Hi, I’m Nicholas Johnson and I took my GAMSAT in London in 2009. This site contains all the revision notes I used to get a combined score of 69% which put me in the 95th percentile. I hope that you will find it useful and that it will help you follow your dreams.
Good luck
Nic
posted in forum Gamsat Questions by theginsandwich on March 25, 2010 at 8:44 pm
posted in forum Graduate Entry to Medicine by Nicholas Johnson on March 18, 2010 at 5:04 pm
posted in forum GAMSAT Chemistry by meparie on March 2, 2010 at 1:48 am
posted in forum GAMSAT Chemistry by Nicholas Johnson on February 15, 2010 at 10:14 am
posted in forum Gamsat Questions by Nicholas Johnson on February 8, 2010 at 6:35 pm
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#1 by Dalvir on September 14th, 2009
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This is great…
Good luck with your exam, I will be taking and I am in the same boat as you regarding my sciences.
#2 by Yojimbo on September 17th, 2009
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Very nice links. Thank god someone else is using chemguy, he is the best. I too am also sitting the exam 2009, mine being at Sheffield test centre and as a last day prep, this site was quite handy in many chem vids.
#3 by Syed on September 17th, 2009
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this site is awesome , hope you do well , seems like you have covered everything right?
#4 by Katrina Nak on September 22nd, 2009
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Hi Nic,
Great site. Got all I wanted to know about chemistry. But having problems with Biology. Is that all that needs to be studied in Biology?
Am preparing for GAMSAT 2010. Very nervous
Thanks for all your help.
God Bless You.
Kat.
#5 by Nic on September 22nd, 2009
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Hi Katrina, I found most of the biology questions reasonably intuitive although it certainly does help to have a a good understanding
The Biology, Physics and Maths sections on the site are still a little underdeveloped and I’ll be building on them over the coming months. This site is not yet a complete resource so please don’t limit your learning to just the contents of this site. It should give you a very good start though.
Good luck in 2010!
#6 by Jess on November 5th, 2009
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What a fabulous resource. Thanks so much. I am hoping to take the GAMSAT next year (2010), having graduated with a MA in Anthropology 3 years ago. I have not even looked at a science text book in over ten years. This site has reduced my panic. I am assuming that a year, with a full-time but not hugely demanding job should be enough time?
Thanks again. Jess
#7 by Nicholas Johnson on November 6th, 2009
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Hi Jess, a full year of revision for section 3 should be plenty provided you can devote a couple of weeks worth of full days to it. I took myself off to a cafe with a laptop whenever I had a day free and learned all I could.
Section 1 is important as it’s hard to revise for, it just relies on you being quite literate. I suggest working through the ACER past papers to get an idea of the types of questions you’ll get asked.
Good luck!
#8 by Rosie on November 13th, 2009
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So, I have spent the last week or so spending half an hour or so a day on this site. And it is brilliant.
I love chemguy
Thanks so much for this, Nic.
Rosie
#9 by Nic on November 13th, 2009
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Chemguy is awesome. I sent him an email while I was building the site and he’s just a lovely lovely kind man. Glad you’re finding the site useful and good luck!
#10 by shuey on November 14th, 2009
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you really are a legend and a great person for doing this. Well done and I wish you the best
#11 by Soso on November 17th, 2009
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Hi Heavenlyjohnson
I really want to start preparing for the GAMSAT 2010 and dont know to start. I have ordered ACER practice test and applied for courses here in Sweden for both english and chemistry. What do I need more? All the sections scares the crap out of me loool.
Section 1: Litterature English
Section 2: Course in academic writing
Section3: General and organic chemistry (how should i prepare for physics and biology?)
What more do I need to do? You scores are amazing and I believe that you are the right person to ask. I need advices really bad.
I hope that you can help me
Thank you
#12 by Nicholas Johnson on November 17th, 2009
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Hi Soso,
Congratulations on your decision! You’ve got a whole year so don’t panic. Most of the people taking Gamsat are graduates coming straight from university so you have more time than most. The Acer practice tests are your foundation. You can see from those the sorts of questions you’re going to be asked.
