What is the Difference Between GAMSAT and UCAT

If you’re planning to study medicine or dentistry, you’ve probably heard of the GAMSAT and the UCAT. Both are entrance exams, but they test very different skills and are used for different pathways.

What is the difference between GAMSAT and UCAT? GAMSAT is for graduate-entry programs and tests science knowledge with essays, while UCAT is for undergraduate entry and focuses on quick reasoning and decision-making skills.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is GAMSAT 
     – Definition, Features 
2. What is UCAT
     – Definition, Features 
3. Similarities Between GAMSAT and UCAT
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between GAMSAT and UCAT
     – Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: GAMSAT and UCAT
     – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terms

GAMSAT, UCAT, Graduate Medical School Admissions Test, University Clinical Aptitude Test

What is GAMSAT

The Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) is an exam used by universities in Australia, the UK, and Ireland to select students for graduate entry programs in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary science, and other health fields. To sit the test, candidates must already hold (or be finishing) a bachelor’s degree in any subject, even non-science ones like arts or law.

The GAMSAT is run by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) and is held twice a year—in March/April and again in September. It’s a full-day test, lasting from morning to late afternoon, and is taken at designated centres in several countries, including Australia, the UK, Ireland, and the US.

The exam itself has three sections. Section I covers humanities and social sciences with multiple-choice questions. Section II requires writing two essays to test communication skills. Meanwhile, Section III focuses on biology, chemistry, and physics, and is the longest and most heavily weighted part of the test. Because of this, having some science knowledge is important, especially at the first-year university level for biology and chemistry, and high school level for physics.

Unlike regular exams, the GAMSAT doesn’t give raw marks. Instead, it uses a scoring system that compares performance to other test-takers and produces a percentile ranking. Universities then combine this score with the candidate’s GPA or degree results to decide who gets invited to interviews.

What is UCAT

The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is an admissions exam used by most medical and dental schools in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore to help select applicants. It was first launched in 2006 as the UKCAT and later renamed in 2019 when it replaced the UMAT in Australia and New Zealand. Since the cancellation of the BMAT in 2024, even top universities like Oxford and Cambridge now use the UCAT.

Unlike school exams that test academic knowledge, the UCAT focuses on skills and attitudes that are important for future doctors and dentists, such as problem-solving, logical thinking, and ethical decision-making. It is taken on a computer at a Pearson VUE test centre, and candidates are given on-screen tools like a calculator and a notepad.

The test is divided into four main sections. Verbal Reasoning checks how well candidates understand written information. Decision-making looks at logical thinking using puzzles, data, and arguments. Quantitative reasoning tests problem-solving with numbers and data. Finally, the Situational Judgement Test measures how candidates might react in real-life scenarios, especially in terms of ethics and professionalism.

Similarities Between GAMSAT and UCAT

1. Both are entrance exams used for admission into medicine and related health fields.
2. They are computer-based tests.
3. Both assess problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
4. They are accepted by Australian universities.

Difference Between GAMSAT and UCAT

Definition

• The GAMSAT stands for Graduate Medical School Admissions Test, while the UCAT is the University Clinical Aptitude Test.

Eligibility

• To sit the GAMSAT, a candidate must already have, or be completing, a bachelor’s degree. In contrast, the UCAT is designed for high school leavers or students without a prior degree.

Areas Focused

• The GAMSAT focuses on scientific knowledge, critical thinking, and written communication, while the UCAT focuses on cognitive skills such as reasoning, decision-making, and ethical judgment.

Test Duration

• The GAMSAT lasts about five and a half hours and includes both multiple-choice science questions and essay writing. The UCAT is much shorter, taking around two hours, and it is entirely multiple choice on a computer.

Areas

• The GAMSAT requires a strong science background and problem-solving ability, while the UCAT requires fast logical reasoning, pattern recognition, and quick decision-making.

Scoring

• The GAMSAT uses item response theory scoring and provides a scaled score between 0 and 100, without revealing raw marks. The UCAT gives a score of 300–900 for each section, with a total between 1200 and 3600, plus a band score for situational judgment.

Test Time

• The GAMSAT is offered twice a year, in March and September, whereas the UCAT is offered once a year within a set testing window that lasts several months.

FAQ: GAMSAT and UCAT

1. Is GAMSAT easier than UCAT?

The GAMSAT is usually considered harder than the UCAT because it is much longer, requires strong science knowledge, and includes essay writing. The UCAT is shorter and tests quick thinking and problem-solving rather than detailed science.

2. Is GAMSAT accepted in the UK?

Yes, the GAMSAT (Graduate Medical School Admissions Test) is accepted in the UK, but only for graduate-entry medicine programs at certain universities.

3. Is UCAT harder than GMAT?

The UCAT is generally seen as easier than the GMAT. The GMAT is for business school and tests advanced math, reasoning, and writing, while the UCAT is shorter and focuses more on quick logic and decision-making.

4. Is UCAT compulsory in Australia?

Yes, the UCAT is compulsory for most undergraduate medicine and dentistry courses in Australia. Almost all universities require it as part of their admission process, so students must sit the test.

5. How hard is UCAT?

The UCAT is quite challenging because it is very fast-paced and tests quick thinking, logic, and decision-making. Many students find the time pressure harder than the actual questions.

Reference:

1. “Graduate Medical School Admissions Test.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.

2. “University Clinical Aptitude Test.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Group of Medical Students at the Hallway Sharing Notes” (CC0) via Pexels