GAMSAT 2018

debbysoap · 27-08-2018 11:42am

alaskaalaska wrote: »

If anyone hears today of any offers on the waiting lists of any of the 4 Colleges would they please post any information they have . One would expect phone calls today from all the Colleges if places have freed up since the deadline for acceptances expired at 5.15 PM last friday . Thanks .

Round 2 is from 10am, this Wednesday, 29th. Good luck.

Ref: https://www.cao.ie/?page=timetableevents&bb=importantdates

Fluffy6654 · 27-08-2018 5:21pm

There have been calls today

Fluffy6654 · 29-08-2018 6:27pm

There was no change today in the cutoff GAMSAT scores from the previous Round offers made on the 22nd August with each of the 4 Colleges still on randomised selection. This so unfair on those who are on 55* and have not got a UL offer . They have not got places by sheer chance and by pure bad luck in a numerical lottery . I believe that at least 8 out of every 10 who scored 55 have got offers through CAO the latest batch getting formal offers this morning . There has to be a fairer way .

Celestial12 · 29-08-2018 8:14pm

Sorry to hear that you didn't get an offer, but what other way would you propose they do it? Random allocation seems like a fair method to me when they don't have enough places for everyone. I know some people have suggested using degree scores as a tie-breaker, but that's not necessarily fair either because you're not comparing like with like.

They may make more offers in the coming weeks.

Urethra Franklin. · 29-08-2018 9:57pm

So I wasnt sure where I could put this but I'm looking or a little GAMSAT help for the September sitting (its 2 weeks away not much I can do now but still 2 weeks

)

I am 100% not expecting to get a score even close to allow me into medicine. I knew when I signed up there wasn't a chance. However I am just using this as a bit o a dry run for March, I did a science course at college and I have been trying to study chemistry for several weeks now and tbh Ive retained none of it, infact I'm probably only approximately a quarter way through the chemistry course

does anyone have any quick fire ways to study up on science fast (as I said I am not expecting to do well in any regards but I'd like to be atleast to make a good few stabs at the questions...pretty sure I am going to come out with the worst GAMSAT score in history at this stage :P )

Also, bit of a stupid question and I know that the answer is almost definitely no, but can you quote unknown individuals in section 2. I know the aim is to use the quotes presented and to structure your essay around at least one of those, however I was practising writing an essay today and I made my closing statement quoting something my friend once said (this was for the argumentative essay, so I guess theoretically it could perhaps work in a personal essay but I can hardly say" "to quote my dear friend Mary Smith" in an argumentative essay, I just said "to quote Mary Smith" (Mary Smith is not her real name btw). Is there anyway you could fiddle with the rules and get an unknown quotation into such an essay?

Fluffy6654 · 30-08-2018 9:11am

I did actually get an offer for which I thank my lucky stars but my concern is for those who got the same scores as persons offered places ( like me ) and who by pure chance and misfortune were allocated low randomised numbers . There are alternatives such as calculating a GAMSAT average score by a different multiplier such as multiplying the Section III score by 3 and not 2 as GAMSAT do and selecting on the basis of the higher of the 2 overall scores . In almost all cases that will result in a different average score for each candidate either higher or lower than the official GAMSAT average with the highest of the 2 scores being chosen . Nottingham University does this . You could have interviews running in tandem with this where people's scores still remain tied . For 2018 entry the last eligible GAMSAT scores issued in May 2018 . There is no reason that CAO has to administer GEM applications and issue results in August . Alternative calculations of average scores and interviews could be run from May onward . Cao is administratively convenient for the Medical Schools but it would not cost a lot relative to the fees charged for GEM for the Medical Schools to set up their own mini CAO computer programme that would start awarding places at the end of May . Graduate Veterinary Medicine ( GVM ) and GEM are the only 2 graduate courses I think which operate through CAO . Our selection system is lazy and in international terms is one of the few systems which rely solely on GAMSAT after basic eligibility has been established . That tells its own story . GVM offers were made by UCD by letter shortly after the May GAMSAT results came out and those who did not get places were told that they were on a waiting list and were also told the position they they occupied on that list

Celestial12 · 30-08-2018 1:42pm

Congrats on the offer Alaska.

Urethra Franklin. wrote: »

So I wasnt sure where I could put this but I'm looking or a little GAMSAT help for the September sitting (its 2 weeks away not much I can do now but still 2 weeks )

I am 100% not expecting to get a score even close to allow me into medicine. I knew when I signed up there wasn't a chance. However I am just using this as a bit o a dry run for March, I did a science course at college and I have been trying to study chemistry for several weeks now and tbh Ive retained none of it, infact I'm probably only approximately a quarter way through the chemistry course does anyone have any quick fire ways to study up on science fast (as I said I am not expecting to do well in any regards but I'd like to be atleast to make a good few stabs at the questions...pretty sure I am going to come out with the worst GAMSAT score in history at this stage :P )

Also, bit of a stupid question and I know that the answer is almost definitely no, but can you quote unknown individuals in section 2. I know the aim is to use the quotes presented and to structure your essay around at least one of those, however I was practising writing an essay today and I made my closing statement quoting something my friend once said (this was for the argumentative essay, so I guess theoretically it could perhaps work in a personal essay but I can hardly say" "to quote my dear friend Mary Smith" in an argumentative essay, I just said "to quote Mary Smith" (Mary Smith is not her real name btw). Is there anyway you could fiddle with the rules and get an unknown quotation into such an essay?

