The Student Room Group

B M A T 2008

http://www.admissionstests.cambridgeassessment.org.uk/adt/digitalAssets/110367_BMAT_home.jpg
BMAT 5th November 2008

We Have all sat the BMAT, and suffered, we are however still alive, and now eagerly await the Results.

01/12/2008


Many Medical Applicant will be taking this test this year! (05/11/2008) So this thread is to ask questions, gather information about the test and discuss any concerns, etc.


About the Test

The BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) is a 2 hour pen and paper test consisting of 3 separate sections. The BMAT does not require a great amount of extra study as it relies on skills and knowledge that candidates should already have.

Test Format

Cambridge Assessment is responsible for producing and marking the BMAT. The test consists of the following three sections:

Section 1: Aptitude and Skills
Section 2: Scientific Knowledge and Application
Section 3: Writing Task
Separate answer sheets will be provided for each section.

Calculators may not be used in the BMAT.

Each section is designed to measure a specific construct as detailed below, although more detailed information can be found in the BMAT Specification. Click Here


BMAT Dates 2008

30th September 2008 - Standard entry closing date
15th October 2008 - Last date for BMAT Entries
1st December 2008 - BMAT results released

BMAT October 2007 QP & MS

Download Them Here

BMAT PRACTICE Material

COMA Sample Questions (Answers)
Test Prep BMAT Questions

TSA Cambdrige (Section 1 Style)
UCL BMAT Practise


User Generated Section 3 Essay Questions - Full Set

Direct download Here - No Waiting

User Generated Section 3 Essay Questions

Week 5 - 04/10/2008 - Generated by jjkkll

Week 4 - 12/10/2008 - Generated by jjkkll

Week 4.5 - 14/10/2008 - Generated by Isometrix

Week 3 - 20/10/2008 - Generated by Jazwalker

Week 3.5 - 21/10/2008 - Generated by jjkkll

Week 3.8 - 23/10/2008 - Generated by jjkkll

Week 2

Week 1

Week 0

BMAT Physics Formulae 2008

Physics Formulae - Posted by Isometrix


Q: What is the BMAT?
A: The BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) is a two hour pen and paper test consisting of three sections.

Section 1: Aptitude and Skills (60 minutes - 35 multiple choice questions)
Section 2: Scientific Knowledge and Applications (30 minutes - 27 multiple choice questions)
Section 3: Writing Task (30 minutes - 1 essay question from a choice of 3)


Q: Who needs to take the BMAT?
A: All candidates applying to the following institutions/courses are required to take BMAT:

University of Cambridge (C05):
A100 Medicine
A101 Graduate Course in Medicine*
D100 Veterinary Medicine
Imperial College London (I50):
A100 Medicine
B900 Biomedical Science (3 year course)
B901 Biomedical Science (4 year course)
BB29 Pharmacology and Translational Medical Science
BB2X Pharmacology and Translational Medical Science with a Year in Industry
University of Oxford Medical School (O33):
A100 Medicine
B100 Physiological Sciences
Royal Veterinary College (R84)
D100 Veterinary Medicine
D101 Combined Degree Programme
University College London (U80):
A100 Medicine

* Please note that it is not essential for applicants to the Cambridge Graduate course in Medicine (A101) to sit the BMAT, although applicants could use a successful result as part of their pre-medical requirements.

Failure to sit the BMAT could result in an unsuccessful application to a candidate’s chosen institution, it is important that candidates refer to university websites, prospectuses, and UCAS for a definitive list of entry requirements.


Q: When is the BMAT taken?
A: The BMAT will take place on 5th November 2008 at 9.30am GMT.

International candidates should check with their centre to confirm the start time.


Q: Where can the BMAT be taken?
A: Typically, candidates sit the BMAT at their school or college. Candidates who do not attend a school or college will need to find an open centre where they can take the test.

Candidates who cannot find a centre should contact the BMAT Support Team.


Q: How much does the BMAT cost?
A: Standard entry fee (applies until 5pm GMT on 30th September)

UK Candidates £31.00

International Candidates £54.00

Late entries may be accepted by centres until 5pm GMT on 15th October 2008

UK Candidates £62.00

International Candidates £108.00

Some open centres may charge an administrative fee for organising and administering the BMAT on behalf of external candidates.


Q: Can BMAT fees be reimbursed?
A: Candidates from the U.K. in receipt of full Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA), Job Seeker’s Allowance or Income Support may apply for their BMAT fees to be reimbursed. Candidates from within the E.U. in receipt of full Educational Maintenance Allowance, or the equivalent, may apply for their BMAT fees to be reimbursed.

Candidates registered at a closed centre, should speak to their Exams Officer, Head of Sixth Form or Careers Officer and ask them to contact us. Candidates registered through an open centre may contact us directly by writing to:

The BMAT Support Team
1 Hills Road
Cambridge
CB1 2EU
United Kingdom

Standard entry fees will be reimbursed to candidates who have taken BMAT and applied to a BMAT university. Late entry fees and administration fees will not be reimbursed.

