Gamsat Ireland

slemons

Hi guys,
Im new to this scene and im going to do the GAMSAT exams as soon as possible.
Would anyone be available for a meetup sometime? Galway, Limerick, Cork Dublin anyplace really?


Thanks guys
This is going to be the start of a wonderful journey ...
John

Katharos

I took Gamsat in March 08, would love to tutor you. I got a score of 70. I can tutor in Galway or Dublin, and attend group sessions. I have a lot of material

JoPea wrote: »

Hi,

I've decided to study medicine and am scouring the internet for the best ways to be successing in starting in September 2009. Numerous hurdles to this though it seems this will be the easiest part of in career handbrake turn!

From what I can gather, if you have only a partial and distant scientific background, Section III is best prep'ed for with a tutor. Did anyone do this and / or does anyone have any recommendations for one? Or is there anyone who worked for a material amount of time in a non-science field who has a successful strategy they wouldn't mind sharing with me?

Is there anyone who is committed to starting in September 09 what would like to buddy with me through the inevitable highs and lows of the next six months, please drop me a line! I've got fantastic friends and family supporting me and..... there is nothing like having someone on the ground with you.

Rgds

JP

Katharos

Hi John, would love to meet up and do some tutoring, I sat Gamsat last year and did really well

slemons wrote: »

Hi guys,
Im new to this scene and im going to do the GAMSAT exams as soon as possible.
Would anyone be available for a meetup sometime? Galway, Limerick, Cork Dublin anyplace really?


Thanks guys
This is going to be the start of a wonderful journey ...
John

flowerpower

hey i was wondering how much time exactly do you need to prepare for the gamsats?im in 3rd year pharmacy at the moment so have a pretty good(well im supposed to!) knowedge of bio and chem, but dont really have much physics. A lot of people seem to have done the gamsats with loadsa their time free for study but iv a crappy enough timetable and a fair bitta coursework as well so would from now to march be enough time if i can only really study for it intensively on weekends and holidays?i just dont have a huge amount of free time, will what i have be enough?

Eerie

Hi flowerpower,

I had a similar degree to you (Medicinal Chemistry) and didn't really need to do much study. Was also working in a full time job (60+ hours a week) at the time which didn't help matters. All I did was look at a college Physics book a couple of weeks before hand and did some of the practice questions. Most people tend to spend most of their time studying organic chem. If I could go back, I would have practiced essay-writing too to brush up on my skills which hadn't been used since the leaving cert!!!

In the end I ended up with a score of 66 (around the 96th percentile) and am now in 2nd year GEP! Seems that chemistry and pharmacy-related degrees are enormously helpful for GAMSAT.

Eerie

lala00

hi
just wondering what would be a good choice, for an undergraduate degree eg science physio pharmacy
to prepare for the gamsat and postgraduate medicine.
got 560 last year currently on a gap year and doing the hpat this year. also applied to ucas.. so wondering about second cao choice..

thanks:)

ImDave

lala00 wrote: »

hi
just wondering what would be a good choice, for an undergraduate degree eg science physio pharmacy
to prepare for the gamsat and postgraduate medicine.
got 560 last year currently on a gap year and doing the hpat this year. also applied to ucas.. so wondering about second cao choice..

thanks:)

I'm currently preparing for the GAMSATs, and in doing so, I'm taking grinds from a Pharmacy undergrad. I don't know what the course is like overall, however as there is (obviously) plenty of chemistry, particularly organic, together with anatomy and physiology, it would provide a very strong foundation for the GAMSATs, and I would imagine also the material in the early years of the GEP itself.

sthealy

Hi all....Would very much appreciate some guidance....

I am 32 and have a 1.1 business degree and 10+ years commercial experience. Its been a LONG time since I studied Physics in school, and I never touched on Chem or Bio subjects.

I have been grappling with the enormous decision to turn my life upsidedown and returning to study a med degree.

So, what are the chances (realistically speaking) of knocking out a high score in the GAMSAT in only 2 short months? Section 3 is the only section I am concerned with due to a weak scientific backgound.

Has anyone had a similar recent experience/advice they could share with me?

Thank-you!!

slemons

Yep im studying for it this minute.
Everything is achievable mate
Back yourself and you wont believe what you can do

Get the right matieral for revision. I got Des O Neill notes. They're spoken of as the best
paging Dr is the best site for gamsat ive found. Its aussie site...

