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Contents 
 
 
 
 
 

01  ​ ​ ​Introduction    

Becoming​ ​a​ ​Doctor​ ​in​ ​Australia​ ​and​ ​New​ ​Zealand 

02 
​ ​Starting​ ​early 
  
​ ​ATAR,​ ​NCEA,​ ​IB,​ ​and​ ​CIE​ ​pathways 
 
​ ​Undergraduate​ ​vs.​ ​postgraduate  
​ ​Choosing​ ​between​ ​Australia​ ​and​ ​NZ​ ​for​ ​med​ ​school 

03 
The​ ​Entrance​ ​Exams  
  
​ ​ ​UMAT 
  
​ ​ ​GAMSAT 

Interviews 

04 
​ ​ ​Multiple​ ​Mini​ ​Interviews​ ​(MMI) 
  
​ ​ ​The​ ​semi-structured​ ​interview 
 
​ ​ ​The​ ​“hybrid”​ ​interview 
​ ​ ​The​ ​Multiple​ ​Skills​ ​Assessment 

05 
The​ ​Best​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Best 
  
​ ​ ​NZ​ ​Universities 
 
​ ​ ​AU​ ​Universities 

06 
  
The​ ​Cost​ ​of​ ​Studying​ ​Medicine 
 
​ ​Finance​ ​options  
  

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07 
Life​ ​After​ ​Medical​ ​School 
 
   
   

08 
​ ​ ​International​ ​Options 
​ ​ ​US   
​ ​ ​UK    
​ ​ ​Ireland 

09 
Final​ ​Thoughts     

10 
​ ​Supplement:​ ​Admissions​ ​Summaries​ ​of​ ​all​ ​AU/NZ 
Universities   
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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01  
Introduction 
 
 
 
Since​ ​2001,​ ​Australia​ ​has​ ​added​ ​100%​ ​more​ ​undergraduate​ ​medicine​ ​places​ ​around 
the​ ​country.​ ​Over​ ​in​ ​New​ ​Zealand,​ ​where​ ​there​ ​are​ ​currently​ ​two​ ​universities​ ​that​ ​offer 
medicine​ ​degrees,​ ​Waikato​ ​University​ ​is​ ​pushing​ ​to​ ​become​ ​the​ ​third​ ​supplier​ ​of 
medical​ ​education​ ​in​ ​the​ ​country. 
 
What​ ​does​ ​this​ ​mean?​ ​More​ ​competition​ ​for​ ​the​ ​top​ ​spots​ ​at​ ​the​ ​best​ ​schools. 
 
As​ ​both​ ​countries​ ​ramp​ ​up​ ​their​ ​efforts​ ​to​ ​produce​ ​more​ ​doctors,​ ​you​ ​need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​more 
vigilant​ ​about​ ​your​ ​future. 
 
Is​ ​rushing​ ​into​ ​the​ ​first​ ​course​ ​available​ ​to​ ​you​ ​the​ ​right​ ​option​ ​for​ ​your​ ​career?​ ​For 
example,​ ​can​ ​the​ ​Charles​ ​Darwin​ ​University​ ​graduates​ ​compete​ ​against​ ​The​ ​University 
of​ ​Sydney​ ​graduates​ ​for​ ​spots​ ​at​ ​Sydney’s​ ​best​ ​hospitals? 
 
Have​ ​you​ ​strategically​ ​thought​ ​about​ ​your​ ​pathway​ ​into​ ​the​ ​best​ ​school​ ​available​ ​to 
you?​ ​Is​ ​it​ ​wiser​ ​for​ ​you​ ​to​ ​study​ ​postgraduate​ ​medicine​ ​because​ ​you​ ​might​ ​be​ ​better​ ​at 
the​ ​GAMSAT​ ​instead​ ​of​ ​the​ ​UMAT?​ ​What​ ​about​ ​the​ ​interviews? 
 
This​ ​eBook​ ​will​ ​teach​ ​you​ ​how​ ​you​ ​can​ ​maximise​ ​your​ ​abilities​ ​and​ ​give​ ​yourself​ ​a​ ​shot 
at​ ​the​ ​best​ ​courses​ ​in​ ​both​ ​Australia​ ​and​ ​New​ ​Zealand. 
 
It’s​ ​the​ ​first​ ​thing​ ​you​ ​should​ ​read​ ​and​ ​the​ ​last​ ​thing​ ​you’ll​ ​ever​ ​need. 
 
P.S.​ ​We’ve​ ​also​ ​included​ ​a​ ​handy​ ​table​ ​with​ ​all​ ​the​ ​admissions​ ​information​ ​you​ ​need​ ​for 
every​ ​university​ ​offering​ ​medicine​ ​across​ ​Australia​ ​and​ ​New​ ​Zealand. 
 

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02  
Becoming​ ​a​ ​Doctor​ ​in  
Australia​ ​and​ ​New​ ​Zealand 
 
 

Starting​ ​Early 
 
In​ ​order​ ​to​ ​get​ ​into​ ​your​ ​dream​ ​medical​ ​program, 
you​ ​need​ ​to​ ​start​ ​preparing​ ​early​.  
 
The​ ​subjects​ ​you​ ​choose​ ​to​ ​study​ ​in​ ​high​ ​school 
and​ ​how​ ​well​ ​you​ ​do​ ​in​ ​them​ ​are​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the 
many​ ​factors​ ​that​ ​determine​ ​whether​ ​you​ ​get 
into​ ​the​ ​best​ ​medical​ ​schools​ ​or​ ​not. 
 
Below​ ​are​ ​the​ ​high​ ​school​ ​requirements​ ​for​ ​year 
12​ ​(year​ ​13​ ​in​ ​NZ)​ ​and​ ​what​ ​other​ ​subjects​ ​you 
should​ ​take​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​have​ ​the​ ​best​ ​shot​ ​of 
getting​ ​into​ ​your​ ​desired​ ​program.  
 

The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Auckland:​ ​Biomedicine​ ​Program: 

+ Need:​​ ​Biology​ ​and​ ​Chemistry 
+ Should​ ​have:​​ ​Maths,​ ​Physics​ ​and​ ​any​ ​English​ ​heavy​ ​subject 
 

The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Auckland:​ ​Health​ ​Science​ ​Program: 

+ Need​:​ ​Biology,​ ​Chemistry​ ​and​ ​any​ ​English​ ​heavy​ ​subject 
+ Should​ ​have:​​ ​Maths,​ ​preferably​ ​Statistics 
 

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University​ ​of​ ​Otago:​ ​Health​ ​Sciences​ ​First​ ​Year​ ​Program 

+ Need:​​ ​Physics,​ ​Chemistry 
+ Should​ ​have:​​ ​Maths,​ ​Biology​ ​and​ ​any​ ​English​ ​heavy​ ​subject 
 

Australian​ ​undergraduate​ ​medical​ ​programs  

+ Need:​​ ​Year​ ​12​ ​Chemistry​ ​and​ ​some​ ​type​ ​of​ ​Maths​ ​(not​ ​general) 
+ Should​ ​have:​​ ​Physics,​ ​Biology​ ​and​ ​English 
 
Depending​ ​on​ ​where​ ​you​ ​are​ ​applying​ ​from,​ ​there​ ​are​ ​many​ ​different​ ​score 
requirements​ ​based​ ​on​ ​what​ ​high​ ​school​ ​exams​ ​you​ ​take.  
 

Australian​ ​and​ ​NZ​ ​high​ ​school​ ​curriculum​ ​pathways  

 
As​ ​you’re​ ​about​ ​to​ ​find​ ​out,​ ​med​ ​school​ ​admissions​ ​are​ ​based​ ​on​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​more​ ​than​ ​your 
academic​ ​performance​,​ ​but​ ​the​ ​importance​ ​of​ ​good​ ​grades​ ​should​ ​not​ ​be​ ​discounted. 
 
While​ ​some​ ​universities​ ​look​ ​at​ ​your​ ​application​ ​holistically,​ ​others​ ​will​ ​look​ ​at​ ​your 
school​ ​or​ ​university​ ​results​ ​before​ ​they​ ​consider​ ​the​ ​other​ ​parts​ ​of​ ​your​ ​application.  
 
And​ ​remember​ ​that​ ​it’s​ ​not​ ​just​ ​about​ ​the​ ​score;​ m
​ any​ ​universities​ ​have​ ​prerequisites 
you​ ​need​ ​to​ ​comply​ ​with,​ ​so​ ​choose​ ​your​ ​subjects​ ​wisely! 
 
All​ ​curriculum​ ​pathways​ ​offer​ ​equal​ ​chances​ ​for​ ​being​ ​accepted​ ​into​ ​undergraduate 
medicine​ ​in​ ​Australia,​ ​so​ ​there’s​ ​no​ ​one​ ​qualification​ ​better​ ​than​ ​another. 
 

Australia:​ ​HSC,​ ​VCE,​ ​and​ ​other​ ​state-based​ ​leaving​ ​certificates 

 
Australian​ ​universities​ ​require​ ​an​ ​ATAR​ ​for​ ​admission,​ ​which​ ​you​ ​get​ ​for​ ​sitting​ ​the​ ​HSC. 
 
Some​ ​universities​ ​have​ ​strict​ ​cut-off​ ​scores​ ​and​ ​others​ ​are​ ​more​ ​lenient,​ ​meaning​ ​they 
may​ ​give​ ​you​ ​some​ ​room​ ​to​ ​move​ ​academically​ ​if​ ​you​ ​excel​ ​in​ ​other​ ​areas​ ​of​ ​your 
application​,​ ​such​ ​as​ ​the​ ​UMAT​ ​or​ ​GAMSAT.  
 
It​ ​all​ ​depends​ ​on​ ​how​ ​that​ ​university​ ​weights​ ​the​ ​entry​ ​requirements​ ​(more​ ​on​ ​this 
later). 
 

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However,​ ​just​ ​because​ ​you​ ​hit​ ​a​ ​required​ ​minimum​ ​score​ ​doesn’t​ ​mean​ ​that​ ​you're 
guaranteed​ ​admission.​ ​The​ ​academic​ ​requirements​ ​aren’t​ ​always​ ​an​ ​accurate 
representation​ ​of​ ​what​ ​it​ ​takes​ ​to​ ​get​ ​accepted. 
 
For​ ​example,​ ​the​ ​cut-off​ ​ATAR​ ​for​ ​medicine​ ​at​ ​University​ ​of​ ​New​ ​South​ ​Wales​ ​is​ ​96,​ ​but 
the​ ​median​ ​ATAR​ ​among​ ​students​ ​accepted​ ​is​ ​always​ ​more​ ​than​ ​99.6.​ ​When​ ​more 
than​​ ​3,500​ ​students​​ ​are​ ​applying​ ​for​ ​a​ ​course​ ​that​ ​accepts​ ​280​ ​students​,​ ​simply 
meeting​ ​the​ ​entry​ ​requirements​ ​isn’t​ ​enough.​ ​You​ ​need​ ​to​ ​exceed​ ​them. 
 
With​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​most​ ​competitive​ ​courses​ ​around,​ ​to​ ​even​ ​be​ ​considered​ ​for​ ​The 
University​ ​of​ ​Sydney’s​ ​Double​ ​Degree​ ​Medicine​ ​Program,​ ​you​ ​must​ ​have​ ​a​ ​perfect 
ATAR​ ​of​ ​99.95​ ​–​ ​and​ ​even​ ​then​ ​you​ ​can’t​ ​expect​ ​to​ ​get​ ​in! 
 
The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Newcastle​ ​has​ ​a​ ​much​ ​less​ ​threatening​ ​cut-off​ ​ATAR​ ​of​ ​94.30​ ​for​ ​its 
medicine​ ​degree,​ ​but​ ​with​ ​more​ ​than​ ​3,000​ ​applicants​ ​for​ ​its​ ​170​ ​places​ ​each​ ​year​, 
students​ ​with​ ​higher​ ​ATARs​ ​are​ ​naturally​ ​given​ ​preference. 
 
As​ ​long​ ​as​ ​you​ ​scrape​ ​into​ ​the​ ​90s,​ ​you’re​ ​eligible​ ​to​ ​apply​ ​to​ ​some​ ​med​ ​schools.​ ​90​ ​is 
the​ ​minimum​ ​ATAR​ ​required​ ​for​ ​Monash​ ​University,​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Adelaide,​ ​and​ ​Charles 
Darwin​ ​University. 
 
If​ ​you’re​ ​from​ ​the​ ​country,​ ​you’ll​ ​get​ ​some​ ​leeway.​ ​The​ ​federal​ ​government​ ​requires​ ​at 
least​ ​25%​ ​of​ ​students​ ​in​ ​medical​ ​programs​ ​to​ ​come​ ​from​ ​rural​ ​areas​ ​within​ ​Australia​, 
and​ ​most​ ​universities​ ​will​ ​have​ ​lower​ ​cut-off​ ​scores​ ​for​ ​remote​ ​applicants​ ​to​ ​ensure 
these​ ​places​ ​are​ ​filled.  
 
For​ ​example,​ ​students​ ​from​ ​rural​ ​high​ ​schools​ ​are​ ​eligible​ ​to​ ​apply​ ​to​ ​Newcastle​ ​uni 
with​ ​an​ ​ATAR​ ​of​ ​91.40​ ​–​ ​almost​ ​two​ ​points​ ​lower​ ​than​ ​the​ ​cut-off​ ​for​ ​city​ ​kids! 
 

New​ ​Zealand:​ ​NCEA 

 
In​ ​New​ ​Zealand,​ ​your​ ​high​ ​school​ ​results​ ​aren’t​ ​as​ ​important,​ ​because​ ​they’re​ ​not 
needed​ ​to​ ​apply​ ​to​ ​med​ ​school.​ ​You​ ​use​ ​them​ ​instead​ ​to​ ​apply​ ​to​ ​a​ ​Science​ ​or​ ​Health 
Science​ ​degree,​ ​of​ ​which​ ​you’re​ ​required​ ​to​ ​complete​ ​one​ ​year​ ​before​ ​transferring​ ​to 
medical​ ​school,​ ​if​ ​accepted.​ ​Your​​ ​first-year​ ​GPA​ ​will​ ​be​ ​the​ ​deciding​ ​factor​​ ​in​ ​whether 
you​ ​get​ ​through​ ​to​ ​the​ ​next​ ​stage. 
 
Your​ ​NCEA​ ​results​ ​will​ ​only​ ​be​ ​necessary​ ​if​ ​you​ ​want​ ​to​ ​study​ ​medicine​ ​in​ ​Australia​, 
because​ ​most​ ​universities​ ​admit​ ​students​ ​straight​ ​out​ ​of​ ​school. 
 

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If​ ​you​ ​choose​ ​to​ ​go​ ​down​ ​this​ ​path,​ ​the​ ​NZQA​ ​will​ ​convert​ ​your​ ​NCEA​ ​results​ ​into​ ​an 
ATAR​ ​score​ ​and​ ​inform​ ​the​ ​Australian​ ​tertiary​ ​system. 
 
It’s​ ​not​ ​possible​ ​to​ ​give​ ​you​ ​a​ ​definitive​ ​score​ ​as​ ​it​ ​will​ ​depend​ ​on​ ​the​ ​subjects​ ​you​ ​take 
and​ ​whether​ ​you​ ​sit​ ​external​ ​exams​ ​(which​ ​are​ ​more​ ​heavily​ ​weighted),​ ​but​ ​to​ ​get​ ​a 
99.95​ ​ATAR​ ​you’re​ ​looking​ ​at​ ​89-90​ ​level​ ​3​ ​excellence​ ​credits​,​ ​and​ ​for​ ​a​ ​99.90​ ​ATAR 
you’re​ ​looking​ ​at​ ​85-86​ ​level​ ​3​ ​excellence​ ​credits​. 
 
The​ ​good​ ​news​ ​is​ ​that​ ​Kiwi​ ​students​ ​have​ ​a​ ​slight​ ​advantage​ ​in​ ​that​ ​NCEA​ ​results​ ​have 
a​ ​relatively​ ​favourable​ ​ATAR​ ​conversion.​ ​Your​ ​top​ ​90​ ​credits​​ ​from​ ​your​ ​last​ ​two​ ​years​ ​of 
NCEA​ ​level​ ​3​ ​are​ ​used​ ​to​ ​create​ ​an​ ​ATAR​,​ ​meaning​ ​students​ ​who​ ​took​ ​level​ ​3​ ​subjects 
early​ ​in​ ​Year​ ​12​ ​can​ ​use​ ​these​ ​for​ ​their​ ​application.​ ​This​ ​makes​ ​it​ ​slightly​ ​easier​ ​to 
achieve​ ​a​ ​99.95​ ​ATAR,​ ​so​ ​add​ ​The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Sydney​ ​to​ ​your​ ​list! 
 
Anything​ ​under​ ​a​ ​97​ ​ATAR​ ​is​ ​going​ ​to​ ​be​ ​stretching​ ​it​ ​for​ ​a​ ​top​ ​Australian​ ​med​ ​school.  
 
It’s​ ​definitely​ ​a​ ​good​ ​idea​ ​to​ ​apply​ ​to​ ​all​ ​the​ ​Australian​ ​universities​ ​offering​ ​medicine​ ​to 
keep​ ​your​ ​options​ ​open,​ ​as​ ​the​ ​ATAR​ ​expectations​ ​vary​ ​widely. 
 
However,​ ​if​ ​you​ ​achieve​ ​a​ ​very​ ​high​ ​UMAT,​ ​this​ ​can​ ​balance​ ​out​ ​your​ ​ATAR​ ​at​ ​some 
institutions.  
 
Bear​ ​in​ ​mind,​ ​though,​ ​that​ ​you’ll​ ​have​ ​to​ ​take​ ​the​ ​UMAT​ ​in​ ​year​ ​13​ ​and​ ​results​ ​are​ ​only 
valid​ ​for​ ​one​ ​year​.​ ​This​ ​means​ ​that​ ​if​ ​you​ ​don’t​ ​get​ ​into​ ​an​ ​Australian​ ​med​ ​school,​ ​you 
will​ ​have​ ​to​ ​do​ ​it​ ​again​ ​in​ ​first​ ​year​ ​at​ ​either​ ​The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Auckland​ ​or​ ​University​ ​of 
Otago. 
 

International​ ​high​ ​school​ ​curriculum​ ​pathways 

International​ ​Baccalaureate​ ​(IB) 

 
All​ ​Australian​ ​med​ ​schools​ ​recognise​ ​an​ ​IB​ ​Diploma​ ​qualification,​ ​and​ ​most​ ​have​ ​score 
expectations​ ​for​ ​specific​ ​IB​ ​standard​ ​level​ ​(SL)​ ​and​ ​higher​ ​level​ ​(HL)​ ​subjects. 
 
For​ ​example,​ ​Monash​ ​University’s​ ​expectations​ ​for​ ​IB​ ​students​ ​are​ ​as​ ​follows: 
 
+ English:​​ ​5​ ​at​ ​SL,​ ​4​ ​at​ ​HL;​ ​English​ ​B:​ ​6​ ​at​ ​SL,​ ​5​ ​at​ ​HL 
+ Chemistry:​​ ​5​ ​at​ ​SL,​ ​4​ ​at​ ​HL 
 
University​ ​of​ ​Adelaide’s​ ​IB​ ​score​ ​expectations​ ​aren’t​ ​quite​ ​as​ ​high.​ ​To​ ​be​ ​eligible,​ ​you 
must​ ​have​ ​taken​ ​one​​ ​of​ ​the​ ​following​ ​courses: 

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+ Biology:​​ ​4​ ​at​ ​SL,​ ​3​ ​at​ ​HL 
+ Chemistry:​​ ​4​ ​at​ ​SL,​ ​3​ ​at​ ​HL 
+ Mathematics:​​ ​4​ ​at​ ​SL,​ ​3​ ​at​ ​HL 
 
The​ ​only​ ​way​ ​to​ ​achieve​ ​a​ ​perfect​ ​ATAR​ ​of​ ​99.95​​ ​is​ ​to​ ​achieve​ ​a​ ​perfect​ ​score​ ​of​ ​45​​ ​in 
the​ ​IB,​ ​and​ ​there’s​ ​no​ ​room​ ​for​ ​interpretation​ ​there​ ​since,​ ​as​ ​a​ ​globally​ ​recognised 
curriculum,​ ​it​ ​doesn’t​ ​need​ ​converting. 
 
Considering​ ​the​ ​rigour​ ​of​ ​the​ ​IB​ ​Diploma​ ​Program,​ ​this​ ​is​ ​no​ ​mean​ ​feat! 
 
