The BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) is used by universities in the application process for medical, veterinary, dentistry and at Oxford, biomedical science. It tests your ability to apply scientific and mathematical knowledge, as well as problem-solving, critical thinking and written communication skills that are essential to university-level study.
BMAT Assessment
Section 1: Thinking Skills (32 multiple choice questions, 60 min), Generic skills in problem-solving and critical thinking. Including calculations, logical, spatial, deductive reasoning and tables. Verbal questions assess your ability to identify conclusions, assumptions, strengths and flaws in arguments within a written piece.
Section 2: Scientific Knowledge and Applications (27 multiple choice questions, 30 min), The ability to apply scientific knowledge typically covered in school Science and Mathematics by the age of 16. There are an equal number of Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Maths questions. Calculators are not allowed.
Section 3: Writing Task (one question from a choice of three, 30 min), The ability to select, develop and organise ideas, and to communicate them in writing, concisely and effectively. You will have to write a short, A4 essay based on a short statement or quote. You will need to explain a proposition, produce an argument and reconcile the conflicting views.
Each section is given a score:
Section 1: 1.0 to 9.0 (high)
Section 2: 1.0 to 9.0 (high)
Section 3: 0.0 to 5.0 (high) for content and A to E (low) for quality of written English
BMAT Applications
The UK Universities that use BMAT rather than UCAT are:
Brighton and Sussex Medical School
Imperial
Lancaster University
University College London (UCL)
University of Cambridge
University of Leeds
University of Oxford
The BMAT can only be taken once per application cycle
It is a 2-hour computer based examination, sat at a registered centre
The BMAT costs £61 for UK and EU registration, £92 internationally
Although there are September and November assessment sessions, only the November session will take place this year, 2022
The test consists of three sections:
The specification can be found here
Access arrangements are available for the BMAT, such as extra time or enlarged papers
There is no negative marking
BMAT Thoughts
Preparation is key! Revision of all your GCSE sciences is a must plus practice of mental maths. Use the resources on the BMAT website.
Time pressure is another issue, so practice working at speed with past papers and practice questions. Learning a way to quickly plan a short essay will help greatly with section 3.
A typical candidate will get about half the questions right, but candidates should aim as high as possible.
Once you have completed the test, you are given details of how to access your results (towards the end of November). This means that you will not have your BMAT score before your UCAS application deadline. Therefore you should take note of your mock BMAT scores in advance to help you with your application choices.
Results are sent directly to the universities you have applied to.
Some universities rank by score, others use academic grades with the score. Each university has its own way of using BMAT, some emphasising it more than others.
We can help with all BMAT preparation, contact us today.
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