How to Prepare for GAMSAT: Study Timeline + 7 Essential Tips

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The Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) is a high-end medical entrance examination. Clearing this paper will give you entry into the most prestigious schools in the UK, Ireland, or Australia. The examination has a vast syllabus. Therefore, you need to dedicate adequate time. Preparation is the key to scoring high marks. Do you want to know how to prepare for GAMSAT? This blog covers everything you need to know about the preparation. You will learn the top tips to prepare for the exam, the time you need to dedicate, and popular books you can get. Keep reading to learn more about it.

How Long Does It Take to Prepare for GAMSAT?

To learn how to prepare for GAMSAT, you must know the time you need to dedicate.. Ideally, 3-6 months of preparation is required by every student. However, the exact time you need to prepare depends on various individual factors. For example,

Consider your Academic background: 

Those without a science background require more time to prepare for the exam. For such students, at least 6 months of preparation is essential. Humanities is a fairly easy subject. Therefore, those with a science background may require at least 5 months of solid preparation.

Consider Your Existing Knowledge 

Have you prepared for the UCAT before? UCAT and GAMSAT have different syllabi. However, those who have already prepared for the UCAT can find preparing for the GAMSAT easier. Similarly, if you are re-taking the GAMSAT, you might only need 3 months of preparation because you have already covered the core subjects. 

Those who are already skilled in writing and critical thinking can find it easier to prepare. Truth is, strong foundational knowledge means less preparation time.

Understand Your Goals 

How to prepare for GAMSAT? Consider your goals. If your goal is to obtain 70+, you will need to dedicate 6 months or perhaps even more (depending on your learning pace). On the other hand, if your goal is to get into any decent medical school, perhaps you do not need that much time for preparation. 4-5 months of preparation, and you are good to go.

Consider the Time You Can Dedicate 

If you are going to spend 30+ hours per week studying, 3 months of preparation should be enough. On the other hand, those who are dedicating 20 to 25 hours a week require at least 4 months of preparation. Those who are dedicating just 15 hours a week require 6 months of preparation. Therefore, the time you have to prepare for the exam also matters.

Also Read: Preparing for the UCAT: 10 Proven Tips for 2025 Success

7 Practical Tips on How to Prepare for GAMSAT Effectively

Do you want some practical tips to prepare for the GAMSAT? Here we have provided some tips that will be useful to keep in mind when preparing for this entrance exam.

Get the Preparation Materials 

ACER GAMSAT provides the basic preparation materials you require. They provide an e-book and PDF materials. You will have to purchase the PDF materials separately. E-book prices are already included with your registration cost. GMAT exam results validity is for 4-2 years! Therefore, spending a bit on the preparation materials is useful. You can also find GMAT preparation books online.

Make a Solid Study Plan & Divide Time Between Sections

How to prepare for GAMSAT? Our second tip to you is to prepare a study plan. Science students must dedicate more time to preparing for the humanities section. A humanities student needs to dedicate more time to preparing for the science section. However, include all sections in your preparation. Each section of the GAMSAT requires a specific set of skills. Therefore, learn section by section. Ensure you are dedicating time to each section.

Start Slow and Focus on Getting Your Foundation Right

Rote learning never works in GAMSAT. The test is about how you can apply your knowledge. It is not a test of your memory. You can only apply your knowledge effectively if you have a sound understanding of the basic concepts. Therefore, understand the theory before you sit down to solve complex problems.

Train Your Brain with Abstract Reading

One tip on how to prepare for GAMSAT is to learn abstract reading. Your ability to interpret meaning, arguments and complex emotions is tested with ambiguous or abstract language. Therefore, focus on reading philosophy snippets, complex editorials or even old literature. The Guardian, Aeon.co, and New Yorker essays are good places to start.

Identify Your Weaknesses and Work Upon Them

Are you taking more time in calculation, or are you taking more time to write a single essay? You are not allowed to bring calculators. Therefore, you need to learn mental maths (if you don’t know already). Similarly, if you are weak in the writing section, dedicate time each day to writing an essay. Soon, you will build the speed required. You can also write an essay and come back after a few days to review and understand your areas that require improvement.

Timed Questions and Consistent Practice 

Do you want another tip on how to prepare for GAMSAT? Practise questions and stay consistent. Mock tests and practice tests are available on several online platforms. Get them, practise and stay consistent. In the first few months, just try to get your answers right, review and understand where you made mistakes. Thereafter, stimulate the test conditions and attempt timed questions. The key here is consistent practice.

Also Read: Top 5 UCAT Preparation Courses for 2025: Which One Is Right for You?

How Hard is it to Get 70 GAMSAT?

A score of 70 is exceptional. It means your score is among the 10% of test-takers. Most students are only able to score 56-58. To secure 70, you must score 70 or more in a minimum of  2 sections. This result can increase your chances of getting admission to one of the best medical schools. 

Securing this score is considered difficult.. Often, students don’t know how to prepare for GAMSAT and secure this score. However, it is a good goal to setIt is a paper that requires you to have a wide range of knowledge about subjects like biology, humanities, chemistry and physics. The paper is timed, and your problem-solving skills are tested. To clear the essay section, you need to dedicate time to improving your communication skills and how you frame the arguments. While some questions are objective, others are subjective.

The difficulty you will encounter depends on your previous knowledge, your academic background, and the skills you already possess. By the way, getting this score is challenging but not impossible.

To learn how you can score 70+ in GAMSAT in 2025, watch this video:

Credit: @adam_is

FAQs

Is GAMSAT very difficult?

Yes. It is a difficult exam because it requires extensive knowledge of the humanities and sciences. It also requires good writing skills. Your problem-solving skills under timed conditions are tested.

Is 1 month enough for GAMSAT?

Not at all. Even the best students require a minimum of 3 months of preparation. Therefore, if you only have one month and have no foundational knowledge, you are most likely to fail.

How many GAMSAT attempts?

You can give the GAMSAT as many times as you want. The exam takes place twice a year in March and September.

What is the fail rate for the GAMSAT?

GAMSAT fail rate is about 80-85%. Many students are unable to obtain the scores required for entry into a postgraduate medical program.

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