That mindset might help you for the exam (no pressure) - and you may end up doing better than you expect. I sat last September as a practice run, but I did well enough not to have to sit the exam again. At this point I think you should spend your time practicing questions rather than going over concepts. Some question sets have solutions that will help you understand which answer is the correct one. Do you have practice tests?

If the quote fits into the essay then you can definitely include it. I didn't do it personally, but I know some people learned off a number of different quotes that they felt would benefit their essays. Best of luck with the exam!

free_falling · 30-08-2018 3:25pm

Urethra Franklin. wrote: »

So I wasnt sure where I could put this but I'm looking or a little GAMSAT help for the September sitting (its 2 weeks away not much I can do now but still 2 weeks )

I am 100% not expecting to get a score even close to allow me into medicine. I knew when I signed up there wasn't a chance. However I am just using this as a bit o a dry run for March, I did a science course at college and I have been trying to study chemistry for several weeks now and tbh Ive retained none of it, infact I'm probably only approximately a quarter way through the chemistry course does anyone have any quick fire ways to study up on science fast (as I said I am not expecting to do well in any regards but I'd like to be atleast to make a good few stabs at the questions...pretty sure I am going to come out with the worst GAMSAT score in history at this stage :P )

Also, bit of a stupid question and I know that the answer is almost definitely no, but can you quote unknown individuals in section 2. I know the aim is to use the quotes presented and to structure your essay around at least one of those, however I was practising writing an essay today and I made my closing statement quoting something my friend once said (this was for the argumentative essay, so I guess theoretically it could perhaps work in a personal essay but I can hardly say" "to quote my dear friend Mary Smith" in an argumentative essay, I just said "to quote Mary Smith" (Mary Smith is not her real name btw). Is there anyway you could fiddle with the rules and get an unknown quotation into such an essay?

Hi. I sat the GAMSAT twice - once in September like you as a practice run, and again in March to try to improve my score! Before I say anything, I will just say - don't write this exam off! I felt very unprepared for the September sitting, more prepared for the March sitting, but I did better in September and got offered a place in UCD with that score! Just for context, the score I got in March wasn't even enough to get offered a place anywhere this year! Looking back, it was probably because I went into the September sitting a lot more relaxed with a f*#%itall kind of attitude, knowing I would probably do terrible, and knowing I could sit it again. The March sitting didn't have that element, it was an all or nothing exam and I was stressed, put a lot of pressure on myself and it didn't pay off! So don't put yourself down before you even step in to the exam hall - you have the privilege of this being your first time walking unsuspectingly into this exam (before it breaks your heart haha), and you have the option to sit it again... so take advantage of that position, be positive and just try your best!

Just to note, everyone studies for the GAMSAT differently, there is no "right or wrong" way and only you know what works best for you, but at this time I would recommend for you to stop studying! With 2 weeks to go until the exam, my personal advice to you would just be to practice! Practice as many GAMSAT style questions as you possibly can for Section 1 and Section 3. Familiarize yourself with the exam and time yourself! From sitting the exam, I know Section 3 is hard! Not just the questions, but also getting your timing right and holding concentration for 3 hours! But it's designed to be that way, and it's physically and mentally draining. That is why I think the best thing you can do right now is to just prepare yourself for it! You have a science background so just trust what you have already, and use the logic, reasoning and problem solving skills you gained during your degree for this section. I have a chemistry degree (I studied biology, chemistry, physics and maths) and I can honestly tell you that with the exception of some physics questions, it didn't help much for any of the questions. Even the chemistry! Because so many of the questions (especially in the March sitting) didn't require a science background, but rather strong logic and reasoning skills! This section largely requires you to pick the correct answer from the information given in the question. So I would strongly advise you to familiarize yourself with the style of questions asked and attempt as many as you can! And then analyze and figure out why the answer is what it is. The more questions you attempt, the more familiar you will become with the type of questions asked, and the more prepared you will be to answer them correctly on the day!

For Section 2, I would have read a lot of opinion pieces and watched a lot of TED talks on various topics in the weeks coming up to the exam. I learned a lot about things I never knew or even thought about before. And most importantly, I started forming my own ideas and opinions on such topics. This made writing essays so much easier, because it felt like a natural and meaningful response rather than something that was forced or rote learned. I also read essays by other GAMSAT students in response to various quotes, which also helped me to get an idea of the level and style of essay that was expected. I created a word document with 100s of quotes, where I planned rather than wrote essays. I planned what I would write and practiced writing some essays under time... but for the most part, I saved writing for the day, and it saved a lot of time! I wouldn't worry so much about the ins and outs of your essay, and what you can and cannot include. There is no guidelines to that effect, there is no "rules" and it seems highly subjective and highly unpredictable. I wrote the same both times, but scored significantly differently both times! And everyone writes differently, and in different styles so as long as you write in the correct style and write a structured essay, I would say the rest is completely up to you. To directly answer your question, I included quotes in my essays distinct from those given. For the argumentative essay (on democracy), I included a quote from Churchill because it mirrored one of the given quotes and I felt it strengthened the argument. And for the personal essay, I told anecdotes and quoted my father and grandfather because they were words that meant a lot to me, I was writing what about something I knew, and it just fit. So if a quote from a figure or a friend strengthens your essay, why not use it! But my main advice would just be to focus on writing something that is strong, meaningful, and something you can stand behind - follow a style, have a structure, and the rest will speak for itself

I know it's hard but do try to be positive, don't self sabotage and try to believe in yourself! Don't give up hope just yet, nothing good ever comes out of worrying. If you don't do well in September, you have March! And my advice to you if you have to sit the GAMSAT again would be to build a positive relationship with this exam, enjoy studying for it and see it as an opportunity to study Medicine, not an obstacle. I hope this helped you, and good luck!