Scoring​ ​in​ ​the​ ​40s​ ​will​ ​give​ ​you​ ​a​ ​good​ ​shot​ ​at​ ​admission​ ​into​ ​the​ ​more​ ​competitive 
courses.​ ​For​ ​example,​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Western​ ​Australia’s​ ​IB​ ​cut-off​ ​score​ ​is​ ​41,​ ​and 
University​ ​of​ ​Queensland’s​ ​is​ ​42. 
 
Bond​ ​University’s​ ​medical​ ​program​ ​requires​ ​a​ ​minimum​ ​IB​ ​score​ ​of​ ​39,​ ​but​ ​once​ ​you 
get​ ​down​ ​to​ ​the​ ​mid​ ​thirties​ ​you’re​ ​going​ ​to​ ​have​ ​more​ ​trouble.​ ​With​ ​a​ ​36​ ​you​ ​can 
apply​ ​to​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Tasmania’s​ ​Bachelor​ ​of​ ​Medicine/Bachelor​ ​of​ ​Surgery,​ ​while​ ​a​ ​37 
makes​ ​you​ ​eligible​ ​to​ ​apply​ ​to​ ​Curtin​ ​University’s​ ​Bachelor​ ​of​ ​Medicine/Bachelor​ ​of 
Surgery. 
 
Remember,​ ​as​ ​with​ ​all​ ​med​ ​school​ ​admissions,​ ​these​ ​are​ ​all​ ​indicative​ ​scores,​ ​so​ ​the 
higher​ ​your​ ​score,​ ​the​ ​better​ ​your​ ​chance​ ​of​ ​getting​ ​admitted. 
 

Cambridge​ ​International​ ​Examinations​ ​(CIE) 

 
Similar​ ​to​ ​the​ ​IB,​ ​the​ ​CIE​ ​is​ ​recognised​ ​Australia-wide,​ ​however​ ​there’s​ ​not​ ​as​ ​much 
information​ ​readily​ ​available​ ​since​ ​the​ ​curriculum​ ​isn’t​ ​widely​ ​offered​ ​in​ ​Australia. 
 
To​ ​get​ ​the​ ​elusive​ ​99.95​ ​ATAR,​ ​you’ll​ ​need​ ​three​ ​A*s​ ​at​ ​A​ ​level. 
 
University​ ​of​ ​Adelaide​ ​and​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Tasmania​ ​both​ ​require​ ​a​ ​minimum​ ​CIE​ ​grade 
of​ ​AAA,​ ​which​ ​translates​ ​to​ ​a​ ​90​ ​ATAR.​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Western​ ​Sydney’s​ ​CIE​ ​score 
expectations​ ​are​ ​A*A*AA,​ ​which​ ​equates​ ​to​ ​an​ ​ATAR​ ​of​ ​95,​ ​while​ ​Griffith​ ​University​ ​looks 
at​ ​your​ ​best​ ​three​ ​A​ ​levels. 
 
As​ ​with​ ​other​ ​curriculums,​ ​English​ ​is​ ​compulsory,​ ​and​ ​while​ ​each​ ​university​ ​has​ ​its​ ​own 
policy,​ ​usually​ ​a​ ​C​ ​grade​ ​in​ ​AS​ ​English​ ​or​ ​higher​ ​is​ ​required. 
 

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Undergraduate​ ​Medicine​ ​vs.​ ​Postgraduate​ ​Medicine 

 
If​ ​your​ ​high​ ​school​ ​grades​ ​aren’t​ ​top-notch,​ ​don’t​ ​worry! 
 
There’s​ ​an​ ​alternative​ ​pathway​ ​to​ ​become​ ​a​ ​doctor​,​ ​and​ ​that’s​ ​through​ ​postgraduate 
study. 
 
Completing​ ​a​ ​Bachelor’s​ ​degree​ ​and​ ​then​ ​applying​ ​to​ ​postgraduate​ ​medicine 
somewhat​ ​erases​ ​your​ ​high​ ​school​ ​academic​ ​record​ ​and​ ​places​ ​more​ ​emphasis​ ​on 
your​ ​university​ ​GPA​ ​and​ ​the​ ​graduate​ ​entrance​ ​exam.  
 
Not​ ​to​ ​mention,​ ​you​ ​can​ ​get​ ​an​ ​undergraduate​ ​degree​ ​in​ ​pretty​ ​much​ ​any​ ​subject 
you’re​ ​interested​ ​in,​ ​even​ ​if​ ​it​ ​has​ ​nothing​ ​to​ ​do​ ​with​ ​medicine!​ ​Interested​ ​in​ ​English? 
Get​ ​a​ ​degree​ ​in​ ​it!​ ​Business?​ ​That​ ​works​ ​too!  
 
Keep​ ​in​ ​mind​ ​that​ ​if​ ​you​ ​choose​ ​this​ ​path​ ​you​ ​will​ ​have​ ​to​ ​sit​ ​the​ ​GAMSAT​ ​to​ ​go​ ​into 
postgrad​ ​med,​ ​so​ ​if​ ​your​ ​Bachelor's​ ​degree​ ​has​ ​nothing​ ​to​ ​do​ ​with​ ​science,​ ​you’ll​ ​need 
to​ ​study​ ​harder​ ​than​ ​someone​ ​who​ ​studied​ ​chemistry​ ​or​ ​biology. 
 
That​ ​being​ ​said,​ ​many​ ​of​ ​the​ ​universities​ ​appreciate​ ​well-rounded​ ​students​ ​who​ ​have 
strong​ ​humanities​ ​and​ ​social​ ​skills​ ​so​ ​you’re​ ​certainly​ ​not​ ​at​ ​a​ ​disadvantage​ ​if​ ​your 
undergrad​ ​degree​ ​has​ ​nothing​ ​to​ ​do​ ​with​ ​medicine.  
 
In​ ​New​ ​Zealand​ ​you​ ​actually​ ​can’t​ ​study​ ​medicine​ ​directly​ ​after​ ​high​ ​school​ ​and​ ​are 
required​ ​to​ ​complete​ ​one​ ​year​ ​of​ ​a​ ​science​ ​degree​ ​to​ ​be​ ​eligible​ ​for​ ​the​ ​undergraduate 
program.  
 
There​ ​are​ ​also​ ​some​ ​universities​ ​in​ ​Australia,​ ​such​ ​as​ ​The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Sydney,​ ​that​ ​don’t 
offer​ ​undergraduate​ ​medical​ ​degrees​ ​at​ ​all​ ​but​ ​do​ ​offer​ ​‘double​ ​degree’​ ​programs​ ​that 
allow​ ​you​ ​to​ ​get​ ​a​ ​relevant​ ​Bachelor’s​ ​degree​ ​and​ ​then​ ​start​ ​your​ ​assured​ ​postgraduate 
degree​ ​immediately​ ​after. 
 
Whatever​ ​route​ ​you​ ​take,​ ​just​ ​know​ ​that​ ​even​ ​if​ ​your​ ​high​ ​school​ ​scores​ ​aren’t​ ​great, 
you​ ​can​ ​still​ ​accomplish​ ​your​ ​dreams​ ​of​ ​becoming​ ​a​ ​doctor.  

Transferring​ ​to​ ​Australia/New​ ​Zealand​ ​for​ ​med​ ​school  

New​ ​Zealand​ ​to​ ​Australia 

 
Australia​ ​is​ ​a​ ​very​ ​attractive​ ​option​ ​for​ ​Kiwi​ ​students​ ​who​ ​want​ ​to​ ​study​ ​medicine. 

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Only​ ​two​ ​universities​ ​offer​ ​medicine​ ​in​ ​New​ ​Zealand,​ ​but​ ​19​ ​do​ ​in​ ​Australia,​ ​which 
means​ ​more​ ​chances​ ​of​ ​getting​ ​into​ ​med​ ​school!​ ​Plus,​ ​you​ ​can​ ​go​ ​into​ ​medicine​ ​as​ ​a 
school​ ​leaver,​ ​so​ ​that’s​ ​one​ ​less​ ​year​ ​of​ ​study​ ​you​ ​have​ ​to​ ​do. 
 
To​ ​apply,​ ​you’ll​ ​need​ ​an​ ​ATAR​ ​(in​ ​place​ ​of​ ​your​ ​university​ ​GPA),​ ​which​ ​is​ ​Australia’s 
university​ ​admission​ ​score,​ ​but​ ​as​ ​we​ ​explained​ ​earlier,​ ​that’s​ ​easily​ ​adapted​ ​from​ ​your 
NCEA​ ​results. 
 
And​ ​don’t​ ​forget​ ​that​ ​the​ ​ATAR​ ​conversion​ ​is​ ​favourable​ ​for​ ​NZ​ ​students,​ ​so​ ​you’d​ ​be 
gaining​ ​some​ ​ground​ ​in​ ​the​ ​marks​ ​department. 
 
However,​ ​this​ ​option​ ​isn’t​ ​as​ ​popular​ ​as​ ​it​ ​used​ ​to​ ​be​ ​since​ ​the​ ​Australian​ ​government 
withdrew​ ​subsidies​ ​for​ ​NZ​ ​students,​ ​meaning​ ​you​ ​now​ ​have​ ​to​ ​pay​ ​full​ ​tuition​ ​fees.  
 
Kiwis​ ​used​ ​to​ ​pay​ ​about​ ​$11,000​ ​per​ ​year​ ​of​ ​study,​ ​but​ ​now​ ​this​ ​figure​ ​is​ ​more​ ​like 
$60,000​,​ ​meaning​ ​med​ ​school​ ​is​ ​going​ ​to​ ​set​ ​you​ ​back​ ​a​ ​minimum​ ​of​ ​$400,000;​ ​a 
pretty​ ​considerable​ ​investment​ ​by​ ​anyone’s​ ​standards. 
 
So​ ​unless​ ​you​ ​(or​ ​your​ ​family)​ ​are​ ​able​ ​to​ ​front​ ​up​ ​the​ ​course​ ​fees​ ​and​ ​all​ ​your​ ​living 
expenses​ ​for​ ​five​ ​plus​ ​years,​ ​the​ ​Aussie​ ​dream​ ​will​ ​be​ ​out​ ​of​ ​reach.  
 
However,​ ​it’s​ ​not​ ​totally​ ​a​ ​lost​ ​cause.​ ​Australia​ ​still​ ​offers​ ​Kiwis​ ​access​ ​to​ ​student​ ​loans, 
so​ ​you​ ​can​ ​buy​ ​now​ ​and​ ​pay​ ​later…​ ​with​ ​interest.​ ​Some​ ​Aussie​ ​unis​ ​also​ ​offer 
scholarships,​ ​so​ ​that​ ​can​ ​be​ ​another​ ​avenue​ ​to​ ​pursue.​ ​We’ve​ ​got​ ​a​ ​whole​ ​section​ ​on 
financial​ ​aid​ ​and​ ​scholarships​ ​later​ ​on​ ​(Chapter​ ​6). 
 
If​ ​all​ ​this​ ​money​ ​talk​ ​hasn’t​ ​totally​ ​put​ ​you​ ​off​ ​going​ ​to​ ​med​ ​school​ ​in​ ​Australia​ ​–​ ​and​ ​it 
shouldn’t​ ​because​ ​it’s​ ​home​ ​to​ ​some​ ​world​ ​class​ ​medical​ ​schools​ ​–​ ​then​ ​make​ ​sure 
you’re​ ​prepared​ ​across​ ​the​ ​other​ ​aspects​ ​of​ ​the​ ​admissions​ ​process,​ ​such​ ​as​ ​the 
entrance​ ​exams. 
 
If​ ​applying​ ​as​ ​an​ ​undergraduate,​ ​you’ll​ ​need​ ​to​ ​take​ ​the​ ​UMAT​ ​as​ ​you​ ​would​ ​in​ ​New 
Zealand,​ ​but​ ​remember​ ​you’ll​ ​have​ ​to​ ​take​ ​it​ ​earlier​ ​–​ ​in​ ​year​ ​13​ ​as​ ​opposed​ ​to​ ​in​ ​your 
first​ ​year​ ​of​ ​university. 
 
This​ ​means​ ​you’ll​ ​be​ ​doing​ ​it​ ​the​ ​Aussie​ ​way​ ​–​ ​balancing​ ​UMAT​ ​preparation​ ​with​ ​your 
NCEA​ ​–​ ​so​ ​those​ ​extra​ ​ATAR​ ​points​ ​might​ ​be​ ​a​ ​much​ ​needed​ ​boost! 
 
 

11 
 

Australia​ ​to​ ​New​ ​Zealand 

 
What​ ​about​ ​the​ ​other​ ​way​ ​around? 
 
The​ ​two​ ​New​ ​Zealand​ ​universities​ ​that​ ​offer​ ​medicine,​ ​The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Auckland​ ​and 
University​ ​of​ ​Otago,​ ​are​ ​pretty​ ​up​ ​there​ ​in​ ​the​ ​ANZ​ ​medical​ ​school​ ​rankings​,​ ​coming​ ​in 
at​ ​sixth​ ​and​ ​seventh​ ​respectively. 
 
Remember,​ ​though,​ ​that​ ​in​ ​New​ ​Zealand​ ​you​ ​can’t​ ​apply​ ​to​ ​medicine​ ​straight​ ​out​ ​of 
school​;​ ​you​ ​have​ ​to​ ​do​ ​a​ ​year​ ​of​ ​uni​ ​first.​ ​This​ ​makes​ ​it​ ​a​ ​less​ ​attractive​ ​option​ ​for​ ​Aussie 
students​ ​–​ ​you’re​ ​already​ ​going​ ​to​ ​be​ ​spending​ ​a​ ​good​ ​chunk​ ​of​ ​your​ ​life​ ​studying​ ​to​ ​be 
a​ ​doctor,​ ​so​ ​adding​ ​another​ ​year​ ​isn’t​ ​ideal! 
 
Not​ ​to​ ​mention​ ​there’s​ ​a​ ​risk​ ​involved,​ ​because​ ​if​ ​you​ ​don’t​ ​get​ ​the​ ​marks​ ​to​ ​transfer​ ​to 
medicine​ ​in​ ​that​ ​first​ ​year,​ ​you’ve​ ​essentially​ ​wasted​ ​your​ ​time. 
 
However,​ ​assuming​ ​you​ ​do​ ​get​ ​the​ ​marks,​ ​graduating​ ​with​ ​a​ ​six​ ​year​ ​undergraduate 
degree​ ​is​ ​quicker​ ​than​ ​going​ ​the​ ​postgraduate​ ​route​ ​which​ ​adds​ ​unnecessary​ ​years​ ​of 
study.  
 
But​ ​there​ ​are​ ​advantages,​ ​too! 
 
Because​ ​you’re​ ​not​ ​applying​ ​to​ ​medicine​ ​straight​ ​away,​ ​the​ ​admissions​ ​requirements 
aren’t​ ​as​ ​strict. 
 
At​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Otago,​ ​for​ ​example,​ ​you​ ​are​ ​guaranteed​ ​spot​ ​in​ ​first-year​ ​Health 
Science​ ​as​ ​long​ ​as​ ​your​ ​ATAR​ ​is​ ​over​ ​80.​ ​So​ ​if​ ​your​ ​ATAR​ ​is​ ​threatening​ ​to​ ​ruin​ ​your 
med​ ​school​ ​dream,​ ​NZ​ ​can​ ​give​ ​you​ ​a​ ​second​ ​chance!​ ​It​ ​means​ ​you​ ​don’t​ ​have​ ​to​ ​worry 
about​ ​the​ ​UMAT​ ​till​ ​after​ ​school,​ ​either. 
 
Just​ ​make​ ​sure​ ​you​ ​work​ ​your​ ​butt​ ​off​ ​in​ ​first​ ​year​ ​to​ ​get​ ​that​ ​rock​ ​solid​ ​GPA! 
 
Not​ ​only​ ​this,​ ​but​ ​medicine​ ​in​ ​NZ​ ​is​ ​currently​ ​less​ ​competitive​,​ ​predominantly 
attended​ ​by​ ​domestic​ ​students,​ ​and​ ​graduates​ ​are​ ​better​ ​rewarded​ ​than​ ​in​ ​Australia​ ​in 
terms​ ​of​ ​pay. 
 
In​ ​addition,​ ​your​ ​application​ ​is​ ​entirely​ ​based​ ​on​ ​what​ ​you​ ​do​ ​in​ ​that​ ​first​ ​year​ ​of​ ​uni​ ​– 
grades,​ ​UMAT​ ​and​ ​med​ ​school​ ​interviews​ ​–​ ​rather​ ​than​ ​your​ ​high​ ​school​ ​performance, 
which​ ​is​ ​very​ ​encouraging​ ​for​ ​those​ ​wanting​ ​a​ ​clean​ ​slate​ ​opportunity!  
 
If​ ​not​ ​your​ ​priority,​ ​New​ ​Zealand​ ​is​ ​a​ ​great​ ​backup​ ​option​ ​for​ ​Aussie​ ​students. 

12 
 

03  
​​

The​ ​Entrance​ ​Exams 

 

 
 
Chances​ ​are​ ​you’ll​ ​have​ ​to​ ​sit​ ​an​ ​entrance​ ​exam 
as​ ​part​ ​of​ ​the​ ​med​ ​school​ ​admissions​ ​process. 
At​ ​undergraduate​ ​level,​ ​you​ ​take​ ​the​ ​UMAT,​ ​and 
at​ ​postgraduate​ ​level,​ ​you​ ​take​ ​the​ ​GAMSAT. 
 
If​ ​you’re​ ​going​ ​to​ ​med​ ​school​ ​in​ ​New​ ​Zealand, 
the​ ​UMAT​ ​is​ ​a​ ​must.​ ​In​ ​Australia,​ ​it’s​ ​not 
required​ ​by​ ​every​ ​uni,​ ​but​ ​taking​ ​it​ ​is​ ​a​ ​good 
idea​ ​so​ ​you​ ​can​ ​expand​ ​your​ ​options​ ​and​ ​apply 
to​ ​multiple​ ​universities.  
 
In​ ​such​ ​a​ ​highly​ ​competitive​ ​field​ ​as​ ​medicine, 
it’s​ ​not​ ​a​ ​good​ ​idea​ ​to​ ​have​ ​all​ ​your​ ​eggs​ ​in​ ​one 
basket.​ ​Always​ ​hedge​ ​your​ ​bets! 

The​ ​UMAT​ ​Explained 

 
If​ ​you​ ​plan​ ​on​ ​heading​ ​into​ ​medicine​ ​straight​ ​out​ ​of​ ​school​ ​in​ ​Australia,​ ​then​ ​the 
entrance​ ​exam​ ​you​ ​should​ ​be​ ​concerned​ ​with​ ​is​ ​the​ ​Undergraduate​ ​Medicine​ ​(and 
Health​ ​Sciences)​ ​Admission​ ​Test,​ ​or​ ​UMAT. 
 
Set​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Australian​ ​Council​ ​for​ ​Educational​ ​Research​ ​(ACER),​ ​it’s​ ​a​ ​three-hour 
standardised​ ​test​ ​which​ ​is​ ​used​ ​to​ ​assess​ ​your​ ​suitability​ ​to​ ​study​ ​medicine,​ ​dentistry, 
and​ ​some​ ​health​ ​science​ ​courses,​ ​at​ ​an​ ​undergraduate​ ​level. 
 
That’s​ ​right,​ ​“suitability”,​ ​meaning​ ​it’s​ ​not​ ​assessing​ ​your​ ​intellectual​ ​ability​ ​per​ ​se,​ ​but 
rather​ ​whether​ ​you’re​ ​fit​ ​for​ ​a​ ​career​ ​in​ ​medicine. 
 
The​ ​UMAT​ ​is​ ​used​ ​to​ ​identify​ ​non-academic​ ​qualities​ ​in​ ​candidates​ ​such​ ​as: 
 
+ Empathy 
+ Critical​ ​thinking 

13 
 

+ Problem​ ​solving 
+ People​ ​skills 
+ Logical​ ​reasoning 
 
Basically,​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​being​ ​book​ ​smart,​ ​you​ ​need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​personable,​ ​have​ ​common​ ​sense, 
and​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​think​ ​rationally​ ​in​ ​high​ ​pressure​ ​situations. 
 
Not​ ​all​ ​universities​ ​require​ ​the​ ​UMAT,​ ​but​ ​the​ ​vast​ ​majority​ ​that​ ​do​ ​are​ ​known​ ​as​ ​UMAT 
Consortium​ ​universities. 
 
