What the GAMSAT actually is
The GAMSAT — the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test — is a standardised exam run by ACER (the Australian Council for Educational Research). Universities across Australia, the UK and Ireland use it to help select applicants into graduate-entry medicine, and into programs such as dentistry, optometry and pharmacy.
Crucially, the GAMSAT is not a test of how much you've memorised. It's designed to measure reasoning, problem-solving and written communication — the skills medical schools care about. That's good news: it means preparation is about how you think under pressure, which is something you can train.
3
Test sections
~5½ hrs
Total working time
137
Multiple-choice Qs
2× / yr
Sittings (Mar & Sep)
The guide in 30 seconds
- The GAMSAT tests reasoning and writing under time pressure — not memorised facts — so you train skills, not flashcard recall.
- Three sections: Reasoning in Humanities (S1), Written Communication (S2) and Reasoning in Sciences (S3); S1 and S3 are multiple choice.
- The common overall score weights Section III twice as heavily as S1 and S2 — but each university applies its own rules, so always check.
- Scores run 0–100; competitive applicants often sit in the low-to-mid 60s, with many programs setting a per-section minimum near 50.
- Most candidates prepare over 3–6 months; consistent timed practice and essays with feedback beat raw hours logged.
The three sections & their timing
Section I
Reasoning in Humanities & Social Sciences
You're given passages, poems, cartoons, tables and other material, then asked multiple-choice questions that test how well you interpret and reason about them. There's no set syllabus — it rewards careful reading, inference and the ability to weigh an author's intent.
Section II
Written Communication
Two essay tasks, each built around a set of short quotes on a common theme. One task tends toward socio-cultural ideas and the other toward more personal or reflective themes. Markers look for a coherent argument, relevant examples and clear expression — not a single 'correct' opinion.
Section III
Reasoning in Biological & Physical Sciences
Multiple-choice questions drawn from biology, chemistry and physics, weighted toward biology and chemistry. It assumes roughly first-year university biology and chemistry and senior-secondary physics, but most questions give you the information you need — the skill is applying it under time pressure.
| Section | What it tests | Questions | Time | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section I | Reasoning in Humanities & Social Sciences | 62 MCQ | 100 min | Multiple choice |
| Section II | Written Communication | 2 essays | 65 min | Two written tasks |
| Section III | Reasoning in Biological & Physical Sciences | 75 MCQ | 150 min | Multiple choice |
Where the time goes
How the score works
You receive a score for each of the three sections, plus a single overall score. The overall score is most commonly calculated as a weighted average in which Section III counts twice as heavily as Sections I and II:
That weighting isn't universal — a few universities (Melbourne, UQ and Notre Dame among them) instead use the unweighted mean of the three sections, and some apply their own formula. Because the sciences section carries the most weight in the common formula, it's often where focused preparation pays off most. Always check exactly how each program you're applying to uses your scores.
Scaled scores aren't raw marks or percentages — ACER equates them so a given score reflects the same difficulty-adjusted performance from one sitting to the next, and each arrives with a percentile telling you how you compared with other candidates.
Why Section III gets extra attention
What counts as a good score?
There's no single magic number, but a useful rule of thumb: competitive applicants often land in the low-to-mid 60s overall, and many programs also set a minimum — frequently around 50 — in each individual section. A strong overall score won't help if one section falls below a program's threshold.
| Scaled score | Rough percentile band | How to read it |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | ~30th | Common per-section minimum at many programs |
| 55 | ~50th | Around the middle of the candidate pool |
| 60 | ~65–70th | Approaching competitive for many courses |
| 65 | ~80th | Competitive for most graduate-medicine programs |
| 70+ | ~90th+ | Strong across the board |
Don't chase one magic number
How to prepare effectively
Most candidates prepare over three to six months. But hours logged matter far less than how you use them. A few principles that consistently separate strong preparation from busywork:
- Practise under timed conditions. The GAMSAT is as much a test of pacing as knowledge. Train the clock, not just the content.
- Target your weak areas. Generic study wastes time. Find the topics where you're losing marks and spend your effort there.
- Write essays regularly — with feedback. Section II improves fastest when someone shows you specifically what to fix, not just gives you a grade.
- Review every mistake. The fastest gains come from understanding why a wrong answer was wrong, then re-testing yourself later so it sticks.
Make your practice time-honest
Dates & the application calendar
The GAMSAT runs twice a year — around March and September. Registration opens months ahead and closes weeks before each sitting, and results typically land roughly six to eight weeks after you sit (so around April and November). Since 2024 the test is computer-based: Section II is sat from home via remote proctoring, while Sections I and III are taken at a test centre.
| Milestone | Roughly when |
|---|---|
| Registration opens | ~3–4 months before each sitting |
| Registration closes | A few weeks before the sitting |
| Sittings | March and September |
| Results released | ~6–8 weeks after (≈ April / November) |
| Results valid for | 2 years from the sitting |
Plan backwards from your sitting
Frequently asked questions
What is the GAMSAT?