English literacy is pretty important in the Gamsat. Section 1 asks a bunch of semi-ambiguous questions about quotes, passages of text and cartoons, for example you might be asked to look at a cartoon and say how one of the characters is feeling. you don’t need any specific knowledge, it just tests your comprehension
Section 2 is essays. From what I can see the people who do really well in this section talk a lot about current affairs and get quite passionate. You’ll do quite well with a reasoned argument but to do really well you need to get passionate about the subject and to convey that convincingly.
Section 3 is relatively easy by comparison, you just have to learn it, though in practice I found it the hardest section. This is A level Physics, and first year degree level Chemistry and Biology. If you have it in you to be a doctor you should be able to learn this stuff in a year. It’s actually not too hard once you get into it. This is the section that revisegamsat.com can help you with.
There are various books you can buy and I’d recommend getting a selection of them throughout the year. I’d also suggest looking on the newmediamedicine forums, they’re pretty great.
Good luck and I hope you do well!
Nic
#13 by Katrina Nak on December 4th, 2009
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Hey Nic,
Thanks for the reply. The site looks great.
Anyways, how was your interview?
Kat
#14 by Nic on December 4th, 2009
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Hi Katrina,
Thanks! Intrviews take place in January so no news yet, I’m still waiting to see who will ask me. Based on the GAMSAT I should at least get an interview with St George’s London. Wish me luck!
Nic
#15 by Katrina Nak on December 4th, 2009
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Ohk … hope your interview goes well and you get through.
I’m confused about so many things and would really like your help.
I don’t even know what a GAMSAT OMR sheet looks like!!
Could you please tell me
Thanks
Kat
#16 by Nicholas Johnson on December 4th, 2009
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Hi Kat,
Do you mind me asking where abouts you are based? From your IP address it looks like you are in India and I think the process may be slightly different over there.
In the UK we have the GAMSAT in the Autumn, then apply shortly after in September. We get the results in October and get asked to interview depending on the score. Interviews take place in January and the course starts in September. By OMR I assume you mean the little multiple choice checkbox sheets. They’re pretty plain looking, I hadn’t seen one either before the exam. Let me know if there’s anything else I can help you with and best of luck!
#17 by Sarosh Hussain on December 7th, 2009
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this is a awesome site…gana bookmark this. nicholas i wanted to ask the des o’neill notes, what do you think of them?
#18 by Nicholas Johnson on December 7th, 2009
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Thanks Sarosh! Glad you like it! I Don’t know much about the Des O’neill notes I’m afraid, though I’d love to take a look at them some time.
#19 by Sarosh Hussain on December 7th, 2009
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oh kk. the notes goes in alot of details and even mensioned like disease related with lungs heart etc etc. which i dont think we need to know for gamsat. got the letts bio, chem and physic book which are pretty good. btw i was wondering if i type a essay up wil you have time to have a look at it to see where i can make improvements? no rush or anything..can check it in your own time…
#20 by Nicholas Johnson on December 7th, 2009
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Hi Sarosh, I’m always really interested to see what people write. If you add it as a comment on the essay questions section (link at the top) I’d be glad to take a look.
#21 by Sarosh Hussain on December 7th, 2009
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thanks dude. really appreciate it. i got noone to work with you know. studying on my own so its gets hard. got one more question. the link, ted.com hw can i use tht website to improve my essay section?
#22 by Nicholas Johnson on December 7th, 2009
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Hi Sarosh, TED is really, really great for current affairs and interesting ideas. For example, in my GAMSAT there was a question about the media. I talked about how in the recent Chinese earthquake, the people used twitter to report the fact to the world within just a few seconds. Previously the Chinese government had denied the earthquake for several months. I watch them instead of TV now, they also have a videocast which is great for commuting with.
When I get time I’ll try to reconstruct my GAMSAT essays and post them on the forum.
#23 by Sarosh Hussain on December 8th, 2009
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cheers mate. looking forward to them
#24 by Lio on December 26th, 2009
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Hey,
if i had a GPA of 6.1, do you think its worth considering taking the GAMSAT for entrance to a med course in australia?
p.s: not sure if this question applies, but any help would be appreciated! thanks!
