The Student Room Group

Do I still have a chance at Biomedical Sciences Oxford?

Hi, I sat the BMSAT today and needless to say I completely flunked it. Without going into too much detail the time pressure got to me and I know I probably got less than 50% (maybe even <40%). I've been really worried that this will automatically disqualify me for shortlisting regardless of all other components just because it makes my application not competitive enough since it makes up 50% of the process.
On the other hand, I've been predicted an A*A*AA in Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology and AS Further Mathematics respectively, I've done an EPQ on CVD, got 9999999988 in GCSEs and I think my ps reflects my passion for the subject, so I'm fairly certain all of these aspects make me a potential candidate for a place (or even just an interview).
However, I'm worried that none of these things will matter because a machine may just automate the process and immediately disregard anyone below a certain threshold of scores; has anyone else had an experience like this e.g. from the old BMAT?

I'd love to hear some opinions from anyone, just to quell my worries or stop me from getting my hopes up. Thank you :smile:
I just want to ask before you carry on with your application, do you want to work in diagnostics or research?

Oxford is not IBMS accredited and so, you cannot work as a diagnostic biomedical scientist if you go to Oxford.

Afraid I can’t offer help on getting into Oxford but I’m letting you know this as Oxford offer Biomedical SCIENCES not Biomedical Science.
(edited 1 month ago)
Reply 2
Original post by Scienceisgood
I just want to ask before you carry on with your application, do you want to work in diagnostics or research?
Oxford is not IBMS accredited and so, you cannot work as a diagnostic biomedical scientist if you go to Oxford.
Afraid I can’t offer help on getting into Oxford but I’m letting you know this as Oxford offer Biomedical SCIENCES not Biomedical Science.

Yes, I am aware that Oxford is not IBMS accredited, I'm more interested in research anyways so that doesn't really matter to me. Thanks for the heads up though!
Oxford biomed does shortlisting based on your (contextual) GCSE and BMSAT scores. They basically roll some algorithm combining your two grades and rank all candidates and shortlist the top X candidates. Your GCSE grades are 10A* equivalent so they should give you some leeway for your BMSAT score, so it just depends on how you did compared to other candidates, but according to the 2023 admission statistics more than half of the students with 10A* GCSE got pre-interview rejected so it's hard to say.

source:
https://www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/study/bms/applying/admissions-statistics#:~:text=Offers%20were%20made%20to%2011,adjusted%20BMAT%20score%20was%2067%25.
Reply 4
Do you know if personal statements play any role in the shortlisting process?
Original post by ninoni
Do you know if personal statements play any role in the shortlisting process?

They don't. Shortlisting is only done using BMSAT and contextual GCSE grades.

source:
https://www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/study/bms/faqs/biomedical-sciences-how-do-you-short-list-for-interview
Original post by ninoni
Hi, I sat the BMSAT today and needless to say I completely flunked it. Without going into too much detail the time pressure got to me and I know I probably got less than 50% (maybe even <40%). I've been really worried that this will automatically disqualify me for shortlisting regardless of all other components just because it makes my application not competitive enough since it makes up 50% of the process.
On the other hand, I've been predicted an A*A*AA in Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology and AS Further Mathematics respectively, I've done an EPQ on CVD, got 9999999988 in GCSEs and I think my ps reflects my passion for the subject, so I'm fairly certain all of these aspects make me a potential candidate for a place (or even just an interview).
However, I'm worried that none of these things will matter because a machine may just automate the process and immediately disregard anyone below a certain threshold of scores; has anyone else had an experience like this e.g. from the old BMAT?
I'd love to hear some opinions from anyone, just to quell my worries or stop me from getting my hopes up. Thank you :smile:

Hi, I also sat the BMSAT on Tuesday. I had problems with my access arrangements due to Pearson technical issues and so will hopefully get special consideration. But, regardless, I also found the time pressure difficult and am not sure what score I actually will have got (despite lots of preparation and high scores on BMAT past papers).

Anyway, regarding your concern that a 'machine may just automate the process', I attended the Biomed talk at one of the Oxford open days and they said that the algorithm creates an automatic shortlist but then someone goes through and reads every application by hand. Hopefully meaning that they read the PS statement etc. Then, they may make changes to the interview shortlist. So, like you said, if the rest of a candidate's application is strong but the BMSAT score isn't high enough, they may still interview.

Hope this may of some help/reassurance and good luck in your application!
Reply 7
Original post by Anonymous
Hi, I also sat the BMSAT on Tuesday. I had problems with my access arrangements due to Pearson technical issues and so will hopefully get special consideration. But, regardless, I also found the time pressure difficult and am not sure what score I actually will have got (despite lots of preparation and high scores on BMAT past papers).
Anyway, regarding your concern that a 'machine may just automate the process', I attended the Biomed talk at one of the Oxford open days and they said that the algorithm creates an automatic shortlist but then someone goes through and reads every application by hand. Hopefully meaning that they read the PS statement etc. Then, they may make changes to the interview shortlist. So, like you said, if the rest of a candidate's application is strong but the BMSAT score isn't high enough, they may still interview.
Hope this may of some help/reassurance and good luck in your application!

It's great to hear that someone else felt the same way I did about the time pressure!! "despite lots of preparation and highscores on BMAT past papers" literally same 😭 I think I did each past paper at least twice three at a time to match the BMSAT time limit and still did horrible. Thank you so much anyways for your reply about the talk, hopefully we both get interviews 😊

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