A​ ​UMAT​ ​score​ ​is​ ​required​ ​for​ ​undergraduate​ ​admission​ ​into​ ​medicine​ ​at​ ​the 
following​ ​Australian​ ​universities: 
 
+ The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Adelaide 
+ Curtin​ ​University 
+ Flinders​ ​University 
+ Monash​ ​University 
+ The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Newcastle/University​ ​of​ ​New​ ​England 
+ The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​New​ ​South​ ​Wales 
+ The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Queensland 
+ University​ ​of​ ​Tasmania 
+ The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Western​ ​Australia 
+ Western​ ​Sydney​ ​University 
 
Despite​ ​the​ ​fact​ ​that​ ​you​ ​can’t​ ​apply​ ​to​ ​medicine​ ​as​ ​a​ ​school​ ​leaver​ ​in​ ​New​ ​Zealand, 
you​ ​still​ ​need​ ​to​ ​sit​ ​the​ ​UMAT. 
 
Technically,​ ​medicine​ ​is​ ​still​ ​an​ ​undergraduate​ ​course​ ​in​ ​New​ ​Zealand,​ ​even​ ​though 
students​ ​have​ ​to​ ​take​ ​a​ ​year​ ​of​ ​a​ ​Health​ ​Science​ ​or​ ​Biomedical​ ​Science​ ​degree​ ​to​ ​be 
eligible​ ​for​ ​entry.  
 
This​ ​is​ ​kind​ ​of​ ​like​ ​the​ ​US​ ​“pre-med”​ ​system​ ​(which​ ​we’ll​ ​explain​ ​later),​ ​but​ ​you’re​ ​not 
expected​ ​to​ ​complete​ ​a​ ​whole​ ​four-year​ ​degree,​ ​so​ ​consider​ ​yourself​ ​lucky! 
 
So​ ​instead​ ​of​ ​taking​ ​the​ ​UMAT​ ​in​ ​your​ ​final​ ​year​ ​of​ ​high​ ​school​ ​like​ ​the​ ​Aussies​ ​do,​ ​you 
take​ ​it​ ​in​ ​this​ ​compulsory​ ​year​ ​of​ ​university.​ ​And​ ​instead​ ​of​ ​submitting​ ​your​ ​NCEA 
results​ ​as​ ​the​ ​academic​ ​portion​ ​of​ ​your​ ​application,​ ​you​ ​submit​ ​your​ ​first-year​ ​GPA. 
 
A​ ​UMAT​ ​score​ ​is​ ​required​ ​for​ ​admission​ ​into​ ​the​ ​following​ ​courses​ ​at​ ​New​ ​Zealand 
universities: 
 
+ The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Auckland 
+ University​ ​of​ ​Otago 

14 
 

Preparing​ ​for​ ​the​ ​UMAT 

 
The​ ​UMAT​ ​does​ ​not​ ​test​ ​academic​ ​knowledge,​ ​nor​ ​does​ ​it​ ​require​ ​special 
understanding​ ​of​ ​any​ ​academic​ ​discipline. 
 
The​ ​UMAT​ ​focuses​ ​on​ ​the​ ​general​ ​skills​ ​and​ ​abilities​ ​that​ ​you​ ​have​ ​developed​ ​over​ ​the 
course​ ​of​ ​your​ ​education​ ​and​ ​just​ ​life​ ​in​ ​general. 
 
Vague​ ​much?! 
 
How​ ​can​ ​an​ ​exam​ ​test​ ​you​ ​on​ ​natural​ ​ability?​ ​More​ ​to​ ​the​ ​point,​ ​how​ ​do​ ​you​ ​prepare 
for​ ​an​ ​exam​ ​that​ ​tests​ ​you​ ​on​ ​natural​ ​ability?​ ​Can​ ​you​ ​even​ ​prepare​ ​for​ ​it? 
 
Absolutely! 
 
All​ ​it​ ​takes​ ​is​ ​a​ ​little…​ ​okay,​ ​maybe​ ​a​ ​bit​ ​more​ ​than​ ​a​ ​little…​ ​practice! 
 
When​ ​it​ ​comes​ ​to​ ​effective​ ​UMAT​ ​prep,​ ​starting​ ​early​ ​is​ ​critical.​​ ​It’s​ ​not​ ​the​ ​type​ ​of​ ​test 
you​ ​can​ ​cram​ ​for​ ​(mainly​ ​because​ ​there’s​ ​nothing​ ​to​ ​cram!);​ ​it​ ​takes​ ​consistent​ ​practice 
to​ ​hone​ ​the​ ​necessary​ ​skills​ ​and​ ​strategies​ ​over​ ​a​ ​period​ ​of​ ​time. 
 
Basically,​ ​the​ ​idea​ ​is​ ​that​ ​you​ ​develop​ ​these​ ​skills​ ​to​ ​the​ ​point​ ​where​ ​they​ ​come 
naturally​ ​to​ ​you.​ ​So,​ ​yes,​ ​some​ ​students​ ​will​ ​have​ ​to​ ​work​ ​harder​ ​than​ ​others.​ ​It​ ​all 
depends​ ​on​ ​your​ ​starting​ ​point. 
 
One​ ​thing’s​ ​for​ ​sure,​ ​though,​ ​and​ ​that​ ​is​ ​that​ ​you​ ​will​ ​have​ ​to​ ​work.​ ​Your​ ​biggest​ ​enemy 
in​ ​the​ ​UMAT​ ​is​ ​time​,​ ​so​ ​if​ ​you’re​ ​not​ ​familiar​ ​with​ ​the​ ​different​ ​question​ ​formats​ ​and 
the​ ​most​ ​logical​ ​pathways​ ​to​ ​come​ ​to​ ​an​ ​answer,​ ​and​ ​you​ ​haven’t​ ​optimised​ ​your 
preparation​ ​for​ ​efficiency​ ​and​ ​speed,​ ​you’re​ ​going​ ​to​ ​find​ ​yourself​ ​in​ ​a​ ​whole​ ​world​ ​of 
trouble​ ​come​ ​exam​ ​day. 
 
Ideally​ ​you​ ​should​ ​allow​ ​three​ ​months​ ​to​ ​prepare​,​ ​but​ ​the​ ​longer​ ​you​ ​can​ ​give​ ​yourself 
to​ ​study,​ ​the​ ​better. 
 
In​ ​Australia,​ ​you​ ​take​ ​the​ ​test​ ​in​ ​year​ ​12,​ ​when​ ​you’re​ ​already​ ​under​ ​serious​ ​pressure​ ​for 
your​ ​final​ ​exams,​ ​be​ ​it​ ​the​ ​HSC,​ ​VCE,​ ​or​ ​other​ ​state-based​ ​leaving​ ​certificate. 
 
Because​ ​of​ ​this,​ ​the​ ​best​ ​strategy​ ​is​ ​to​ ​treat​ ​the​ ​UMAT​ ​as​ ​another​ ​subject​ ​and​ ​factor​ ​it 
into​ ​your​ ​timetable,​ ​which​ ​would​ ​mean​ ​spending​ ​about​ ​10%​ ​of​ ​your​ ​time​ ​on​ ​UMAT 
prep​.​ ​This​ ​way,​ ​it​ ​won’t​ ​get​ ​pushed​ ​to​ ​the​ ​sidelines​ ​when​ ​the​ ​assessments​ ​pile​ ​up. 

15 
 

 
Think​ ​about​ ​it:​ ​you​ ​spend​ ​your​ ​whole​ ​life​ ​building​ ​up​ ​to​ ​an​ ​ATAR,​ ​but​ ​when​ ​it​ ​comes​ ​to 
getting​ ​into​ ​medical​ ​school,​ ​in​ ​most​ ​cases​ ​the​ ​UMAT​ ​counts​ ​for​ ​just​ ​as​ ​much.​ ​Why 
shouldn’t​ ​it​ ​get​ ​just​ ​as​ ​much​ ​love​ ​and​ ​attention​ ​as​ ​one​ ​of​ ​your​ ​school​ ​subjects? 
 
In​ ​New​ ​Zealand,​ ​you​ ​take​ ​your​ ​UMAT​ ​long​ ​after​ ​you​ ​finish​ ​your​ ​high​ ​school​ ​exams​ ​–​ ​yay! 
But​ ​that​ ​doesn’t​ ​mean​ ​you​ ​can​ ​take​ ​it​ ​easy.​ ​You​ ​still​ ​have​ ​to​ ​get​ ​a​ ​good​ ​enough​ ​GPA​ ​in 
your​ ​first​ ​year​ ​of​ ​uni​ ​to​ ​qualify​ ​for​ ​med​ ​school,​ ​so​ ​like​ ​the​ ​Aussies,​ ​you’ll​ ​be​ ​doing​ ​some 
juggling​ ​of​ ​sorts. 
 
Unless,​ ​that​ ​is,​ ​you’re​ ​planning​ ​on​ ​going​ ​to​ ​med​ ​school​ ​in​ ​Australia,​ ​in​ ​which​ ​case​ ​you’d 
take​ ​the​ ​UMAT​ ​in​ ​year​ ​13​ ​and​ ​apply​ ​with​ ​your​ ​NCEA​ ​results.​ ​But​ ​even​ ​if​ ​you’re​ ​not, 
doing​ ​a​ ​test​ ​run​ ​of​ ​the​ ​UMAT​ ​in​ ​high​ ​school​ ​is​ ​highly​ ​recommended​​ ​as​ ​it​ ​establishes​ ​a 
benchmark​ ​and​ ​shows​ ​where​ ​your​ ​skill​ ​gaps​ ​are,​ ​enabling​ ​you​ ​to​ ​optimise​ ​your 
preparation​ ​for​ ​round​ ​two.​ ​It​ ​can​ ​also​ ​indicate​ ​whether​ ​you’re​ ​more​ ​suited​ ​towards 
Auckland​ ​or​ ​Otago. 
 
In​ ​fact,​ ​evidence​ ​shows​ ​that​ ​70%​ ​of​ ​those​ ​who​ ​sit​ ​the​ ​UMAT​ ​twice​ ​improve​ ​their​ ​grade 
on​ ​the​ ​second​ ​attempt. 
 

UMAT​ ​Structure 
 
In​ ​order​ ​to​ ​know​ ​how​ ​to​ ​prepare,​ ​we​ ​need​ ​to​ ​take​ ​a​ ​more​ ​detailed​ ​look​ ​at​ ​the​ ​exam.  
 
There​ ​are​​ ​three​ ​sections​ ​in​ ​the​ ​UMAT​,​ ​and​ ​each​ ​tests​ ​different​ ​skills.​ ​Therefore,​ ​each 
section​ ​requires​ ​a​ ​different​ ​preparation​ ​technique. 
 
The​ ​three​ ​sections​ ​are: 
 
1. Logical​ ​Reasoning​ ​and​ ​Problem​ ​Solving 
2. Understanding​ ​People 
3. Non-verbal​ ​Reasoning 
 
Let’s​ ​take​ ​an​ ​in-depth​ ​look​ ​at​ ​each​ ​of​ ​these. 
 

Section​ ​1: 
Logical​ ​Reasoning​ ​and​ ​Problem​ ​Solving 
 
Fast​ ​facts: 

16 
 

 
+ Time:​​ ​70​ ​minutes 
+ Number​ ​of​ ​questions:​​ ​48​ ​(one​ ​minute,​ ​45​ ​seconds​ ​per​ ​question) 
+ Skills​ ​you​ ​need:​​ ​Critical​ ​thinking,​ ​problem​ ​solving,​ ​efficient​ ​reading 
 
This​ ​section​ ​aims​ ​to​ ​test​ ​your​ ​problem​ ​solving​ ​and​ ​critical​ ​thinking​ ​ability,​ ​both​ ​of 
which​ ​are​ ​necessary​ ​skills​ ​for​ ​making​ ​rational​ ​decisions​ ​in​ ​a​ ​medical​ ​context,​ ​though 
questions​ ​relate​ ​to​ ​information​ ​that​ ​is​ ​non-medical​ ​and​ ​non-technical. 
 
This​ ​is​ ​the​ ​hardest​ ​part​ ​of​ ​the​ ​exam​ ​time-wise,​ ​because​ ​these​ ​questions​ ​take​ ​the 
longest,​ ​and​ ​there​ ​are​ ​more​ ​here​ ​than​ ​in​ ​any​ ​other​ ​section. 
 
You​ ​are​ ​required​ ​to​ ​read​ ​and​ ​analyse​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​of​ ​information​ ​in​ ​all​ ​kinds​ ​of​ ​formats​ ​–​ ​words, 
diagrams,​ ​graphs​ ​and​ ​tables​ ​–​ ​all​ ​of​ ​which​ ​contain​ ​vital​ ​details​ ​that​ ​you​ ​can't​ ​afford​ ​to 
misread​ ​or​ ​misinterpret.  
 
As​ ​such,​ ​your​ ​biggest​ ​asset​ ​in​ ​this​ ​section​ ​is​ ​being​ ​able​ ​to​ ​absorb​ ​a​ ​huge​ ​amount​ ​of 
detail​ ​the​ ​first​ ​time​ ​you​ ​read​ ​it.​ ​This​ ​efficient​ ​reading​ ​ability​ ​is​ ​what​ ​separates 
successful​ ​candidates​ ​from​ ​unsuccessful​ ​candidates​. 
 
It’s​ ​the​ ​difference​ ​between​ ​completing​ ​48​ ​questions​ ​in​ ​70​ ​minutes​ ​and​ ​38​ ​questions​ ​in 
70​ ​minutes.​ ​The​ ​more​ ​you​ ​re-read​ ​the​ ​stimulus,​ ​the​ ​less​ ​time​ ​you​ ​have​ ​for​ ​other 
questions. 
 
The​ ​best​ ​way​ ​to​ ​prepare​ ​is​ ​by​ ​practising​ ​careful​ ​yet​ ​efficient​ ​reading.​ ​Train​ ​yourself​ ​to 
skim​ ​read,​ ​but​ ​also​ ​to​ ​focus​ ​and​ ​retain​ ​information. 
 
Aside​ ​from​ ​that,​ ​this​ ​section​ ​really​ ​comes​ ​down​ ​to​ ​consistent​ ​practice,​ ​as​ ​this​ ​will 
increase​ ​your​ ​confidence​ ​and​ ​speed​ ​in​ ​answering​ ​this​ ​styles​ ​of​ ​questions. 
 

Section​ ​2: 
Understanding​ ​People 
 
Fast​ ​facts: 
 
+ Time:​​ ​55​ ​minutes 
+ Number​ ​of​ ​questions:​​ ​44​ ​(one​ ​minute,​ ​25​ ​seconds​ ​per​ ​question) 
+ Skills​ ​you​ ​need:​ ​Empathy,​ ​people​ ​skills,​ ​logical​ ​reasoning 
 
This​ ​section​ ​assesses​ ​your​ ​ability​ ​to​ ​understand​ ​and​ ​reason​ ​with​ ​people​.  
 

17 
 

As​ ​a​ ​future​ ​medical​ ​professional,​ ​it’s​ ​important​ ​that​ ​you​ ​are​ ​personable​ ​and 
empathetic.​ ​Not​ ​only​ ​will​ ​you​ ​interacting​ ​with​ ​people​ ​on​ ​a​ ​daily​ ​basis,​ ​but​ ​there’s​ ​every 
chance​ ​you’ll​ ​be​ ​dealing​ ​with​ ​sensitive​ ​issues​ ​and​ ​put​ ​in​ ​highly​ ​emotional​ ​situations​ ​– 
often​ ​on​ ​very​ ​little​ ​sleep! 
 
You​ ​know​ ​how​ ​they​ ​talk​ ​about​ ​doctors​ ​having​ ​a​ ​good​ ​bedside​ ​manner?​ ​This​ ​is​ ​where 
the​ ​UMAT​ ​tries​ ​to​ ​gauge​ ​that​ ​from​ ​you. 
 
Questions​ ​are​ ​based​ ​on​ ​a​ ​scenario,​ ​dialogue,​ ​or​ ​other​ ​text​ ​that​ ​represents​ ​an 
interpersonal​ ​situation,​ ​and​ ​you​ ​need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​identify,​ ​understand,​ ​and​ ​infer​ ​the 
thoughts,​ ​feelings,​ ​behaviour,​ ​and​ ​intentions​ ​of​ ​the​ ​people​ ​represented. 
 
All​ ​scenarios​ ​are​ ​fictional​ ​and​ ​not​ ​confined​ ​to​ ​health​ ​or​ ​medical​ ​settings,​ ​so​ ​once​ ​again 
no​ ​specialised​ ​knowledge​ ​is​ ​expected​ ​of​ ​you. 
 
They​ ​aim​ ​to​ ​elicit​ ​your​ ​true,​ ​natural​ ​response,​ ​which​ ​is​ ​the​ ​reason​ ​for​ ​the​ ​tighter 
timeframe​ ​than​ ​Section​ ​1​ ​(20​ ​seconds​ ​less​ ​per​ ​question).​ ​There’s​ ​no​ ​time​ ​for​ ​faking​ ​– 
you​ ​need​ ​to​ ​answer​ ​instinctively. 
 
If​ ​you’re​ ​a​ ​naturally​ ​empathetic​ ​person​ ​and​ ​you​ ​easily​ ​pick​ ​up​ ​on​ ​emotional​ ​cues, 
preparing​ ​for​ ​this​ ​won’t​ ​be​ ​such​ ​a​ ​hard​ ​task. 
 
If​ ​not,​ ​you’ve​ ​got​ ​some​ ​work​ ​to​ ​do! 
 
The​ ​interpersonal​ ​skills​ ​required​ ​for​ ​Section​ ​2​ ​can’t​ ​be​ ​picked​ ​up​ ​instantly,​ ​but​ ​they​ ​can 
be​ ​developed. 
 
The​ ​way​ ​to​ ​do​ ​this​ ​is​ ​by​ ​building​ ​up​ ​your​ ​emotional​ ​intelligence​,​ ​or​ ​emotional 
quotient​ ​(EQ),​ ​which​ ​is​ ​the​ ​extent​ ​to​ ​which​ ​you​ ​can​ ​empathise​ ​with​ ​others​ ​and​ ​use 
emotion​ ​to​ ​facilitate​ ​thinking. 
 
But​ ​before​ ​you​ ​can​ ​understand​ ​others,​ ​you​ ​need​ ​to​ ​understand​ ​yourself! 
 
Start​ ​paying​ ​attention​ ​to​ ​your​ ​own​ ​emotions​ ​and​ ​analysing​ ​your​ ​reactions​ ​to​ ​certain 
situations.​ ​Part​ ​of​ ​this​ ​involves​ ​expanding​ ​your​ ​emotional​ ​“vocabulary”​ ​so​ ​you​ ​can 
adequately​ ​define​ ​and​ ​describe​ ​what​ ​you​ ​feel. 
 
Then,​ ​once​ ​you​ ​can​ ​identify​ ​your​ ​feelings​ ​and​ ​take​ ​responsibility​ ​for​ ​them,​ ​you’ll​ ​better 
understand​ ​the​ ​behaviour​ ​of​ ​others,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​motives​ ​behind​ ​their​ ​actions. 
 
If​ ​all​ ​this​ ​emotional​ ​talk​ ​is​ ​foreign​ ​to​ ​you,​ ​this​ ​might​ ​sound​ ​a​ ​bit​ ​ridiculous,​ ​but​ ​try​ ​to 
look​ ​past​ ​that.​ ​Universities​ ​are​ ​looking​ ​for​ ​people​ ​who​ ​are​ ​not​ ​just​ ​academic​ ​but​ ​also 
"fit​ ​for​ ​medicine",​ ​and​ ​being​ ​a​ ​“people​ ​person”​ ​is​ ​a​ ​big​ ​part​ ​of​ ​that. 

18 
 

 
Another​ ​way​ ​to​ ​prep​ ​for​ ​Section​ ​2​ ​is​ ​to​ ​read.​ ​But​ ​not​ ​in​ ​the​ ​same​ ​way​ ​as​ ​Section​ ​1, 
where​ ​you’re​ ​reading​ ​for​ ​speed.​ ​This​ ​time,​ ​you​ ​get​ ​to​ ​read​ ​for​ ​fun! 
 
That’s​ ​because​ ​in​ ​Section​ ​2,​ ​your​ ​best​ ​asset​ ​is​ ​a​ ​broad​ ​vocabulary.​ ​It’s​ ​notorious​ ​for 
throwing​ ​some​ ​pretty​ ​obscure​ ​words​ ​into​ ​the​ ​mix​ ​–​ ​most​ ​of​ ​which​ ​you​ ​won’t​ ​have 
come​ ​across​ ​in​ ​everyday​ ​life. 
 