But get your skates on... Its 8 weeks to the day in 51 mins time.

Good luck.
John

ImDave

I am sure many of you studying for the GAMSAT have formulated a list of material to cover at this stage, but I thought I would throw up this link:

http://pagingdr.proboards61.com/index.cgi?board=s3&action=display&thread=153

It contains a great deal of valuable info on specific areas worth covering. There are some good links to other sources also. At the moment I am working off a combination of two lists on the page, which seems to provide a good basis of knowledge for the exam (it's just getting around to studying it all is the hard part )

Katharos

Hi Katie,
Ellen here. I am a friend of Rebeccas (hope this is the right Katie!!), she was telling me you're doing the GAMSAT
Give me a PM if you want a chat about it. I sat it last year and got 70... just in case you feel like a chat!!
Hope you're doing good !
Ellen

katieg28 wrote: »

hey I'm living in galway city also and have applied for gamsat in London in september.. I'd really love to meet up with those of you based in Galway for a chat about it all... what your covering.. books your using etc.. please let me know if anyone is available... cheers.. and hope study is going well.....

stoney66

Hi all,

I am sitting the GAMSAT in March, and trying to get the study in at the moment. Basically I am in the penultimate year of my degree, and on work placement for 8 months as part of the course, so I am finding it really difficult to find time to study as much as I need to.

I am from a non-science background which doesn't help. Can anyone recommend some topics to cover as a crash course over the next 7 weeks? I have the option of sitting them in London in September pending the results of March, but I would like to get a somewhat decent score this time around.

So far I have covered:
Basic chemistry
Working my way throug Organic Chemistry for Dummies
Enzymes
Basic physics
Homeostasis
Respiration
The Cell

I would greatly appreciate any advice, as I am starting to panic!

etymon

Hi all,

I'm a first-timer who has signed up to do the exam on a bit of a career-changing whim. In slight difficulty as haven't touched science since Junior Cert... I know... am working through revision books etc. it's like trying to learn a new language.
I am taking the attitude that if I pass, I pass and I would love to go back to college. I am so taken with the anatomy/physiology side of the studying that hopefully I can break through the barrier of illegible organic chemistry!
So I was wondering if anyone else is in the position of coming from a non-science background and laying all their hopes on six weeks of study?! Sure I'll see how it goes.
Also don't see too many people talking about the English sections - aren't they worth 50% of the test? I suppose there isn't too much that can be done in the way of study for those, though...

ebmma

I gave grinds to a girl for Chemistry GAMSAT a couple of years ago. She had practice books.

I don't remember science section looking particularly hard.

Johnny Utah

I have a question for those on the graduate entry course, and prospective students. How do you manage to pay for the fees?

I thought about doing the graduate medicine course this year, but the huge fees put me off. I simply cannot afford them- not this year anyway. Do you seriously have to stump up nearly 13k each year?

slemons

Good luck to all doing the exams...
Gamsat Section 3 seems to be broken down into 40% organic chem, 10% chem, 30% biology, 20% physics.
Thats being very rough and just from what ive seen in the practice exams...

The biology can be intuitative from the info that is given in a lot of cases.
You could probably do well in gamsat without knowing off reams of formulas for physics etc. As they give you most of it...

Organic Chem is a biggie. SN1, SN2 various hydocarbon reactions and their products, chirality, resonance. Its not so intuitave.

The 2 english sections require a decent bit of practice too. Theyre looking for clarity of thought and structure in the essays. Section1 on verbal reasoning is as much about time keeping as anything else. You have to move past the hard q's to get to the easy q's...

It seems like a cool exam though. Makes sure you know your ****!
I wonder how 600 point LC'ers would do in it?

ebmma

Johnny Utah wrote: »

I have a question for those on the graduate entry course, and prospective students. How do you manage to pay for the fees?

I thought about doing the graduate medicine course this year, but the huge fees put me off. I simply cannot afford them- not this year anyway. Do you seriously have to stump up nearly 13k each year?

Friend of mine is doing graduate medicine at the moment.
There are special loans banks give to medicine students.