A copy of a candidate’s entitlement for benefits should be enclosed with the request for reimbursement of fees.

All requests for reimbursement of fees should reach the BMAT Support Team by Monday, 1st December 2008.


Q: As a candidate how do I register for BMAT?
A: Candidates cannot register themselves for BMAT; they must be registered by an approved BMAT centre.

If you are currently attending a school or college you should approach your Examinations Officer to discuss whether or not your school can accommodate for you to sit the BMAT there; other candidates should find an open centre where they can sit the BMAT.

If you cannot find a centre near you to take the BMAT you should contact the BMAT Support Team.


Q: As an Examinations Officer how do I register my candidate?
A: Candidates must be registered by their Examinations Officer through our Entries Extranet. If your centre has not offered Cambridge Assessment Admissions Tests before you will need to register with us.


Q: Where does the BMAT candidate number need to be entered?
A: BMAT candidate numbers begin with a “B” followed by five numbers. Candidate numbers must be entered on all examinations scripts on the day of the test, candidates will be provided on a Statement of Entry on the day of the test.

Candidates applying to the University of Cambridge entering their candidate number onto their Cambridge Application Form should only enter the five numbers from their candidate number.

UCAS advise that candidates should enter their candidate number onto their UCAS form, more information can be found on the UCAS website.


Q: What are access arrangements?
A: Access arrangements is the term given to any pre-examination adjustments based on history of need and provision. That is to say that a candidate may have dyslexia, dyspraxia, dysgraphia, dysorthographia, or working memory deficit and require extra time, the use of a laptop or some other physical requirement.

It is important for candidates to consult with their centre notifying them of any access arrangements the candidate may have and the candidate should be prepared to provide clinical evidence as requested.



Q: What evidence should an Examinations Officer submit for candidates with access arrangements?
A: Evidence of candidates’ access arrangements is now required to be submitted to Cambridge Assessment.

If a candidate qualifies for access arrangements one of the following reports should be submitted where applicable:

-a Statement of Special Educational Needs relating to secondary education and which has reached the stage where an assessment has been carried out by the LEA educational psychologist;
a Psychological Assessment carried out by a qualified psychologist confirming learning disability during the secondary school period;
an assessment confirming learning disability during the secondary school period carried out by a specialist teacher;
a privately commissioned reports which must give a clear indication that there is evidence of need. The head of centre must be satisfied that there is a history of need and provision.
In other circumstances, such as a medical, physical or psychological requirement, appropriate evidence of need must be provided by the centre for inspection.

Examinations Officers should submit a report dated within three years of the BMAT test date for any candidate with access arrangements to:
The BMAT Team
1 Hills Road
Cambridge
CB1 2EU
United Kingdom

Please note that BMAT is not governed by JCQ.


Q: Where should requests for special considerations be sent?
A: Special consideration is the term used for post-examination adjustments to reflect temporary illness, injury or indisposition at the time of assessment. All special considerations will be passed onto any BMAT university to which the candidate has applied. The University will be asked to take the special consideration into account when considering applications. No adjustment will be made to candidates' results.

Requests for special considerations should be sent on school headed notepaper to:

The BMAT Support Team
1 Hills Road
Cambridge
CB1 2EU
United Kingdom


Q: What preparation materials are available for BMAT?
A: Preparation Materials for BMAT.


Q: When will BMAT exam materials arrive at the centre?
A: BMAT exam materials will arrive with the examination centre approximately a week to ten days before the date of the exam marked with a sticker stating “Admissions Tests Materials Enclosed”.


Q: Are dictionaries allowed for BMAT? A: No, dictionaries and bi-lingual dictionaries may not be used for BMAT.


Q: Are calculators allowed for BMAT?

A: No, calculators may not be used.


Q: When will BMAT results be published?
A: BMAT results will be released via centres on 1st December 2008.

Q: Can previous BMAT results be used as part of a new application?
A: BMAT results are only accepted by universities in the year candidates apply for university. Candidates should sit the BMAT in November 2008 if they are applying to start university in 2009 or for a deferred place in 2010.


Q: Can BMAT results be queried?
A: No, results cannot be queried.




BMAT Section 3 Questions from "Passing the UKCAT and BMAT 2008 Edition" (they are REALLY Simplified)

1. "A Cost to an individual can be justified by a benefit to the group"


Write a unified essay in which you address the following:

Do you agree with this hypothesis? Outline an argument in support of and in opposition to this statement. What factors influence the rights of the individual over that of the group?


2. You can only believe in what you know to be true.


Write a unified essay in which you address the following:

What relevance does this statement have to scientific thought? Advance an Argument against this idea. What other factors influence scientific belief?


3. The sequencing of the human genome is the most important scientific advance of the twentieth century.


Write a unified essay in which you address the following:

Why is the study of the human genome so important? In what ways could the study of genetics be helpful in medicine and in what ways could it hinder advancements?


4. The right to life carried with it the right to death.


Write a unified essay in which you address the following:

Discuss the implication of this statement. In what circumstances would you agree with this idea, and in what circumstance would you disagree? What factors would influence the possession of such rights?

