GAMSAT 2016 Ireland

OLS952

Hi,
Best of luck to all doing the GAMSAT this year. I am going to begin studying for the GAMSAT 2016 in June. I am looking around but cannot seem to find posts linking to it. I will write a couple of Questions:

1. What type of books, poetry should I begin to read?
2. Name a few books etc
3. Should I attend grinds to support me for Chemistry and Physics because I have never done the subjects before.
4. Links to excellent essay writing techniques.
5. I am in college, how many hours should I devote to the study. 22 hours a week sufficient?
6. Help to plan my study timetable

Thanks,

O.

Maat

Hi there,

I am also going to start studying seriously for this soon. I had never done chemistry or physics before and I am finding it tough going to teach myself, I do feel I would benefit from grinds or a classroom setting to go over some concepts, but personally I can't afford it. I would recommend it if you can afford it though!

From what I've read about GAMSAT prep they recommend reading all types of different books classics old and modern, poetry etc. Some of the books on my reading list are Anna Karenina, Ulysses, Tender is the Night, 1984, The Grapes of Wrath and I'm currently reading Crime and Punishment. I have two collections of poetry also.

It's hard to say how many hours you will need to work in alongside your current workload in college. It really depends on your own abilities and how effective you are at studying. I believe I came across a rough guide online somewhere. If I come across it again I will post the link here for you.

Maybe we can keep in touch and share any helpful information we find as the year progresses?

OLS952

Yes. Sounds good. I want to start the reading as soon as possible. Thanks.

Maat

Hey I found a YouTube channel from UCIrvine where they post lectures from different courses. I'm currently going through the preparation for chemistry class and they they also have more advanced ones, organic chem, statistics, health related classes and lots others. Might be useful to you or anyone else who will be following this thread!

I can't share URLs because I'm a new user but you should find it if you search!

Maat

Also there is a website called Alison . com. It's an Irish based company that offers courses in different subjects some you can earn a diploma.

I'm looking at the maths for science and engineering, foundations of science and there are lots on chemistry and physics.

I like the fact you can get a diploma from them. Give you something extra to work towards!

Maat

Just an quick message to anyone selling notes etc, I have absolutely no money for extra materials! I am completely broke so unless you're feeling charitable and want to pass along a freebie as your good deed for the year (man would I be grateful), I'm afraid I can't help you with offloading your notes!

Thanks to all the very good offers I've received though.

sReq | uTeK

Maat wrote: »

Just an quick message to anyone selling notes etc, I have absolutely no money for extra materials! I am completely broke so unless you're feeling charitable and want to pass along a freebie as your good deed for the year (man would I be grateful), I'm afraid I can't help you with offloading your notes!

Thanks to all the very good offers I've received though.

They're like a scourge
Pm me and I'll hook you up with most books in PDF format and some sample questions and papers

lizlemon16

Hi,

I'm also going to prepare for the GAMSAT 2016. Similar to some of you guys I have never done chemistry or physics before and I have just completed an Arts degree so I've been out of the game for a while. If anyone has any tips or wants to stay in touch throughout the year that would be great.

I found some good links that give an outline of the basic material that you need to know on maths, biology, chemistry and physics if anyone wants them. I'm hoping my Arts degree in English and History will help in the first Section of the test.

Again if anyone has any notes/tips I would be forever grateful!

joocyfroot

Hi guys,

Ditto studying for GAMSAT in March, though I've just booked the UK one in September as a practice run (though I guess in the back of my mind I'm hoping it'll be enough!).

Managed to get my hands on the GradMed notes for Biology, Chemistry (gen and org) and Physics. They're very good, concise and well explained. If you can find the for sale online I'd recommend getting them. Supplementing the GradMed learning with Khan Academy, which I think is an excellent resource for getting your head around some of the more challenging concepts.

I've heard that the Goldstandard book is basically just the MCAT book with a different cover. Can anyone attest to how useful it is? Got the Examkrackers 101 Passages in MCAT to tackle verbal reasoning. I'm not sure how it compares to GAMSAT verbal reasoning though.

My biggest concern is Section 2. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions on how to prepare for this?

gaffer93

This is my advice from another post. Hope it helps!

