Are you pursuing or considering graduate entry medicine, and wondering how the UCAT and GAMSAT compare? In this article, we cover what each exam entails, break down the entry requirements for graduate courses (GAMSAT vs UCAT), and explore how you can take advantage of both admissions tests to maximise your chances of getting into medical school.

Just starting your GAMSAT preparation journey? Take a look at our GAMSAT blogs for in-depth section-specific guides, top tips to succeed in the GAMSAT, common GAMSAT preparation mistakes to avoid, and guidance on how to master GAMSAT timing.

What is the UCAT ANZ?

The UCAT ANZ (University Clinical Aptitude Test for Australia and New Zealand) is an admissions test which assesses important aspects of being a medical or dental professional. The skills-based test is used as a way of differentiating applicants during the admissions process and plays a role in interview selection (and sometimes final selection). 

What is the GAMSAT?

The GAMSAT (Graduate Medical School Admissions Test) is an admissions test for graduate entry medicine or dentistry. You can sit the exam if you have an undergraduate degree, or if you’re in the final or second to last year of university when you take the test. Like the UCAT, the GAMSAT is used to differentiate applicants during the admissions process, however there are key differences between the two tests.

UCAT vs GAMSAT – how do they compare?

Here’s a basic overview of the GAMSAT and UCAT:

|   | UCAT | GAMSAT |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Test time  | Under two hours                                                | 4 hours and 10 minutes (Sections 1 and 3), 1 hour and 5 minutes (Section 2)                                                 |
| Questions  | 184 multiple choice questions                            | 137 multiple choice questions and two essays                                                                                |
| Sections   | Four subtests: Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning, Situational Judgement | Three sections: Reasoning in Humanities and Social Sciences Section (previously Section 1), Written Communication Section (previously Section 2), Reasoning in Biological and Physical Sciences Section (previously Section 3) |
| Test cycle | July–August annually                                     | Two test windows annually – March and September                                                                             |
| Skills tested | Critically evaluating written material, making appropriate decisions in complex situations, assessing and evaluating numerical information, using convergent and divergent thinking styles, your reasoning against real-life medical situations | Interpretation and understanding of ideas in social and cultural contexts, your ability to generate and develop ideas in writing, reasoning and problem solving within a scientific context |
| Knowledge required | No prior knowledge needed                        | Year 12 standard for Physics, first-year undergraduate level in Biology and Chemistry                                       |
| Recommended preparation time | 3–6+ months                            | At least 3 months (5–6 months if you’re from a non-science background)

What are the advantages of sitting both the UCAT and GAMSAT?

Sitting both the UCAT and GAMSAT can provide a strategic advantage by increasing your chances of being accepted into medical or dental school. Although the two exams are fundamentally different, you may find that preparing for one exam could help with the other. For example, there is a broad overlap between GAMSAT Section 1 (Reasoning in Humanities and Social Sciences Section) and UCAT Decision Making and Verbal Reasoning sections, as they’re related to comprehension. In addition, many graduate entry students have sat the UCAT before, so will already be familiar with the exam format and test-taking process.

As the GAMSAT is offered twice a year, there are more opportunities for you to perform well. Keep in mind that your UCAT score is only valid for a year, but your GAMSAT results are valid for four years. In addition, you can retake the GAMSAT up to twice a year (once per test window). Overall, preparing for and sitting both exams allows you to have ‘multiple shots’ at achieving a favourable score that will increase your chance of success.

What are the challenges of sitting both the UCAT and GAMSAT?

If you decide to sit both the UCAT and GAMSAT, there are some challenges to be aware of:

• Burning out – as you’ll be revising for two exams, and splitting your preparation time, there is a risk of doing worse in both exams. To counteract this, create a study timetable and try to space out revision in a logical and manageable way. You should ensure that you dedicate enough revision time for both exams without compromising your performance in either exam. We’ve suggested a possible timeline for how your preparation journey might look in this article, but feel free to adapt this accordingly.

