The BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) is an aptitude test used as part of the admissions process for Medicine, Veterinary Medicine or Biomedical Sciences in some universities in the United Kingdom, Singapore, Spain, Malaysia and the Netherlands.
Contents
History
BMAT was developed by the Admissions Testing Service in response to requests from academics at medical and veterinary schools for an assessment that would enable them to differentiate between applicants who appear equally well qualified and suited to the course, and provide a way of assessing the potential of students who have a range of different qualifications.
Initially, it was taken up by Oxford University for Medicine and Physiology (replacing the OMAT); the University of Cambridge for Medicine and Veterinary Science (replacing the MVAT) and University College London, for Medicine.
From 2011, the new Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKC Medicine) in Singapore, a partnership between Imperial College London and Nanyang University, started using BMAT as part of its entry process for Medicine.
Recent universities to introduce BMAT as part of their entry requirements for Medicine courses are Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) (2013), Leiden University in the Netherlands (2014), the University of Leeds (2015), the University of Navarra (2015), Lancaster University (2016) and the University of Malaya (2016).
Format
BMAT is a 2-hour, pen-and-paper test, which consists of three sections. The first two sections are both multiple choice/short answer and the third section is a writing task.
Section 1 is designed to test Aptitude and Skills (such as problem solving, understanding arguments, data-analysis, critical thinking, logic and reasoning), and lasts 60 minutes with 35 questions.
Section 2 tests Scientific Knowledge and Applications (the ability to apply scientific knowledge from school science and maths), and lasts 30 minutes, with 27 questions.
Section 3 is a 30-minute Writing Task, which tests the ability to select, develop and organise ideas and to communicate them in writing, concisely and effectively. Candidates must complete one essay question from a choice of four, requiring the construction of an argument or debate, an analysis of a statement, or similar task.
Unlike the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT), calculators cannot be used in BMAT. Dictionaries, including bilingual dictionaries, cannot be used in the exam.
Scoring
The scores for Sections 1 and 2 are reported on a 5-point scale, but then proportioned to a 9-point scale. The scores are standardised and given to one decimal place. Most candidates typically score around 5.0 (roughly half marks). The best candidates will score around 6.0 and a few exceptional candidates will score higher than 7.0.
From 2010, the marking of Section 3 changed. Candidates get two scores – one for quality of content (on a scale of 0–5, with 5 being the highest) and one for quality of written English (on the scale A, C, E, with A being the highest). Each BMAT essay is marked by two examiners and the two marks are combined to give an overall score ranging from 1E to 5A (including ones such as 3.5B). An image of the candidate’s Writing Task is supplied to each institution to which the candidate has applied, and provides a basis for qualitative assessment of written communication.
Timing and results
BMAT is normally taken at an applicant’s school or college. Alternatively, the test can be taken at authorised ‘open centres’ which are located around the world.
The timing of the test is designed to fit in with the timescales for Medicine and Veterinary applications, for the institutions which use the test. In the UK and Singapore, candidates can be entered for the test in September. Late entries (with late entry fees) can be made in early October and BMAT takes place in early November. In the Netherlands, BMAT is taken in February.
In the UK and Singapore, Statements of Results are typically issued to candidates and test centres in late November, via an online results system. Results also automatically go to any BMAT institution a candidate has applied to. For Leiden University, results will be issued in February.
BMAT results are only valid in the year that the test is taken.
Usage
The results of BMAT are used in a variety of ways by the different institutions using it: for example, Oxford University combines the results with GCSE grades to decide who is called for interview.
Often it is seen as just part of the application process – previous examination results, a teacher’s reference, the candidate’s personal statement and predicted grades are also important.
Preparation
BMAT does not require a lot of extra study as it is designed to test skills and knowledge that learners are expected to already have. Practice materials, including a guide to the test, specimen questions and past papers are available to candidates for free from the Admissions Testing Service website.