" No experience with Medprep or Des O'Neill but the Gold standard was good on some accounts. It gives a great general outline on all of the sciences and the online account MCAT style questions are effective in testing your general knowledge on them. However, I would also use Khan academy for a more in depth (and far better explained) knowledge on chem, biology, organic chem and physics. The Gold standard also gives a good guide on what you need to memorize for the exam and what you only need to understand so that you can answer a problem-based question on it.

For the sciences I would also make sure you get as much sample questions/tests as you can because although the background knowledge is important it is far more vital that you get used to the style and pattern of questions in all of the four sciences. Ozimed and the gold standard have some practice exams but the most realistic and effective exams are the ACER ones (green and purple booklet). Do every test you have under strict timed conditions and learn from your mistakes. For any mistake or pitfall that you make I would also keep a copybook/journal of where you went wrong and try and fix this for the next test. The Goldstandard online a/c has youtube tutorials on both ACER practice tests and how they approach the questions. I cannot overstate how important this was to me getting a decent mark in section 3 because you pick up so many helpful tips and tricks from it.

SIDENOTE: There are twice as many chemistry and biology questions compared to physics so keep this in mind when studying. However, getting a physics question right may carry more weight as few will get it right.

For section 1 I would acquire MCAT exam krackers 101 which has similar style questions to gamsat sect 1. Although it's not quite the same you pick up the basic strategies towards answering multiple choice text/figure comprehension questions. ACER and other practice tests are also vital for this so get your hands on as much practice questions and perform these under timed conditions as much as possible. Note down your mistakes and try and correct these for future tests. You will hear some people saying to read "broadly" but that is honestly bull****. You do need to get acquainted with the different type of texts that will come up so I would advise to read a SLIGHT bit of poetry, drama, shorts stories, humanitarian journals, economic articles and articles with figures and graphs. When reading these try to think critically about them and think of the typical gamsat questions that could apply for them (you should also make a list of typical questions so that you're familiar with them).

Finally for section 2 I would get into the habit of answering part A and B essays on daily basis (or every second day depending on your commitments). Again strict timing of half an hour per essay. Get someone who is from an arts background or who is good at writing essays themselves to overlook your essays to assess the quality of them. The GOLD STANDARD recently showed on their online a/c what a poor, average and excellent essay looks like and roughly how long they have to be ( 2 and 1/2 A4 pages for me) so this is an excellent resource to base a blueprint essay on for the exam. Through a lot of googling and looking at the resources that I purchased (also in the gold standard) I made a list of all likely topics to come up. I practised essays on these and developed my own arguments on them. AC Grayling's book "the meaning of things" provides interesting insights into many of these topics if you are poor at developing your own ideas (ie I used this a lot!). Although section B is meant to be more "reflective" than section A, I found that an argumentative style of writing worked for both. Using real life examples adds power to your essay so I would encourage you to stay in touch with the news every day and to read opinion pieces in good newspapers (again do this but don't get bogged down in it). Make sure you learn a good quote for each "topic" as all correctors LOVE these and making up a catchy title will also work in your favour. Again, note your mistakes as you go along.

PS try not to get bogged down in any question for section 1 and 3 if you're stuck. Make an educated guess and move along. If you're running short on time look for questions (particularly in section 3) that have 4/5 questions attached if that makes sense. You kill a few birds with one stone rather than being stuck on a single question for ages. Finally, if you've five minutes left pick a letter (I picked C) and make sure you leave no blank questions. An obvious statement, but I had 15 questions unanswered in section 1 and 40 unanswered in section 3 with 5 mins to go and I somehow managed to get 59. So if you answer as much questions CORRECTLY as you can and then make sure all blanks are filled in you "should" be ok. Best of luck to everyone sitting it in September or next March! "

bellabee

sReq | uTeK wrote: »

They're like a scourge
Pm me and I'll hook you up with most books in PDF format and some sample questions and papers

Any chance I jump on this bandwagon and ask you to send me some? Can't PM as new user.

sReq | uTeK

bellabee wrote: »

Any chance I jump on this bandwagon and ask you to send me some? Can't PM as new user.

I wish I could but Dropbox was deleted

chriskraft36

Does anyone recommend any particular Mcat books? Looking to buy if anyone selling

steph0712

Hello,

I have just started a facebook group for prospective GEM students at UCD.

UCD Graduate Medicine Class of 2020

We are a few people from the class that is currently doing GEM1 here and you are more than welcome to join the group, ask questions, etc.!