5. A patients lifestyle choices should not alter the medical treatment recived.


Write a unified essay in which you address the following:

Do you agree with this ideal? Give Examples of when medical treatment may be altered as a result of lifestyle choices. What factors determine whether treatment can be given?

6. Medicine is an art form rather than a scientific discipline.


Write a unified essay in which you address the following:

Do you agree with this statement? In what ways could medicine be considered an art form, and in which ways could it be considered a scientific discipline?


7. The ability to laugh is what makes us human.


Write a unified essay in which you address the following:

What different meanings could this statement have? Advance arguments for the genetic versus the environmental effect on our personality development.


8. All perceived benefits carry with them a know risk.


Write a unified essay in which you address the following:

Discus, with examples whether this statement is true. How could we resolve the conflict between benefit and harm?


9. Genes control our lives.


Write a unified essay in which you address the following:

Explain what the statement above means. Advance an argument in support of and in opposition to the statement. How can we identify the role that genes play in our live
?

Scroll to see replies

Reply 1
To be honest the essay is only a page long though, and you can't get extra paper to write your actual answer on either - it's not hard to plan for 5 or 10 minutes and then write it up in 20.
Reply 2
Essay? what essay and what does it have to be on?
Reply 3
Please do some research before posting random questions that are easily solved :smile:

BMAT
Reply 4
Do you type up the essay on the PC?

It would be a great advantage for those like myself who can touch type (fast).
Reply 5
m4n0ran
Do you type up the essay on the PC?

It would be a great advantage for those like myself who can touch type (fast).


Read the link I posted!
Reply 6
m4n0ran
Do you type up the essay on the PC?

It would be a great advantage for those like myself who can touch type (fast).



no this exam is done on paper at your school/college.
Reply 7
I haven't really thought about it yet - it isn't until November or something. I've got the UKCAT to think about first and I'm trying to focus on sorting out final bits of work experience/volunteering. After my UCAS form is sent off I will most probably start to look over GCSE physics stuff. At least my school is a test centre so I don't have to travel to take the BMAT.
Reply 8
I can't say i've even thought about it yet. A week's prep last year was enough for me and i imagine it will be enough this year too.

And 30mins is plenty of time to write the essay. You only get given a page.

I understand you worry though. I don't think i've ever been more nervous before a test as i was walking into that exam room. It's really not as bad as you think it's going to be though :smile:
Everyone gets taken to a very dark place by the BMAT. The key thing is to take a candle with you; by doing as much prep in the form of IQ tests, practice papers and AS revision of the sciences as you can....
It's not until November...don't worry. I did virtually no prep whatsover...just practiced some basic maths stuff (like long division, which I still can't do) and did a few papers a couple of days before...and still got a decent mark. I'm reckon it's more about your own personal ability rather than the amount of revision you do.

Only advice would be to practice essays especially if you don't do an essay subject. Maybe have a look at some Critical Thinking past papers because apparently that's good and definitely learn to plan them quickly - planning is the key.
I urge everyone to revise lots of GCSE science and practise lots of essays. Try not to focus tremendously on crit thinking and the sort of questions in section 1, having the mentality that section 2 and 3 are just simple GCSE and essay questions.

Try and read bbc health everyday, this will help you considerably when It comes to giving examples (YOU MUST give examples to back up arguments) in the essay. It's only like 10 minutes of your time, and It'll give you many more examples in section 3, and hopefully a higher score. Section 3, the essay, is by far the most important section.

Lastly, good luck! If you do well enough, iirc you're guaranteed an interview at ucl (who would want that anyways? :P just kidding).
I don't really remember how I prepared for this last year... I think I only did some practice questions in the book. The thing is I didn't really need to practice much GCSE stuff as I had done was doing all three sciences and further maths at the time lol.

I didn't really do much for the essay practice either, only really did essays in biology. What you can do is practice how to plan fast and write fast though.

I have a copy of my essay that I did last year too :p: I cringe at what I wrote....but somehow achieve a fairly good score

I do remember how taxing this exam was though lol :p:
Reply 13
m4n0ran
Do you type up the essay on the PC?

It would be a great advantage for those like myself who can touch type (fast).


No you don't and it wouldn't help you anyway; you get very little room in which to write the essay. The challenge is deciding what to put down, not finding enough to say.
Reply 14
REVIVED and REVISED
jjkkll = G. make the title stand out and easier to identify.
Reply 16
Isometrix
jjkkll = G. make the title stand out and easier to identify.



i tried to put BMAT but it keeps changing it to Bmat

so they only way to keep the caps is to typw B M A T

what do u suggest?
Reply 17
TheEnergizerRabbit
Everyone gets taken to a very dark place by the BMAT. The key thing is to take a candle with you; by doing as much prep in the form of IQ tests, practice papers and AS revision of the sciences as you can....


I was under the impression that there are not any practice papers.
Reply 18
iheartvet
I was under the impression that there are not any practice papers.



i have Last years papers (not that they have been stolen but they have been published)
Reply 19
Would you mind sharing a link/file with me?