Guess they assume you'll be earning enough afterwards to pay it all back

Johnny Utah

ebmma wrote: »

Friend of mine is doing graduate medicine at the moment.
There are special loans banks give to medicine students.

Guess they assume you'll be earning enough afterwards to pay it all back

Thanks. I'll probably go that route eventually myself too.

Larianne

etymon wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm a first-timer who has signed up to do the exam on a bit of a career-changing whim. In slight difficulty as haven't touched science since Junior Cert... I know... am working through revision books etc. it's like trying to learn a new language.
I am taking the attitude that if I pass, I pass and I would love to go back to college. I am so taken with the anatomy/physiology side of the studying that hopefully I can break through the barrier of illegible organic chemistry!
So I was wondering if anyone else is in the position of coming from a non-science background and laying all their hopes on six weeks of study?! Sure I'll see how it goes.
Also don't see too many people talking about the English sections - aren't they worth 50% of the test? I suppose there isn't too much that can be done in the way of study for those, though...

These websites might help you with the Chemistry.

http://www.chemicalforums.com/index.php?action=forum They are very good at getting back to you with answers on here.

http://www.chemguide.co.uk/

ImDave

To add to Larianne's websites above, this is a good resource if you want a break from reading. I find it great for revision. There are videos and loads of practise tests with solutions provided.

http://ochem.jsd.claremont.edu/

etymon

thanks guys!

MRon8

Hi All,

I am a 22 year old Commerce Graduate, who is just about to complete a Masters in Business Studies, but alas I cannot get a job! I am seriously thinking about sitting next years GAMSATS in Dublin, but I am unclear about a number of things and would like some advice if anyone is willing to help.

First of all, I am wondering if I would be out of my depth in studying for the GAMSATs. I am a disciplined, dedicated studier and I would allocate 5 or 6 intense months of study to the exam but the problem is I have not studied Biology or Chemistry since my Junior Cert. I completed my LC in 2005 and I got 560 points, and an A2 in Physics so I would not be too worried about the Physics aspect of things. But would it be possible to bring my Chem & Bio up to an adequate level without a background in either? And if I was to attempt to tackle each of these subject areas, what would be the best way to start? Meticulous study of the recommended text books with one eye on exam papers or what?

Also, I am fearful that if college fees are re-introduced would that spell an end to the days of the Government subsidising half the GEM fees? How are people who have taken out huge student debts to complete the course faring financially? Is the huge financial burden worthwhile?

Thanks for Reading!
M

ebmma

MRon8 wrote: »

Hi All,

I am a 22 year old Commerce Graduate, who is just about to complete a Masters in Business Studies, but alas I cannot get a job! I am seriously thinking about sitting next years GAMSATS in Dublin, but I am unclear about a number of things and would like some advice if anyone is willing to help.

First of all, I am wondering if I would be out of my depth in studying for the GAMSATs. I am a disciplined, dedicated studier and I would allocate 5 or 6 intense months of study to the exam but the problem is I have not studied Biology or Chemistry since my Junior Cert. I completed my LC in 2005 and I got 560 points, and an A2 in Physics so I would not be too worried about the Physics aspect of things. But would it be possible to bring my Chem & Bio up to an adequate level without a background in either? And if I was to attempt to tackle each of these subject areas, what would be the best way to start? Meticulous study of the recommended text books with one eye on exam papers or what?

Also, I am fearful that if college fees are re-introduced would that spell an end to the days of the Government subsidising half the GEM fees? How are people who have taken out huge student debts to complete the course faring financially? Is the huge financial burden worthwhile?

Thanks for Reading!
M

Hi!

My personal opinion on this is ---- you can do it if you put your mind to it.
There's a big difference between a good knowledge of chem and bio and being able to do well in exams (GAMSAT included).
If I were you I'd get as many of the study books as they provide (kind of like past papers really) and just work through them. Every time you read a question in,say, chemistry section and you don't remember material - look it up in a good book and write some condensed notes on it. That way you'll remember the subject and will get used to the GAMSAT format.
And just keep working through questions.

It'll make your studies more focused, rather than just opening a textbook on page one and getting completely overwhelmed by it all.