If​ ​you​ ​consider​ ​yourself​ ​a​ ​bit​ ​of​ ​a​ ​bookworm,​ ​though,​ ​this​ ​is​ ​where​ ​you’ll​ ​shine! 
 
A​ ​lot​ ​of​ ​the​ ​excerpts​ ​included​ ​come​ ​from​ ​popular​ ​fiction​ ​novels,​ ​so​ ​you’re​ ​likely​ ​to 
recognise​ ​a​ ​couple​ ​if​ ​you’re​ ​well​ ​read.​ ​Books​ ​that​ ​have​ ​been​ ​used​ ​in​ ​recent​ ​exams 
include​ ​Black​ ​Dogs​ ​by​ ​Ian​ ​McKewan​ ​and​ ​Luther:​ ​The​ ​Calling​ ​by​ ​Neil​ ​Cross. 
 
Typically​ ​there​ ​are​ ​three​ ​to​ ​four​ ​questions​ ​dedicated​ ​to​ ​the​ ​one​ ​excerpt,​ ​so​ ​it​ ​pays​ ​to 
know​ ​your​ ​literature! 
 
Like​ ​Section​ ​1,​ ​you​ ​need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​understand​ ​and​ ​analyse​ ​a​ ​stimulus​ ​under​ ​serious 
time​ ​pressure,​ ​so​ ​if​ ​you​ ​come​ ​across​ ​something​ ​you’ve​ ​read​ ​before,​ ​this​ ​will​ ​save​ ​on 
reading​ ​and​ ​comprehension​ ​time. 
 
Obviously,​ ​it’s​ ​hard​ ​to​ ​find​ ​the​ ​time​ ​to​ ​read​ ​when​ ​you’re​ ​at​ ​the​ ​tail​ ​end​ ​of​ ​high​ ​school, 
but​ ​it​ ​really​ ​is​ ​the​ ​best​ ​way​ ​to​ ​broaden​ ​your​ ​vocab​ ​–​ ​emotional​ ​or​ ​otherwise​ ​–​ ​so​ ​keep​ ​a 
book​ ​in​ ​hand. 
 
Reading​ ​is​ ​also​ ​great​ ​way​ ​to​ ​wind​ ​down,​ ​so​ ​think​ ​of​ ​it​ ​as​ ​a​ ​study​ ​break​ ​–​ ​even​ ​though 
you’re​ ​still​ ​kind​ ​of​ ​studying!​ ​Win-win. 
 
Once​ ​you​ ​do​ ​all​ ​of​ ​this,​ ​you’re​ ​ready​ ​for​ ​practice.​ ​Get​ ​a​ ​feel​ ​(so​ ​to​ ​speak)​ ​for​ ​the​ ​types​ ​of 
questions​ ​you’ll​ ​be​ ​asked​ ​in​ ​Section​ ​2​ ​and​ ​pour​ ​your​ ​heart​ ​out​ ​on​ ​past​ ​papers! 
 

Section​ ​3: 
Non-verbal​ ​Reasoning 
 
Fast​ ​facts: 
 
+ Time:​​ ​50​ ​minutes 
+ Number​ ​of​ ​questions:​​ ​42​ ​(one​ ​minute,​ ​15​ ​seconds​ ​per​ ​question) 
+ Skills​ ​you​ ​need:​​ ​Abstract​ ​reasoning,​ ​problem​ ​solving 
 

19 
 

This​ ​is​ ​widely​ ​considered​ ​the​ ​most​ ​intimidating​ ​section,​ ​but​ ​don’t​ ​worry,​ ​it’s​ ​the​ ​easiest 
to​ ​learn! 
 
Questions​ ​are​ ​based​ ​on​ ​series​ ​and​ ​sequences​ ​involving​ ​shapes.​ ​You​ ​need​ ​to​ ​identify 
the​ ​pattern​ ​and​ ​apply​ ​different​ ​rules,​ ​laws,​ ​patterns,​ ​and​ ​aspects​ ​to​ ​the​ ​situation​ ​in 
order​ ​to​ ​come​ ​to​ ​a​ ​conclusion. 
 
All​ ​up,​ ​you​ ​will​ ​be​ ​asked​ ​three​ ​different​ ​types​ ​of​ ​questions​ ​in​ ​Section​ ​3: 
 
+ Next​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Series:​​ ​For​ ​a​ ​sequence​ ​of​ ​diagrams,​ ​identify​ ​the​ ​option​ ​that​ ​most 
comes​ ​next​ ​in​ ​the​ ​sequence. 
+ Missing​ ​Segment:​​ ​Based​ ​on​ ​a​ ​pattern​ ​provided,​ ​identify​ ​the​ ​option​ ​that​ ​most 
simply​ ​and​ ​logically​ ​fits​ ​the​ ​missing​ ​segment. 
+ Middle​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Sequence:​​ ​In​ ​this​ ​variant​ ​of​ ​Next​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Series,​ ​determine​ ​the 
correct​ ​order​ ​for​ ​the​ ​five​ ​given​ ​stages​ ​of​ ​a​ ​sequence,​ ​and​ ​identify​ ​the​ ​middle 
stage. 
 
You’ll​ ​need​ ​to​ ​create​ ​rules​ ​for​ ​different​ ​elements​ ​and​ ​check​ ​that​ ​they​ ​apply​ ​to​ ​the 
whole​ ​sequence.​ ​But​ ​don’t​ ​over​ ​complicate​ ​things​​ ​–​ ​rules​ ​should​ ​be​ ​as​ ​“simple”​ ​as 
possible.​ ​For​ ​example,​ ​smallest​ ​increments​ ​in​ ​rotation​ ​or​ ​position;​ ​shortest​ ​sequence​ ​of 
pattern​ ​changes;​ ​addition​ ​before​ ​multiplication. 
 
This​ ​is​ ​where​ ​it​ ​can​ ​be​ ​really​ ​useful​ ​to​ ​speak​ ​to​ ​someone​ ​who​ ​has​ ​sat​ ​the​ ​UMAT 
before​,​ ​as​ ​the​ ​same​ ​patterns​ ​come​ ​up​ ​in​ ​each​ ​test.​ ​Repetition​ ​is​ ​inevitable​ ​when​ ​there 
are​ ​only​ ​so​ ​many​ ​possible​ ​variations! 
 
Don’t​ ​worry​ ​if​ ​you​ ​can’t​ ​find​ ​someone​ ​who’s​ ​taken​ ​the​ ​UMAT,​ ​because​ ​once​ ​you​ ​do 
enough​ ​practice​ ​questions​ ​you’ll​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​spot​ ​the​ ​repeating​ ​offenders​ ​yourself!​ ​And 
when​ ​you​ ​do,​ ​your​ ​focus​ ​needs​ ​to​ ​switch​ ​to​ ​speed. 
 
With​ ​even​ ​less​ ​time​ ​allocated​ ​per​ ​question​ ​than​ ​the​ ​other​ ​two​ ​sections,​ ​it’s​ ​even​ ​more 
important​ ​that​ ​you​ ​get​ ​the​ ​hang​ ​of​ ​this​ ​style​ ​and​ ​reduce​ ​the​ ​time​ ​it​ ​takes​ ​you​ ​to 
answer. 
 
Work​ ​through​ ​example​ ​after​ ​example​ ​until​ ​you​ ​can​ ​do​ ​it​ ​blindfolded​ ​–​ ​metaphorically 
speaking,​ ​of​ ​course,​ ​though​ ​not​ ​impossible​ ​once​ ​you’ve​ ​cracked​ ​the​ ​Section​ ​3​ ​code! 
 

UMAT​ ​Results 
 
Released​ ​in​ ​September,​ ​your​ ​UMAT​ ​results​ ​will​ ​consist​ ​of​ ​five​ ​scores​:​ ​an​ ​overall​ ​score,​ ​a 
score​ ​for​ ​Sections​ ​1,​ ​2,​ ​and​ ​3,​ ​and​ ​a​ ​percentile​ ​rank. 

20 
 

 
Your​ ​overall​ ​raw​ ​score​​ ​is​ ​the​ ​unweighted​ ​sum​ ​of​ ​your​ ​three​ ​section​ ​scores. 
 
Your​ ​three​ ​section​ ​scores​​ ​are​ ​not​ ​the​ ​actual​ ​number​ ​of​ ​questions​ ​you​ ​got​ ​right​ ​in​ ​each 
part,​ ​but​ ​are​ ​a​ ​scaled​ ​percentage​ ​of​ ​each​ ​section’s​ ​raw​ ​scores.​ ​For​ ​example,​ ​if​ ​you​ ​got 
42​ ​questions​ ​right​ ​out​ ​of​ ​44​ ​in​ ​Section​ ​2,​ ​your​ ​section​ ​score​ ​won't​ ​be​ ​42.​ ​Instead,​ ​it​ ​will 
be​ ​scaled​ ​out​ ​of​ ​50. 
 
Your​ ​raw​ ​scores​​ ​are…​ ​a​ ​mystery.​ ​You’ll​ ​never​ ​find​ ​out​ ​your​ ​actual​ ​marks​ ​for​ ​each​ ​section, 
and​ ​it’s​ ​not​ ​possible​ ​to​ ​reverse​ ​calculate​ ​them​ ​since​ ​ACER​ ​doesn’t​ ​release​ ​its​ ​process. 
 
Your​ ​percentile​ ​rank​​ ​shows​ ​how​ ​you​ ​performed​ ​against​ ​the​ ​other​ ​students​ ​who​ ​sat​ ​the 
UMAT.​ ​It​ ​works​ ​the​ ​same​ ​as​ ​the​ ​ATAR​ ​system,​ ​so​ ​if​ ​you​ ​obtain​ ​a​ ​percentile​ ​rank​ ​of​ ​80, 
this​ ​means​ ​you​ ​performed​ ​better​ ​than​ ​80%​ ​of​ ​students,​ ​and​ ​20%​ ​of​ ​students 
performed​ ​better​ ​than​ ​you. 
 
You​ ​want​ ​to​ ​be​ ​aiming​ ​for​ ​at​ ​least​ ​the​ ​upper​ ​end​ ​of​ ​the​ ​80th​ ​percentile​ ​or​ ​an​ ​overall 
score​ ​of​ ​180​ ​to​ ​have​ ​a​ ​good​ ​chance​ ​of​ ​getting​ ​into​ ​medicine,​ ​but​ ​this​ ​will​ ​depend​ ​on 
the​ ​university​ ​to​ ​which​ ​you​ ​are​ ​applying.​ ​Each​ ​has​ ​its​ ​own​ ​selection​ ​criteria,​ ​and​ ​this 
often​ ​varies​ ​from​ ​year​ ​to​ ​year.  
 
Generally​ ​speaking,​ ​the​ ​UMAT​ ​counts​ ​for​ ​one​ ​third​ ​of​ ​your​ ​admissions​ ​criteria​ ​into 
med​ ​school. 
 
In​ ​most​ ​admissions​ ​processes,​ ​your​ ​UMAT​ ​results​ ​and​ ​ATAR/GPA​ ​are​ ​assessed​ ​at​ ​the 
same​ ​time​ ​and​ ​are​ ​considered​ ​proportionally.​ ​This​ ​means​ ​that​ ​the​ ​higher​ ​your​ ​UMAT 
score,​ ​the​ ​lower​ ​your​ ​ATAR/GPA​ ​can​ ​be​ ​and​ ​vice​ ​versa. 
 
We​ ​are​ ​talking​ ​very​ ​small​ ​numbers​ ​here,​ ​though.​ ​Since​ ​you​ ​are​ ​applying​ ​for​ ​a​ ​medical 
degree,​ ​the​ ​margin​ ​for​ ​error​ ​is​ ​very​ ​slim. 
 
As​ ​an​ ​example,​ ​a​ ​student​ ​with​ ​an​ ​ATAR​ ​of​ ​99.45​ ​and​ ​a​ ​UMAT​ ​score​ ​in​ ​the​ ​70th 
percentile​ ​can​ ​still​ ​gain​ ​admission​ ​despite​ ​a​ ​less​ ​than​ ​perfect​ ​UMAT​ ​result. 
Alternatively,​ ​a​ ​student​ ​with​ ​a​ ​UMAT​ ​score​ ​in​ ​the​ ​95th​ ​percentile​ ​can​ ​receive​ ​an​ ​offer 
despite​ ​an​ ​ATAR​ ​ranking​ ​dropping​ ​from​ ​99​ ​to​ ​95. 
 
Once​ ​again,​ ​this​ ​depends​ ​on​ ​where​ ​you’re​ ​applying.​ ​It’s​ ​hard​ ​to​ ​speak​ ​in​ ​general​ ​terms 
when​ ​talking​ ​about​ ​med​ ​school​ ​admissions,​ ​because​ ​there​ ​are​ ​so​ ​many​ ​subtle​ ​(and 
not​ ​so​ ​subtle)​ ​differences​ ​between​ ​the​ ​universities. 
 
That’s​ ​why​ ​it’s​ ​so​ ​important​ ​as​ ​an​ ​aspiring​ ​med​ ​student​ ​to​ ​understand​ ​that​ ​where​ ​you 
plan​ ​on​ ​going​ ​to​ ​university​ ​vastly​ ​changes​ ​how​ ​you​ ​should​ ​approach​ ​the​ ​UMAT​ ​and 
preparation. 

21 
 

 
It​ ​will​ ​help​ ​to​ ​use​ ​some​ ​examples,​ ​so​ ​let’s​ ​look​ ​at​ ​how​ ​UMAT​ ​scores​ ​are​ ​regarded​ ​by 
specific​ ​med​ ​schools. 
 

How​ ​important​ ​is​ ​the​ ​UMAT​ ​in​ ​Australia? 

 
In​ ​Australia,​ ​the​ ​general​ ​rule​ ​for​ ​admissions​ ​is​ ​an​ ​equally​ ​weighted​ ​system​ ​of​ ​the 
UMAT,​ ​ATAR​ ​and​ ​interview​​ ​(i.e.​ ​33.33%​ ​each),​ ​but​ ​naturally​ ​this​ ​doesn’t​ ​always​ ​apply! 
 
Even​ ​where​ ​it​ ​does,​ ​sometimes​ ​there’s​ ​some​ ​room​ ​to​ ​move.​ ​At​ ​UNSW,​ ​for​ ​example,​ ​the 
higher​ ​your​ ​ATAR,​ ​the​ ​lower​ ​they​ ​allow​ ​your​ ​UMAT​ ​score​ ​to​ ​be.​ ​Mind​ ​you,​ ​we’re​ ​talking 
UMATs​ ​in​ ​the​ ​mid​ ​80s​ ​and​ ​ATARs​ ​in​ ​the​ ​99s. 
 
UNSW​ ​has​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​highest​ ​ranked​ ​medicine​ ​courses​ ​around,​ ​so​ ​you​ ​need​ ​to​ ​have​ ​a 
pretty​ ​exceptional​ ​UMAT​ ​score​ ​to​ ​offset​ ​a​ ​slightly​ ​imperfect​ ​ATAR,​ ​and​ ​vice​ ​versa. 
 
How’s​ ​this​ ​for​ ​important:​ ​some​ ​unis​ ​only​ ​look​ ​at​ ​your​ ​UMAT​ ​score​ ​when​ ​considering 
you​ ​for​ ​entry.​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Queensland​ ​and​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Tasmania​ ​base​ ​their 
admissions​ ​offers​ ​entirely​ ​on​ ​UMAT​ ​results. 
 
At​ ​other​ ​unis,​ ​the​ ​UMAT​ ​is​ ​not​ ​quite​ ​as​ ​high​ ​on​ ​the​ ​priority​ ​list. 
 
The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Adelaide​ ​and​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Western​ ​Australia’s​ ​UMAT/ATAR/interview 
ratio​ ​is​ ​20:40:40.​ ​This​ ​means​ ​that​ ​if​ ​your​ ​UMAT​ ​is​ ​not​ ​quite​ ​up​ ​to​ ​par,​ ​you​ ​still​ ​have​ ​a 
chance​ ​of​ ​getting​ ​in​ ​if​ ​your​ ​ATAR​ ​is​ ​high​ ​enough​ ​and​ ​you​ ​ace​ ​the​ ​interview. 
 
But!​ ​That’s​ ​only​ ​if​ ​you​ ​qualify​ ​for​ ​an​ ​interview. 
 
How​ ​do​ ​you​ ​qualify?​ ​With​ ​a​ ​good​ ​UMAT​ ​score​ ​of​ ​course! 
 
Despite​ ​the​ ​lower​ ​weighting,​ ​getting​ ​a​ ​good​ ​UMAT​ ​score​ ​is​ ​just​ ​as​ ​important​ ​in​ ​these 
scenarios,​ ​because​ ​your​ ​exam​ ​results​ ​are​ ​screened​ ​first​ ​before​ ​they​ ​consider​ ​you​ ​for​ ​an 
interview. 
 
There’s​ ​just​ ​no​ ​escaping​ ​this​ ​UMAT​ ​thing!​ ​Do​ ​you​ ​see​ ​now​ ​how​ ​it’s​ ​so​ ​important?! 
 
Many​ ​universities​ ​even​ ​weight​ ​sections​ ​of​ ​the​ ​UMAT​ ​differently.​​ ​The​ ​50/50/50​ ​rule​ ​is 
the​ ​standard​ ​at​ ​many​ ​Australian​ ​universities​ ​offering​ ​undergraduate​ ​medicine, 
including​ ​UNSW,​ ​Monash,​ ​Queensland,​ ​and​ ​Newcastle/New​ ​England. 
 

22 
 

This​ ​means​ ​that​ ​in​ ​order​ ​for​ ​you​ ​to​ ​be​ ​in​ ​with​ ​a​ ​chance​ ​at​ ​one​ ​of​ ​these​ ​unis,​ ​you​ ​need 
to​ ​get​ ​a​ ​raw​ ​score​ ​of​ ​50​ ​for​ ​each​ ​section​ ​(which​ ​is​ ​estimated​ ​to​ ​be​ ​about​ ​25​ ​correct 
answers). 
 
However,​ ​others​ ​like​ ​Bond​ ​University​ ​and​ ​Adelaide​ ​University​ ​focus​ ​on​ ​the​ ​overall​ ​score. 
As​ ​long​ ​as​ ​your​ ​total​ ​reaches​ ​their​ ​threshold,​ ​it​ ​won’t​ ​matter​ ​if​ ​you​ ​have​ ​a​ ​score​ ​in​ ​the 
40s​ ​for​ ​one​ ​section. 
 
As​ ​you​ ​can​ ​see,​ ​it’s​ ​important​ ​to​ ​think​ ​about​ ​where​ ​you​ ​want​ ​to​ ​study​ ​medicine​ ​before 
you​ ​start​ ​preparing​ ​for​ ​the​ ​UMAT.  
 
That’s​ ​a​ ​pretty​ ​good​ ​overview​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Aussie​ ​unis,​ ​but​ r​ efer​ ​to​ ​the​ ​admissions​ ​summary 
table​ ​in​ ​Chapter​ ​10​​ ​of​ ​this​ ​eBook​ ​for​ ​more​ ​in-depth​ ​info​ ​about​ ​which​ ​universities​ ​look 
for​ ​what. 
 

How​ ​important​ ​is​ ​the​ ​UMAT​ ​in​ ​New​ ​Zealand? 

 
At​ ​The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Auckland,​ ​the​ ​UMAT/GPA/interview​ ​ratio​ ​is​ ​15:60:25. 
 
Many​ ​students​ ​see​ ​the​ ​15%​ ​weighting​ ​and​ ​think​ ​that​ ​this​ ​means​ ​the​ ​UMAT​ ​isn’t​ ​that 
important.​ ​However,​ ​applicants​ ​are​ ​first​ ​ranked​ ​according​ ​to​ ​their​ ​GPA​ ​and​ ​UMAT 
scores​ ​before​ ​they​ ​are​ ​invited​ ​to​ ​the​ ​interview​ ​stage. 
 
As​ ​such,​ ​your​ ​UMAT​ ​score​ ​is​ ​a​ ​key​ ​determining​ ​factor​​ ​in​ ​whether​ ​you​ ​make​ ​it​ ​to​ ​the 
next​ ​round. 
 