brendanwalsh · 31-08-2018 5:15pm

Fluffy6654 wrote: »

I did actually get an offer for which I thank my lucky stars but my concern is for those who got the same scores as persons offered places ( like me ) and who by pure chance and misfortune were allocated low randomised numbers . There are alternatives such as calculating a GAMSAT average score by a different multiplier such as multiplying the Section III score by 3 and not 2 as GAMSAT do and selecting on the basis of the higher of the 2 overall scores . In almost all cases that will result in a different average score for each candidate either higher or lower than the official GAMSAT average with the highest of the 2 scores being chosen . Nottingham University does this . You could have interviews running in tandem with this where people's scores still remain tied . For 2018 entry the last eligible GAMSAT scores issued in May 2018 . There is no reason that CAO has to administer GEM applications and issue results in August . Alternative calculations of average scores and interviews could be run from May onward . Cao is administratively convenient for the Medical Schools but it would not cost a lot relative to the fees charged for GEM for the Medical Schools to set up their own mini CAO computer programme that would start awarding places at the end of May . Graduate Veterinary Medicine ( GVM ) and GEM are the only 2 graduate courses I think which operate through CAO . Our selection system is lazy and in international terms is one of the few systems which rely solely on GAMSAT after basic eligibility has been established . That tells its own story . GVM offers were made by UCD by letter shortly after the May GAMSAT results came out and those who did not get places were told that they were on a waiting list and were also told the position they they occupied on that list

Nonsense. You want to overhaul the whole system for a few people who didn't score well enough on the test to get automatic entry? Why not multiply the first section by 3 and you'll get a different overall score that way too. GAMSAT and gems have been operating via this route for 11 years and it's worked just fine so far. Those who got bad gamsat scores and are hoping to scrape into a medicine score by the skin of their teeth would be best off going back and studying harder for the next Crop of exams, as that sort of approach of scraping by won't serve anyone well.

I'd suggest people also consider applying for the GEMS north west programme. Another option that's cheaper and may give you a better chance of getting in.

westawake35 · 05-09-2018 1:19pm

Fluffy6654 wrote: »

I did actually get an offer for which I thank my lucky stars but my concern is for those who got the same scores as persons offered places ( like me ) and who by pure chance and misfortune were allocated low randomised numbers . There are alternatives such as calculating a GAMSAT average score by a different multiplier such as multiplying the Section III score by 3 and not 2 as GAMSAT do and selecting on the basis of the higher of the 2 overall scores . In almost all cases that will result in a different average score for each candidate either higher or lower than the official GAMSAT average with the highest of the 2 scores being chosen . Nottingham University does this . You could have interviews running in tandem with this where people's scores still remain tied . For 2018 entry the last eligible GAMSAT scores issued in May 2018 . There is no reason that CAO has to administer GEM applications and issue results in August . Alternative calculations of average scores and interviews could be run from May onward . Cao is administratively convenient for the Medical Schools but it would not cost a lot relative to the fees charged for GEM for the Medical Schools to set up their own mini CAO computer programme that would start awarding places at the end of May . Graduate Veterinary Medicine ( GVM ) and GEM are the only 2 graduate courses I think which operate through CAO . Our selection system is lazy and in international terms is one of the few systems which rely solely on GAMSAT after basic eligibility has been established . That tells its own story . GVM offers were made by UCD by letter shortly after the May GAMSAT results came out and those who did not get places were told that they were on a waiting list and were also told the position they they occupied on that list

I have to say I totally agree with Fluffy6654. Last year when I first applied I was on 58 and got two poor draws on the waiting list for both Dublin schools where my life was based. I missed out on a place while a friend of mine (also on 58) got offered rcsi last minute but didn't take it. We both postponed and reapplied this year. I sat the gamsat again just to see if I could improve my score but alas it wasn't to be. Once again with 58 I got a poor draw and have missed ucd by a few a places and rcsi by more so, whereas my friend was again offered ucd in the second round. I'm of course happy for him but the system is a bit unfair I think because it simply doesn't evaluate people's situations in terms of where they are placed on the waiting list. Things like age, family situations, financial standing, interview shoould all be included. I'm trying to figure out now how I will logistically make Limerick work but I'm grateful to have a place in the first instance.

westawake35 · 05-09-2018 1:24pm

brendanwalsh wrote: »

Nonsense. You want to overhaul the whole system for a few people who didn't score well enough on the test to get automatic entry? Why not multiply the first section by 3 and you'll get a different overall score that way too. GAMSAT and gems have been operating via this route for 11 years and it's worked just fine so far. Those who got bad gamsat scores and are hoping to scrape into a medicine score by the skin of their teeth would be best off going back and studying harder for the next Crop of exams, as that sort of approach of scraping by won't serve anyone well.

I'd suggest people also consider applying for the GEMS north west programme. Another option that's cheaper and may give you a better chance of getting in.

It's well known that you can study harder and not score as well as you did previously in the gamsat. I know someone who sat the exam 6times and when they finally "scraped" in they were never out of the top 15% of the class. The gamsat is not a good reflection of who will be a good candidate for a career in medicine.

Pierre_Robin · 09-09-2018 4:16pm

westawake35 wrote: »

The gamsat is not a good reflection of who will be a good candidate for a career in medicine.

True. But it is an excellent predictor of who will get into medical school.