Best of luck :-)

Dermot Murphy

Hi Ebmma,

I'm in the same boat as you. I've just finished a humanities degree and want to sit the GAMSAT in March. The standard needed is first-year college, which shouldn't be beyond you. You should get the practice tests from the GAMSAT website. They give you an idea of the type of questions asked and an answer section which shows the reasoning which leads to the correct answer. You can get cheap textbooks on Amazon for all the major topics.

As for the fees, your guess is as good as any one's. We'll have to wait and see.

Best of luck.

Dermot.

liberal

MRon8 wrote: »

Hi All,

I am a 22 year old Commerce Graduate, who is just about to complete a Masters in Business Studies, but alas I cannot get a job! I am seriously thinking about sitting next years GAMSATS in Dublin, but I am unclear about a number of things and would like some advice if anyone is willing to help.

First of all, I am wondering if I would be out of my depth in studying for the GAMSATs. I am a disciplined, dedicated studier and I would allocate 5 or 6 intense months of study to the exam but the problem is I have not studied Biology or Chemistry since my Junior Cert. I completed my LC in 2005 and I got 560 points, and an A2 in Physics so I would not be too worried about the Physics aspect of things. But would it be possible to bring my Chem & Bio up to an adequate level without a background in either? And if I was to attempt to tackle each of these subject areas, what would be the best way to start? Meticulous study of the recommended text books with one eye on exam papers or what?

Also, I am fearful that if college fees are re-introduced would that spell an end to the days of the Government subsidising half the GEM fees? How are people who have taken out huge student debts to complete the course faring financially? Is the huge financial burden worthwhile?

Thanks for Reading!
M

i got a b2 in physics and i find i grand, you'll be laughting with an A2

You can learn biology, its not a hard topic if you put in the time

For chemistry search the web for videos, they are what helped me most.

Stay aways from "Chemistry for dummies" etc they are not suited for the Gamsat imo, get the bigger friendly looking books with colour pictures and loads of questions and worked examples, emphasis on redox, acids/bases, energetics and org chem

liberal

ebmma wrote: »

Hi!

My personal opinion on this is ---- you can do it if you put your mind to it.
There's a big difference between a good knowledge of chem and bio and being able to do well in exams (GAMSAT included).
If I were you I'd get as many of the study books as they provide (kind of like past papers really) and just work through them. Every time you read a question in,say, chemistry section and you don't remember material - look it up in a good book and write some condensed notes on it. That way you'll remember the subject and will get used to the GAMSAT format.
And just keep working through questions.

It'll make your studies more focused, rather than just opening a textbook on page one and getting completely overwhelmed by it all.

Best of luck :-)

Have to disagree with you there ebmma,

Science imo is a massively interconnected subject and understanding the bigger picture of an area is important, questions in the gamsat are rarely based on one fact, you generally need to draw information together...not as hard as it sounds

MedGal

Just took exam in the UK last Friday so still buzzing on the topic of GAMSAT.

Going to take a week or two off and then get cracking for the exam in March 2010.

Anybody done Gradmed course?

eagle_&_bear

MedGal wrote: »

Just took exam in the UK last Friday so still buzzing on the topic of GAMSAT.

Going to take a week or two off and then get cracking for the exam in March 2010.

Anybody done Gradmed course?

hi guys 'n' gals,

back in the land of the living. I'm doing the gradmed course in Jan 2010.

MedGal

Do you have any idea when Gradmed is on?

Anyone else take GAMSAT in the UK last wk?

eagle_&_bear

eagle_&_bear wrote: »

hi guys 'n' gals,

back in the land of the living. I'm doing the gradmed course in Jan 2010.

Yes,,, it's on for 10 weeks, January, February and first 2 weeks of March.

The following week is Gamsat exam

MedGal

eagle_&_bear wrote: »

Yes,,, it's on for 10 weeks, January, February and first 2 weeks of March.

The following week is Gamsat exam

Thanks for that and thanks for sending me the fees etc. I've never been able to electronic copies of info from Gradmed.

Think I'll do the full revision course for science and Maths.

Taking about 2weeks off and then I'll get back into my study.