Before​ ​you​ ​can​ ​qualify​ ​for​ ​entry​ ​at​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Otago,​ ​they​ ​look​ ​at​ ​your​ ​UMAT​ ​and 
first-year​ ​uni​ ​GPA​ ​at​ ​a​ ​weighting​ ​of​ ​33%​ ​and​ ​67%​ ​respectively. 
 
Yep,​ ​no​ ​interviews​ ​at​ ​Otago,​ ​but​ ​the​ ​UMAT​ ​is​ ​weighted​ ​more​ ​than​ ​doubly​ ​as​ ​high​ ​as​ ​it 
is​ ​at​ ​Auckland! 
 
But​ ​don’t​ ​think​ ​that​ ​the​ ​high​ ​GPA​ ​weighting​ ​means​ ​amazing​ ​uni​ ​grades​ ​will​ ​make​ ​up 
for​ ​any​ ​shortcomings​ ​in​ ​your​ ​UMAT​ ​result. 
 
Before​ ​admissions​ ​officers​ ​even​ ​give​ ​a​ ​thought​ ​to​ ​your​ ​application,​ ​you​ ​must​ ​meet​ ​the 
UMAT​ ​threshold.​ ​Then,​ ​and​ ​only​ ​then,​ ​ranking​ ​is​ ​based​ ​on​ ​GPA​ ​alone. 
 
Both​ ​NZ​ ​universities​ ​weight​ ​the​ ​UMAT​ ​by​ ​section;​ ​Section​ ​1​ ​is​ ​worth​ ​45%,​ ​Section​ ​2​ ​is 
worth​ ​45%,​ ​and​ ​Section​ ​3​ ​is​ ​worth​ ​10%. 
 

23 
 

Clearly,​ ​they​ ​are​ ​more​ ​interested​ ​in​ ​how​ ​you​ ​perform​ ​in​ ​Sections​ ​1​ ​and​ ​2,​ ​and​ ​not​ ​much 
consideration​ ​is​ ​given​ ​to​ ​Section​ ​3.​ ​Regardless​ ​of​ ​your​ ​overall​ ​score,​ ​if​ ​you​ ​do​ ​really​ ​well 
in​ ​Section​ ​3,​ ​but​ ​perform​ ​badly​ ​in​ ​Sections​ ​1​ ​and​ ​2,​ ​you​ ​most​ ​likely​ ​won’t​ ​be​ ​considered 
for​ ​entry. 
 
So,​ ​Kiwi​ ​students,​ ​make​ ​sure​ ​you​ ​dedicate​ ​most​ ​of​ ​your​ ​prep​ ​time​ ​to​ ​Sections​ ​1​ ​and​ ​2 
to​ ​ensure​ ​you​ ​get​ ​good​ ​marks​ ​where​ ​it​ ​counts. 
 

The​ ​UMAT​ ​in​ ​a​ ​nutshell: 

 
+ Skills​ ​tested:​​ ​Logical​ ​reasoning,​ ​social​ ​skills,​ ​and​ ​non-verbal​ ​reasoning 
+ When:​​ ​Once​ ​a​ ​year​ ​in​ ​July 
+ Cost:​​ ​$150​ ​AUD 
+ Length:​​ ​3​ ​hours 
+ Prep​ ​time:​​ ​1​ ​month​ ​minimum,​ ​3​ ​months​ ​ideal 
+ Help?​​ ​Take​ ​practice​ ​exams​ ​and​ ​identify​ ​key​ ​weak​ ​areas​ ​–​ ​getting​ ​help​ ​from​ ​a 
tutor​ ​who’s​ ​familiar​ ​with​ ​the​ ​exam​ ​is​ ​recommended. 
+ Target​ ​score:​​ ​Minimum​ ​of​ ​50​ ​in​ ​each​ ​section 
 
 

GAMSAT​ ​Explained 
 
Don’t​ ​think​ ​you’re​ ​off​ ​the​ ​hook​ ​if​ ​you​ ​want​ ​to​ ​go​ ​the​ ​postgrad​ ​route​ ​into​ ​medicine. 
There’s​ ​an​ ​entry​ ​test​ ​for​ ​you,​ ​too.​ ​And​ ​sorry​ ​to​ ​be​ ​the​ ​bearer​ ​of​ ​bad​ ​news,​ ​but​ ​it’s​ ​even 
harder! 
 
This​ ​one​ ​is​ ​called​ ​the​ ​Graduate​ ​Medical​ ​School​ ​Admissions​ ​Test,​ ​or​ ​GAMSAT,​ ​which​ ​is 
also​ ​set​ ​by​ ​ACER. 
 
Of​ ​the​ ​19​ ​medical​ ​schools​ ​in​ ​Australia​​ ​(remember​ ​–​ ​no​ ​postgrad​ ​medicine​ ​in​ ​NZ!),​ ​11 
offer​ ​a​ ​postgraduate​ ​medicine​ ​program​,​ ​all​ ​of​ ​which​ ​are​ ​four​ ​years. 
 
Note​ ​that​ ​there​ ​are​ ​two​ ​universities​ ​that​ o ​ nly​ ​offer​ ​medicine​ ​as​ ​a​ ​postgraduate​ ​course: 
The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Sydney​ ​and​ ​The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Melbourne,​ ​so​ ​you​ ​can​ ​only​ ​apply​ ​to 
their​ ​respective​ ​Doctor​ ​of​ ​Medicine​ ​(MD)​ ​courses​ ​with​ ​a​ ​GAMSAT​ ​score. 
 
USyd​ ​does​ ​however​ ​offer​ ​an​ ​undergraduate​ ​entry​ ​pathway​ ​to​ ​its​ ​MD,​ ​called​ ​the​ ​Double 
Degree​ ​Medicine​ ​Program,​ ​and​ ​it’s​ ​the​ ​only​ ​way​ ​to​ ​escape​ ​the​ ​GAMSAT.​ ​You​ ​don’t​ ​have 

24 
 

to​ ​take​ ​the​ ​UMAT​ ​either,​ ​because​ ​admission​ ​is​ ​determined​ ​by​ ​your​ ​ATAR​ ​and​ ​interview 
alone.  
 
Bear​ ​in​ ​mind​ ​that​ ​this​ ​is​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​most​ ​difficult​ ​medicine​ ​courses​ ​to​ ​get​ ​into!​ ​You’ll 
need​ ​a​ ​perfect​ ​ATAR​ ​of​ ​99.95​ ​(which​ ​equates​ ​to​ ​approximately​ ​90​ ​NCEA​ ​excellence 
credits​ ​for​ ​you​ ​Kiwis)​ ​and​ ​a​ ​pretty​ ​flawless​ ​interview​ ​performance. 
 
And​ ​even​ ​if​ ​you​ ​get​ ​the​ ​perfect​ ​ATAR,​ ​you​ ​still​ ​aren’t​ ​guaranteed​ ​entry.​ ​There​ ​are​ ​only 
30​ ​places​ ​up​ ​for​ ​grabs​ ​each​ ​year,​ ​so​ ​if​ ​you​ ​don’t​ ​make​ ​the​ ​cut,​ ​GAMSAT​ ​it​ ​is! 
 

GEMSAS​ ​universities 
 
While​ ​all​ ​of​ ​these​ ​courses​ ​require​ ​a​ ​GAMSAT​ ​score,​ ​the​ ​application​ ​process​ ​differs 
depending​ ​on​ ​whether​ ​they​ ​are​ ​part​ ​of​ ​the​ ​consortium​ ​known​ ​as​ ​the​ ​Graduate​ ​Entry 
Medical​ ​School​ ​Admission​ ​System​ ​(GEMSAS)​ ​or​ ​not. 
 
You​ ​can​ ​apply​ ​to​ ​GEMSAS​ ​schools​ ​all​ ​in​ ​one​ ​hit​ ​with​ ​an​ ​online​ ​application​ ​form,​ ​and 
you​ ​are​ ​required​ ​to​ ​list​ ​medical​ ​schools​ ​in​ ​order​ ​of​ ​preference.​ ​If​ ​you​ ​are​ ​strapped​ ​for 
cash,​ ​the​ ​GEMSAS​ ​schools​ ​are​ ​a​ ​blessing​ ​in​ ​disguise​ ​–​ ​you​ ​just​ ​pay​ ​one​ ​application​ ​fee 
and​ ​get​ ​more​ ​bang​ ​for​ ​your​ ​buck! 
 
The​ ​nine​ ​GEMSAS​ ​universities​ ​are: 
 
+ Australian​ ​National​ ​University​,​ ​Canberra,​ ​ACT 
+ Griffith​ ​University​,​ ​Gold​ ​Coast,​ ​QLD 
+ Monash​ ​University​,​ ​Melbourne,​ ​VIC 
+ The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Melbourne​,​ ​Melbourne,​ ​VIC 
+ The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Notre​ ​Dame​,​ ​Fremantle​ ​and​ ​Sydney,​ ​NSW 
+ Deakin​ ​University​,​ ​Melbourne,​ ​VIC 
+ The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Queensland​,​ ​Brisbane,​ ​QLD 
+ The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Western​ ​Australia​,​ ​Perth,​ ​WA 
+ University​ ​of​ ​Wollongong​,​ ​Wollongong,​ ​NSW 
 
Non-GEMSAS​ ​universities​ ​require​ ​you​ ​to​ ​apply​ ​to​ ​them​ ​directly.​ ​These​ ​unis​ ​tend​ ​to​ ​have 
harder​ ​entry​ ​requirements​ ​(particularly​ ​for​ ​the​ ​GAMSAT),​ ​favour​ ​students​ ​who​ ​studied 
their​ ​undergrad​ ​degree​ ​at​ ​the​ ​same​ ​university,​ ​and​ ​have​ ​additional​ ​application​ ​fees. 
 
The​ ​two​ ​graduate​ ​entry​ ​universities​ ​that​ ​are​ ​not​ ​part​ ​of​ ​the​ ​GEMSAS​ ​are: 
 
+ Flinders​ ​University​,​ ​Adelaide,​ ​SA 
+ The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Sydney​,​ ​Sydney,​ ​NSW 

25 
 

Preparing​ ​for​ ​the​ ​GAMSAT 

 
The​ ​GAMSAT​ ​is​ ​a​ ​six-hour​ ​exam​​ ​designed​ ​to​ ​assess​ ​a​ ​broad​ ​range​ ​of​ ​knowledge​ ​in 
students​ ​who​ ​are​ ​applying​ ​for​ ​medical​ ​and​ ​health​ ​professional​ ​graduate​ ​programs​ ​in 
Australia​ ​(as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​Ireland​ ​and​ ​the​ ​UK). 
 
Yep,​ ​you​ ​read​ ​that​ ​right:​ ​real,​ ​tangible​ ​knowledge!​ ​It’s​ ​less​ ​focused​ ​on​ ​natural​ ​ability, 
which​ ​means​ ​studying​ ​is​ ​more​ ​straightforward. 
 
If​ ​you’re​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​get​ ​into​ ​medicine​ ​the​ ​second​ ​time​ ​around​ ​and​ ​didn’t​ ​perform​ ​well​ ​in 
the​ ​UMAT,​ ​you’ll​ ​be​ ​happy​ ​to​ ​know​ ​that​ ​you’re​ ​much​ ​more​ ​likely​ ​to​ ​perform​ ​better​ ​on 
the​ ​GAMSAT. 
 
There​ ​are​ ​still​ ​some​ ​critical​ ​thinking,​ ​problem​ ​solving,​ ​and​ ​logical​ ​reasoning​ ​exercises 
involved,​ ​but​ ​you’re​ ​usually​ ​required​ ​to​ ​apply​ ​these​ ​skills​ ​to​ ​scientific​ ​concepts​ ​and 
themes. 
 
Foundation​ ​sciences​ ​is​ ​pretty​ ​much​ ​a​ ​prerequisite.​ ​Given​ ​the​ ​GAMSAT​ ​is​ ​for​ ​entry​ ​into 
graduate​ ​programs,​ ​it​ ​will​ ​require​ ​a​ ​basic​ ​knowledge​ ​of​ ​scientific​ ​reasoning​ ​that​ ​will 
have​ ​been​ ​taught​ ​in​ ​undergraduate​ ​studies. 
 
However,​ ​this​ ​is​ ​not​ ​to​ ​say​ ​that​ ​you’ll​ ​do​ ​badly​ ​if​ ​you​ ​haven’t​ ​had​ ​much​ ​exposure​ ​to​ ​the 
science​ ​world. 
 
If​ ​you’ve​ ​made​ ​the​ ​decision​ ​to​ ​go​ ​into​ ​medicine​ ​off​ ​the​ ​back​ ​of​ ​an​ ​unrelated​ ​degree​ ​or 
career,​ ​don’t​ ​let​ ​the​ ​GAMSAT​ ​deter​ ​you.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​in​ ​no​ ​way​ ​impossible​ ​to​ ​get​ ​a​ ​competitive 
score!​ ​You’ll​ ​just​ ​need​ ​to​ ​start​ ​earlier​ ​and​ ​work​ ​a​ ​little​ ​bit​ ​harder​ ​to​ ​catch​ ​up. 
 
Students​ ​from​ ​non-science​ ​backgrounds​ ​can​ ​do​ ​really​ ​well​ ​with​ ​a​ ​solid​ ​six​ ​months​ ​of 
consistent​ ​GAMSAT​ ​prep,​ ​culminating​ ​in​ ​two​ ​full-length​ ​GAMSAT​ ​practice​ ​tests​ ​at​ ​least 
four​ ​weeks​ ​before​ ​taking​ ​the​ ​real​ ​thing. 
 
Success​ ​in​ ​the​ ​GAMSAT​ ​requires​ ​stamina,​ ​and​ ​stamina​ ​improves​ ​with​ ​practice. 
 

GAMSAT​ ​Structure 
 
The​ ​GAMSAT​ ​is​ ​divided​ ​into​ ​three​ ​sections​,​ ​each​ ​designed​ ​to​ ​assess​ ​different​ ​areas​ ​of 
intellect,​ ​varying​ ​from​ ​written​ ​communication​ ​to​ ​biological​ ​and​ ​physical​ ​science. 
 

26 
 

The​ ​three​ ​sections​ ​of​ ​the​ ​test​ ​are: 

 
1. Reasoning​ ​in​ ​Humanities​ ​and​ ​Social​ ​Sciences 
2. Written​ ​Communication 
3. Reasoning​ ​in​ ​Biological​ ​and​ ​Physical​ ​Sciences 
 
Let’s​ ​run​ ​through​ ​these​ ​in​ ​a​ ​bit​ ​more​ ​detail​ ​and​ ​look​ ​at​ ​how​ ​you​ ​should​ ​prepare. 
 

Section​ ​1: 
Reasoning​ ​in​ ​Humanities​ ​and​ ​Social​ ​Sciences 
 
Fast​ ​facts: 
 
+ Time:​ ​100​ ​minutes​ ​+​ ​10​ ​minutes​ ​reading​ ​time 
+ Number​ ​of​ ​questions:​​ ​75 
+ Question​ ​format:​ ​Multiple​ ​choice 
+ Skills​ ​you​ ​need:​​ ​Logical​ ​reasoning,​ ​literary​ ​analysis 
 
GAMSAT​ ​Section​ ​1​ ​questions​ ​are​ ​based​ ​on​ ​vignettes​ ​drawn​ ​from​ ​a​ ​variety​ ​of​ ​materials, 
such​ ​as​ ​prose,​ ​poetry,​ ​figures,​ ​and​ ​images.​ ​You’ll​ ​come​ ​across​ ​some​ ​obscure​ ​texts​ ​full​ ​of 
inferred​ ​meanings,​ ​opinions,​ ​literary​ ​devices,​ ​and​ ​poetic​ ​ideas.  
 
Doesn’t​ ​sound​ ​very​ ​science-y,​ ​does​ ​it?! 
 
Actually,​ ​this​ ​is​ ​where​ ​having​ ​a​ ​non-science​ ​background​ ​could​ ​be​ ​an​ ​advantage, 
because​ ​you’re​ ​probably​ ​more​ ​affiliated​ ​with​ ​this​ ​line​ ​of​ ​questioning. 
 
For​ ​science​ ​grads​ ​who​ ​are​ ​used​ ​to​ ​reading​ ​textbooks​ ​and​ ​factual​ ​writing,​ ​Section​ ​1​ ​can 
be​ ​daunting.  
 
If​ ​you’re​ ​someone​ ​who​ ​prefers​ ​the​ ​literal​ ​to​ ​the​ ​figurative,​ ​the​ ​real​ ​to​ ​the​ ​imagined,​ ​and 
fact​ ​as​ ​opposed​ ​to​ ​opinion,​ ​then​ ​your​ ​study​ ​program​ ​needs​ ​to​ ​be​ ​tailored​ ​to​ ​helping 
you​ ​to​ ​make​ ​meaning​ ​out​ ​of​ ​Section​ ​1. 
 
Knowing​ ​that​ ​you​ ​struggle​ ​in​ ​these​ ​types​ ​of​ ​questions​ ​and​ ​starting​ ​your​ ​revision​ ​early 
means​ ​that​ ​you​ ​are​ ​on​ ​the​ ​right​ ​track! 
 
The​ ​first​ ​basic​ ​skill​ ​that​ ​you​ ​need​ ​to​ ​develop​ ​is​ ​an​ ​understanding​ ​of​ ​poetry,​ ​so​ ​get 
reading! 
 

27 
 

Read​ ​at​ ​least​ ​one​ ​poem​ ​a​ ​day​ ​but​ ​at​ ​the​ ​same​ ​time​ ​and​ ​try​ ​to​ ​analyse​ ​it.​ ​Who​ ​is​ ​the 
speaker?​ ​What​ ​images​ ​does​ ​the​ ​poet​ ​use?​ ​Is​ ​the​ ​poem​ ​ironic?​ ​What​ ​is​ ​the​ ​theme? 
 
Aside​ ​from​ ​bringing​ ​back​ ​fond​ ​memories​ ​of​ ​year​ ​10​ ​English,​ ​this​ ​will​ ​get​ ​you​ ​in​ ​the 
habit​ ​of​ ​asking​ ​these​ ​questions​ ​so​ ​that​ ​every​ ​time​ ​you​ ​read​ ​a​ ​poem,​ ​you​ ​instantly​ ​know 
what​ ​you​ ​should​ ​be​ ​looking​ ​for​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​understand​ ​its​ ​meaning. 
 
You​ ​need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​comfortable​ ​with​ ​the​ ​linguistic​ ​style​ ​that​ ​poets​ ​often​ ​use,​ ​and​ ​be​ ​across 
literary​ ​techniques​ ​such​ ​as​ ​symbolism. 
 
In​ ​the​ ​months​ ​leading​ ​up​ ​to​ ​the​ ​GAMSAT,​ ​start​ ​doing​ ​practice​ ​questions​ ​and​ ​timed 
"mini​ ​tests"​ ​that​ ​mimic​ ​Section​ ​1​ ​poetry​ ​questions. 
 
You’ll​ ​be​ ​a​ ​literary​ ​genius​ ​in​ ​no​ ​time!​ ​Maybe​ ​the​ ​doctor​ ​thing​ ​can​ ​wait?! 
 

Section​ ​2: 
Written​ ​Communication 
 
Fast​ ​facts: 
 
+ Time:​​ ​60​ ​minutes​ ​+​ ​5​ ​minutes​ ​reading​ ​time 
+ Number​ ​of​ ​questions:​​ ​2 
+ Question​ ​format:​​ ​Essay 
+ Skills​ ​you​ ​need:​​ ​Logical​ ​arguments,​ ​essay​ ​writing,​ ​spelling​ ​and​ ​grammar 
 
Section​ ​2​ ​is​ ​where​ ​the​ ​GAMSAT​ ​assesses​ ​your​ ​ability​ ​to​ ​create​ ​logical​ ​arguments,​ ​as 
well​ ​as​ ​write​ ​concisely​ ​with​ ​adequate​ ​spelling​ ​and​ ​grammar. 
 
Most​ ​importantly,​ ​it’s​ ​your​ ​chance​ ​to​ ​convey​ ​to​ ​the​ ​examiner​ ​that​ ​you​ ​possess​ ​the​ ​soft 
skills​ ​required​ ​to​ ​be​ ​a​ ​competent​ ​doctor. 
 