The point Brendan is making, and you see people make similar complaints about the memberships as well, is that the GAMSAT is all you have. Whether you agree or not with its merits as an entrance exam for medicine is irrelevant. Study, get a good grade, and move on.

You'll only depress yourself giving out about how it SHOULD be done. If you thought the GAMSAT was bad, wait until the MRCPI!

ilovesmecounty · 09-09-2018 8:13pm

I started in college a few days ago, and guess what, Gamsat is a good indicator. Loads of the material covered for the exam are a great starting point for what we are learning. Without that basis, I would've already been floundering. You also need to be quick at decision making and writing, which I think also covers section1 and 2 well. I'd rarely agree with Brendan here, but he's right on this one. Save your energy and put it toward your next sitting. Doing it twice is horrible, I get that. It's not perfect either. I get that too. But it is a help, it's objective and it's all we have as a system.

santino · 18-09-2018 11:03pm

Hi All,

I sat GAMSAT again last week in UCD. It's been quiet enough here so I said I'll give my 2 cents. I did very little study for this one compared to last March as I'm hoping to give it my all for next March again assuming it doesn't go well.

I thought S1 was very reading heavy again but was a slight improvement on the last sitting. I didn't get to the end, as is par for the course for me. The cartoons are getting quite difficult now, at least 2/3 answers could have easily fit so I just went with the one I thought was most appropriate. Not sure what the rest of you thought.

Section 2 topics were very left-field, superstitions/conspiracy theories and Freedom. I was able to write on both, just about.

Section 3, I hadn't even looked at a book for this sitting. However, from a quick glance at other sites (Australian), people are unhappy. I think the questions are def going away from pure theory to more reason based questions, with lots of graphs. I like these types of questions normally but time is the killer here. I have no idea how this section went so just have to wait for the results, in mid November I assume.

I am thinking of doing either grinds or the GAMSAT (science) course in Dublin in January. The cost/travel is an issue for me but I would try anything at this stage. However, as mentioned, if the science is going more towards understanding questions rather than taking in knowledge with you as such, I'd be interested in people's opinions as to the value of these courses. Friends of mine (now doctors) have done them in the past and experiences are mixed.

Final thing, did anyone have an issue with the noise at the venue? The kids in the school next door put me off a bit during the essays and there were some banging/works during S3 that was annoying but presume we were just unlucky on the day.

PS If anyone thinks a new thread is warranted feel free.

Thanks.

ChromosomeT · 19-09-2018 9:40pm

santino wrote: »

Hi All,

I sat GAMSAT again last week in UCD. It's been quiet enough here so I said I'll give my 2 cents. I did very little study for this one compared to last March as I'm hoping to give it my all for next March again assuming it doesn't go well.

I thought S1 was very reading heavy again but was a slight improvement on the last sitting. I didn't get to the end, as is par for the course for me. The cartoons are getting quite difficult now, at least 2/3 answers could have easily fit so I just went with the one I thought was most appropriate. Not sure what the rest of you thought.

Section 2 topics were very left-field, superstitions/conspiracy theories and Freedom. I was able to write on both, just about.

Section 3, I hadn't even looked at a book for this sitting. However, from a quick glance at other sites (Australian), people are unhappy. I think the questions are def going away from pure theory to more reason based questions, with lots of graphs. I like these types of questions normally but time is the killer here. I have no idea how this section went so just have to wait for the results, in mid November I assume.

I am thinking of doing either grinds or the GAMSAT (science) course in Dublin in January. The cost/travel is an issue for me but I would try anything at this stage. However, as mentioned, if the science is going more towards understanding questions rather than taking in knowledge with you as such, I'd be interested in people's opinions as to the value of these courses. Friends of mine (now doctors) have done them in the past and experiences are mixed.

Final thing, did anyone have an issue with the noise at the venue? The kids in the school next door put me off a bit during the essays and there were some banging/works during S3 that was annoying but presume we were just unlucky on the day.

PS If anyone thinks a new thread is warranted feel free.

Thanks.

Similar scenario here! Sat the Gamsat again while sitting on a score of 53 from last September. I felt as though section 1 was in line with other sittings. I didn’t get every question answered in time, I’d to guess 5-8 I think. Section 2 themes were ok. I felt as though I could write on fairly general topics like climate change and gun control etc but bring in conspiracy theories to it fairly ok. The noise of the school was definitely off putting when trying to really concentrate! Section 3 was fairly horrible. I always seem to get thrown with all them damn fish questions and the lack of human bio even though. Having a science degree didn’t feel like it helped much here at all! Normally I’d be good at organic chemistry too but this was definitely a lot more abstract than usual! I’m not sure how the results will go no but it’s always just a waiting game and a gamble hoping you pick the right answer in fluke!

I have some of the grind materials but I’m not sure how useful it is. It seems quiet fact based and ties in with the notes. Probably best suited for the earlier Gamsats but I’m not sure who good it would be for the more abstract questions that seem to be in section 3 now. Maybe they’ll revamp their material? Maybe sitting the course is also better?

Urethra Franklin. · 20-09-2018 4:40am

santino wrote: »

Hi All,

I sat GAMSAT again last week in UCD. It's been quiet enough here so I said I'll give my 2 cents. I did very little study for this one compared to last March as I'm hoping to give it my all for next March again assuming it doesn't go well.

I thought S1 was very reading heavy again but was a slight improvement on the last sitting. I didn't get to the end, as is par for the course for me. The cartoons are getting quite difficult now, at least 2/3 answers could have easily fit so I just went with the one I thought was most appropriate. Not sure what the rest of you thought.

