Here are answers to some of the questions I've received.

How do they work out the Final GAMSAT mark? They say that you need a minimum of 50 in each of the sections for UQ, but I'm not sure if that is exactly 50 out of the 75 humanities questions, 50 out of the 110 science questions, that doesn't really seem right...

Each section is scored based on the number of correct answers in the multiple choice sections (1 - Reasoning in Humanities and Social Sciences, 3 - Reasoning in Physical Sciences) and the writing tasks are scored based on some preset criteria (section 2 - Essays). So if you answer 50% of the questions in a section correctly - theoretically you should get a score of 50. But the Test is also rescaled so that it can be compared from year to year. So depending on the difficulty of the test the 50 could become 55 or say 48.

Now, the three scores from the individual sections are combined to give a single overall score where section 3 Physical Sciences is weighted twice the other sections.

A - section 1 score, B - section 2, C - section 3 then,

Overall GAMSAT Score = (A+B+Cx2)/4

So whenever there is talk about any scores it always refers to scaled percentage scores. When looking to invite an applicant to an interview the Uni's can look at whatever scores they like. Eg. Sydney looks at the minimum score achieved in an individual section and that becomes the cutoff mark - so, for example, if the cutoff mark was 55 - you had to achieve at least that in all three sections of the test. So if you got an overall score of 60, and 65 in section 3, but you are a bad writer such that you got 50 in section 2 - you wouldn't be invitated to an interview. Other Uni's like QLD take the overall score as the benchmark for an invitation, eg. cutoff score of 58, but they may also put a restriction on the minimum score in an individual section, eg. 50. So in the case of the example above you would get an interview.

Do you know what the UQ GPA cutoff scores were in the last couple of years? Their website says that the department head changes it from year to year but doesn't say what it has been to give me an idea of what mark I need.

In terms of QLD GPA scores, the admission guide for 1999 states that you need a minimum GPA of 4.0 *(from 2003 a score of 4.5 is now required) on a scale 0-7. The guide also says that the GPA will not be included in the calculation of the final score used to rank applicants for admission, but used as a tie-breaker if necessary. QLD Final admission score is weighted: 50% GAMSAT & 50% Interview performance. The GPA minimum score is not usually varied from year to year but check with QLD.

I have just completed an Engineering degree, but my grades are about credit average, so I am not sure if I would qualify for the Bachelor's degree requirement. In particular, how do they use the Graded Point Average?

Wouldn't worry about engineering - I completed a Civil Engineering degree. The different uni's use the GPA differently:

- Flinders takes it into account when ranking candidates for admission - an entry score is calculated from the weighted GPA, GAMSAT score & Interview score (all weighted equally - 33% each). No mimimum is set for your GPA. You just have to achieve the GAMSAT cutoff score to get an invitation to an interview.

- Sydney requires a credit average GPA (weighted 5.5) - if you achieve this level then it doesn't count in the further admission process.

- QLD - also requires a minimum score which is a GPA of 4 *(from 2003 a score of 4.5 is now required) on a scale of 0-7. However, the GPA score can be used later as a tie-breaker if candidates achieve the same entry score (which is made up of 50% GAMSAT score & 50% Interview performance)

A very good friend of mine has sat the exam this year and has been awarded an interview at the University of Queensland. This was not his first preference however (it was USyd). What he would like to know is, can you get two interviews (ie: one for your first preference and one for your second) in the one year?

You only get one interview per year. According to the ACER Admissions Guide there is only one round of interviews conducted by each of the schools and no one will be invited to interview by more than one school.

About the GPA system, how can I actually calculate my GPA score?

Calculating your GPA score is quite complex. Since different unis use various scoring/marking systems, these need to be translated into a single, easily comparible, average - which happens to be the GPA. Best thing for you to do is contact ACER and ask for the Admission Booklet (not the GAMSAT registration Booklet) explaining how to calculate your GPA (or download the pdf file from ACER's website).

Just wondering if you know what scores on the MCAT are required for entry into Sydney Uni?

I know you should have some knowledge of first-year uni chemistry for the GAMSAT, but when you look at subject descriptions of first-year uni chemistry, it sounds suspiciously like what i'm studying for chemistry now in year 12. I don't know about biology, but what do you reckon?

Well, the ACER guide says that 1st year uni chemistry and biology is required for the GAMSAT. I personally only studied year 12-level chemistry and biology and I passed the exam. I did find some of the chemistry and biology questions difficult (more so biology ones), but overall it's more the logic and problem solving than knowledge base that is being examined.
You'll have to make up your own mind as to how to approach the exam. I opted for covering the basic concepts in detail and it worked for me.  I think you may want to do the sample questions and assess what level of knowledge you will be comfortable with studying.

I’m currently studying Medical Science and Business (about to commence the 3rd out of the 4 yr course), but I’m planning to do an honours program. Would the Universities still offer me a place for an interview, although I will be continuing my study (for honours)? On the other hand, would it be possible to just sit for the exam and see how I go? I am a little bit confused on this particular area, as most graduate-medical schools do NOT allow for deferment. If that is the case, then it would probably be best that I sit the exam in 2005 for 2006 entry. Is that correct?

GAMSAT is valid for two years so if you sit the exam in 2004 it is valid for admissions in 2005 and 2006. Obviously this is handy because if you plan to enter in 2006 you have a second chance at the exam the following year. You could even do the exam this year and if you score well - you just may decide to do medicine after your 4th year in case you don't do honours.

GAMSAT and applying for admission are two separate processes. In a given year you can sit the exam but not apply for admission. If you score well you can use that score for the following year's admission eg. GAMSAT in 2003 for admission in 2005. But once you apply and get an interview it wouldn't be a good idea to turn it down, or for that matter an offer after the interview. And I believe you are right about uni's not offering deferments for year 1.

I am just about to enter my second year of university. I am studying B.Science (Adv.) with the hope of one day doing medicine post-grad. I am doing a three year course, and I would like to sit the GAMSAT during my third year of study. However, a few good friends of mine mentioned that it was possible to sit the GAMSAT in your second year of study when you are still an undergraduate, becasue GAMSAT scores are valid for two years. They thought that if this is possible, then it would be great experience for the next year. Do you know if it is actually possible to sit the GAMSAT (without actually applying to medical schools) when you are still an undergraduate student, and not in your last year of study?

You are absolutely correct - in fact you can sit GAMSAT anytime you like. By sitting GAMSAT in your penultimate year - you will get experience and since the test results are valid for 2 years, if you score well you could actually apply for admission in the year after you graduate.

I have recently finished my degree in Science and received a GPA of 4 for the degree. I am determined to get into medicine and I will try until I get in. However, I am afraid that my GPA affects my chances of getting into medicine. Does this mean that GPA will jeopardise my opportunities of ever getting into medicine?

Check out the admission guidelines - Sydney and Melbourne require a min GPA of 5.5, QLD min 4.5. Only Flinders accepts candidates without a minimum GPA but takes it into account when adding up a final score. This really makes it hard to get in with a GPA of 4 unless you are applying to Flinders and score big on the GAMSAT and do well in the interview. Check this with ACER and read carefully through their booklets - possibly contact them about the GPA. Another way is to do another degree and get a higher GPA.