You​ ​have​ ​to​ ​complete​ ​not​ ​one​ ​but​ ​two​ ​writing​ ​tasks​ ​in​ ​this​ ​section,​ ​each​ ​in​ ​response​ ​to 
a​ ​statement,​ ​quote,​ ​or​ ​idea​ ​relating​ ​to​ ​a​ ​common​ ​theme.​ ​These​ ​are​ ​general​ ​rather​ ​than 
specific​ ​in​ ​nature,​ ​with​ ​the​ ​first​ ​task​ ​relating​ ​to​ ​socio-cultural​ ​issues,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​second​ ​to 
more​ ​personal​ ​issues. 
 
You​ ​should​ ​choose​ ​one​ ​to​ ​write​ ​as​ ​an​ ​argumentative​ ​essay,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​other​ ​to​ ​write​ ​as​ ​a 
reflective​ ​essay. 
 
You​ ​have​ ​three​ ​goals​ ​in​ ​this​ ​section: 
 

28 
 

1. Incorporate​ ​the​ ​theme​ ​into​ ​your​ ​essay 

2. Display​ ​your​ w
​ riting​ ​in​ ​a​ ​logical​ ​and​ ​effective​ ​manner 
3. Make​ ​an​ ​impact! 
 
At​ ​30​ ​minutes​ ​a​ ​pop,​ ​there’s​ ​not​ ​much​ ​time​ ​for​ ​planning,​ ​so​ ​you’ve​ ​got​ ​to​ ​be​ ​ready​ ​to 
put​ ​pen​ ​to​ ​paper! 
 
The​ ​way​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​you​ ​take​ ​full​ ​advantage​ ​of​ ​every​ ​minute​ ​is​ ​to​ ​prepare​ ​well. 
 
Step​ ​one​ ​is​ ​learning​ ​how​ ​to​ ​properly​ ​structure​ ​an​ ​essay​,​ ​especially​ ​as​ ​this​ ​is​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the 
points​ ​on​ ​which​ ​you’re​ ​marked.​ ​Ideally​ ​this​ ​will​ ​look​ ​like​ ​your​ ​thesis​ ​statement,​ ​an 
introduction,​ ​three​ ​to​ ​four​ ​paragraphs​ ​of​ ​supporting​ ​evidence,​ ​and​ ​a​ ​conclusion. 
 
Adhering​ ​to​ ​this​ ​format,​ ​practise​ ​writing​ ​strong,​ ​cohesive​ ​arguments​​ ​in​ ​response​ ​to​ ​a 
stimulus.​ ​Smash​ ​out​ ​a​ ​draft​ ​and​ ​get​ ​some​ ​feedback​ ​from​ ​someone​ ​who​ ​knows​ ​a​ ​thing 
or​ ​two​ ​about​ ​essay​ ​writing. 
 
Then​ ​take​ ​it​ ​a​ ​step​ ​further​ ​and​ ​complete​ ​past​ ​paper​ ​questions​ ​under​ ​timed​ ​conditions, 
because​ ​as​ ​with​ ​all​ ​sections​ ​of​ ​the​ ​GAMSAT,​ ​a​ ​big​ ​factor​ ​in​ ​doing​ ​well​ ​is​ ​managing​ ​your 
time​ ​effectively. 
 
The​ ​most​ ​important​ ​thing​ ​to​ ​try​ ​to​ ​do​ ​in​ ​this​ ​process​ ​is​ ​practise​ ​generating​ ​interesting, 
powerful​ ​points​ ​in​ ​your​ ​writing.​ ​The​ ​last​ ​thing​ ​you​ ​want​ ​is​ ​to​ ​deliver​ ​a​ ​generic, 
ambiguous​ ​piece​ ​of​ ​writing​ ​on​ ​exam​ ​day.​ ​In​ ​each​ ​practice​ ​question,​ ​try​ ​to​ ​interpret​ ​the 
stimulus​ ​in​ ​different​ ​ways​ ​and​ ​come​ ​up​ ​with​ ​new​ ​ideas. 
 
Keep​ ​the​ ​ultimate​ ​goal​ ​of​ ​the​ ​test​ ​–​ ​your​ ​future​ ​career​ ​as​ ​a​ ​doctor​ ​–​ ​in​ ​mind​ ​as​ ​you 
write​ ​an​ ​essay.​ ​Many​ ​topics​ ​can​ ​be​ ​related​ ​back​ ​to​ ​this,​ ​even​ ​if​ ​they​ ​don’t​ ​appear​ ​so​ ​at 
first,​ ​so​ ​be​ ​creative! 
 

Section​ ​3: 
Reasoning​ ​in​ ​Biological​ ​and​ ​Physical​ ​Sciences 
 
Fast​ ​facts: 
 
+ Time:​​ ​170​ ​minutes​ ​+​ ​10​ ​minutes​ ​reading​ ​time 
+ Number​ ​of​ ​questions:​​ ​110 
+ Question​ ​format:​​ ​Multiple​ ​choice 
+ Knowledge​ ​you​ ​need:​​ ​Basic​ ​principles​ ​of​ ​biology,​ ​chemistry,​ ​physics 
 
Now​ ​for​ ​the​ ​big,​ ​scary​ ​science​ ​section!  

29 
 

 
Section​ ​3​ ​is​ ​completely​ ​separate​ ​from​ ​the​ ​other​ ​two​ ​sections​ ​and​ ​requires​ ​you​ ​to​ ​have 
a​ ​comprehensive​ ​understanding​ ​of​ ​basic​ ​scientific​ ​principles,​ ​and​ ​how​ ​the​ ​various 
concepts​ ​relate​ ​to​ ​each​ ​other. 
 
If​ ​you​ ​want​ ​to​ ​do​ ​well​ ​on​ ​GAMSAT,​ ​you​ ​must​ ​do​ ​well​ ​in​ ​this​ ​section. 
 
This​ ​part​ ​of​ ​the​ ​exam​ ​is​ ​so​ ​long​ ​and​ ​so​ ​important​ ​that​ ​it’s​ ​given​ ​a​ ​double​ ​weighting​ ​in 
the​ ​overall​ ​GAMSAT​ ​score. 
 
Section​ ​3​ ​is​ ​40%​ ​biology,​ ​40%​ ​chemistry​ ​(half​ ​general/half​ ​organic),​ ​and​ ​20%​ ​physics. 
The​ ​assumed​ ​knowledge​ ​required​ ​for​ ​these​ ​subjects​ ​equates​ ​to​ ​the​ ​first​ ​year​ ​of 
university​ ​studies​ ​in​ ​biology​ ​and​ ​chemistry,​ ​and​ ​year​ ​12​ ​in​ ​physics.  
 
However,​ ​the​ ​stimulus​ ​material​ ​used​ ​during​ ​the​ ​exam​ ​will​ ​often​ ​be​ ​more​ ​advanced 
than​ ​this​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​assess​ ​your​ ​reasoning​ ​skills​ ​and​ ​ability​ ​to​ ​interpret​ ​graphs,​ ​tables, 
and​ ​mathematical​ ​relationships. 
 
It​ ​goes​ ​without​ ​saying​ ​that​ ​time​ ​is​ ​a​ ​critical​ ​factor.​ ​if​ ​you​ ​can’t​ ​work​ ​out​ ​which​ ​scientific 
principles​ ​a​ ​question​ ​is​ ​testing,​ ​you’ll​ ​fall​ ​behind​ ​pretty​ ​quickly.  
 
For​ ​those​ ​of​ ​you​ ​with​ ​a​ ​non-science​ ​background,​ ​don’t​ ​freak​ ​out!​ ​You​ ​can​ ​do​ ​well​ ​here 
if​ ​you​ ​study​ ​intensively.​ ​The​ ​fact​ ​that​ ​this​ ​section​ ​is​ ​curriculum-based​ ​and​ ​can​ ​be 
studied​ ​for​ ​in​ ​the​ ​“traditional”​ ​sense​ ​makes​ ​prep​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​easier…​ ​well,​ ​at​ ​least​ ​more 
straightforward. 
 
Basically,​ ​you​ ​need​ ​to​ ​invest​ ​in​ ​a​ ​biology​ ​textbook,​ ​a​ ​chemistry​ ​textbook,​ ​and​ ​a​ ​physics 
textbook,​ ​and​ ​study​ ​them​ ​from​ ​cover​ ​to​ ​cover! 
 
Aside​ ​from​ ​learning​ ​the​ ​concepts​ ​behind​ ​the​ ​science,​ ​the​ ​key​ ​to​ ​acing​ ​this​ ​section​ ​is 
practice​ ​under​ ​exam​ ​conditions​ ​with​ ​GAMSAT​ ​style​ ​questions. 
 

GAMSAT​ ​Results 
 
Come​ ​results​ ​day,​ ​you’ll​ ​receive​ ​four​​ ​GAMSAT​ ​scores​:​ ​three​ ​section​ ​scores​ ​(marked​ ​out 
of​ ​100)​ ​and​ ​your​ ​overall​ ​score,​ ​which​ ​is​ ​the​ ​weighted​ ​average​ ​of​ ​your​ ​section​ ​scores. 
 
You’ll​ ​also​ ​be​ ​given​ ​a​ ​chart​ ​showing​ ​an​ ​approximate​ ​percentile​ ​ranking​ ​of​ ​your​ ​score, 
which​ ​will​ ​show​ ​you​ ​how​ ​you​ ​performed​ ​in​ ​relation​ ​to​ ​all​ ​the​ ​other​ ​students​ ​who​ ​sat 
the​ ​GAMSAT. 
 

30 
 

The​ ​cut-off​ ​scores​ ​for​ ​most​ ​universities​ ​vary​ ​each​ ​year,​ ​so​ ​how​ ​good​ ​a​ ​score​ ​is​ ​really 
depends​ ​on​ ​what​ ​score​ ​the​ ​university​ ​is​ ​currently​ ​accepting.​ ​To​ ​give​ ​yourself​ ​the​ ​best 
chance​ ​of​ ​admission,​ ​you​ ​want​ ​to​ ​try​ ​and​ ​score​ ​in​ ​the​ ​mid​ ​to​ ​high​ ​60s.  
 
An​ ​average​ ​GAMSAT​ ​score​ ​is​ ​usually​ ​around​ ​56-58​ ​and​ ​a​ ​high​ ​GAMSAT​ ​score​ ​is​ ​over 
65​.​ ​Technically,​ ​the​ ​highest​ ​possible​ ​GAMSAT​ ​score​ ​is​ ​100,​ ​but​ ​we’re​ ​yet​ ​to​ ​hear​ ​any 
confirmed​ ​cases!​ ​In​ ​fact,​ ​it’s​ ​rare​ ​to​ ​hear​ ​of​ ​anyone​ ​scoring​ ​over​ ​70. 
 
As​ ​two​ ​of​ ​the​ ​most​ ​competitive​ ​postgrad​ ​courses,​ ​the​ ​GAMSAT​ ​cut-offs​ ​for​ ​The 
University​ ​of​ ​Sydney​ ​and​ ​The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Queensland​ ​tend​ ​to​ ​sit​ ​around​ ​68. 
 
To​ ​give​ ​you​ ​an​ ​idea​ ​of​ ​the​ ​range,​ ​Monash​ ​University​ ​expects​ ​a​ ​slightly​ ​lower​ ​GAMSAT 
score​ ​of​ ​66,​ ​and​ ​Flinders​ ​University​ ​a​ ​much​ ​less​ ​threatening​ ​61. 
 
As​ ​with​ ​the​ ​UMAT,​ ​universities​ ​will​ ​often​ ​consider​ ​your​ ​performance​ ​in​ ​each​ ​section​ ​of 
the​ ​GAMSAT,​ ​with​ ​most​ ​requiring​ ​a​ ​minimum​ ​score​ ​of​ ​50​ ​in​ ​each.​ ​The​ ​University​ ​of 
Melbourne,​ ​however,​ ​weights​ ​each​ ​section​ ​equally​ ​(i.e.​ ​does​ ​not​ ​adhere​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Section 
3​ ​double​ ​weighting). 
 

The​ ​GAMSAT​ ​in​ ​a​ ​nutshell: 

 
+ Skills​ ​tested:​​ ​Social​ ​science​ ​reasoning​ ​(emphasis​ ​on​ ​literature),​ ​scientific 
reasoning,​ ​and​ ​essay​ ​writing 
+ Cost:​​ ​$400​ ​AUD 
+ When:​​ ​Twice​ ​a​ ​year​ ​in​ ​March​ ​and​ ​September 
+ Length:​​ ​5.5​ ​hours 
+ Prep​ ​time:​​ ​2-3​ ​months 
+ Help?​​ ​Take​ ​practice​ ​tests​ ​and​ ​prepare​ ​your​ ​essay​ ​writing​ ​–​ ​write​ ​2-5​ ​essays​ ​a 
week​ ​and​ ​have​ ​them​ ​reviewed. 
+ Target​ ​score:​​ ​Lowest​ ​54​ ​(University​ ​of​ ​Wollongong),​ ​highest​ ​68​ ​(The​ ​University​ ​of 
Sydney,​ ​The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Queensland) 
 

 
   

31 
 

04 
The​ ​Medical​ ​Interview 
 
 
 
 
Ah,​ ​the​ ​interview.  
 
The​ ​final​ ​hurdle​ ​in​ ​the​ ​gruelling​ ​medical​ ​school 
admissions​ ​process. 
 
Getting​ ​to​ ​this​ ​stage​ ​is​ ​a​ ​huge​ ​accomplishment, 
because​ ​it​ ​means​ ​you’ve​ ​achieved​ ​a​ ​high​ ​enough 
ATAR​ ​or​ ​GPA​ ​and​ ​you’ve​ ​aced​ ​the​ ​entrance​ ​test​ ​(be 
it​ ​UMAT​ ​or​ ​GAMSAT)​ ​–​ ​both​ ​huge​ ​accomplishments 
in​ ​themselves! 
 
An​ ​interview​ ​offer​ ​is​ ​a​ ​definite​ ​cause​ ​for​ ​celebration, 
but​ ​don’t​ ​let​ ​the​ ​celebrations​ ​go​ ​on​ ​for​ ​too​ ​long, 
because​ ​you’ve​ ​still​ ​got​ ​a​ ​big​ ​task​ ​ahead​ ​of​ ​you. 
 
On​ ​paper,​ ​you​ ​look​ ​great!​ ​Now​ ​the​ ​university​ ​admissions​ ​officers​ ​want​ ​to​ ​make​ ​sure​ ​you 
match​ ​this​ ​image​ ​in​ ​person​ ​before​ ​they​ ​accept​ ​you. 
 
The​ ​way​ ​they​ ​gauge​ ​this​ ​is​ ​with​ ​an​ ​interview.​ ​Or​ ​in​ ​most​ ​cases,​ ​interviews​. 
 
Unless,​ ​of​ ​course,​ ​the​ ​university​ ​you’re​ ​applying​ ​to​ ​doesn’t​ ​require​ ​an​ ​interview​ ​for 
admission​ ​into​ ​medicine.  
 
The​ ​following​ ​five​ ​universities​ ​don’t​ ​require​ ​an​ ​interview​ ​for​ ​admission​ ​into​ ​medicine: 
 
+ The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Queensland 
+ Griffith​ ​University 
+ Charles​ ​Darwin​ ​University 
+ University​ ​of​ ​Tasmania 
+ University​ ​of​ ​Otago​ ​(NZ) 
 
 
However,​ ​for​ ​the​ ​majority​ ​that​ ​do​ ​require​ ​interviews,​ ​the​ ​Multiple​ ​Mini​ ​Interviews 
system​ ​is​ ​used.  

32 
 

 
Participating​ ​universities​ ​include: 
 
+ The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Sydney 
+ University​ ​of​ ​Wollongong 
+ Australian​ ​National​ ​University 
+ The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Melbourne 
+ Monash​ ​University 
+ Deakin​ ​University 
+ Griffith​ ​University 
+ The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Notre​ ​Dame 
+ Bond​ ​University 
+ The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Auckland​ ​(NZ) 
 
 

Multiple​ ​Mini​ ​Interviews​ ​(MMI) 

 
Multiple​ ​Mini​ ​Interviews,​ ​or​ ​MMI,​ ​is​ ​a​ ​style​ ​of​ ​interviewing​ ​that​ ​is​ ​used​ ​at​ ​The​ ​University 
of​ ​Auckland​ ​and​ ​most​ ​Australian​ ​medical​ ​schools,​ ​and​ ​increasingly​ ​around​ ​the​ ​world. 
 
It’s​ ​pretty​ ​self-explanatory,​ ​but​ ​basically,​ ​instead​ ​of​ ​having​ ​one​ ​long​ ​traditional​ ​panel 
interview,​ ​you​ ​have​ ​lots​ ​of​ ​little​ ​ones​ ​with​ ​different​ ​panels! 
 
Depending​ ​on​ ​the​ ​university,​ ​you’ll​ ​rotate​ ​around​ ​six​ ​to​ ​10​ ​timed​ ​“stations”. 
 
Think​ ​of​ ​it​ ​as​ ​musical​ ​chairs​ ​for​ ​grown​ ​ups…​ ​but​ ​with​ ​slightly​ ​more​ ​on​ ​the​ ​line​ ​than​ ​a 
toy​ ​prize. 
 
We​ ​know​ ​what​ ​you’re​ ​thinking:​ ​one​ ​interview​ ​is​ ​bad​ ​enough,​ ​but​ ​10?!?! 
 
The​ ​idea​ ​of​ ​having​ ​multiple​ ​interviews​ ​can​ ​be​ ​intimidating,​ ​but​ ​there’s​ ​no​ ​need​ ​to​ ​be 
scared!​ ​The​ ​MMI​ ​actually​ ​has​ ​more​ ​pros​ ​than​ ​cons. 
 
One​ ​of​ ​the​ ​MMI​ ​system’s​ ​greatest​ ​strengths​ ​is​ ​its​ ​objectivity.​​ ​By​ ​involving​ ​more 
interviewers,​ ​you​ ​get​ ​a​ ​broader​ ​and​ ​more​ ​reliable​ ​assessment​ ​of​ ​your​ ​non-academic 
qualities. 
 
The​ ​interviewers​ ​aren’t​ ​aware​ ​of​ ​your​ ​performance​ ​at​ ​any​ ​other​ ​station.​ ​This​ ​means​ ​if 
you​ ​fall​ ​down​ ​in​ ​one​ ​area,​ ​you​ ​won’t​ ​ruin​ ​your​ ​chances.​ ​You’ve​ ​got​ ​to​ ​pick​ ​yourself​ ​up 
and​ ​try,​ ​try,​ ​try​ ​again! 
 

33 
 

This​ ​also​ ​makes​ ​it​ ​a​ ​fairer​ ​format,​ ​as​ ​it​ ​removes​ ​interviewer​ ​bias​ ​and​ ​ensures​ ​a​ ​level 
playing​ ​field​ ​for​ ​all​ ​candidates.​ ​Everyone​ ​has​ ​more​ ​or​ ​less​ ​the​ ​same​ ​experience;​ ​your 
assessment​ ​isn’t​ ​clouded​ ​by​ ​previous​ ​performance,​ ​and​ ​your​ ​questions​ ​won’t​ ​be​ ​any 
easier​ ​or​ ​harder​ ​than​ ​those​ ​asked​ ​of​ ​your​ ​peers. 
 

How​ ​the​ ​MMI​ ​works 

 
Let’s​ ​go​ ​into​ ​the​ ​MMI​ ​in​ ​a​ ​bit​ ​more​ ​detail. 
 
The​ ​MMI​ ​assesses​ ​you​ ​on​ ​a​ ​range​ ​of​ ​skills​ ​and​ ​aptitudes​ ​with​ ​a​ ​mix​ ​of​ ​interview​ ​stations 
and​ ​activity-based​ ​stations.  
 
At​ ​each​ ​station,​ ​applicants​ ​are​ ​presented​ ​with​ ​a​ ​specific​ ​question,​ ​task,​ ​or​ ​scenario​ ​and 
they​ ​are​ ​judged​ ​on​ ​their​ ​answers,​ ​reactions,​ ​and​ ​skills. 
 
There’s​ ​a​ ​time​ ​limit​ ​for​ ​each​ ​interview​ ​station,​ ​which​ ​ranges​ ​from​ ​five​ ​to​ ​10​ ​minutes, 
depending​ ​on​ ​the​ ​university. 
 
Usually,​ ​two​ ​of​ ​those​ ​minutes​ ​are​ ​allocated​ ​to​ ​reading​ ​time,​ ​where​ ​you​ ​will​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to 
read​ ​the​ ​station’s​ ​scenario.​ ​The​ ​remaining​ ​six​ ​to​ ​eight​ ​minutes​ ​are​ ​dedicated​ ​to​ ​the 
interview​ ​and​ ​when​ ​time’s​ ​up,​ ​you​ ​are​ ​required​ ​to​ ​move​ ​on,​ ​regardless​ ​of​ ​whether 
you’re​ ​finished​ ​or​ ​not. 
 