Section 2 topics were very left-field, superstitions/conspiracy theories and Freedom. I was able to write on both, just about.

Section 3, I hadn't even looked at a book for this sitting. However, from a quick glance at other sites (Australian), people are unhappy. I think the questions are def going away from pure theory to more reason based questions, with lots of graphs. I like these types of questions normally but time is the killer here. I have no idea how this section went so just have to wait for the results, in mid November I assume.

I am thinking of doing either grinds or the GAMSAT (science) course in Dublin in January. The cost/travel is an issue for me but I would try anything at this stage. However, as mentioned, if the science is going more towards understanding questions rather than taking in knowledge with you as such, I'd be interested in people's opinions as to the value of these courses. Friends of mine (now doctors) have done them in the past and experiences are mixed.

Final thing, did anyone have an issue with the noise at the venue? The kids in the school next door put me off a bit during the essays and there were some banging/works during S3 that was annoying but presume we were just unlucky on the day.

PS If anyone thinks a new thread is warranted feel free.

Thanks.

This was my first time sitting the exam.
Section 1 I didnt think was too bad. I did rush the last passage but timewise it was ok. I had done a few practice ones where my score was ok I guess (I have no idea what the average score is in section 1) and I felt this probably went about the same, maybe a slightly lower score than usual cause whenever I practiced section 1 I always gave myself the full time to write, no reading time, so it meant I had 10 minutes to go over some of my answers, whereas in the real thing, I spent the last 10 minutes trying to finish off the questions.

The essays, I thought were weird. I just felt that section A lent itself more to a personal essay and question B more so to an argumentative style essay even tho I thought it was normally the other way around (then again I did barely any prep or study for the GAMSAT so maybe it is the other way around sometimes). My question A was definitely far better than my B, I just found it difficult to find a personal angle, I kept finding myself drawing back to an argumentative style essay.

And then, the dreaded section 3. Disaster. I did 0 study for physics, 0. And personally they were the ones I felt most comfortable with. At lest they could be reasoned with logically in a timely matter. The Biology ones I thought took up waaaaaaaay too much time reading and reasoning. The practice ones I did I could complete within the allotted time per question, the ones on this exam, I dont know if maybe it was that I was subconsciously brain fogged cause of the pressure or something, but for me just couldnt be one in time like the ones I had practiced (which were acer questions btw), but they just seemed to take up so much time. And I have a biology based degree. I didnt study biology cause I knew most of it would be reasoning I just wasnt expecting it to take so long, so in the end for most of these questions I said F*** it and chose a random letter. And then chemistry...... This was the only thing I had studied for section 3, I hadnt gotten around to studying all the topics-in fact I got barely around to studying anything, and it definitely showed. All the chemistry topics I had studied, well I think a total of 2 questions came up. I hadnt studied anything about bonds or functional groups so i eeny meeny miny moed my way through these questions. Hadnt a bloody clue

I should be ashamed. I had studied the questions I had practiced in some of the practice books I had, but this was a bad tactic cause tbh the only way I would have done ok in this would have been if the questions were eerily similar to the practice ones I had done.

I actually just dont know how to study for section 3, more specifically chemistry. I took in accumulation 2 weeks off of work to study chemistry and it did not pay off at all. I was just as clueless as if I hadnt taken that time off. So I ask you now fellow GAMSATers, how do you study for section 3. Section 1 and 2 just seems to be reading and practice but section 3...I just dont know how. The girl beside me had section 3 done with about 40 minutes left to spare. She was even joking and laughing with invigilators (quietly) during the remaining time, I really wanted to ask her how she managed to do it so quick, what had she done to get on so well, but as soon as we were free to leave she was out of there like a bullet. I meanwhile ended up putting down B for half of my questions in the last 10 minutes cause thats how little of the exam I had actually gotten done by the time we got the 10 minute warning. I took this September sitting as a complete dry run, i put no pressure on myself to do well (bar taking time off of work

)

So legit anyone any recommendations for someone with 0 clue when it comes to science, cause thats what I took away from this experience, that the college I attended should take back my degree cause I hadnt a frigging clue for section 3 :P (But seriously tho, any recommendations?)

Kagana · 09-11-2018 5:51pm

Hello, all.

I wasn't sure if this was the right place to post my question, as there are so many threads on the topic of GAMSAT.
Anyway, I sat GAMSAT for the first time in September and got 65 as my overall score. As I don't have a scientific educational background, I had expected that I may have to sit the exam again in March, especially as I hadn't done so much preparation for the September sitting.
Now, on the basis of the 2018, 2017, etc. cut-off scores, I think my existing score should be enough to get me in to any of the schools in September of 2019, and that I may not need to resit GAMSAT in March, after all. This is assuming that the scores do not jump by more than 5 points, and such a jump seems to be dramatic, when compared with previous trends.
What do you all think? I would be grateful for your thoughts.

indiep · 09-11-2018 7:12pm

Scores wont jump by that much, you're good.

Kagana · 09-11-2018 8:48pm

indiep wrote: »

Scores wont jump by that much, you're good.

Thanks.

indiep · 10-11-2018 2:25am

No worries Congrats on a great score!

I also came from a non science background, if you have time to spare and want to ease the transition into the course it will be helpful if you try to get some sort of foundation in biology/anatomy this can be fairly intense/overwhelming at the start if you're starting from scratch (not unmanageable but worth getting ahead of if you can)

Kagana · 10-11-2018 2:11pm

indiep wrote: »

No worries Congrats on a great score!

