is no limit to the amount of times a person can sit the GAMSAT!

When does GAMSAT start

The GAMSAT is offered twice a year in March and September. The next exam is 11 September 2019 with a fee of $505. Registration for the March 2020 exam will open November 2019. The only way to register for GAMSAT is online through gamsat.acer.org

What do I bring to the GAMSAT

Basically, the only items permitted into the GAMSAT exam are:

  • Printed GAMSAT admission ticket
  • Acceptable current and photo-bearing identification document
  • Pencils (medium soft No.2 or HV recommended)
  • Pencil sharpener
  • Pens (blue or black ink)
  • Eraser
  • A clear bottle of drinking water (no labels attached)

Those who are sitting the exam may also wear an analogue wristwatch but may not use any alarm or stopwatch feature as these must be switched off. Digital watched and smart are prohibited. There will be clocks provided in the test room.

All other items are prohibited and will be considered an act of misconduct. These include:

  • Calculators
  • Stopwatches
  • Audio or recording devices of any kind
  • Digital watches
  • Smart watches
  • Note paper
  • Pencil cases
  • Rulers
  • Coloured pens/pencils
  • Highlighters

Personal items such as mobile phone, snacks etc will only be able to be accessed from your bag in your lunch break. Candidates are encouraged to wear layers to adjust to temperature in the exam. If you have a disability or a medical condition that might adhere to you sitting the test, you will need to apply for a Reasonable Adjustment through your online account.

Check out the ACER website for guidelines if you need to bring a bilingual dictionary.

How difficult is gamsat

Those who have sat the exam previously would agree that yes, the exam can be quite difficult, however, there isn’t really an answer to the question as it will range from person to person! It will depend on your strengths and weaknesses and above all, how much you have prepared for the exam. For those whose strong points are not in writing, structuring an essay may be the most difficult and acquiring enough scientific knowledge for Section I might be more challenging for those who do not have a background in science.

The GAMSAT can be hard for others to stay awake for the 5 and half hour test. This is spread out over the whole day so it generally can take up to 9 hours all up. If you’ve never sat such a long test, this part may seem difficult to you. For most, the actual STUDYING component for the GAMSAT is the most difficult part about getting into medical school and not the actual exam itself ! If you would like an idea of how difficult the exam is, doing practice papers can give you a general idea.