• UCAT performance – if you struggled with the UCAT in the past, you must identify your mistakes and learn how to overcome them, otherwise you risk making them again. Did you lack confidence? Did you not prepare for long enough? Did you not identify your weaknesses in practice questions and each practice test? Whatever it is, use your previous experience as a guide for how to improve next time. 

• Exam costs – sitting exams, especially the GAMSAT, is expensive for many students. In addition, if you decide to resit your exams, you will need to consider the financial implications as this may not be viable for you.

Graduate entry vs standard entry as a graduate

There are 12 graduate entry medical programs throughout Australia and New Zealand, and most of these require the GAMSAT:

| University | Course | Admissions test | GAMSAT requirements for graduates |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Australian National University | Doctor of Medicine and Surgery | GAMSAT | Overall minimum score of 50, with at least 50 in each section |
| Deakin University | Doctor of Medicine (H911) | GAMSAT | Overall minimum score of 50, with at least 50 in each section |
| Flinders University | Doctor of Medicine | GAMSAT | Minimum of 50 in each section |
| Griffith University | Doctor of Medicine (5099) | GAMSAT | Minimum of 50 in each section |
| Macquarie University | Doctor of Medicine | GAMSAT | Overall minimum score of 50, with at least 50 in each section |
| University of Melbourne | Doctor of Medicine (MC-DMED) | GAMSAT | Minimum of 50 in each section |
| Monash University | Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (M6018) | None | n/a |
| University of Notre Dame (Fremantle and Sydney) | Doctor of Medicine (5142) | GAMSAT | Unweighted average score of 52 or greater and a minimum score of 50 in each section |
| University of Queensland | Doctor of Medicine (5740) | GAMSAT | Minimum of 50 in each section |
| University of Sydney | Doctor of Medicine | GAMSAT | Minimum of 50 in each section |
| University of Western Australia | Doctor of Medicine (91850) | GAMSAT | Overall minimum score of 55, with at least 50 in each section |
| University of Wollongong | Doctor of Medicine (1646) | GAMSAT | Overall minimum score of 50, with at least 50 in each section

There are eight standard entry medical programs in Australia and New Zealand which also accept graduates. If you sit the GAMSAT and apply for standard entry as a graduate, you would have the choice of just two universities to apply to. However, if you sit both the UCAT and GAMSAT, you could apply to any of the eight universities listed in the table below, thereby boosting your odds of being accepted into medical school.

| University                                           | Course                                                           | Admissions test | Requirements for graduates                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|-----------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| University of Adelaide                              | Bachelor of Medical Studies, Doctor of Medicine                 | UCAT ANZ       | Your only record of study must be from the University of Adelaide (minimum one year full-time equivalent study and maximum two years full-time equivalent study). First year students: 18–24 units of level 1 study and GPA of 5.0+. Second year students: 24–48 units of level 1 and 2 study and GPA of 5.0+. |
| University of Auckland                              | Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery                    | UCAT ANZ       | Successfully completed, normally in the minimum academic time and no more than five years prior to the date of application, a degree/postgraduate degree/postgraduate diploma from a New Zealand university with a minimum GPA of 6.0 (B+) or equivalent.                                  |
| Bond University                                     | Bachelor of Medical Studies, Doctor of Medicine                 | None           | Cumulative GPA of greater than 6 on a 7-point scale from a recognised tertiary program.                                                                                                                                                          |
| Charles Sturt University and Western Sydney University | Bachelor of Clinical Science (Medicine)/Doctor of Medicine (725505) | UCAT ANZ       | Applicants with a completed undergraduate degree must attain a GPA of at least 5.5 (non-rural graduates) or 4.9 (rural graduates).                                                                                                               |
| Curtin University                                   | Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery                       | UCAT ANZ       | A minimum notional ATAR of 92 and distinction average for bachelor degree.                                                                                                                                                                       |
| University of Newcastle & University of New England | Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine              | UCAT ANZ       | Completed at least one year full-time in a single program of study. Incomplete studies: close to credit average. Completed studies: better than pass average.                                                                                     |
| University of Otago                                 | Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery                    | UCAT ANZ       | Completed a bachelor's degree/undergraduate bachelor's honours degree/bachelor's degree followed without a break in study by a postgraduate diploma or postgraduate honours year. The average grade for all papers must be at least a weighted GPA of 5.                                   |
| University of Tasmania                              | Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine              | GAMSAT         | Completed Bachelor level degree (AQF Level 7) or higher from any Australian higher education provider no more than 10 years prior to course commencement. The minimum unweighted GPA needed for an application to be considered is 5.25