I also came from a non science background, if you have time to spare and want to ease the transition into the course it will be helpful if you try to get some sort of foundation in biology/anatomy this can be fairly intense/overwhelming at the start if you're starting from scratch (not unmanageable but worth getting ahead of if you can)

Good idea. Thanks again!

diancecht · 10-11-2018 10:26pm

Hi guys!

First time sitting GAMSAT here, got a score of 63 [59/70/61]. They also said it was 85 percentile.

What are my chances of getting into UCD/RCSI? Is it pretty much certain if I have a 2h1 degree?

Moreover that, if I put Limerick as my fourth choice am I less likely to get accepted than someone who had it as their first with a lower score?

Thanks, hope everyone did well!

Urethra Franklin. · 10-11-2018 10:50pm

diancecht wrote: »

Hi guys!

First time sitting GAMSAT here, got a score of 63 [59/70/61]. They also said it was 85 percentile.

What are my chances of getting into UCD/RCSI? Is it pretty much certain if I have a 2h1 degree?

Moreover that, if I put Limerick as my fourth choice am I less likely to get accepted than someone who had it as their first with a lower score?

Thanks, hope everyone did well!

63 is brilliant. Congratulations! The points last year were 58 or 59 (I can't remember the exact amount) realistically its unlikely to jump as high as 64, I think 59 has been the highest GAMSAT cut off score in years. Last year a score of 55 could get you into UL, 56 is the 50th percentile, so being in he 85th percentile I think your good :P

And no, putting Limerick will not affect your chances of getting into UL. Its the same CAO system as when you applied in LC. The system ranks all applicants in order based on how many points they got. They go to the top of the list and see where they wanted to go and place them there, and go down the list till all places are filled. Someone with 56 in their GAMSAT and Limerick down as their 4th choice has more of a chance of getting into Limerick than someone with a score of 55 with Limerick as their first choice.

Now, I ask a question for anyone whose sat GAMSAT more than once. I am going to sit the exam again in March. I surprised myself as I only took the exam in September as a trial run for March, however I did far better than what I was expecting but its not enough to guarantee a place in Medicine. Do people tend to go up a bit more in their 2nd sitting? I heard march is a harder sitting than September. I'd like to score at least 2 or 3 points higher just to be sure to be sure I'd have a place come September 2019.

diancecht · 10-11-2018 11:00pm

Urethra Franklin. wrote: »

63 is brilliant. Congratulations! The points last year were 58 or 59 (I can't remember the exact amount) realistically its unlikely to jump as high as 64, I think 59 has been the highest GAMSAT cut off score in years. Last year a score of 55 could get you into UL, 56 is the 50th percentile, so being in he 85th percentile I think your good :P

And no, putting Limerick will not affect your chances of getting into UL. Its the same CAO system as when you applied in LC. The system ranks all applicants in order based on how many points they got. They go to the top of the list and see where they wanted to go and place them there, and go down the list till all places are filled. Someone with 56 in their GAMSAT and Limerick down as their 4th choice has more of a chance of getting into Limerick than someone with a score of 55 with Limerick as their first choice.

Now, I ask a question for anyone whose sat GAMSAT more than once. I am going to sit the exam again in March. I surprised myself as I only took the exam in September as a trial run for March, however I did far better than what I was expecting but its not enough to guarantee a place in Medicine. Do people tend to go up a bit more in their 2nd sitting? I heard march is a harder sitting than September. I'd like to score at least 2 or 3 points higher just to be sure to be sure I'd have a place come September 2019.

Oh fab!! Thanks so much for confirming!!!

Can't help you with regards to your other question as it was my first GAMSAT (also a 'practice GAMSAT' ahahaha). Best of luck!!!

summerstown · 15-11-2018 10:15pm

Hi guys,

So I got a score of 55 in the GAMSAT results last week. I am really hoping to get into UL but it was 55* last year and I'm very worried it will go up to 56 next year... What are all you lovely people's thoughts on my chances of getting in with a score of 55?

I'm working now in the UK full time so repeating in March would be close to impossible at present...!

I really hope UL stays at 55 or goes down to 54...

All advice gladly accepted.

Indecisivegirl · 08-03-2019 10:55pm

Hey guys so I got my admission ticket for the March exam last night and got put at RCSI. Last March I was put at UCD, I’m just curious, did anyone get put at UCD for this March exam or are they just not hosting the exam this year?

Donaldhastrul · 08-03-2019 11:43pm

Indecisivegirl wrote: »

Hey guys so I got my admission ticket for the March exam last night and got put at RCSI. Last March I was put at UCD, I’m just curious, did anyone get put at UCD for this March exam or are they just not hosting the exam this year?

Hey, I did mine in RCSI 1st and UCD this time.

Indecisivegirl · 09-03-2019 1:11am

Donaldhastrul wrote: »

Hey, I did mine in RCSI 1st and UCD this time.

Aw really? I was really hoping to be put at UCD again cause I’m familiar with it but an exam centre is an exam centre I guess! How was the RCSI one?

Donaldhastrul · 09-03-2019 12:06pm

Indecisivegirl wrote: »

Aw really? I was really hoping to be put at UCD again cause I’m familiar with it but an exam centre is an exam centre I guess! How was the RCSI one?

