I have heard quite a lot of people giving high praise for the quality of Des O Neil's materials in regard to GAMSAT preparation. However given the practice tests were first made in 2014, it is also in many regards dated compared to the GAMSAT test today which is more based on critical thinking and logical reasoning, rather than the reliance on theory alone as seen in the past tests. I am wondering whether Des O Neil's practice tests are still worth doing for GAMSAT preparation in 2023.
Really unsure if this will get enough replies ahead of the May/June GAMSAT, but I haven't managed to find info on this anywhere yet so thought I'd ask. For those who have used Des materials for their prep and sat GAMSAT, what marks were you averaging in the baskets/practice tests (the more data the better) and how did that translate to your section score in the GAMSAT?
I'm finding it pretty hard to gauge where i'm sitting in my S1 and S3 prep as I come to completing the Des materials and am sure people would appreciate knowing how their GAMSAT performance may match up with the performance of people who have done similar prep to them. I know factors relating to exam stress may skew marks, but a general idea would still be pretty useful. One final thing, I know people might come on and say that Des is outdated but it's still a pretty popular resource that is useful in the skills that it helps train up, so just wanted to make this post so that those have experience can share it.
I remember from undergrad a lot of people working through the des o'neill gamsat courses, especially for S3. I'm reading here though that the gamsat has shifted its focus far more to more "pure" logical reasoning in a science context as opposed to more theory based science questions. Given this, is the des o'neill science course thus of limited use? Or would y'all still recommend it? Are the humanities books also useful?
Other: Take everyone's (tutors/prep companies/redditors) advice about GAMSAT with a grain of salt, even if they scored highly themselves. No one is a perfect 100% expert on the GAMSAT. This goes doubly if they're trying to charge you money for it.
Some people also recommend khan academy for studying science concepts, I personally wouldn't spend heaps of time learning concepts when you only have a few months to prepare because I think the time is better spent practicing answering questions. However, again it may be useful as part of a long term study plan if your S3 is poor in your first sitting, or for learning maths skills if you don't have a good background in maths.
The Des O Neill GAMSAT company has retired from creating GAMSAT preparation materials. They have created some useful GAMSAT prep books in the past. The content books were pretty average, however, the one thing that made the Des O Neill GAMSAT Books great is that the questions were very similar to the format, difficulty and complexity of the questions in the actual GAMSAT.
The journey of tackling the GAMSAT exam might seem challenging, as it spans a wide range of topics. If you're new to the GAMSAT experience, it's completely normal to feel a bit unsure about where to start your preparation. Many university bookstores and online blogs offer tempting solutions to this problem in the form of GAMSAT books. While these resources can be a real temptation, it's important to note that they vary not only in approach but also in cost. So, let's explore your options and make your GAMSAT preparation journey enjoyable and effective!
In order to successfully complete the GAMSAT, a candidate needs to consider the different styles of logic that come into play across the different sections. Needless to say, that exam strategy, as well as interactive feedback is also critical in preparing for this gruelling exam. Unfortunately, GAMSAT books have been successful in delivering these necessities to students.
The GAMSAT exam, known for its rigorous nature, demands a preparation method that evolves with its changing dynamics. Traditional GAMSAT books, once the primary resource for many, have shown their age in recent times.The limitations of traditional GAMSAT Books are:
Fraser's Essentials, a powerful alternative to outdated preparation books, is launched to revolutionize self-study for the GAMSAT.With regularly updated content and cutting-edge Dynamic AI Atlas Technology, the course provides an effective self-preparation experience.
The Essentials Package boasts an ever-expanding treasure trove of over 2000 GAMSAT questions, accompanied by hand-picked section 2 prompts. These questions are not just about quantity but quality, refined season by season to ensure they mirror the core GAMSAT principles. This helps improve problem-solving skills and prepares students for the exact style of questions they'll face in the exam.
Fraser's Essentials stands out in the crowded GAMSAT preparation market due to its innovative approach. While traditional textbooks offer static content, Fraser's Essentials provides a dynamic, evolving learning platform. The integration of AI technology ensures that the content is not just comprehensive but also tailored to each student's unique needs.
ACER GAMSAT material is the real gold standard of GAMSAT preparation material. While it is impossible to prepare for the GAMSAT exam exclusively through using ACER material, these practice papers teach candidates a few very valuable lessons. These ACER GAMSAT books represent the most accurate format and style of the exam. In practical terms, if the format of the GAMSAT were to dramatically change, ACER would reflect this by updating the practice pdfs available on their website. It is important to note that this has not consistently been the case, as the psychometric format of the exam has been consistent in the recent past.
In this respect, the ACER practice GAMSAT questions fall short. However, as mentioned previously, becoming familiar with the exam format is a critical step in scoring well in the GAMSAT. In this respect, the ACER material is a good supplement to be used towards the end of your GAMSAT preparation. In the final weeks of your GAMSAT study, it is a good idea to complete the ACER material under timed conditions, as this provides a good simulation of the real exam.
582128177f