Graduate Entry Medicine: 2016 Entry

Hey. Thanks for letting me know. I'm not sure it will be enough. I've put so far kings, newcastle and Warwick and have emailed barts querying whether I need to be in education at the moment to apply cause I'm not. And if they say I do then I'll take the BMAT and apply to Oxford. It's really frustrating cause I prepared loads and I don't know how I could do better I have a first in biomedical science as well as a MSc in drug discovery and a MRes in Musculoskeletal ageing. Also my current role is working within the NHS supporting doctors who want to do research in their clinics. But all this is worth nothing because of a damn speed test ah sorry. Rant over. I just really want to do it and can't seem to crack this UKCAT :/
Any advice given you have been in my situation before?
Thanks

I was considering doing so, even working like a maniac during the summer if I get in a 4 year course.

My familly is willing to support me the equivalent to 400 euros a month in the last years so it seems a quite decent option for me.

The UKCAT is so annoying. I felt as though I worked hard both years, but came out with a significantly better score the second time. I do think familiarity with the test format helps, though.
I think lots of reading generally, is good practice for VR, and there are lots of questions on e-medica and medify for all the subsections. In addition, general graduate style logic tests are good practice, but I never expected to do as well as I did, so I'm not sure how best to advise!
Your application does sound really good otherwise. If you didn't get in this year, would you consider doing the GAMSAT? It's what I was considering if I didn't get in this time, as it seems a lot less random than the UKCAT.





That's good! 5 years is definitely a good option if you can manage financially, and I imagine you'll be able to get a fair few hours as an agency nurse. My part time job earns me the minimum wage, which is fine to earn a few extra £s over holiday time, but it wouldn't do much good for fees.
Where are you thinking of applying?

GEM Cambridge and Warwick
5 year Imperial
5 year Manchester

Agency nursing can be really good money. Where are you thinking about applying?

So apparently the end of test data for the UKCAT will be available on 9th October, which is still close to the application deadline, but still better than the 13th.

Thanks for this!

I guess there's no real incentive to complete your UCAS application until the release of the UKCAT data then.

So many people who applied last year and are applying this year have said they've done several rounds of applications, but when I went to Warwick open day every student I spoke to got in on their first round 😩😩


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Well Warwick's course is graduate entry so it may have just been their first graduate application. GEM involves more box ticking than anything else, so if you have the minimum requirements for that year you're a lot more likely to get an interview.

Gem is more competative for interview, not less. Seem to remember the interview rate is 1 in 4 for gem and 1 in 2.8ish for undergrad overall, though i am working from memory here.. Warwick interview ratio is a bit better i think but gem is conconsiderably more competitive overall, both in terms of applicants:spaces and because the compatition is stiffer since everyone has more life skills to present at interview. As few unis rely on PS anymore most invites to interview, gem or undergrad, are about box ticking in terms of meeting the ukcat/bmat/gamsat score, in which case its better to apply for undergrad, as cuttoffs are lower. Meeting the min requirements mean youre less likely to get an interview, not more so, at gem level.

Just don't want people to get the wrong impression.

Gem is more competative for interview, not less. Seem to remember the interview rate is 1 in 4 for gem and 1 in 2.8ish for undergrad overall, though i am working from memory here.. Warwick interview ratio is a bit better i think but gem is conconsiderably more competitive overall, both in terms of applicants:spaces and because the compatition is stiffer since everyone has more life skills to present at interview. As few unis rely on PS anymore most invites to interview, gem or undergrad, are about box ticking in terms of meeting the ukcat/bmat/gamsat score, in which case its better to apply for undergrad, as cuttoffs are lower. Meeting the min requirements mean youre less likely to get an interview, not more so, at gem level.

Just don't want people to get the wrong impression.

Of course, GEM is definitely more competitive. I wouldn't want to give the impression that it's easy.It's just that once you meet the cutoff requirements for that year you'll likely get an interview.
It's just making sure you meet the cutoffs with the UKCAT, GAMSAT etc. and ensuring you have the right degree. I feel with the undergrad entry there are usually a lot more variables with GCSEs, AS/A2 grades and the admissions test, it's slightly trickier to work out where you stand. This is my opinion though, so don't take it as fact.

That's exactly how I imagined it! I guess the people who help out at open their days are the people who are very the best of best and that's why they were like Erm no it was my first time apply. They almost seemed shocked when I asked and also, in my opinion, they had barely ANY experience compared to what is guys are trying to gather up! I guess it's all about how to impress at interview!


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Bit early to be considering interview but ii found that having lots of experience makes things easier. Means you dont keep referring back to the same example each question. That said, it is all about how you present yourself, if youre confident and clearly enthusiastic that's 90% of the battle won.

I have my UKCAT tomorrow morning - not very feeling optimistic about it tbh :/

So maybe this was me being a bit dumb but I was under the impression that some unis took the percentiles of al test takers scores to find a cut off point which reflected high scorers and then they used this for the GEM. when really they do this just for the applicants. So I was fretting because I knew I wouldn't get as good as someone just out of school. Maybe people already knew this I don't know - probably me just being stupid!
I got 680: 620, 740, 710, 650 and I know 2 other gem applicants who got 660 and 665

Now I'm confused haha! But I thought unis took the top scores of their applicants? Let's say the top marks were 750-800, but a uni only got applicants where the max score was 750, they'd have to take the top 20 percent from their pool? Does that make sense? Someone correct me if I'm wrong please.

680 isn't a bad score at all! Well done, you should be proud of yourself. I wouldn't judge the averages by what you see on here. The TSR can give a skewed representation. With 680, I'd maybe put down Warwick as their cut off was 700 last year.

Can I ask what you materials you prepared with? And also, how you felt the exam compared to revision material in each section? Thanks!! (Sorry for late reply)


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