It was a little more stressful in my opinion, as I'm an anxious person and so I was sitting there looking around and pretty much everyone on campus is a medical student, pharmacy student or physio student and so it's a bit pressuring in terms of the atmosphere, but yeah, that's just me.. although I did score 54* that time so yeah lol couldn't been too bad

Indecisivegirl · 09-03-2019 4:34pm

Donaldhastrul wrote: »

It was a little more stressful in my opinion, as I'm an anxious person and so I was sitting there looking around and pretty much everyone on campus is a medical student, pharmacy student or physio student and so it's a bit pressuring in terms of the atmosphere, but yeah, that's just me.. although I did score 54* that time so yeah lol couldn't been too bad

Yeah I’m nervous about the atmosphere to be honest! UCD was so chill and since I was comfortable with where I was since it’s my undergrad college I was just more calm sitting the exam there. Hopefully though I’ll be okay at RCSI this year too but thanks for the info, it’s really helpful

santino · 03-04-2019 4:07pm

About 10 days or so on from the exam, how's everyone feeling? I'm depressed frankly, science was worst I've seen after 5 sittings and beginning to lose hope big time at this stage

brendanwalsh · 03-04-2019 5:17pm

santino wrote: »

About 10 days or so on from the exam, how's everyone feeling? I'm depressed frankly, science was worst I've seen after 5 sittings and beginning to lose hope big time at this stage

What's your peak score been?
Have you considered physiotherapy in UL. GAMSAT requirements tend to be much lower, it's a two year course with cheaper fees and you start on the same salary as a junior doctor.

santino · 03-04-2019 7:19pm

brendanwalsh wrote: »

What's your peak score been?
Have you considered physiotherapy in UL. GAMSAT requirements tend to be much lower, it's a two year course with cheaper fees and you start on the same salary as a junior doctor.

52/53.
Considered it alright but interested in other area. May well have to though.

medgirl18 · 04-04-2019 1:32pm

santino wrote: »

About 10 days or so on from the exam, how's everyone feeling? I'm depressed frankly, science was worst I've seen after 5 sittings and beginning to lose hope big time at this stage

Hey Santino!

Hopefully this will be your year!

Do you feel it went a bit better overall than last time?

It was my second attempt after getting 54 (58 59 50) last March. I hope the experience of having done it before will add an extra point or two but it’s so hard to predict. I definitely didn’t feel as defeated coming out of this one and my timing was definitely better, so hoping that’s a good thing. But as you know yourself we have no idea where we fall among the other candidates anyway!

I agree that S3 was tough, especially the physics. I was glad to see more biology questions than last year though? I skipped the physics ones as I knew I was wasting my time and just focused on what I had a better chance of getting right, haha.

How did you find the other sections? I found S1 a bit easier than last year as I have been trying to teach myself to read faster. Still only managed to get 60/75 done in time though and had to guess the last few.

I thought the essays were random, especially task B. Of course now I’m coming up with loads of things I wish I had said! But I got a solid 2.5 pages written for both, which is more than last year when I miraculously managed 59 with my second essay only being 1 page.

Hopefully the next few weeks go quickly...

First choice is UCC but I’d be delighted with UL or any offer.

medgirl18 · 04-04-2019 1:38pm

santino wrote: »

About 10 days or so on from the exam, how's everyone feeling? I'm depressed frankly, science was worst I've seen after 5 sittings and beginning to lose hope big time at this stage

Also don’t lose hope! You will get there! The fact that you’ve not given up shows how much this means to you and how determined you are!

RoamingDoc · 04-04-2019 10:38pm

medgirl18 wrote: »

The fact that you’ve not given up shows how much this means to you and how determined you are!

Which is also what will see them through medical school when they get there.

This sort of adversity is unpleasant, but it's a good taste of the medical school experience and working life.

santino · 05-04-2019 8:38am

Thanks for the kind words and encouragement.

medgirl18 wrote: »

Hey Santino!

Hopefully this will be your year! Do you feel it went a bit better overall than last time?

It was my second attempt after getting 54 (58 59 50) last March. I hope the experience of having done it before will add an extra point or two but it’s so hard to predict. I definitely didn’t feel as defeated coming out of this one and my timing was definitely better, so hoping that’s a good thing. But as you know yourself we have no idea where we fall among the other candidates anyway!

I agree that S3 was tough, especially the physics. I was glad to see more biology questions than last year though? I skipped the physics ones as I knew I was wasting my time and just focused on what I had a better chance of getting right, haha.

How did you find the other sections? I found S1 a bit easier than last year as I have been trying to teach myself to read faster. Still only managed to get 60/75 done in time though and had to guess the last few.

I thought the essays were random, especially task B. Of course now I’m coming up with loads of things I wish I had said! But I got a solid 2.5 pages written for both, which is more than last year when I miraculously managed 59 with my second essay only being 1 page.

Hopefully the next few weeks go quickly...

First choice is UCC but I’d be delighted with UL or any offer.

Ya I thought the same for S1, was bit more manageable but time still an issue for sure.

Think Essay A was ok but Essay B was hard to write on. Again like you I thought of loads of things afterwards

You did well to write that much.

I did a lot of prep work for S3 this time, got science grinds from a GEMS student, bought old course books and watched a ton of Khan Academy vids etc. Just thought a lot of topics weren't asked that might have been and also thought it was very physics/maths based this time... but maybe that was just me.

Best of luck anyway

medgirl18 · 10-05-2019 12:34pm

Gamsat results are out. Hope people are happy!

I went from 54 last March to 61 this year so I’m delighted. Was shocked with a much lower S1 score, went from 65 last year to 55 this year. But big increases in S2 + S3 brought up my overall score.

To those who are disappointed this year, don’t give up! I was very disheartened last year but it can be done with practice, practice and more practice. I’m planning to do a proper post on what I did to improve my score.

