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Practice, Practice, Practice
We all know the importance of practice when it comes to exam revision. You may be smart enough to get the grades required for university entry but the BMAT is a different type of test. The questions found in BMAT past papers are based on three different ways of thinking. This exam gives you the chance to stand out from the crowd of high achievers.
Tests of IQ like the BMAT can be taught, despite what the creators of the test and others like it say. In fact, the BMAT covers GCSE science knowledge in Section 2 which is clearly a memory test rather than one of raw intelligence.
Research has shown that repeatedly practising anything will lead you to performing better and faster when examined on it in the future. Practising IQ-type tests will not make you any smarter like certain brain fitness apps claim, but you will see your scores improve. BMAT past papers will familiarise you with the style of question possible meaning less surprises when you sit the exam.
Click here for the official BMAT Preparation Guide.
The BioMedical Admissions Test
The BMAT contains 3 sections, verbal reasoning and data analysis, applied GCSE science and finally a written piece. The first two sections will be tested using multiple choice questions and are marked by computer. This gives a single mark per question and the results placed on a scale from 1 to 9. This is a weighted scale so if the whole group does very well the average score will still be 5.
Your essay in the final section of the BMAT will be marked by two separate examiners for fairness and is graded using the ACE-5 system. Your written English will be graded either:
A Good command of English
C Reasonable command of English, some errors
E Poor use of English, fractured narrative, significant grammar errors
Then the examiners will mark your content as follows:
5 Close to perfect
4 Question fully addressed, some errors
3 Question reasonably addressed, some weak arguements
2 Generally weak arguements, confused structure
1 Poor, little correlation to the question
Using BMAT past papers
While the BMAT is supposed to be a test of raw intelligence, it is imperative that you familiarise yourself with the format beforehand. Having a good understanding of the logic behind the questions will put you ahead of your peers.
As part of our application program we provide a BMAT crash course but this must be backed up with diligent review of BMAT past papers and the course specification. Luckily Cambridge Assessment, who run the exam provide the test specification here so you get an idea of the format of each section.
After you have an understanding of what is required it is advisable to start looking through Section 1 first. There is an official BMAT guide to the first section which you can find here. Don’t ignore this guide, it is there for a reason! You will most likely not have covered this style of thinking since verbal and non-verbal reasoning in the 11 plus.
Proper Preparation
Take your time to understand the method behind each section rather than just revising a bit of your science GCSEs. It would be a big shame to attain the good grades required to only be let down by poor BMAT preparation. After a solid grounding in the methods of each section it’s time to get started on those BMAT past papers! Unlike for most exams, the examination board provide a full list here.
Still need some help or left your BMAT revision to the last minute? Our one day course takes you through each of the sections, showcasing techniques for critical thinking, a review of the assumed scientific knowledge and interactive discussions on presenting strong yet balanced arguements. We look at the exam as a whole and highlight strategies to ensure you get the highest mark on the day. To further cement your learning a full, official BMAT past paper is sat under exam conditions.
A day after the test we send out a full analysis of your marks, with a report highlighting areas of strength and weaker areas to focus your study on. Your success is completely up to you after that.
Good Luck!
The Acrosophy Team
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