So what appeals to you all or has made you want to do graduate entry medicine?

bioscience

hi does anyone know if its easier to get into the uk for grad med than ireland??? thinkin of sitting it next year. and can you sit the test if ur still in ur final year of an honours degree course?

bioscience

hi,
im in my 3rd year of an honours degree, can i sit the gamsat or should i be sitting it in the last year of my course? i know that you can hang to your results for 2 years so if i got the required result i could go in after im done with my degree. also is there a fee to sit the gamsat in ireland? or the one in uk?
many thanks.....

etymon

liberal wrote: »

Stay aways from "Chemistry for dummies" etc they are not suited for the Gamsat imo, get the bigger friendly looking books with colour pictures and loads of questions and worked examples, emphasis on redox, acids/bases, energetics and org chem

I agree that the Dummies books will not cut it for the Gamsat HOWEVER for anyone with a non-science background they are a must because they give you the feel for what is otherwise an impossible subject before moving onto the university texts.

I didn't appreciate when I sat the exam in March that you need a general overview. For example, I did no physics thinking 'oh, well, it's only 10%' and did no biology thinking 'ah sure you just look at the pictures' etc. and did a small bit of Organic Chemistry for Dummies - definitely not enough. And nowhere near enough if you are iffy on the Sections I and II.

Really enjoying the sciencenow but self-teaching is no match for a uni degree you lucky lucky people!

5803emma

Hi guys

I've just graduated with an Arts Degree in German and English from NUI Galway, however I'm one per cent shy of the required 2.1. I would love to pursue the Graduate Entry BM/BS but I'm wondering if I would be wasting my time sitting the GAMSAT in March considering my second class honours grade two. I have e-mailed all of the colleges re same and am currently awaiting their replies/rejections!! Any advice would be much appreciated!!

Emma

MedGal

Emma,

As far as I know, the 2.1 rule is strict. There is at least one uni in the UK that accepts a 2.2, maybe more than one. Haven't a clue which one it is but I've definitely seen it mentioned on forums.

When did u finish the course, are the results finalised? Is there any chance you could appeal one of your results?

sarah_anne

hey guys

can someone advise if the des o neill notes are the best to study from after uv looked at acer material?

5803emma

MedGal wrote: »

Emma,

As far as I know, the 2.1 rule is strict. There is at least one uni in the UK that accepts a 2.2, maybe more than one. Haven't a clue which one it is but I've definitely seen it mentioned on forums.

When did u finish the course, are the results finalised? Is there any chance you could appeal one of your results?

I graduated a week ago so can't get my results rechecked. To be honest I shouldn't have got on as well as I did, considering the work I put into that degree. 'Twas a tough final year for alot of reasons!

There are four universities I've found so far in England that will consider 2.2s, Nottingham, St Georges, Peninsula and Swansea, but if anyone knows of more, holla!!

The fees seem to be a good bit cheaper over there too. I'm going to sit the Irish GAMSAT in March to get a feel for it and then the UK GAMSAT in September with a view to applying to all of the above! Any thoughts on voluntary work/work experience that might be beneficial to my applications?

I was also considering sitting Leaving Cert Physics and Chemistry this coming June......must go find out if that's a possibility.......

piby

5803emma wrote: »

I graduated a week ago so can't get my results rechecked. To be honest I shouldn't have got on as well as I did, considering the work I put into that degree. 'Twas a tough final year for alot of reasons!

There are four universities I've found so far in England that will consider 2.2s, Nottingham, St Georges, Peninsula and Swansea, but if anyone knows of more, holla!!

The fees seem to be a good bit cheaper over there too. I'm going to sit the Irish GAMSAT in March to get a feel for it and then the UK GAMSAT in September with a view to applying to all of the above! Any thoughts on voluntary work/work experience that might be beneficial to my applications?

I was also considering sitting Leaving Cert Physics and Chemistry this coming June......must go find out if that's a possibility.......

I'm in a similar situation, got 59% there in June it's a killer!! Anyway I emailed a few of the uni's in England a while back about this and most of them said they were pretty strict on this. However King's told me they'd also consider somebody with an MA/MSc as long as the person achieved a merit. Imperial said on the website they'd do the same and few others, eg Warwick will accept PhDs. That said you find a lot of this info is often incorrect even on the official websites. The best thing is to contact them individually.

coco daly

Hi everybody, I've a degree in psychology and masters in applied psychology and seriously considering taking gamsat this march. Is there any courses in the dublin area for revsion and can anybody tell me the revision material allow you to score your answers aside from essay questions obviously cheers

