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GAMSAT 2011 ... For discussion of all things related to this exam.
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What's your background? I didn't use a prep course and, to my knowledge, neither did most of the people who got RCSI last year. Most of the reports I've heard about them have been negative. Your best bet is just to put in the hours at home and save yourself a fortune. A good home study course will stand to you though (Des O'Neills etc.).
I'm skeptical about Dr. Ferdinands courses. The only bit of feedback I found on him was here. I don't get why they keep stressing the fact that he is a doctor. Being a doctor in the US doesn't require GAMSAT. I also don't like the fact that he has people plugging his courses on nearly every GAMSAT forum I've seen. It seems desperate. I used Des O'Neills home prep course and it was very good. See my review on the first page of this thread if you want to know more about that course.
Hi There
I went to Dr Ferdinands course in UCD this year (for Section III only).
Dr F generally arrived 45-50 mins late each day (although he did stay back a little later on the Sunday, perhaps to make up for it). There was no apology or acknowledgement of being late. He seemed somewhat unprepared in the sense that he didn't have a marker to write on the board in the room (luckily one of the girls in the group had one) and he gave out handouts with the corners bend and hadn't enough copies to go around and they weren't all the same even though there were only about 8 of us or so. He even proceeded to eat an apple throughout one of the sessions which was a little distracting!
So apart from what I would deem unorthodox behaviour (!), Dr F does have a very nice way of explaining things in a basic and easy to understand way. He also is very gentile and patient and doesn't move off a topic until everyone 'gets it'.
It was a good starting point and perhaps I would recommend something like that course for someone who has no background in science whatsoever. I had no background in physics and it did help me somewhat, but I had a good biology background so I got 'bored' during the biology questions.
The plus is that I met some lovely people that I keep in touch with regularly regarding study tips etc. for the exam
What I've really found useful is the youtube site called "khan academy" for chemistry and physics. It's amazing. Very clear and simple lectures with examples.
I'm also using Examcrackers MCAT material (biology, chemistry, physics)and obviously the ACER sample questions to study.
I sat the GAMSAT in March 2009 with little study and no sample Qs before hand and my marks were
I - 60
II - 59
III - 55
Overall - 57
I'm hoping to improve on this big time this year. Panic is setting in! :eek:
Will let you know how I get on and based on that I suppose you can really tell if Dr F, Khan Academy, Examcrackers MCAT etc. were really useful!
Oh and also the Griffith review for 2011 gives plenty of good tips
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62 would have goten you in anywhere you wanted, except royal college, so its pretty safeHey guys, been reading these posts for a while and found some of the info and tips excellent in the past. I sat UK Sept 2010 and got 62, applying in Ireland this year but I am sitting the exam tomorrow in Ireland again to be sure. I'm thinking of UCC. What do you guys think is a "safe" score to obtain entry in Ireland? .
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Hey guys,
İm already sick of waiting for the results from March. Roll on May already!! With regard to some of the questions on study time etc, I think that its all relative. Having a degree in Pharmacy would be handy. Wish İ had one!
İn general, and stating the obvious, the science section is where to focus. İ paid dearly on my first sitting there. Since its 110 questions every question really does count and with a sprinkling of luck, thats (in theory) where the study could come in handy. Once that is covered the essay section is a great place to bolster your score, especially when there are a limited number of themes and a few weeks practice can have you ready for anything. The only other thing İ would worry about for all sections is timing. İf you are working or stuck for time its definately worth practicing using various prep materials (acer papers/ full length exams) to nail your timing. Sitting at least one full length science section or more is invaluable. Thats where the OZIMEDs are good too. After getting stung in 2010 İ worked on this and my score improved instantly.
But like İ say its all relative, everyone has their strengths and styles of study but when it comes down to that nasty GAMSAT on the day, a good general knowledge and a lot of luck go a long way........
As for sitting the GAMSAT in the UK İ hear Bristol is handier for cheap flights and less crowded centre. İ sat London 2010, which was like a tin of sardines. But making the trip payed off
hi all,
was just wondering if anyone has a recommended preparation time?
was giving some consideration to sitting gamsat in the uk in september, and depending on results, resitting in march in dublin.
i have a degree in pharmacy, so have general science background (first year covered quite a bit of biology and physics) and needless to say have a fairly good grasp of organic chemistry.
also studied the three main sciences for LC.
any guidance greatly appreciated, and hoping not too late to start!0 -
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littlesquirrel wrote: »Has anyone used the The gold standard GAMSAT books? are they any good?
I got it as an add on, but really I found the MCAT ExamKrackers ones far better. Well worth the money. I will be selling all this and alot more if I get an offer in the next month or so (I am North American student so dont have to wait for CAO in August.. relief!).
Ill post when selling all this stuff on 0 -
I got it as an add on, but really I found the MCAT ExamKrackers ones far better. Well worth the money. I will be selling all this and alot more if I get an offer in the next month or so (I am North American student so dont have to wait for CAO in August.. relief!).
Ill post when selling all this stuff on
Congrats on getting into med!! ive got the MCAT examkrackers already wasnt to sure about the gold standard but thanks for the info! 0 -
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Hey everyone!
sooo... iv just finnished a degree in genetics and have got a 2.2, unfortunatley this limits my ablility to apply for many medicine courses which is what i really want to do!
Im planning on applying for the few courses that do accept a 2.2 but my first hurdle is the GAMSAT test!
However the practice questions i have been looking at appear to be very diffferent from the chemistry and biology i have covered at school and university (I live in scotland).
Would pps recommend covereing A-level chemisty, biology and physics. And what are the best revision material/books available as I have seen varied reviews about what ones are useful. Also would anyone recommend doing an online practice course or attending a practice course?
Any advice on GAMSAT would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks
Katie0 -
Hi Katie assume you are applying to UK Med schools...as in Ireland you need a 2.1 for GEM (although you would be eligible to apply for undergrad courses in Ireland)... Organic Chemistry for dummies is a good option to start with.. for the essay component read lots of short articles/opinion pieces in newspapers as you have to be able to present and defend a particular view point succintly.... there is loads of stuff on boards (GAMSAT forums) and also check out new media medicine website lots on that also....Check under Irish Med School admissions--GAMSAT Reults 2010 for lots of dicussion on this topic. Also see link below very interesting of current GEM student and how they managed to ace the dreaded GAMSAT! Best of LuckHey everyone!
sooo... iv just finnished a degree in genetics and have got a 2.2, unfortunatley this limits my ablility to apply for many medicine courses which is what i really want to do!
Im planning on applying for the few courses that do accept a 2.2 but my first hurdle is the GAMSAT test!
However the practice questions i have been looking at appear to be very diffferent from the chemistry and biology i have covered at school and university (I live in scotland).
Would pps recommend covereing A-level chemisty, biology and physics. And what are the best revision material/books available as I have seen varied reviews about what ones are useful. Also would anyone recommend doing an online practice course or attending a practice course?
Any advice on GAMSAT would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks
Katie
http://doc2be.ie/2010/05/16/gamsat-preparation-what-i-did0 -
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