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Medicine is still one of the world’s most competitive fields. The answer is self-evident; it has to do with life and the never-ending quest for improvement. Due to the nature of the subject, institutions are selective in who they accept by conducting entrance exams such as NEET, MCAT, etc. The core objective of an entrance exam is to assess a student’s ability, sharpness, and knowledge, among other things. Thus, in an admission exam, the student’s aptitude is assessed. In this blog, we will discuss one of the most competitive exams in medicine- the Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT), its eligibility criteria, the admission process, along the exam structure.
Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT) 2021
The BioMedical Admissions Test (or BMAT) is an aptitude test that some medical, dental, and veterinary schools require students to take as part of their application process. Universities in the United Kingdom, Singapore, Spain, Malaysia, Thailand, Hungary, Croatia, and the Netherlands have been using the BMAT as an entrance test.
| Name of the Examination | Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT) |
| Conducted by | Cambridge Assessment |
| Start of Online Registration | January 2021 |
| Last Date to Register | July 2021 |
| Date of Exam | September 2021 (tentative) |
| Results | April 2021 |
Also Read: FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduates Examination)
Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT): Eligibility
The following are a few eligibility criteria for students who wish to apply for the Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT):
- Aspiring candidates must have finished the 12th grade or a bachelor’s degree in any discipline.
- Students must meet the institute’s basic eligibility requirements.
Please Note: Candidates can only take the BMAT once per admissions cycle.
BMAT Exam Pattern
The Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT) exam is a pen and paper test that is divided into 3 sections.
| Subjects | Ques. | Time |
| Aptitude and Skills | 35 Ques. | 1 Hour |
| Scientific Knowledge and Applications | 27 Ques. | 30 minutes |
| Writing Task | 3 (1 out of 3) | 30 minutes |
Section 1: Aptitude and Skills
There are 35 multiple-choice or short-answer questions in this 60-minute portion. It evaluates problem-solving, argument comprehension, and data analysis and inference ability, all of which are common in undergraduate studies.
Section 2: Scientific Knowledge and Applications
There are 27 multiple-choice or short-answer questions in this 30-minute portion. It is limited to topics found in non-specialist Science and Mathematics classes.
This component evaluates whether candidates possess the core knowledge and ability to apply it, both of which are required for advanced study in biomedical sciences.
Section 3: Writing Task
It’s a 30-minute portion with four essay questions, only one of which the candidate has to respond.
The question paper will give the candidates an overview of the Task’s nature and purpose. They will be expected to write a communication without the use of a dictionary or automated spell-checking and grammar-checking software.
Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT): Scoring Criteria
Each question in Sections 1 and 2 is worth one mark. Each section’s total raw marks are converted to the BMAT scale, which ranges from 1 (poor) to 9 (high). The average BMAT score is around 5.0, or around half a mark. The best applicants will receive a score of approximately 6.0, with a few exceptional applicants receiving a score of above 7.0.
Two examiners mark the essays in Section 3. Each examiner assigns two scores: one for content quality (on a scale of 0–5), and another for written English quality (on the scale of A, C, E).
Combining Section 3 scores: If the two content marks are equal or within one mark of each other, the candidate receives the average of the two points. If the two written English marks are equal or within one mark of each other, the scores are merged as follows: AA = A, AC = B, CC = C, CE = D, and EE = E.
How to Apply for the BMAT Exam?
Candidates interested in taking the BioMedical Admissions Test BMAT should contact the Exam Officer. Applicants can take the exam in the schools/colleges where they are enrolled, but they must be registered centers. Contact the support team if you are still having trouble enrolling for the exam.
Universities Accepting the BMAT Score
The following universities across the world accept BMAT scores:
| University of Cambridge | Royal Veterinary College |
| Brighton and Sussex Medical School | Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine |
| University College London | Chulalongkorn University |
| University of Oxford | Lancaster University |
| Srinakharinwirot University | Imperial College of London |
| University of Oxford | Chiang Mai University |
| Universidad de Navarra | University of Leeds |
| Thammasat University: CICM and Dentistry | Keele University |
| Khon Kaen University | Mahidol University |
Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT): Fees
The following is the Biomedical Admissions Test BMAT fee schedule:
- £46 (INR 4,761) for UK/EU candidates.
- £78 (INR 8,074) for other candidates.
Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT) Books
BMAT is a competitive exam that assesses candidates to understand their skills and if they fit as per the university requirements. To prepare for the exam, we have listed down some books that may help you ace the BMAT Exam.
- Bmat Past Paper Worked Solutions Volume 1 & 2 by Somil Desai
- Preparing for the BMAT: The official guide to the BioMedical Admissions Test (Heinemann)
- How to Master the BMAT: Unbeatable Preparation for Success in the BioMedical Admissions Test (Kogan Page)
- Get into Medical School – 700 BMAT Practice Questions: With Contributions from Official BMAT Examiners and Past BMAT Candidates (ISC Medical)
- The Ultimate Bmat Guide: 800 Practice Questions (Rohan Agarwal)
Also Read: AIIMS Nursing Entrance Exam
FAQs
For sections one and two, use a soft pencil and a pencil eraser. Section three requires the usage of a black pen. It is not permitted to use correction fluid. The use of calculators and dictionaries is also prohibited. The Cambridge Assessment website has instructions for candidates who need a laptop.
Candidates who do not speak English as a first language are not given any extra time.
If you have special needs and have already received support for prior tests, access arrangements are available. When you register for your test, let your centre know if you have any specific needs.
The Metritests system will be used to distribute the results. For the October exam, scores for applications to UK universities will be immediately submitted to those institutions. You will be responsible for sharing your results if you take the test in August or apply to other universities.
No, the BMAT must be taken the year before you apply to university. If you reapply in subsequent years, your previous year’s score will have no bearing on your chances.
Hope this blog helped you understand the various points for the Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT) which is one of the most demanding tests in medicine. If you require any assistance or need help with preparation for BMAT, Connect with us at Leverage Edu for various tips from our team of experts. Sign up today!
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