BMAT
The BMAT, which stands for Biomedical Admissions Test, aims to assess a candidates potential to succeed on an academically demanding undergraduate biomedical degree course - but Med Schools still use it.
The BMAT consists of 3-sections, each assessing different aspects required to undertake a heavily academic science course.
The BMAT lasts for 120 minutes in total (2 hours), although there are further time restrictions present within the different sections.
Section 1 covers Thinking Skills, and it lasts for 60 minutes. In total, there are 32 questions within this section meaning that you will have roughly 110 seconds for each question, allowing 80 seconds reading time for the whole section. In this section, there are 16 questions on Problem Solving and a further 16 questions on Critical Thinking. Candidates will be required to select the correct answer from multiple choices. This section is marked out of 32.
Section 2 covers Scientific Knowledge and Applications, and it lasts for 30 minutes. In total, there are 27 questions which means that you will have roughly 65 seconds to answer each question, this means that you will have an additional 45 second reading time. Within this section, there will be 7 questions on Biology, 7 questions on Chemistry, 7 questions on Physics, and 6 questions on Mathematics. Questions will be given in a multiple-choice format. According to the BMAT Specification, "Speed as well as accuracy is important in this section". The section is not negatively marked, so it is best to have a go at all of the questions. This section is marked out of 27.
Section 3 includes a Writing Task, and it lasts for 30 minutes. The section provides candidates with a choice of 3 tasks. from which only one must be completed - these include brief questions which will be based on topics of general, scientific or medical interest (according to the BMAT Specification). The answer is limited to only one A4 page. Candidates will be asked to either Explain a Proposition, Generate a counter-argument, or reconcile the two sides. Section 3 is scored on the quality of content - on a scale of 1 to 5, and for the quality of English on a scale from A to E.
For more information, along with some tips and tricks take a look at the Mastering the BMAT Pack in our shop.