Best of luck for your GAMSAT results!

EmmaD1

Hi all,

So GAMSAT results out this morning and I'm very disappointed to be honest. This exam can really make you feel like crap. This was my second and final attempt. I'm 35 (so very much on the older end of applicants I'd imagine!) and was hoping to get into UCD. I got a score of 55 in the UK GAMSAT last September and I was hoping for a 59 this time round but unfortunately only got a score of 57 :0( After months of study I only increased my science score by 1 point! I wasn't happy with the science section in March as I had put a lot of my time and energy into organic chemistry and there was very little of this in the paper. Still I thought with all the extra study and the hundreds of questions I had completed that I was still going to see a big improvement in the science section. Now its looking doubtful I'll get UCD as the minimum to get into this last year was 58 points. I don't want Limerick or Cork as I'm settled in Dublin with my partner of 15 years with my own apartment. Going back to college at my age would be a big enough change, a move too I think would be too much.

Just wondering how people got on in general? Also if anyone knows if the percentile curve for Ireland this year is similar to last year and if the number of applicants is less/more/the same? Just trying to work out if there is any hope at all that the points this year might come down.

Rossmaan

Sorry to hear you are disappointed with your result. This is my second time sitting the exam and I actually went down by 2 points this time, but I'm hoping my score of 58 from last year is good enough for Dublin this year. Having looked at both percentile curves from last year and this year, it looks like results are down a small bit. 58 last year was around the 75th percentile, whereas this year it looks closer to the 70th percentile. My hope is the points will go down but it is impossible to know as many people taking the exam may have been from abroad, hence not applying through CAO, and people who sat the exam in September will also be applying.

EmmaD1

Yeah, its so hard to know. Did you think after you came out from the exam in March Rossman that you had done worse? Its such a hard exam to know how you've done in.

Rossmaan

I had a feeling my section 3 was better, turns out it wasn't. I really didn't know though, as the previous year I felt I did ok and yet was very surprised I did as well as 58. I'm lucky in that I do have the opportunity to go to UL/UCC if that was offered but ideally Dublin is number 1

coppinger

EmmaD1 wrote: »

Hi all,

So GAMSAT results out this morning and I'm very disappointed to be honest. This exam can really make you feel like crap. This was my second and final attempt. I'm 35 (so very much on the older end of applicants I'd imagine!) and was hoping to get into UCD. I got a score of 55 in the UK GAMSAT last September and I was hoping for a 59 this time round but unfortunately only got a score of 57 :0( After months of study I only increased my science score by 1 point! I wasn't happy with the science section in March as I had put a lot of my time and energy into organic chemistry and there was very little of this in the paper. Still I thought with all the extra study and the hundreds of questions I had completed that I was still going to see a big improvement in the science section. Now its looking doubtful I'll get UCD as the minimum to get into this last year was 58 points. I don't want Limerick or Cork as I'm settled in Dublin with my partner of 15 years with my own apartment. Going back to college at my age would be a big enough change, a move too I think would be too much.

Just wondering how people got on in general? Also if anyone knows if the percentile curve for Ireland this year is similar to last year and if the number of applicants is less/more/the same? Just trying to work out if there is any hope at all that the points this year might come down.

Keep going and do it again if you have to, I got a 62 this year, I'm 39 years old , I'll be 40 if I start medicine in September, age brings fearlessness (or maybe it's recklessness!!!!!!)

DCap3

Hi,

I got 59 on the GAMSAT.

Does anybody know if there is an interview for Limerick or do you get straight in with a good enough score? I think I read somewhere that there wasn't an interview...:ermm:

Rossmaan

Once you're applying through CAO there is no interview as far as I am aware. 59 is a great result! Well done

pfannkuchen

Hi all,

Just wondered how people fared on Section III this year? I come from a science background and was very disappointed to score an abysmal 49. Thankfully, my other two sections went better, despite no exposure to anything remotely related to English in over 5 years!

Hoping for RCSI with my score of 58, but will happily go wherever will take me! Congrats to you all on surviving such a horrendous exam.

