Gamsat

[West Coast21]

Hello,
I'm a Canadian living in BC, and going to UBC (don't know if anyone will know where it is). According to the ACER chart I have a 6.8/6.9 GPA. However, I don't have first year chem, but I do have chem 12, physics 12 and bio first year university. Would taking a prep course prepare me for the chemistry that will be on the test, can I expect to do well enough without taking a full year of first year university chem to get into an australian med school? Or is taking a first year chem my only option (which I would hope to avoid at all costs)?
Cheers

[footy]

You can't use the ACER table to calculate your Australian GPA (they are clear about this on their website), each school you apply to would look at your results individually, but from what you got, it seems you'd meet any hurdles (GPA generally only used as hurdle for application).

Standards wise note a 6.8/6.9 GPA is just about unheard of in Australia the way universities mark here - would be top 0.5 -1% of students at a guess. Universities here don't take too much notice of your GPA if you are from overseas as they aren't really comparable. GAMSAT is the main decider (+ interview if you do well on GAMSAT).

For physics, if your Canadian syllabus is like UK A levels or Australian Year 12 - you'll get by with a bit of revision no problems. If it's like the US final year physics, you'll need more. The US system at final school year is very different to here.

For chemistry however I've got to say the GAMSAT exam is really well beyond year 12, and chem is 40% of the mark. I'd say it's first year Chem, and even a bit 2nd year for organic. If you're disciplined though I reckon you could self-teach given the GAMSAT materials out there and maybe a tutor every now and then. If you could take it as a subject in your current course though, that would be the best way to go.

My advice is to get hold of the GAMSAT example tests you can buy ie. the 6 hr session ones (not the ACER ones, they're too short). Do a couple under strict exam conditions (MOST IMPORTANT - you have to work very very fast) and see how you go. That should guide you as to how much revision you need.

Good luck!

[X-treme]

Why not write your MCAT? When applying to an Oz school, the GMAT and MCAT are looked at the same, as along as your score is acceptable.

[footy]

Woops good idea X-treme.

Re MCAT vs. GAMSAT, having just done GAMSAT and also looked into MCAT exams I'd say different people will do better at each test and you need to pick the right one for you:

GAMSAT

much longer (8hr day), about 6hrs examination time ie. more physically gruelling. Your brain is fried towards the end of the 3rd section.
some recall requirement, but more a test of speed and being able to think on the fly. Very long questions to absorb, but most material provided in question. Without some recall though you won't nearly finish the test. (Looks like most don't though)MCAT

Shorter I think 4 hrs or something
Recall focussed - you are not provided with much background to read on a question, and you either know the material or you don't
Questions consequently 'easier', as long as you know your physics/chem/biol, otherwise, harder because you can't just read the test and try to work it out.So overall, they look like they test different things. It also appears you need to be in top 20-25th percentile to get an interview on either test in Australia, so do whichever test you think you'll get the best mark in. For my money, if you've got a good science background, do MCAT. If you don't and you can read/absorb fast, do GAMSAT.