GAMSAT: Format

The GAMSAT assesses the understanding and analyzing ability of the candidates and, in the case of the Written Communication section, it measures the candidates potential to organize and express their thoughts in a logical and effective way.

GAMSAT: Format

GAMSAT questions require candidates to read and think about written communication, to interpret graphical displays of information, to use mathematical relationships and to apply reasoning skills to tables of data. Problem solving is a major focus of the test.

The test is divided into three sections:

i. Reasoning in Humanities and Social Sciences
ii. Written Communication
iii. Reasoning in Biological and Physical Sciences

Section I: Reasoning in the Humanities and Social Sciences

Structure: Multiple-choice questions
No. of questions: 75
Duration: 100 minutes, with 10 minutes of perusal time before the test.

The Reasoning in Humanities and Social Sciences section tests skills in the interpretation and understanding of ideas in social and cultural contexts.

Questions in the Reasoning in Humanities and Social Sciences are related to a comic image, political satire cartoons, poetry or prose, flowchart, and humanities theory. The questions in this section are from different areas such as nonfiction, fiction, quotes, proverbs etc. and require students to interpret information quickly and effectively.

Section II: Written Communication

No. of Questions: 2
Duration: 60 minutes (Two thirty-minute writing tasks)

The Written Communication section is a test of the ability to produce and develop new concepts and ideas in writing. The first task deals with socio-cultural issues and the second deals with more personal and social issues.
Written Communication is assessed on two criteria i.e. the thought process and the language used. The thought process must be clear and coherent. The language i.e. the flow, structure-semantically and grammatically be correct, concrete and complete.

Section III: Reasoning in Biological and Physical Sciences

Structure: Multiple-choice
No. of questions: 110 questions
Duration: 170 minutes

Section III is made up of questions in three discipline areas in the following proportions:

• Chemistry- 40%
• Biology- 40%
• Physics- 20%
  

Prime focus: The level of subject knowledge required for the Reasoning in Biological and Physical Sciences section of the test generally corresponds to the first year of university studies in biology and chemistry, and Year 12 in physics. The test focuses primarily on problem solving and on the use of knowledge, i.e. basic understanding of biology, chemistry-organic as well as physical and physics that will be presumed at the commencement of the medical program. A student who has mastered these general concepts can easily crack this section.