Leem216

I am just about to finish my final year doing a level 8 in science but wanna do the GAMSAT's and have even more doors open I was wondering if anybody can tell me the entry requirements like what I need 2.2 and so on? If it was that you only got a 2.2 is there any possibility to get access to doing them?

etymon

you must have a 2:1; they will make you give evidence of this to the CAO so there is no point going this route if you only get a 2:2 I'm afraid.

singletraveller

hmm...I'm currently doing GEP in Ireland, and whilst you must have a 2.1 for entry into any of the colleges here, I vaguely recall seeing that some uni's in the UK accept 2.2's if you'd be prepared to go over there. I'm pretty certain it was only one or two, but if you're interested in going down that route you may as well look them up! it will be highly competitive though so you'd better knock their socks off in the application/interview parts

he man rugger

Considering going down this route in about a years time. How are people finding grad medicine? I graduated with a degree in Commerce from UCD in 2009 but am now working in disability support in DIT. I really enjoy it but its a pretty dead end job so am going to try organise a few placements come the summer in hospitals if I can to try and get my head around it. Pretty much sure I want to work in health sciences, the only question in terms of doing medicine here is that of fees. Not sure about medicine but in the UK the NHS pay fees for alot of medical students for EU students (my brother is doing a two years masters in physio at East Anglia).

limerick_girl

Hi there
I got my GAMSAT results this morning.
I don't think I'll make the cut.
How did everyone's results go?

skeaton

I did GAMSAT March 2010. I'm going into 2nd year GEP med now. I used study notes and sample papers I ordered from Australia. I have 7 sample papers and notes covering all topics (including essay writing). I'm selling the whole lot for €200 .

The best advice I got was to stay calm on the day. I didn't have nearly enough time for all the science questions so I guessed 'C' for about the last 30.

he man rugger

skeaton wrote: »

I did GAMSAT March 2010. I'm going into 2nd year GEP med now. I used study notes and sample papers I ordered from Australia. I have 7 sample papers and notes covering all topics (including essay writing). I'm selling the whole lot for €200 .

The best advice I got was to stay calm on the day. I didn't have nearly enough time for all the science questions so I guessed 'C' for about the last 30.

How did you find them?

Do they include all the "course content" (I'm aware there isn't any sort of strict course content) or are they guides on what to study and approach to the exam?

skeaton

he man rugger wrote: »

How did you find them?

Do they include all the "course content" (I'm aware there isn't any sort of strict course content) or are they guides on what to study and approach to the exam?

I found them v good. The most useful parts were the notes on how to write essays and the organic chemistry stuff. They definitely cover all the ‘course content’. They give you info you need, they’re not just guides on what you should study. Some of the notes are overkill, like the human biology stuff.
As regards the past papers, they are good for practice, especially the science. The passages in the ‘reasoning in humanties’ sections were much easier than GAMSAT...
Cheers

CeannComhairle

[HTML]"I did GAMSAT March 2010. I'm going into 2nd year GEP med now. I used study notes and sample papers I ordered from Australia. I have 7 sample papers and notes covering all topics (including essay writing). I'm selling the whole lot for €200 ."[/HTML]

@Skeaton - hi, currently thinking of changing career from psychology to medicine, have never done chemistry however so would the notes and books you're selling be helpful? Do you still have them?

Sorry if you've already sold them - so many posts saying different things it's hard to take it all in! Also, any advice from anybody greatly appreciated. Cheers.

southsidegal

GAMSAT Preparation Materials for sale - good price!

Hi all
I have the following material available for collection / delivery (within reason) - I live in South Dublin

1) "Organic Chemistry" - Clayden, Greeves, Warren and Wothers: as new

2) "Organic Chemistry Solutions Manual" - Clayden, Greeves, Warren and Wothers: as new

Euro 30 and Euro 20 respectively or Euro 40 for the pair

3) Cliffs Quick Review: Biochemistry I and Biochemistry II

Euro 8 each or Euro 10 for the pair

4) "Complete Idiots Guide to Chemistry" -2nd Edition: some underlining in a couple of the early chapters, otherwise as new

Euro 10

5) Gamsat: Practice Test and Practice Questions (as new)

Euro 25 and Euro 15 respectively or Euro 30 for the pair

SPECIAL OFFER: Euro 80 FOR THE LOT!!