With the BioMedical Admissions Test sessions fast approaching for 2018, plenty of you will be thinking about the best ways to get prepared for that all-important admissions test!
Although there are many promising – but expensive –  preparation courses out there, assessment experts advise that you certainly do not need to splash the cash, and that, by using the free resources available for your relevant admissions test, you will be fully prepared. Anyone offering a paid service is unlikely to have any additional knowledge than the information provided by the experts making the test.
The BMAT website has a huge selection of preparation help and here are some top tips to get you started:
1. Visit the BMAT website
You’ll find everything you need for free here.
2. Download the BMAT test specification and practice papers
Reading through the specification and practice papers will help you understand the skills BMAT assesses. It also offers you the opportunity to:
- familiarise yourself with the test format
- examine the content of each section
- get to know the different types of questions that you may be asked
- review, with worked answers, how to approach the different question types.
3. Practise under test conditions
Once you are familiar with the format of the test and the different types of questions, practising under test conditions is an excellent way to prepare for BMAT.
Remember, you will take the test in one sitting, within a time limit, with no breaks, and no calculator or dictionary, so practise under similar conditions. Time yourself: this is REALLY important!
Research and feedback from successful candidates show that practising under test conditions is the best way to prepare. Do this with two or three of the past papers. For a full overview of the best ways to get prepared and a breakdown of recommendations for each section of the test, download the BMAT preparation guide.
So, remember, admissions tests are incredibly important for securing your future in the medical profession and preparation is key! But, you don’t need to spend a fortune to succeed – the resources are all freely available for you online. All you need is an internet connection, a pen and some paper!
Special thanks to Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing for providing us with this article. Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing is part of the University of Cambridge. Our tests provide a fair measure of skills and aptitude to help universities, governments and employers make informed decisions. The BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) is used by universities around the world to select applicants for medical, dental and biomedical courses. As well as being an entry requirement, BMAT enables you to show your potential to succeed on a demanding science-based university course.