Here’s hoping UCC cutoffs won’t change...

medgirl18 · 10-05-2019 12:38pm

santino wrote: »

Thanks for the kind words and encouragement.

Ya I thought the same for S1, was bit more manageable but time still an issue for sure.

Think Essay A was ok but Essay B was hard to write on. Again like you I thought of loads of things afterwards You did well to write that much.

I did a lot of prep work for S3 this time, got science grinds from a GEMS student, bought old course books and watched a ton of Khan Academy vids etc. Just thought a lot of topics weren't asked that might have been and also thought it was very physics/maths based this time... but maybe that was just me.

Best of luck anyway

Hope things went your way Santino!

santino · 10-05-2019 3:39pm

medgirl18 wrote: »

Hope things went your way Santino!

Hi there.
I got 57, I know shocked is an overused word but I am, didn't think I'd get 50 this time. Hope it's enough to get in.

Congrats to you too, that was a great score.

medgirl18 · 10-05-2019 4:01pm

santino wrote: »

Hi there.
I got 57, I know shocked is an overused word but I am, didn't think I'd get 50 this time. Hope it's enough to get in.

Congrats to you too, that was a great score.

That’s amazing, I’m delighted for you! It’s impossible to predict for sure. You should definitely get an offer with 57. Best of luck

seller285 · 10-05-2019 5:43pm

Hi there folks. Congrats to all who got GAMSAT results today. I got 56. Not too sure how to feel about it. UL is first choice and I’m aware that they’ve been pretty lenient with GAMSAT cut-offs. Anyone know of many who got into UL with that score or slightly less?

Thanks

medgirl18 · 10-05-2019 6:04pm

seller285 wrote: »

Hi there folks. Congrats to all who got GAMSAT results today. I got 56. Not too sure how to feel about it. UL is first choice and I’m aware that they’ve been pretty lenient with GAMSAT cut-offs. Anyone know of many who got into UL with that score or slightly less?

Thanks

Hey, well done on your score!

I’d be very shocked if you didn’t get UL with that but obviously we never know what’s going to happen. It would be highly unusual for it to jump that much though!

I got 54 last year with no offer but several people did get in with 54. You can actually find out your random number from the CAO, which tells you where you stand in the event that more than one person with 56 is competing for the last place. Mine was very low, obviously. I also know a current UL second year who got in at the very end with 53 in 2017 but all the 54s got in then.

Anyway up until now 56 has always been enough to get UL so I think you can be cautiously optimistic

seller285 · 10-05-2019 6:23pm

medgirl18 wrote: »

Hey, well done on your score!

I’d be very shocked if you didn’t get UL with that but obviously we never know what’s going to happen. It would be highly unusual for it to jump that much though!

I got 54 last year with no offer but several people did get in with 54. You can actually find out your random number from the CAO, which tells you where you stand in the event that more than one person with 56 is competing for the last place. Mine was very low, obviously. I also know a current UL second year who got in at the very end with 53 in 2017 but all the 54s got in then.

Anyway up until now 56 has always been enough to get UL so I think you can be cautiously optimistic

Hi medgirl!

Yeah being cautiously optimistic is the perfect descriptor for how I’ll be until the offers come out lol. Well done on your score, a very nice jump up! I’m keeping my fingers crossed! I hope you end up getting what you want

Best

brendanwalsh · 10-05-2019 6:52pm

Two students got into UL a few years ago with 50.
This was after the final round of offers so there's always hope.

galwaypharmer · 10-05-2019 7:14pm

Got 58 but was really hoping to stay in Dublin rather than move....wonder is there any chance of Dublin dropping to 58 - from looking at careers portal ect, it seems RCSI and UCD dropped to 58 but it seems it’s random selection then.... does anyone know are applications up/down this year?

Urethra Franklin. · 10-05-2019 9:12pm

I got 58 myself. I was delighted till I seen the distribution curve. 50th percentile. In September's exam that was around the 70th percentile. Being how the CAO works percentiles are important for determining if points are going up or down. Just hoping the Australians are skewing the curve :P Would have loved UCD personally but sure, it'll be grand.

WorthlessPeon · 10-05-2019 9:28pm

Got a 59 and was delighted but now I'm not sure it'll be enough. Should I sit it again in September?

esme95 · 10-05-2019 11:38pm

seller285 wrote: »

Hi there folks. Congrats to all who got GAMSAT results today. I got 56. Not too sure how to feel about it. UL is first choice and I’m aware that they’ve been pretty lenient with GAMSAT cut-offs. Anyone know of many who got into UL with that score or slightly less?

Thanks

Got 56 too. It is a bit of a strange score because it isn't guranteed that we will meet UL's requirements but then we may? :pac:

Working full time at the moment, my job requires over two month's notice (crazy, I know) so not sure what the plan is at the moment. I don't think I would be willing to re-sit just to make it to Dublin, I really, really want to do medicine so I think I would grab UL if I was offered it tbh. But not sure if I should hand in my notice or not. Sigh. Wish offers for grad med came out at the same time as results.

Indecisivegirl · 11-05-2019 5:01am

seller285 wrote: »

Hi there folks. Congrats to all who got GAMSAT results today. I got 56. Not too sure how to feel about it. UL is first choice and I’m aware that they’ve been pretty lenient with GAMSAT cut-offs. Anyone know of many who got into UL with that score or slightly less?

Thanks

I know someone who got 56 last year and got into UL (it was also her first choice)! ULs cutoff was 55 last year I think.

GAMSAT 2018

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