The Bio Medical Admissions Test (BMAT)

The Bio Medical Admissions Test (BMAT) is an exam, like the UCAT, used by universities as part of the admissions process.

What is the BMAT❓

 A written test required for the application to some medical schools ✍

 Like the UCAT, some universities use BMAT scores to help determine who should be invited to interview, by providing an objective method of comparison 📃

 The test assesses general academic skills, and basic scientific knowledge 🧠

 The test is designed to be difficult, to help differentiate between the top applicants

 3 sections: 2 multiple choice question sections (Thinking Skills section, and Scientific Knowledge and Application section) and a Writing task 📝

Which medical schools require the BMAT❓

 Brighton and Sussex Medical School 🎓

 Imperial College London 🎓

 Keele University 🎓

 Lancaster University 🎓

 University of Cambridge 🎓

 University College London 🎓

 University of Leeds 🎓

 University of Oxford 🎓

What does the BMAT assess❓

 Knowledge: you should be familiar with secondary education level science and mathematics 🧠

 Skills: you must have the ability to:

1. Read English and follow the written instructions
2. Perform simple mental maths
3. Communicate knowledge clearly and concisely in written English
4. Work in a timely manner
5. Read and understand numerical/graphical data
6. Make evidence-based decisions
7. Make logical inferences
8. Interpret quantitative data

Top tips for taking the BMAT

 Practice as much as possible: the more practice questions you do, the more prepared you will be❗

 Read the question carefully: take your time and read it a few times ⌛

 Attempt every question: even if you have to guess

 Eliminate incorrect answers: you may need to guess some answers, but make it an educated guess by eliminating any answers which are obviously wrong ❌

 Fill out the answer sheet properly: the answer sheet for sections 1 and 2 will be scanned by a computer so you must ensure you fill it out properly ❗

 Make sure you have written your candidate number correctly

 Make sure your handwriting is legible: make sure that others can read it and practice it if necessary ✍

 Practice all sections timed and untimed: get comfortable with the format at first, then when ready you can practice under timed conditions ⏱

 Be careful about how you use past papers: there are only a finite amount and so you must carefully plan how you will utilise them

Scoring

 No negative marking: meaning you should attempt every question as you will not lose any marks for getting questions wrong ❌

 Every MCQ is worth 1 mark: the total is then converted to the BMAT’s scoring system (1.0 to 9.0 - 9.0 is highest) to one decimal place

 The writing task is awarded the average of the score awarded by 2 individual examiners based on a mark scheme criteria (this will be a number followed by a letter [e.g. 3.6 A]):

1. The quality of the content receives a numerical score between 1.0 and 5.0 (5.0 is highest)
2. The quality of the English receives an alphabetic score from A to E (A is highest) 📝

Section 1: Thinking Skills

 60 minutes ⏱

 Multiple choice questions

 32 questions in total, which fall into 2 groups

 Each question is worth 1 mark ✅

 Assesses generic skills e.g. probelm solving, argument comprehension, data analysis and inference 🧠

 No calculators allowed

 Problem solving: 16 questions which are based on numerical operations. You may need to: identify relevant information, identify similarity, or determine appropriate actions 📝

 Critical thinking: 16 questions in which logical arguments presented. You may need to: summarise conclusions, draw conclusions, make assumptions, assess how additional evidence impacts the question, detect errors of reasoning, match arguments to one another, apply principles

 Top tips:

1. Assume everything in the question is completely true
2. Practice (e.g. time differences, percentages and simple calculations)

Section 2: Scientific Knowledge and Applications

 30 minutes ⏱

 Multiple choice questions

 27 questions in total, which fall into 4 groups

 Each question is worth 1 mark ✅

 Assesses scientific knowledge and ability to apply it 🧠

 No calculators allowed

 Content is outlined on the BMAT website found here

 Biology: 7 questions

 Chemistry: 7 questions

 Physics: 7 questions

 Mathematics: 6 questions

 Top tips:

1. Speed and accuracy are very important here
2. Revise GCSE level knowledge of these subjects and use the BMAT specification to consolidate this
3. Make sure you read everything❗

Section 3: Writing Task

 30 minutes ⏱

 You must choose one of 3 possible writing tasks

 Each task includes a brief question based on a general, scientific or medical topic

 Question include a short proposition and require you to: explain it, produce a counter argument to it, or reconcile the 2 sides of the argument

 Answers are limited to one A4 page 📝

 No dictionaries/spell-checkers allowed

 When marking your answer, examiners assess whether you have: answered the question properly, organised your thoughts, organised your ideas clearly and concisely ✅

 The medical schools you apply to will also receive a copy of your answer❗

 Structure: 

1. Argument: discuss the background of the topic and its implications
2. Counterargument: propose an argument to counter these implications
3. Conclusion: discuss a compromise between both sides

 Top tips:

1. Make sure your answer is concise, cohesive and persuasive
2. Answer all components of the question completely
3. Make sure your answer is organised and well presented
4. Make sure your points are purposeful, ensure your argument is balanced (do not provide more arguments for one side than the other)
5. Analyse the points from each perspective to come to a balanced conclusion❗

 Recommended plan:

1. 1 to 2 minutes: choosing and reading the question
2. 7 to 8 minutes: creating a plan in the form of a mindmap
3. 15 to 20 minutes: writing your answer
4. 2 to 3 minutes: proofreading what you have written❗

Summary

1. The BMAT is another exam used to help medical schools determine which students to invite to interview 📝
2. It assesses general, scientific and mathematic skills and knowledge 🧠
3. Make a revision timetable to ensure you use your preparation time effectively ⌛
4. You should do as many practice questions and papers as possible 📝
5. There are 2 multiple choice question sections and one written task
6. The thinking skills section is a multiple choice section which assess generic skills 🧠
7. The scientific knowledge and aptitude section is a multiple choice section which assesses your scientific knowledge and your ability to apply it 🧠
8. The writing task assesses your general, scientific or medical knowledge and your ability to write in a clear, concise way 📝
9. Good luck❗