Is there enough time to increase your score?

This is one of the most comment questions I’m getting right now.

People love what we do at PassGAMSAT (be it the webinars or the Bootcamp) and the help we offer but they’re like…

Even if I listen to what you say, Dr. Tom, and follow it exactly, is there enough time? Like, seriously can I do this?

And as I always say…

Yasssss!

There is enough time.

=> Learn How To Increase Your Section 1 Score In The Time That’s Left

But on two conditions.

[Condition #1]

You make the time and energy to do the work.

This means putting in the hours but also the mental energy to think about what you’re doing.

Without this, it doesn’t matter what kind of amazing plan, resources, and support you have, you’re just not going to do the work and it’s not going to increase your score.

So how much time do you need to put it?

I tell my BC’ers you need at least 20 hrs of study a week, ideally aiming for over 30 high-quality hours. Although with that said, we have had BC’ers do about 10-15 hrs a week while working and increase their scores by 10 marks and get into uni – but that’s because of condition #2.

You’ll need to say ‘no’ to a lot of friends, family, bosses, supervisors, whoever to make that time.

This is the first price you’ve got to pay to become a doctor – make GAMSAT your priority for the next 6 or so weeks. (Small price to pay if you ask me)

[Condition #2]

You do the right kind of work.

If you’re preparing for a running race, then going to swimming training is not going to help.

However,

For most people doing the GAMSAT, it’s like they’ve been preparing for a running race by going swimming. They’re studying in the wrong way and no wonder they haven’t improved and they’re doubting themselves and if they can even do this.

Things like applying templates, doing endless practice questions, and memorizing topics is not, I repeat, not the right kind of work.

Science students have spent 3 years in their degree memorizing topics and applying them to questions and they still only score in the low 50s.

More:

Because I’m running a training session about Section 1, here are a few Section 1 study approach that is not going to increase your score:

* “Reading Widely” – what does that even mean?!
* Doing thousands of practice questions – the questions test your skills, then don’t develop them. If you don’t have the skills to begin with, testing them on questions will not develop those skills.
* Just reading the paper over a coffee
* Memorising question types and hacks
* Studying for the science section and hoping the adrenaline on the day makes you perform well in S1.
* Reading before bed.
* MCAT books – that’s the wrong exam.

On the other hand,

If you want to know how to make your S1 study valuable and effective so that you increase your score in S1 in the time that’s left then check this out.

But even for the other sections… the same principle applies:

You’ve got to make the time and energy to do the work and then you’ve got to study in a way that actually develops the skills and abilities that will be tested on this exam.

The sad truth is that a lot of intelligent and kind heart people, who would otherwise make amazing doctors, are just misinterpreting this strange test and doing it wrong.

They could be doctors but will continue to struggle and eventually give up unless they make a change.

This is how you can make that change and increase your score with the time that’s left.

To your success,

Dr “You CAN do this” Tom