#25 by Nic on December 29th, 2009
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Hi Lio,
I can’t really comment on the GPA you need for an Australian medical school as we have a different system in the UK. I’d suggest asking your question on http://pagingdr.proboards.com. They’ll be able to help you. Good luck!
#26 by Sarosh Hussain on December 30th, 2009
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hi nicl, wanted to ask you, how to you revise or prepare for section 1 because i seem to be struggling with that section. any advise?
cheers
#27 by Nicholas Johnson on January 4th, 2010
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Hi Sarah, This section tests your literacy and your scientific mindset. The only way I can imagine to revise for it is to read widely. The ACER practice papers are a good place to start but also consider subscribing to journals like new scientist.
Speed reading is an essential for the passage qestions. You need to be able to let your eye sort of skip up and down to paragraphs to pull out the salient points. The easiest way to start speed reading is to use your fingers. Use one finger to track down the passage and use others to hold the position of key points, you may be surprised just how much this helps.
I’d also recommend Ben Goldacre as some questions, particularly the cartoon questions in 2009, concerned evidence based medicine.
I’m putting together a guide to part 1 which should be out in early 2010
Cheers
Nic
#28 by Sarosh on January 12th, 2010
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cheers mate
many tanks dude 
#29 by Sarosh on January 19th, 2010
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Hi nick, another question i wanted to ask you in your essay exmaple, the plan, u say u used some qoutes from fanous people. where did you get them qoutes? do u memozise them etc?
thanks
sarosh
#30 by Nic on January 19th, 2010
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Hi Sarosh, You don’t need to remember quotes exactly and you can’t really memorise this stuff because you don’t know what will come up. Just do the best you can based on reading you’ve done throughout your life, things you’ve heard said and things you’ve watched and heard on the TV, radio and internet.
Cheers,
Nic
#31 by Tyler on February 11th, 2010
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I made the Ionization Energy and Atomic Radius video that you have here, and it’s really cool to see it on your website. I hope it’s been useful to you and your visitors! I’m from the States, so we don’t have the GAMSAT, but I can imagine that this is a really helpful website. Great job!
#32 by dep on February 16th, 2010
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Hey Nic, i’ve devoured your website
Thanks so much for the work you’ve put into it, it’s really helped plus given me a good foundation to know what to look for to study. My GAMSAT is in March – i’m so scared! Can i please ask – did you get to the school you wanted to go to? Are you a med student now? My thanks again.
#33 by swlondon on March 16th, 2010
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Hi Nic,
Well done for setting up the site. Its really nicely laid out. Thanks a lot.
I have taken this exam before and it’s quite daunting preparing for it the first time around – nice for 1st time candidates to get advice from people who’ve actually sat it and passed.
Nice one.
#34 by BigGeoff on May 4th, 2010
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Hi, Nic.
First and foremost, a big thanks for this resource. It is truly fantastic. Quite how you’ve managed to juggle this and putting an application together for med school is remarkable. I hope you mentioned the site at interview..!
Secondly, I’m thinking of sitting GAMSAT in Sept this year. I got a high 1st in Engineering, graduating 5 years ago, but haven’t studied Chem and Bio in over 10 years. In your honest opinion, is 4.5 months enough time to get up to speed?
Without GAMSAT, I could still do UKCAT and apply to three med schools. Do you think I might be better employing that strategy this year and leaving GAMSAT as an option for next year in case I’m not successful? I love the idea of getting stuck into the GAMSAT material, but I don’t want to jeapardise my UKCAT chances.
Apologies for all the questions. I sincerely hope this year’s offers brought you good news.
Cheers
G
#35 by Riz on July 1st, 2010
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Hi,
Ive read on here that the foundation of your revision should be by the books by ACER! Where can I get these books or book from? Any help would be appreciated.
Many thanks
Riz
#36 by Mira on July 5th, 2010
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Hey,
This site is awesome! Im a bit in trouble though because I’m sitting the Gamsat this year 2010 and I’ve only got about 2 Months of prep time.