While​ ​the​ ​MMI​ ​does​ ​look​ ​holistically​ ​at​ ​your​ ​potential​ ​to​ ​be​ ​a​ ​medical​ ​professional​,​ ​it 
is​ ​important​ ​to​ ​remember​ ​that​ ​there​ ​are​ ​also​ k ​ ey​ ​traits​ ​that​ ​the​ ​stations​ ​assess​ ​you​ ​on.  
 
 
These​ ​include:  
 
+ Communication 
+ Quality​ ​of​ ​argument 
+ Critical​ ​thinking 
+ Creativity 
+ Social​ ​responsibility 
+ Cultural​ ​safety 
+ Awareness​ ​of​ ​health​ ​issues 
+ Moral​ ​reasoning 
+ Self-awareness 
+ Empathy 
+ Conflict​ ​resolution 
+ Career​ ​choice 

34 
 

+ Teamwork 
+ Self-care 
 
That’s​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​of​ ​ground​ ​to​ ​cover!​ ​But​ ​the​ ​beauty​ ​of​ ​the​ ​MMI​ ​is​ ​that​ ​you​ ​can​ ​do​ ​it​ ​in​ ​stages.  
 
The​ ​evaluation​ ​is​ ​spread​ ​across​ ​the​ ​stations,​ ​and​ ​every​ ​station​ ​will​ ​have​ ​its​ ​own​ ​set​ ​of 
attributes​ ​that​ ​the​ ​interviewer​ ​is​ ​looking​ ​out​ ​for. 
 
For​ ​example,​ ​interviewers​ ​at​ ​the​ ​station​ ​that​ ​focuses​ ​on​ ​your​ ​interest​ ​in​ ​medicine​ ​will 
look​ ​for​ ​self-awareness,​ ​critical​ ​thinking,​ ​and​ ​an​ ​insight​ ​into​ ​your​ ​choice​ ​of​ ​profession.  
 

MMI​ ​questions  
 
Being​ ​across​ ​the​ ​core​ ​assessment​ ​groups​ ​will​ ​enable​ ​you​ ​to​ ​prepare​ ​more​ ​effectively. 
 
You​ ​can​ ​expect​ ​to​ ​be​ ​asked​ ​questions​ ​from​ ​the​ ​following​ ​subject​ ​categories. 
 
 
Motivation​ ​to​ ​study​ ​medicine 
 
You’ve​ ​probably​ ​been​ ​asked​ ​this​ ​time​ ​and​ ​time​ ​again:​ ​why​ ​do​ ​you​ ​want​ ​to​ ​be​ ​a​ ​doctor? 
It’s​ ​definitely​ ​not​ ​the​ ​easiest​ ​career​ ​path,​ ​that’s​ ​for​ ​sure! 
 
So​ ​what​ ​is​ ​it​ ​that​ ​draws​ ​you​ ​to​ ​this​ ​profession?​ ​What​ ​need​ ​does​ ​it​ ​fulfill?​ ​What​ ​do​ ​you 
want​ ​to​ ​achieve​ ​in​ ​the​ ​medical​ ​field?​ ​Try​ ​explaining​ ​that​ ​in​ ​five​ ​minutes​ ​while​ ​sounding 
genuine,​ ​informed,​ ​intelligent,​ ​and​ ​motivated!   
 
You​ ​also​ ​need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​prepared​ ​to​ ​back​ ​up​ ​your​ ​statements​ ​with​ ​follow​ ​up​ ​questions 
that​ ​are​ ​designed​ ​to​ ​gauge​ ​how​ ​much​ ​you’ve​ ​actually​ ​thought​ ​about​ ​this​ ​major​ ​life 
decision.  
 
And​ ​no,​ ​being​ ​obsessed​ ​with​ ​Grey’s​ ​Anatomy​ ​is​ ​not​ ​a​ ​good​ ​reason​ ​to​ ​want​ ​to​ ​become 
a​ ​doctor! 
 
Examples: 
 
+ Why​ ​do​ ​you​ ​want​ ​to​ ​do​ ​medicine?​ ​Why​ ​not​ ​another​ ​profession​ ​that​ ​involves 
caring​ ​for​ ​others​ ​or​ ​is​ ​as​ ​intellectually​ ​challenging?  
+ What​ ​impact​ ​do​ ​you​ ​hope​ ​to​ ​make​ ​in​ ​the​ ​field​ ​of​ ​medicine? 
+ What​ ​steps​ ​have​ ​you​ ​taken​ ​to​ ​try​ ​to​ ​determine​ ​whether​ ​you​ ​really​ ​want​ ​to 
become​ ​a​ ​doctor?  

35 
 

+ Medicine​ ​requires​ ​a​ ​great​ ​deal​ ​of​ ​self-directed​ ​study,​ ​how​ ​have​ ​you​ ​managed 
this​ ​style​ ​of​ ​learning​ ​in​ ​the​ ​past? 
+ A​ ​friend​ ​of​ ​yours​ ​tells​ ​you​ ​that​ ​her​ ​main​ ​motivations​ ​for​ ​becoming​ ​a​ ​doctor​ ​were 
that​ ​there​ ​is​ ​good​ ​money​ ​and​ ​the​ ​promise​ ​of​ ​a​ ​stable​ ​job.​ ​What​ ​do​ ​you​ ​say​ ​back 
to​ ​her?  
 
 
Behavioural​ ​questions 
 
Leadership​ ​and​ ​teamwork​​ ​are​ ​crucial​ ​elements​ ​of​ ​practice​ ​in​ ​the​ ​medical​ ​profession. 
 
As​ ​a​ ​doctor,​ ​you’ll​ ​play​ ​a​ ​key​ ​leadership​ ​role​ ​that​ ​involves​ ​problem​ ​solving,​ ​decision 
making,​ ​and​ ​coordinating​ ​the​ ​efforts​ ​of​ ​others.  
 
You​ ​must​ ​also​ ​be​ ​committed​ ​to​ ​continuous​ ​growth​ ​and​ ​learning​​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​you’re 
delivering​ ​the​ ​highest​ ​standard​ ​of​ ​care​ ​possible,​ ​and​ ​that’s​ ​where​ ​self-awareness 
comes​ ​in.​ ​You​ ​need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​reflect​ ​on​ ​your​ ​experiences​ ​with​ ​maturity​ ​and​ ​critical 
thinking​ ​to​ ​identify​ ​your​ ​weaknesses​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​improve​ ​on​ ​them.  
 
The​ ​interviewers​ ​are​ ​interested​ ​in​ ​your​ ​ability​ ​to​ ​demonstrate​ ​your​ ​potential​ ​to​ ​be​ ​a 
leader​ ​and​ ​your​ ​commitment​ ​to​ ​personal​ ​development. 
 
Examples: 
 
+ Thinking​ ​of​ ​your​ ​work​ ​experience,​ ​can​ ​you​ ​tell​ ​me​ ​about​ ​a​ ​difficult​ ​situation​ ​you 
have​ ​dealt​ ​with​ ​and​ ​what​ ​you​ ​learned​ ​from​ ​it? 
+ What​ ​attributes​ ​are​ ​necessary​ ​in​ ​a​ ​good​ ​doctor?​ ​Which​ ​do​ ​you​ ​have,​ ​and​ ​which 
do​ ​you​ ​need​ ​to​ ​develop​ ​further?   
+ Who​ ​are​ ​the​ ​important​ ​members​ ​of​ ​a​ ​multi-disciplinary​ ​healthcare​ ​team?​ ​Why?  
+ Give​ ​me​ ​an​ ​example​ ​of​ ​how​ ​you​ ​managed​ ​conflict​ ​with​ ​a​ ​colleague​ ​or​ ​friend; 
what​ ​strategy​ ​did​ ​you​ ​use​ ​and​ ​why? 
+ Tell​ ​us​ ​about​ ​a​ ​group​ ​activity​ ​you​ ​have​ ​organised.​ ​What​ ​went​ ​well​ ​and​ ​what 
went​ ​not​ ​so​ ​well?​ ​Did​ ​you​ ​learn​ ​anything​ ​from​ ​the​ ​experience?  
 
Ethical​ ​scenarios 
 
It’s​ ​inevitable​ ​that​ ​you’ll​ ​come​ ​across​ ​some​ ​morally​ ​questionable​ ​situations​ ​as​ ​a​ ​doctor, 
and​ ​when​ ​you​ ​do,​ ​you’ll​ ​likely​ ​have​ ​to​ ​make​ ​a​ ​tough​ ​decision​ ​and​ ​deal​ ​with​ ​the 
consequences​ ​–​ ​good​ ​or​ ​bad. 
 
A​ ​key​ ​skill​ ​is​ ​the​ ​ability​ ​to​ ​form​ ​a​ ​strong​ ​opinion​ ​before​ ​making​ ​a​ ​measured​ ​decision​ ​– 
and​ ​the​ ​MMI​ ​has​ ​a​ ​station​ ​to​ ​test​ ​just​ ​that!  
 

36 
 

These​ ​stations​ ​present​ ​you​ ​with​ ​a​ ​scenario​ ​and​ ​ask​ ​what​ ​you​ ​would​ ​do​ ​in​ ​that​ ​situation. 
The​ ​scenario​ ​may​ ​specify​ ​that​ ​you​ ​are​ ​a​ ​doctor,​ ​a​ ​medical​ ​student,​ ​or​ ​just​ ​yourself,​ ​and 
the​ ​situation​ ​can​ ​be​ ​as​ ​simple​ ​as​ ​a​ ​friend​ ​in​ ​need​ ​or​ ​a​ ​more​ ​complex​ ​doctor/patient 
interaction. 
 
Examples:  
 
+ Would​ ​you​ ​perform​ ​abortions​ ​as​ ​a​ ​doctor?​ ​Do​ ​you​ ​think​ ​it’s​ ​right?  
+ A​ ​man​ ​has​ ​been​ ​diagnosed​ ​with​ ​HIV.​ ​He​ ​is​ ​currently​ ​having​ ​unprotected​ ​sex 
with​ ​his​ ​partner​ ​and​ ​refuses​ ​to​ ​tell​ ​her​ ​he​ ​is​ ​HIV​ ​positive.​ ​Do​ ​you​ ​tell​ ​the​ ​man’s 
partner​ ​of​ ​his​ ​status?   
+ You​ ​have​ ​one​ ​dialysis​ ​machine​ ​to​ ​share​ ​between​ ​three​ ​patients.​ ​One​ ​is​ ​a​ ​20​ ​year 
old​ ​drug​ ​addict​ ​who​ ​has​ ​just​ ​overdosed,​ ​one​ ​is​ ​a​ ​45​ ​year​ ​old​ ​diabetic​ ​mother​ ​of 
three​ ​with​ ​end​ ​stage​ ​kidney​ ​failure​ ​and​ ​the​ ​third​ ​is​ ​a​ ​fit​ ​and​ ​healthy​ ​80​ ​year​ ​old 
man​ ​who​ ​has​ ​a​ ​longstanding​ ​metabolic​ ​disorder.​ ​Who​ ​gets​ ​the​ ​machine?  
+ A​ ​pregnant​ ​woman​ ​refuses​ ​treatment​ ​for​ ​a​ ​potentially​ ​life-threatening 
condition.​ ​What​ ​are​ ​the​ ​ethical​ ​issues​ ​involved?  
+ You​ ​are​ ​a​ ​GP.​ ​A​ ​mother​ ​and​ ​her​ ​teenage​ ​son​ ​visit​ ​your​ ​clinic,​ ​because​ ​the​ ​son 
has​ ​been​ ​feeling​ ​ill.​ ​During​ ​the​ ​visit,​ ​you​ ​request​ ​that​ ​the​ ​mother​ ​leave​ ​the​ ​room 
so​ ​that​ ​her​ ​son​ ​can​ ​answer​ ​honestly​ ​when​ ​you​ ​ask​ ​if​ ​he​ ​is​ ​sexually​ ​active.​ ​The 
mother​ ​has​ ​found​ ​out​ ​about​ ​this​ ​and​ ​is​ ​very​ ​angry.​ ​Speak​ ​with​ ​the​ ​mother.  
 
 
Cultural​ ​awareness/health​ ​knowledge 
 
It​ ​is​ ​very​ ​important​ ​for​ ​a​ ​doctor​ ​to​ ​be​ ​culturally​ ​sensitive.​ ​These​ ​stations​ ​test​ ​your 
understanding​ ​of​ ​the​ ​significance​ ​of​ ​ethnicity​ ​in​ ​a​ ​health​ ​context. 
 
In​ ​Australia,​ ​questions​ ​will​ ​focus​ ​on​ ​Indigenous​ ​or​ ​rural​ ​health,​ ​while​ ​at​ ​The​ ​University​ ​of 
Auckland,​ ​at​ ​least​ ​one​ ​question​ ​will​ ​have​ ​an​ ​ethnicity​ ​and/or​ ​Maori​ ​focus. 
 
Assessors​ ​are​ ​looking​ ​to​ ​see​ ​that​ ​you​ ​understand​ ​the​ ​background,​ ​cultural​ ​practices 
and​ ​significance​ ​of​ ​ethnic​ ​groups,​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​your​ ​capacity​ ​for​ ​and​ ​level​ ​of​ ​empathy. 
 
These​ ​stations​ ​are​ ​also​ ​designed​ ​to​ ​test​ ​your​ ​understanding​ ​of​ ​public​ ​health​ ​issues​ ​in 
Australia​ ​or​ ​New​ ​Zealand.  
 
You’re​ ​expected​ ​to​ ​demonstrate​ ​insight​ ​into​ ​the​ ​issues​ ​and​ ​this​ ​is​ ​impossible​ ​without 
some​ ​background​ ​knowledge.​ ​So​ ​get​ ​reading​ ​and​ ​keep​ ​up​ ​with​ ​the​ ​news! 
 
Examples: 
 
+ What​ ​does​ ​the​ ​term​ ​“inequalities​ ​in​ ​health”​ ​mean​ ​to​ ​you​ ​personally? 

37 
 

+ What​ ​are​ ​some​ ​of​ ​the​ ​rising​ ​healthcare​ ​needs​ ​for​ ​the​ ​increasing​ ​Australian​ ​Asian 
population?   
+ Medicine​ ​will​ ​bring​ ​you​ ​into​ ​contact​ ​with​ ​a​ ​wide​ ​range​ ​of​ ​people​ ​from​ ​different 
cultures;​ ​what​ ​experiences​ ​have​ ​you​ ​had​ ​with​ ​different​ ​types​ ​of​ ​people​ ​or 
cultures?  
+ What​ ​would​ ​you​ ​do​ ​differently​ ​when​ ​consulting​ ​a​ ​Maori​ ​patient​ ​compared​ ​to​ ​a 
European​ ​patient?​ ​(NZ) 
+ You​ ​are​ ​a​ ​medical​ ​student​ ​in​ ​the​ ​hospital​ ​elevator​ ​with​ ​your​ ​supervisor.​ ​Your 
supervisor,​ ​who​ ​is​ ​grading​ ​your​ ​attachment​ ​and​ ​is​ ​the​ ​head​ ​of​ ​General​ ​Medicine 
in​ ​the​ ​hospital,​ ​makes​ ​a​ ​racist​ ​comment​ ​about​ ​an​ ​Aboriginal​ ​patient​ ​in​ ​the 
presence​ ​of​ ​other​ ​members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​public​ ​in​ ​the​ ​elevator.​ ​However,​ ​there​ ​are​ ​no 
Aboriginal​ ​people​ ​in​ ​the​ ​elevator.​ ​What​ ​do​ ​you​ ​do?​ ​(Aus)  
 
 
Practical​ ​tasks/acting 
 
Some​ ​universities​ ​will​ ​have​ ​a​ ​station​ ​dedicated​ ​to​ ​practical​ ​exercises. 
 
You’re​ ​not​ ​a​ ​doctor​ ​yet,​ ​so​ ​you​ ​won’t​ ​be​ ​asked​ ​to​ ​act​ ​out​ ​medical​ ​diagnoses​ ​or 
treatment​ ​of​ ​medical​ ​problems.​ ​Instead,​ ​you’ll​ ​be​ ​asked​ ​to​ ​carry​ ​out​ ​somewhat​ ​trivial 
practical​ ​tasks​ ​which​ ​are​ ​used​ ​to​ ​assess​ ​skills​ ​such​ ​as​ ​verbal​ ​communication,​ ​manual 
dexterity,​ ​problem​ ​solving,​ ​and​ ​most​ ​of​ ​all…​ ​patience! 
 
Often​ ​this​ ​will​ ​involve​ ​giving​ ​instructions​ ​to​ ​the​ ​interviewers​ ​and​ ​having​ ​them 
complete​ ​a​ ​task,​ ​such​ ​as​ ​origami​ ​folding,​ ​rope​ ​tying,​ ​or​ ​arranging​ ​blocks.  
 
You​ ​won’t​ ​necessarily​ ​be​ ​judged​ ​on​ ​the​ ​outcome.​ ​Rather,​ ​they​ ​want​ ​to​ ​see​ ​how​ ​your 
mind​ ​works​ ​and​ ​how​ ​you​ ​reach​ ​solutions. 
 
This​ ​might​ ​sound​ ​silly,​ ​but​ ​if​ ​you​ ​come​ ​across​ ​one​ ​of​ ​these​ ​stations​ ​unexpectedly​ ​it​ ​can 
be​ ​seriously​ ​intimidating! 
 
Examples: 
 
+ Follow​ ​these​ ​step​ ​by​ ​step​ ​instructions​ ​to​ ​make​ ​origami. 
+ Without​ ​using​ ​your​ ​hands,​ ​explain​ ​how​ ​to​ ​tie​ ​shoelaces. 
+ Open​ ​a​ ​jar​ ​and​ ​measure​ ​a​ ​specific​ ​amount​ ​of​ ​various​ ​ingredients​ ​into​ ​a 
measuring​ ​bowl. 
+ You​ ​are​ ​sitting​ ​at​ ​a​ ​desk​ ​in​ ​front​ ​of​ ​the​ ​interviewer​ ​with​ ​a​ ​screen​ ​in​ ​front​ ​of​ ​you. 
You​ ​have​ ​a​ ​set​ ​of​ ​blocks​ ​in​ ​front​ ​of​ ​you​ ​and​ ​you​ ​have​ ​to​ ​set​ ​them​ ​up​ ​in​ ​a​ ​certain 
way.​ ​The​ ​interviewer​ ​knows​ ​the​ ​solution​ ​and​ ​you​ ​can’t​ ​see​ ​them​ ​and​ ​can​ ​only 
ask​ ​them​ ​yes​ ​or​ ​no​ ​questions.​ ​Correctly​ ​assemble​ ​the​ ​blocks. 

38 
 

+ Instruct​ ​a​ ​person​ ​who​ ​is​ ​holding​ ​a​ ​clamper​ ​to​ ​pick​ ​up​ ​a​ ​number​ ​of​ ​small​ ​blocks 
and​ ​place​ ​them​ ​onto​ ​a​ ​particular​ ​point​ ​of​ ​an​ ​A4​ ​card.​ ​The​ ​card​ ​has​ ​other​ ​blocks 
on​ ​it​ ​and​ ​knocking​ ​them​ ​over​ ​would​ ​lose​ ​you​ ​points.​ ​The​ ​person​ ​you​ ​are 
instructing​ ​on​ ​is​ ​very​ ​particular​ ​to​ ​your​ ​instructions​ ​and​ ​would​ ​take​ ​the 
instructions​ ​to​ ​the​ ​extremes.​ ​How​ ​would​ ​you​ ​navigate​ ​through​ ​such​ ​a​ ​delicate 
task? 
 
Other​ ​possible​ ​inclusions: 
 
+ Science​ ​knowledge:​ ​These​ ​are​ ​the​ ​stations​ ​that​ ​ask​ ​you​ ​to​ ​explain​ ​a​ ​scientific 
word​ ​or​ ​concept​ ​in​ ​layman’s​ ​terms.​ ​(The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Melbourne) 
+ Groupwork:​ ​Candidates​ ​are​ ​divided​ ​into​ ​groups​ ​and​ ​given​ ​a​ ​problem​ ​to​ ​solve 
(eg.​ ​resource​ ​allocation,​ ​public​ ​policy​ ​proposal).​ ​(Precedes​ ​the​ ​MMI​ ​at​ ​ANU) 
 

MMI​ ​by​ ​university 

 
Just​ ​to​ ​make​ ​life​ ​harder​ ​for​ ​you,​ ​each​ ​uni​ ​goes​ ​about​ ​the​ ​MMI​ ​in​ ​a​ ​slightly​ ​different​ ​way. 
If​ ​you’re​ ​applying​ ​to​ ​multiple​ ​universities,​ ​you’ll​ ​need​ ​to​ ​prepare​ ​appropriately​ ​for​ ​each 
one. 
 