Rossmaan

I also come from a science background and was disappointed with my section 3 score this year. Last year I scored 61 in section 3 whereas this year I got 53. I actually came out of the exam thinking I did well in it. You must have done exceptionally very well in the other sections to come out with a 58! Well done

flombie

Just out of curiosity, what were the percentiles like this year? Anyone have the curve handy?

pfannkuchen

Thanks Rossmaan! I had heard people say that Section III was much tougher this year alright - it's helpful to know 49 probably wasn't way off the average. It's very disheartening for scores to vary so much

I don't have the curve handy flombie, but if I recall, 58 was just slightly more than the 70th percentile, 90th percentile was around 61-62.

Wellie12

pfannkuchen wrote: »

Thanks Rossmaan! I had heard people say that Section III was much tougher this year alright - it's helpful to know 49 probably wasn't way off the average. It's very disheartening for scores to vary so much

I don't have the curve handy flombie, but if I recall, 58 was just slightly more than the 70th percentile, 90th percentile was around 61-62.

Do you know what percentile 56 is please?

Cocoche11

Are we looking at increases or decreases for cut-offs the year? Anxiously sitting on 54 for UL!!

sReq | uTeK

Cocoche11 wrote: »

Are we looking at increases or decreases for cut-offs the year? Anxiously sitting on 54 for UL!!

Looking at the curve, Id say it could very well drop. 80th percentile is 61....

EmmaD1

Actually 80th percentile to me looks like a mark of 59 if I'm reading it right. What I'd like to see is the percentile curve from last year to do a comparison if anyone has it to post up?

Cocoche11

Hmm It was definitely a tough exam this year..They seem to have shaken up the science section I think..Crafty mofo's. Now to be fair this is coming from someone with no science background at all so I may be mistaken. It will be an anxious summer!!

P.s Emma I can't seem to find a legit 2015 curve.

EmmaD1

I'm in agreement about them shaking up the science section this year. Also not from a science background but having done the exam in September, as well as going by every recommendation here and anywhere else I read, the science section from previous years was heavily weighted towards chemistry, in particular organic chemistry. Until this March that is! Typical, as that was what I had focused on! Its going to be a horribly long wait (why does it take them so long to come out with the offers?!). I'd feel confident Cocoche that the points won't go up and that you'll be safe to get into UL with a 54. Not so confident the points will come down though, which is what I need to happen :0(

Mccloskc

Do you guys think that a 59 will be safe for Dublin. I've also heard from an inside source that rcsi are making their classes bigger so this might help lower the scores. I sat gamsat 5 times are scored 53 three times in a row. It's a very peculiar exam and suits some than others. I knew medicine is all I wanted to do. For those who want it just keep sitting. The questions repeat themselves. As an exercise after each exam write down all the questions you can remember . This was key to my score. Even if it did take this long. If I can do it anyone can. And I mean that. Hard grit and determination is key.

Cocoche11

Yup I agree Emma. Spent literally hundreds of hours with organic chemistry and then they pretty much remove it from the exam. I can see them giggling at us in their gamsat lair. I rang UL today to get an idea of demand, but they had no info at all, or else they do, and stood up valiantly to my mild interrogation. @ Mccloskc that is fantastic. I like stories like that. Well done. I can't see both the Dublin Uni's increasing this year so I would imagine that you can confidently call yourself a med student. nice one !!

lawlesp4

Hey Guys trying to post the previous years curve but I can't attach images if I have less than 25 posts im on 23 so excuse the random unnecessary posts that follow haha

lawlesp4

andddd 25 haha

lawlesp4

Hey Hopefully this helps! It seems to be very similar to this years curve

hobes

Cheers lawlesp4,

I'm on 55 not coming from a science background so it looks like that's 55% for both 2015, and 2016.

I'm looking to get Cork so I think I might have missed it by a point if it stays the same!

Galwaygirl2016

Hi
This has been my 3rd time sitting the Gamsat and I achieved a score of 57 in the exam . I'm thinking my first choice would be Limerick. Do ye think I would be safe enough getting in with this score? I'm just worried points will rise since the demand for UL has risen this year. Last year I got 53 but points went up

Mccloskc

Galwaygirl2016 wrote: »

Hi
This has been my 3rd time sitting the Gamsat and I achieved a score of 57 in the exam . I'm thinking my first choice would be Limerick. Do ye think I would be safe enough getting in with this score? I'm just worried points will rise since the demand for UL has risen this year. Last year I got 53 but points went up

Ye I'd be very confident. Looking at the trends over the years the unis only move up and down by one point except one year when rcsi moved from 56-58.