Do you think if I go through this website religiously, that’ll be enough to get good results? I am really scared about the science section as I’m an Arts Undergrad, so that I am freaking out right now.
It would be great to know I can learn all this in 2 months…is it possible?
Thanks!
x
#37 by sham on July 22nd, 2010
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Hi! I’m also in the same boat as Mira above! Will 2 months be enough prep? I am a chemistry graduate so I am hoping this will work to my advantage!! Do you have any last minute prep tips or good ideas on how to memorise things? Any hints or tips would be appreciated!
Thankyou!!
#38 by Damilola on August 15th, 2010
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..Hi!..I’m in a dilemma. I live in Nigeria and I want to take GamSat…is there any centre outside the U.K.?, preferably in West Africa?….do reply asap..thanx.
#39 by tilsha on December 3rd, 2010
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Hi Nic,
Is there a diff bet GAMSAT UK and GAMSAT AU, can we use the same material for both exams??
regards & many thanks for yr fantastic website & generous heart!
#40 by Keith on January 10th, 2011
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Poor Nic.
Endlessly inundated with questions concerning GAMSAT. He has his own life to lead people… ease up!
Peace.
#41 by oyindamii on February 25th, 2011
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In the same dilemma too and I really don’t know what to do. Pls help!!! im
#42 by Nicholas Johnson on July 19th, 2011
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Hi all,
Thanks for all your messages. I just thought I’d take time to write on the site to let you know why I haven’t been active for a little while.
You see, I didn’t get in.
I did well on the Gamsat. I came in the top 5%, which scored me an interview at my preferred university, St. Georges. Unfortunately this didn’t translate into an offer. There were various reasons for this. It was a record year, applications were up 30%, and there were some qualified people, but this is beside the point.
Times have now changed, various things have moved on, and I’ve been forced to accept that medicine is not going to be a part of my life. That’s not to say it hasn’t been worthwhile. Plenty of good has come out of my Gamsat adventure, just not the outcome I had hoped for. I still feel sad about it, but hey.
Thanks to all who helped put this site together, particularly those who contributed essays, and the creators of the videos. I will leave revisegamsat.com up indefinitely, in the hope that it will benefit others. Do let me know if it’s helped you.
If I could offer one piece of advice to future Gamsatters, make sure your experience is substantial, relevant and recent. I worked as a nurse for 2 years, but this was some time ago and wasn’t taken into account.
If you have any further questions about medicine, I’m afraid I’m not the one to ask. Do take care, and as always, best of luck with it all.
Nic
#43 by Ravi Gopaul on August 27th, 2011
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Hello Nick,
I just read your post and I have to say I am really sorry to hear that you were unsuccessful at gaining a place at St George’s, despite your excellent score.
Clearly your generous nature in contructing this web site means you are a loss to medicine. Is there no way you could be persuaded to reapply? Both my girlfriend and I hope you do.
As for me, I am going to use this site in my prep for the exam this year (2011) and will be moseying up to Sheffield to lock horns with it.
Just to repeat myself I really do hope you reconsider your postion and apply anyway, you’d make a great doctor!
All the best the best for the future (whatever you decide)
Ravi and Kelly
#44 by Rashmi on September 28th, 2011
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HI Nick,
Can you please advise me?
I have GPA of 5.5 in Masters degree.I am from non english speeking background.I had bachelors degree in Science more than 10 ear ago with 64%.
Would it be worthwhile to take up GAMSAT Australia.I am worried about Essay and humanitie section?
Please tell me good resources to start for all sections for GAMSAT 2012.
Thanks and Regards
Rashmi
#45 by Beth Ball on January 17th, 2012
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Just wanted to say thankyou so much for this website. Everyone else is expecting huge sums of money for advice and tips and their study guides. You do it for free!
Great site too!
I believe in Karma
Beth
#46 by MissR on January 26th, 2012
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Hi Nic
I love your website and thank you so much for taking time to do this…. I am writing my exam in September 2012 and there is just so much to study and this will help a great deal. How are you getting on? Did you get into your medical school of choice?
Thanks again