Admissions journey for applicants sitting both the UCAT and GAMSAT

This following diagram shows an admissions journey for an applicant who is enrolled in a 3-year degree, and plans to sit both the UCAT and GAMSAT for applying to medical schools. Please note, this is an example timeline. Depending on your progress and performance, the preparation and test-taking strategies should be adapted accordingly.

With this approach, you would start preparing for the GAMSAT towards the end of your first year at university ahead of the March test window in year 2. You should give yourself at least 3 months to prepare for the GAMSAT. However, if you’re from a non-science background, or speak English as a second language, we recommend extending the preparation time to at least 5–6 months. Of course, preparation times will vary for test takers depending on your natural abilities and other commitments. What matters most is being intentional, and giving yourself as much time as needed to build and refine various skills.

Once you’ve sat the GAMSAT in March in your second year, you will need to decide what the next best step is. For instance, if you achieve a good score in the first sitting, ask yourself if sitting the GAMSAT another time to improve your score even further would be worth it, versus focusing on university studies to raise your GPA and preparing for interviews. If your GAMSAT score isn’t as good as you hoped it might be, ask yourself whether you want to consider the UCAT too (so choosing between sitting only the GAMSAT again, or sitting both the UCAT and GAMSAT). 

If you decide to sit the GAMSAT again, make a note of how the first sitting went and spend some time reflecting. What did you struggle with? Do you need to improve your pacing or stamina? Did you not spend long enough tackling your weaknesses? Repeat this process for any exams you sit after this, as it should increase the likelihood that you’ll perform better over time (so long as you’re able to sustain a strong mindset throughout this period). If you decide to sit the UCAT too, and you’ve sat the UCAT before, now is an ideal time to reflect on what didn’t go so well the last time. Use your preparation time to really hone in on your weaknesses to optimise your performance as much as possible.

If you end up sitting the GAMSAT multiple times by the time you submit your application, you'll have two or three GAMSAT scores that can be used (you’ll be able to submit your highest score for your application). If you don’t do as well as you hoped in one or both exams, or aren’t ready to submit your application, you can resit the UCAT the following year (as UCAT is only valid for one year). You can also take the GAMSAT another two times, and use any of your scores, as the GAMSAT is valid for four years. Keep in mind that if you do resit your exams, this will delay starting medical/dental school by a year.

Before applying, you should decide if graduate entry or standard entry as a graduate is the best option. There are pros and cons for each pathway, such as:

• Course length – graduate entry courses tend to be shorter and more accelerated compared to standard entry (graduate entry is usually four years long whereas standard entry is typically five or six years long).

• Expense – if you opt for standard entry, you’ll need to study for longer, resulting in more expenses and delayed earning potential, so this is something to take into consideration.

• Competition – graduate entry is considered to be more competitive than standard entry. However, the competitiveness of each pathway can vary as it will depend on where you apply, how many slots are available, how many students have applied, and the quality of the applicant pool. You should always research the admission requirements for the universities you’re interested in to put yourself in the strongest position when applying. 

Of course, if feasible, you can apply to a mix of standard entry and graduate entry programmes to further maximise your chances of getting into medical school.

Succeed in the UCAT and GAMSAT with Medify

‍Do you need help with preparing for your UCAT and GAMSAT exams? 

Our UCAT ANZ Online Course provides 20,000+ questions, 24 unique full mock exams, 34+ mini-mock exams, 50+ hours of video tutorials, and performance feedback.

Our GAMSAT Online Course provides 5,000+ original GAMSAT-style questions, 7 realistic GAMSAT mock exams, 50+ in-depth tutorials, and Medify’s science syllabus with key topics for biology, chemistry, and physics.