EmmaD1

The percentile curves look almost identical which is disappointing as no indication from that then that the points will go down. All depends now on how many applied this year compared to last year. RCSI increasing the number they take in (assuming we're talking about more EU applicants here rather than non-EU) if true would help. Either way no real way of knowing until the offers come out. If I had the same or a higher score than last years cut-off's, I'd be feeling pretty confident you'll get your choice. For the likes of hobes and myself who need the points to go down, we just need to hope and pray the number of applicants that applied this year is less than last year and the points go back to 2014 levels (which I guess is also based on the assumption that the percentile curve in 2014 is similar to this year and last!).

Freya01

Hi,

Do you think the points for UCC will drop? and does anyone know of people who have gotten into UCC on less than 55?

Corn2107

UCC looks like it has been 56 for the last number of years. I'd be doubtful if it would drop below 55

I am hoping to get into UL with 54 - I really hope it drops to 53. Because even with a 54 you are not guaranteed to get in.

I find it hard to guess looking at the curve - does anyone think there is a chance of it dropping to 53 for 2016 entry?

Freya01

Did the results for the Gamsat increase compared to last year?

lawlesp4

Hey, I've done the exam in 2014 too so I'm still able to view the curve if anyone is interested in comparing the years!

greenflavour

I am also sitting on 54 with the hopes of getting into UL this year. I am hoping that BOI's prospective granting of loans to UK applicants is not going to destroy my chances of getting in.

steph0712

I know I'm repeating myself.
But this helped me last year a good bit...

So if you have any questions about UCD you can message me or feel free to join the Facebook group

UCD Graduate Medicine Class of 2020

we'll be happy to answer your questions

ChromosomeT

steph0712 wrote: »

I know I'm repeating myself.
But this helped me last year a good bit...

So if you have any questions about UCD you can message me or feel free to join the Facebook group

UCD Graduate Medicine Class of 2020

we'll be happy to answer your questions

hey just wondering what tips you personally found good to work with in preparing for the GAMSAT. I'm hoping to do it in September in the UK. I've seen Des O Neill's name crop up a fair bit, have you had any experience with his notes or in fact, how to obtain them? any advice would be greatly appreciated!

lahtac1

Galwaygirl2016 wrote: »

Hi
This has been my 3rd time sitting the Gamsat and I achieved a score of 57 in the exam . I'm thinking my first choice would be Limerick. Do ye think I would be safe enough getting in with this score? I'm just worried points will rise since the demand for UL has risen this year. Last year I got 53 but points went up

Actually created an account just to sell something and came across this randomly. Was actually on here for something completely different and saw your post so I said I might as well reply to alleviate your fear. I'm in third in UL GEMS. I obviously have no authority to tell you you're going to get in with that score but it one hundred percent got people in last year.

All the best and good luck.

steph0712

Hey, I only saw your message now.

I personally came from a science background. But didn't have that much useful science for GAMSAT or the course at all. Had mainly leaving cert Chemistry.
The only thing I used to study were the ACER exam questions you can get online. These helped me to figure ouch which questions are easy and do them first. They sometimes give you the answer or at least narrow it down to a 50:50 chance.
Loads of people used the GOLD standard and found it helpful.
However I don't have any experience with those materials.

markitzero

Hi Lahtac,

I'm having my annual panic about applying for medicine. I have put Limerick down as first choice. I have savings but I'll need to work part time but would be looking to make the bulk of my living expenses over the summer. How many weeks off do you get in second and third year in Limerick? I understand it is a June and July and some of August in first year but I can't make sense of the academic calendar for the subsequent years, can you shed any light?!

lahtac1

markitzero wrote: »

Hi Lahtac,

I'm having my annual panic about applying for medicine. I have put Limerick down as first choice. I have savings but I'll need to work part time but would be looking to make the bulk of my living expenses over the summer. How many weeks off do you get in second and third year in Limerick? I understand it is a June and July and some of August in first year but I can't make sense of the academic calendar for the subsequent years, can you shed any light?!

Yeah, no worries. That's correct about first and second year. In third and fourth year you start of the 14th of August in placement.

There's time set aside for electives and whatnot but just ignore that. You start on the 14th.