The Gamsat allows a block of reading time at the start of each section. Ten minutes are permitted for Sections I and III and five minutes for Section II.
For the MCQ sections, sections I and III:
- Firstly, quickly flip through the book and check the page numbers are all sequential and that the diagrams all printed correctly.
- As you do so, keep an eye out of the questions. Are there questions on subjects you aren't as strong on, or with long and/or complicated prompts? You may want to skip these on your first attempt and come back to them later. This will give you a good feel for where you are up to in the test and how much more work you have to do at any given time.
- During your reading time, you are not allowed to actually record answers or make notes either on the question book or on the answer sheet. I find that having read through the question and decided on the correct answer, it is very easy to simply remember the answer when I come back to it as soon as reading time finishes. You can easily get an extra 5-10 questions completed this way, giving you more time for those questions (like, say, organic chemistry) where being able to diagram and make notes is a must.
- Can you make notes? No. It's for reading only. Do so, and they will take away your answer booklet and provide you wil a clean one. I have done this before by accident, being used to uni exams where writing in the question book was fair game. I have heard of people developing systems - pencil placement or tiny indents in the book - to mark correct answers. I find it's just as easy to remember them. We're only talking 5-10 questions here, and the answers are easily remembered.
For section II, the essay section, you are allowed five minutes of reading time. I use this time to look over both sets of prompts and allow my natural response to surface. In most cases you can find a position to support or argue against that you feel strongly about that relates to the test materials. I then think of three to five book quotes, studies I have read, or examples from my own life that I can include. These, the stimulus material, and the fact that I have chosen an idea I feel strongly about allow me to write continously for around 25 minutes each essay.
Showing posts with label ontheday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ontheday. Show all posts
On the day of the GAMSAT
By the time you've taken the GAMSAT, you've probably taken your fair number of exams. Uni exams. Entrance exams. Those annoying multiple-choice exams back in high school. For the most part, you'll know best what works for you, and what doesn't.
Calculator - your standard high school, scientific but with no memory calculator. Sines and cosines will pop up and you can do without, but why? Extra batteries and/or a backup calculator may also be a good idea.
Clothes - Halls can be overheated, or underheated. Layers is excellent. Bring extra layers even if you may not need them. Go for comfortable. Ugg boot slippers that you pull off and leave next to the exam desk? Perfect. I've seen it done. Sleeping bags only for Canberra residents.
Exercise - Enough to tire you out the night before. A couple of stretches should you feel that fuzzy feeling in the exam - anything you can do quietly, in your seat. This site has a good selection.
Food - GAMSAT is a long haul, so you'll want to bring along a solid packed lunch and a heap of snacks. Also bring along a waterbottle - clear plastic, label removed is less likely to be removed. I have had proctors refuse orange juice and other sugary substances in the exam ('it's a standarised exam, and not everyone has orange juice'), so if you want to sneakily bring in a sugar hit, try something clear - lime or lemon cordial? Or, fake the odd cough and go crazy on the eucalyptus drops. Or, if you know it works for you from previous exams, stimulants. Coffee. Pure caffiene pills. Aspirin or ibuprofen or paracetamol if you get stress headaches.
Environment - You may want to bring along earplugs, though I have found that the testing centres tend to be very quiet.
Identification and GAMSAT entrance ID - You can print two copies of your entrance ticket. Why not? Don't make it any harder on yourself than you have to.
Phone - This is for breaks only, or you can be disqualified with a vengeance. And please, please, please, turn it to silent. But during your lunch break, call up a friend, and have a nice long whinge.
Sleep - Have a good night's sleep before the GAMSAT. Avoid chemical uppers and downers like coffee and alcohol, try tiring yourself out with exercise. Exercise in bed is even more relaxing.
Stationery - My personal quirk with exams is always to buy a brand new pen, something that feels just right in my hands as I'm using it. Solid. Dependable.
And then I bring along backup pens, or five, 2B pencils, sharpeners, a good eraser (optically read exams can be finicky), a ruler (useful for measuring and diagrams, even if it's not on the usual items list).
Toilet - As often as you can. I have been at an exam centre where they asked you not to use the toilet in the morning break, as it took extra time to get everyone back into the hall. With the amount I am paying to take this test, I expect that they get a hall with enough toilets, and enough proctors, that I can have a good chance at the test. So go anyway. It's also an excellent opportunity to stretch your legs and get the blood flowing again.
Watch - to time you on how long you have for each section, each question. Keep track, but don't let yourself feel rushed.
Hope this helps you to get the best result possible on the day of the test.
Calculator - your standard high school, scientific but with no memory calculator. Sines and cosines will pop up and you can do without, but why? Extra batteries and/or a backup calculator may also be a good idea.
Clothes - Halls can be overheated, or underheated. Layers is excellent. Bring extra layers even if you may not need them. Go for comfortable. Ugg boot slippers that you pull off and leave next to the exam desk? Perfect. I've seen it done. Sleeping bags only for Canberra residents.
Exercise - Enough to tire you out the night before. A couple of stretches should you feel that fuzzy feeling in the exam - anything you can do quietly, in your seat. This site has a good selection.
Food - GAMSAT is a long haul, so you'll want to bring along a solid packed lunch and a heap of snacks. Also bring along a waterbottle - clear plastic, label removed is less likely to be removed. I have had proctors refuse orange juice and other sugary substances in the exam ('it's a standarised exam, and not everyone has orange juice'), so if you want to sneakily bring in a sugar hit, try something clear - lime or lemon cordial? Or, fake the odd cough and go crazy on the eucalyptus drops. Or, if you know it works for you from previous exams, stimulants. Coffee. Pure caffiene pills. Aspirin or ibuprofen or paracetamol if you get stress headaches.
Environment - You may want to bring along earplugs, though I have found that the testing centres tend to be very quiet.
Identification and GAMSAT entrance ID - You can print two copies of your entrance ticket. Why not? Don't make it any harder on yourself than you have to.
Phone - This is for breaks only, or you can be disqualified with a vengeance. And please, please, please, turn it to silent. But during your lunch break, call up a friend, and have a nice long whinge.
Sleep - Have a good night's sleep before the GAMSAT. Avoid chemical uppers and downers like coffee and alcohol, try tiring yourself out with exercise. Exercise in bed is even more relaxing.
Stationery - My personal quirk with exams is always to buy a brand new pen, something that feels just right in my hands as I'm using it. Solid. Dependable.
And then I bring along backup pens, or five, 2B pencils, sharpeners, a good eraser (optically read exams can be finicky), a ruler (useful for measuring and diagrams, even if it's not on the usual items list).
Toilet - As often as you can. I have been at an exam centre where they asked you not to use the toilet in the morning break, as it took extra time to get everyone back into the hall. With the amount I am paying to take this test, I expect that they get a hall with enough toilets, and enough proctors, that I can have a good chance at the test. So go anyway. It's also an excellent opportunity to stretch your legs and get the blood flowing again.
Watch - to time you on how long you have for each section, each question. Keep track, but don't let yourself feel rushed.
Hope this helps you to get the best result possible on the day of the test.
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