The GAMSAT (Graduate Medical School Admissions Test) is a standardised exam administered by ACER. Universities in Australia, the UK and Ireland use it to help select applicants for graduate-entry medicine and other health-professional programs. It assesses reasoning and problem-solving rather than memorised facts.
What are the three sections of the GAMSAT?
Section I (Reasoning in Humanities and Social Sciences) tests comprehension of written and visual material. Section II (Written Communication) is two essay tasks. Section III (Reasoning in Biological and Physical Sciences) covers biology, chemistry and physics. Sections I and III are multiple choice.
How is the GAMSAT scored?
You receive a score for each section plus an overall score. The overall score is commonly calculated as a weighted average that counts Section III twice as heavily as Sections I and II, though some universities apply their own weighting. Always check how each program uses your scores.
What is a good GAMSAT score?
Competitive applicants often score in the low-to-mid 60s, and many programs set a minimum (frequently around 50) in each section. Cut-offs change from year to year and differ by university, so treat any single number as a guide rather than a guarantee.
How long should I study for the GAMSAT?
Most candidates prepare over roughly three to six months. What matters more than total hours is consistent timed practice, targeted work on your weak areas, and writing essays regularly with feedback.
How often is the GAMSAT held, and how long are results valid?
ACER typically offers the GAMSAT twice a year, and results are generally valid for two years. Confirm current sitting dates, fees and validity rules on the official ACER GAMSAT website, as these can change.
Can you really prepare for the Section II essays?
Yes. Section II rewards clear structure, relevant examples and a coherent argument — all of which improve with practice and feedback. GAMSAT Coach marks your essays against the official assessment criteria so you can see exactly what to work on.
How much does the GAMSAT cost?
The GAMSAT costs AUD $568 to sit for the 2026 cycle. Late registration can add a further fee, and ACER offers reduced fees or bursaries for some eligible candidates. Fees change year to year, so confirm the current amount on the official ACER GAMSAT website.
How many questions are on the GAMSAT?
The current computer-based GAMSAT has 62 multiple-choice questions in Section I (100 minutes), two written tasks in Section II, and 75 multiple-choice questions in Section III (150 minutes). The older paper-based exam had more questions per section.
Is the GAMSAT computer-based?
Yes. Since 2024 the GAMSAT is computer-based, not paper. Section II (Written Communication) is sat from home via remote proctoring, while Sections I and III are taken at a test centre on a computer.
When is the GAMSAT held?
ACER runs the GAMSAT twice a year, in March and September. Registration opens several months ahead and closes weeks before each sitting, so check the official ACER GAMSAT site for the exact dates and deadlines for your sitting.
Is the GAMSAT hard?
The GAMSAT is challenging mainly because it tests reasoning under tight time pressure rather than memorised content, so you can't cram for it like a typical university exam. Most candidates find Section III's pace and Section I's dense passages the toughest — consistent timed practice is what makes it manageable.
What is a GAMSAT percentile?
Your GAMSAT percentile is the proportion of candidates you scored above. As a rough guide, a 50 sits near the 30th percentile, a 60 around the high-60s, and a 65 in the low-80s — but exact percentiles shift each sitting. Percentile matters because many programs rank applicants against each other.
Can you resit the GAMSAT?
Yes — you can sit the GAMSAT as many times as you like. Results are generally valid for two years, and most universities use your best or most recent score (check each program's policy), so many candidates sit more than once to improve.
GAMSAT vs MCAT — what's the difference?
The GAMSAT and MCAT are different graduate-medicine entrance exams. The GAMSAT (ACER) is used in Australia, the UK and Ireland and emphasises reasoning across humanities and sciences plus essay writing; the MCAT (AAMC) is used mainly in North America and is more content-heavy on biology, chemistry, physics, psychology and biochemistry. You sit whichever your target schools require.
Do I need a science background for the GAMSAT?
No — you don't need a science degree, but Section III assumes roughly first-year-university-level biology and chemistry (and some physics). Non-science applicants regularly succeed by building that foundational knowledge and focusing on the reasoning skills the exam actually rewards.
What should I study for GAMSAT Section III?
Section III draws on first-year-level biology, general and organic chemistry, and physics — but it tests how you apply them to unfamiliar data and experiments, not recall. Prioritise the high-yield core concepts (equilibrium, genetics, energetics, kinematics, organic mechanisms) and practise interpreting graphs, tables and novel scenarios under time.