The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Sydney 

Logistics 
+ Number​ ​of​ ​stations:​​ ​5 
+ Time​ ​per​ ​station:​​ ​7​ ​minutes 
+ Time​ ​between​ ​stations:​​ ​2​ ​minutes 
 
Question​ ​types 
+ Behavioural:​​ ​No 
+ Why​ ​medicine:​​ ​No 
+ Ethical​ ​scenarios:​​ ​Yes 
+ Cultural/health​ ​knowledge:​​ ​No 
+ Practical​ ​tasks:​​ ​No 
 

University​ ​of​ ​Wollongong 

Logistics 
+ Number​ ​of​ ​stations:​​ ​10 
+ Time​ ​per​ ​station:​​ ​8​ ​minutes 
+ Time​ ​between​ ​stations:​​ ​2​ ​minutes 

39 
 

 
Question​ ​types 
+ Behavioural:​​ ​Yes 
+ Why​ ​medicine:​​ ​No 
+ Ethical​ ​scenarios:​​ ​Yes 
+ Cultural/health​ ​knowledge:​​ ​Yes 
+ Practical​ ​tasks:​​ ​No 
 

Australian​ ​National​ ​University 

Logistics 
+ Number​ ​of​ ​stations:​​ ​6 
+ Time​ ​per​ ​station:​​ ​6​ ​minutes 
+ Time​ ​between​ ​stations:​​ ​May​ ​or​ ​may​ ​not​ ​be​ ​a​ ​rest​ ​station,​ ​depending​ ​on 
numbers 
 
Question​ ​types 
+ Behavioural:​​ ​Yes 
+ Why​ ​medicine:​​ ​Yes 
+ Ethical​ ​scenarios:​​ ​Yes 
+ Cultural/health​ ​knowledge:​​ ​Yes 
+ Practical​ ​tasks:​​ ​Yes 
 
NB:​​ ​ANU​ ​has​ ​a​ ​one​ ​hour​ ​group​ ​task​ ​that​ ​precedes​ ​the​ ​MMI. 
 

The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Melbourne 

Logistics 
+ Number​ ​of​ ​stations:​​ ​8 
+ Time​ ​per​ ​station:​​ ​5​ ​minutes 
+ Time​ ​between​ ​stations:​​ ​1​ ​minute 
 
Question​ ​types 
+ Behavioural:​​ ​Yes 
+ Why​ ​medicine:​​ ​Yes 
+ Ethical​ ​scenarios:​​ ​Yes 
+ Cultural/health​ ​knowledge:​​ ​Yes 
+ Practical​ ​tasks:​​ ​No 
 

Monash​ ​University 
Logistics 

40 
 

+ Number​ ​of​ ​stations:​​ ​8 

+ Time​ ​per​ ​station:​​ ​10​ ​minutes 
+ Time​ ​between​ ​stations:​​ ​2​ ​minutes 
 
Question​ ​types 
+ Behavioural:​​ ​No 
+ Why​ ​medicine:​​ ​No 
+ Ethical​ ​scenarios:​​ ​Yes 
+ Cultural/health​ ​knowledge:​​ ​No 
+ Practical​ ​tasks:​​ ​No 
 

Deakin​ ​University 
Logistics 
+ Number​ ​of​ ​stations:​​ ​10 
+ Time​ ​per​ ​station:​​ ​5​ ​minutes 
+ Time​ ​between​ ​stations​:​ ​2​ ​minutes 
 
Question​ ​types 
+ Behavioural:​​ ​No 
+ Why​ ​medicine:​​ ​Yes 
+ Ethical​ ​scenarios:​​ ​Yes 
+ Cultural/health​ ​knowledge:​​ ​Yes 
+ Practical​ ​tasks:​​ ​Yes 
 

Griffith​ ​University 
Logistics 
+ Number​ ​of​ ​stations:​​ ​8 
+ Time​ ​per​ ​station:​ ​5​ ​minutes 
+ Time​ ​between​ ​stations:​​ ​7​ ​minutes 
 
Question​ ​types 
+ Behavioural:​​ ​Yes 
+ Why​ ​medicine:​​ ​Yes 
+ Ethical​ ​scenarios:​​ ​Yes 
+ Cultural/health​ ​knowledge:​​ ​Yes 
+ Practical​ ​tasks:​​ ​Yes 
 

The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Notre​ ​Dame 

Logistics 

41 
 

+ Number​ ​of​ ​stations:​​ ​7 

+ Time​ ​per​ ​station:​​ ​6​ ​minutes 
+ Time​ ​between​ ​stations:​​ ​2​ ​minutes 
 
Question​ ​types 
+ Behavioural:​​ ​N/A 
+ Why​ ​medicine:​​ ​N/A 
+ Ethical​ ​scenarios:​​ ​N/A 
+ Cultural/health​ ​knowledge:​​ ​N/A 
+ Practical​ ​tasks:​​ ​Yes 
 

Bond​ ​University 
Logistics 
+ Number​ ​of​ ​stations:​ ​8 
+ Time​ ​per​ ​station:​ ​N/A 
+ Time​ ​between​ ​stations:​ ​N/A 
 
Question​ ​types 
+ Behavioural:​​ ​Yes 
+ Why​ ​medicine:​​ ​Yes 
+ Ethical​ ​scenarios:​​ ​Yes 
+ Cultural/health​ ​knowledge:​​ ​Yes 
+ Practical​ ​tasks​:​ ​Yes 
 

The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Auckland​ ​(NZ) 

Logistics 
+ Number​ ​of​ ​stations​:​ ​8 
+ Time​ ​per​ ​station:​​ ​8​ ​minutes 
+ Time​ ​between​ ​stations:​​ ​2​ ​minutes 
 
Question​ ​types 
+ Behavioural:​​ ​Yes 
+ Why​ ​medicine:​​ ​Yes 
+ Ethical​ ​scenarios:​​ ​Yes 
+ Cultural/health​ ​knowledge:​​ ​Yes 
+ Practical​ ​tasks:​​ ​No 
 
 

42 
 

Preparing​ ​for​ ​the​ ​MMI 

 
Just​ ​like​ ​with​ ​the​ ​UMAT,​ ​a​ ​common​ ​misconception​ ​about​ ​the​ ​MMI​ ​is​ ​that​ ​you​ ​don’t 
need​ ​to​ ​prepare. 
 
Of​ ​course,​ ​you​ ​want​ ​to​ ​be​ ​yourself​ ​and​ ​sound​ ​genuine.​ ​But​ ​you​ ​can​ ​still​ ​do​ ​these​ ​things 
and​ ​be​ ​prepared. 
 
Would​ ​you​ ​not​ ​prepare​ ​for​ ​a​ ​job​ ​interview​ ​just​ ​because​ ​you​ ​didn’t​ ​know​ ​what​ ​you’d​ ​be 
asked?​ ​Of​ ​course​ ​not!​ ​You​ ​would​ ​read​ ​up​ ​on​ ​the​ ​company​ ​and​ ​practise​ ​your​ ​answers​ ​to 
potential​ ​questions,​ ​and​ ​you​ ​would​ ​make​ ​sure​ ​you​ ​had​ ​evidence​ ​and​ ​examples​ ​to 
backup​ ​all​ ​your​ ​skills​ ​and​ ​experience.​ ​Maybe​ ​you’d​ ​even​ ​have​ ​a​ ​few​ ​responses 
memorised​ ​and​ ​ready​ ​to​ ​go. 
 
The​ ​MMI​ ​is​ ​no​ ​different. 
 
In​ ​fact,​ ​it’s​ ​even​ ​more​ ​important.​ ​When​ ​all​ ​you​ ​have​ ​is​ ​eight​ ​minutes,​ ​you​ ​can’t​ ​afford​ ​to 
waffle​ ​or​ ​go​ ​off​ ​on​ ​tangents;​ ​your​ ​explanations​ ​need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​direct​ ​and​ ​concise.​​ ​If​ ​not, 
you​ ​may​ ​not​ ​have​ ​enough​ ​time​ ​to​ ​convey​ ​all​ ​of​ ​your​ ​thoughts​ ​and​ ​respond​ ​to​ ​follow​ ​up 
questions​ ​from​ ​the​ ​interviewer.  
 
There’s​ ​an​ ​element​ ​of​ ​surprise​ ​in​ ​any​ ​interview​ ​process,​ ​but​ ​adequate​ ​preparation​ ​will 
give​ ​you​ ​the​ ​greatest​ ​chance​ ​of​ ​being​ ​comfortable​ ​and​ ​remaining​ ​calm​ ​should​ ​you 
encounter​ ​anything​ ​unexpected. 
 
More​ ​importantly,​ ​preparing​ ​for​ ​your​ ​interview​ ​means​ ​you’ll​ ​be​ ​sure​ ​to​ ​show​ ​off​ ​your 
true,​ ​genuine,​ ​awesome​ ​self,​ ​rather​ ​than​ ​the​ ​nervous​ ​and​ ​panicked​ ​version​ ​who​ ​talks 
and​ ​acts​ ​completely​ ​out​ ​of​ ​character. 
 
The​ ​good​ ​news​ ​is​ ​that​ ​there’s​ ​an​ ​effective​ ​and​ ​systematic​ ​way​ ​to​ ​prepare​ ​for​ ​the​ ​MMI 
using​ ​a​ ​combination​ ​of​ ​techniques,​ ​tips,​ ​worked​ ​examples,​ ​and​ ​practice​ ​questions. 
 
The​ ​structured​ ​nature​ ​of​ ​the​ ​MMI​ ​makes​ ​it​ ​easier​ ​to​ ​prepare​ ​for​ ​than​ ​an​ ​open-ended 
interview,​ ​since​ ​it​ ​provides​ ​a​ ​more​ ​defined​ ​way​ ​of​ ​assessing​ ​a​ ​candidate’s​ ​attributes.  
 
Questions​ ​and​ ​scenarios​ ​are​ ​carefully​ ​selected​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​assess​ ​the​ ​attributes​ ​that​ ​are 
most​ ​important​ ​to​ ​the​ ​health​ ​profession,​ ​rather​ ​than​ ​spending​ ​time​ ​on​ ​irrelevant 
discussions. 
 
Make​ ​use​ ​of​ ​this​ ​structure​ ​to​ ​carefully​ ​prepare​ ​for​ ​each​ ​MMI​ ​subject​ ​category.  
 

43 
 

However,​ ​this​ ​has​ ​its​ ​downsides.​ ​Because​ ​of​ ​the​ ​diverse​ ​nature​ ​of​ ​the​ ​interviews,​ ​you’ll 
need​ ​to​ ​spend​ ​more​ ​time​ ​building​ ​up​ ​your​ ​weaker​ ​areas​,​ ​as​ ​they​ ​are​ ​much​ ​more​ ​likely 
to​ ​be​ ​encountered​ ​in​ ​the​ ​interview. 
 

Preparation​ ​strategies 
 
There​ ​are​ ​three​ ​strategies​​ ​that​ ​will​ ​set​ ​you​ ​up​ ​for​ ​success​ ​in​ ​the​ ​MMI: 
 
1. Using​ ​cue​ ​cards 
2. Expanding​ ​your​ ​vocabulary 
3. Building​ ​your​ ​confidence 
 

Cue​ ​card​ ​system 

 
The​ ​best​ ​way​ ​to​ ​prepare​ ​for​ ​the​ ​MMI​ ​is​ ​by​ ​answering​ ​practice​ ​questions.   
 
BUT,​ ​don’t​ ​memorise​ ​word​ ​for​ ​word​ ​your​ ​answers​ ​to​ ​questions.​ ​The​ ​interviewers​ ​do​ ​not 
want​ ​to​ ​hear​ ​recited,​ ​cliched​ ​responses​ ​–​ ​and​ ​you​ ​will​ ​probably​ ​struggle​ ​to​ ​make​ ​any 
prepared​ ​responses​ ​“fit”. 
 
The​ ​best​ ​way​ ​to​ ​use​ ​practice​ ​questions​ ​is​ ​with​ ​cue​ ​cards.​ ​Think​ ​of​ ​it​ ​as​ ​a​ ​speech​ ​where 
you​ ​have​ ​points​ ​written​ ​on​ ​palm​ ​cards​ ​to​ ​remind​ ​you​ ​of​ ​the​ ​topics​ ​you​ ​want​ ​to​ ​talk 
about.​ ​For​ ​each​ ​of​ ​these​ ​topics,​ ​you​ ​know​ ​in​ ​your​ ​mind​ ​what​ ​you​ ​are​ ​going​ ​say.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​a 
great​ ​way​ ​to​ ​learn​ ​answers​ ​to​ ​practice​ ​questions​ ​without​ ​coming​ ​across​ ​as​ ​too 
rehearsed. 
 
So,​ ​for​ ​every​ ​question,​ ​think​ ​of​ ​a​ ​couple​ ​of​ ​main​ ​points​ ​that​ ​you​ ​want​ ​to​ ​talk​ ​about,​ ​and 
prepare​ ​some​ ​topics​ ​that​ ​explain​ ​or​ ​support​ ​each​ ​point.   
 
For​ ​example: 
 
Question:​​ ​“What​ ​problems​ ​do​ ​you​ ​foresee​ ​being​ ​a​ ​doctor?” 
 
A​ ​couple​ ​of​ ​points​ ​you​ ​could​ ​mention​ ​include: 
 
+ Work/life​ ​balance:​​ ​managing​ ​patient​ ​demands,​ ​family​ ​demands,​ ​and​ ​social 
demands 
+ Stress:​​ ​taking​ ​on​ ​patients’​ ​problems,​ ​long​ ​hours/being​ ​on​ ​call,​ ​ongoing 
professional​ ​development 
 

44 
 

Expand​ ​your​ ​vocabulary  

 
A​ ​broad​ ​vocabulary​ ​will​ ​add​ ​weight​ ​to​ ​your​ ​answers​ ​and​ ​ensure​ ​you​ ​come​ ​across​ ​as 
impressive. 
 
Write​ ​down​ ​a​ ​list​ ​of​ ​words​ ​and​ ​read​ ​over​ ​it​ ​every​ ​day.​ ​Include​ ​positive​ ​action​ ​words​ ​as 
well​ ​as​ ​some​ ​basic​ ​medical​ ​lingo.  
 
Some​ ​“buzzwords”​ ​that​ ​will​ ​score​ ​you​ ​points​ ​in​ ​your​ ​interviews​ ​include: 
       
+ Disparities 
+ Socioeconomic  
+ Ethnicities  
+ Therapy  
+ Asymptomatic  
+ Diagnosis  
+ Acute 
+ Chronic  
+ Anatomy  
+ Symptoms  
+ Prognosis  
+ Aetiology  
+ Reaction  
+ Adverse  
+ Baseline  
+ Multidisciplinary  
+ Precaution  
 
You​ ​also​ ​want​ ​to​ ​practise​ ​using​ ​some​ ​“action”​ ​words,​ ​such​ ​as: 
 
+ Instituted  
+ Implemented  
+ Coordinated  
+ Developed  
+ Consolidated  
+ Founded  
+ Instructed  
+ Researched  
+ Scheduled  
+ Reorganised  
+ Recommended  

45 
 

+ Accomplished 
 

Confidence​ ​building 
 
If​ ​you’re​ ​prone​ ​to​ ​performance​ ​anxiety,​ ​you’ll​ ​need​ ​to​ ​work​ ​on​ ​building​ ​skills​ ​in​ ​this 
area.​ ​The​ ​last​ ​thing​ ​you​ ​want​ ​is​ ​nerves​ ​ruining​ ​all​ ​your​ ​hard​ ​work.  
 
The​ ​good​ ​news​ ​is​ ​that​ ​confidence​ ​is​ ​developed,​ ​not​ ​inherited!​ ​But​ ​you’ll​ ​need​ ​to​ ​put 
some​ ​time​ ​into​ ​it. 
 
It​ ​is​ ​recommended​ ​that​ ​you​ ​take​ ​a​ ​public​ ​speaking​ ​course,​ ​as​ ​you’ll​ ​learn​ ​how​ ​to​ ​speak 
professionally​ ​and​ ​control​ ​your​ ​nerves.  
 
Make​ ​sure​ ​you​ ​practise​ ​with​ ​friends​ ​and​ ​family,​ ​too,​ ​as​ ​they’ll​ ​offer​ ​you​ ​honest​ ​feedback 
and​ ​(hopefully!)​ ​encouragement.​ ​Bonus​ ​points​ ​if​ ​you​ ​do​ ​it​ ​under​ ​timed​ ​MMI​ ​style 
conditions! 

Pro​ ​Tip:​​ ​Don’t​ ​forget​ ​to​ ​SMILE!  

 
First​ ​impressions​ ​count,​ ​and​ ​when​ ​you​ ​have​ ​limited​ ​time​ ​to​ ​establish​ ​rapport​ ​with​ ​your 
interviewer,​ ​a​ ​friendly​ ​demeanour​ ​can​ ​go​ ​a​ ​long​ ​way.  
 
As​ ​well​ ​as​ ​delivering​ ​concise​ ​answers,​ ​you​ ​need​ ​to​ ​show​ ​your​ ​personality.​ ​After​ ​all,​ ​you 
are​ ​being​ ​judged​ ​on​ ​your​ ​appropriateness​ ​to​ ​practise​ ​medicine.​ ​How​ ​would​ ​you​ ​greet 
a​ ​patient? 
 

Other​ ​types​ ​of​ ​medical​ ​interviews 

 
Back​ ​in​ ​the​ ​day,​ ​you​ ​had​ ​to​ ​sit​ ​a​ ​very​ ​serious,​ ​structured​ ​panel​ ​interview​ ​to​ ​be 
considered​ ​for​ ​admission​ ​into​ ​a​ ​medicine​ ​degree.​ ​Now,​ ​most​ ​unis​ ​have​ ​adopted​ ​the 
MMI​ ​system. 
 
But​ ​not​ ​everyone​ ​is​ ​on​ ​board​ ​with​ ​this​ ​format,​ ​preferring​ ​instead​ ​to​ ​go​ ​with​ ​their​ ​own 
variations​ ​of​ ​the​ ​medical​ ​interview. 
 
Here’s​ ​a​ ​rundown​ ​of​ ​some​ ​of​ ​the​ ​other​ ​interview​ ​styles​ ​you’ll​ ​encounter​ ​in​ ​the​ ​med 
school​ ​admissions​ ​process. 
 

46 
 

The​ ​semi-structured​ ​interview 

 
This​ ​interview​ ​style​ ​is​ ​used​ ​by: 
 
+ UNSW 
+ Flinders​ ​University 
+ James​ ​Cook​ ​University 
 
In​ ​a​ ​semi-structured​ ​interview,​ ​there’s​ ​no​ ​strict​ ​time​ ​limit​ ​or​ ​“itinerary”​ ​to​ ​follow. 
 
This​ ​style​ ​of​ ​interviewing​ ​has​ ​almost​ ​been​ ​phased​ ​out​ ​as​ ​universities​ ​look​ ​to 
standardise​ ​the​ ​process.​ ​But​ ​hey,​ ​some​ ​unis​ ​find​ ​it​ ​hard​ ​to​ ​break​ ​from​ ​tradition! 
 
Sessions​ ​usually​ ​last​ ​from​ ​30​ ​to​ ​50​ ​minutes​ ​and​ ​cover​ ​a​ ​wide​ ​range​ ​of​ ​relevant​ ​issues.  
 
This​ ​more​ ​casual​ ​format​ ​allows​ ​you​ ​to​ ​build​ ​rapport​ ​with​ ​your​ ​interviewers​ ​(at​ ​least 
two)​ ​and​ ​really​ ​let​ ​your​ ​personality​ ​shine​ ​–​ ​something​ ​you​ ​can’t​ ​do​ ​in​ ​the​ ​MMI. 
 
Typically​ ​there’s​ ​a​ ​common​ ​set​ ​of​ ​scenarios​ ​and​ ​questions​ ​for​ ​all​ ​applicants​ ​designed 
to​ ​assess​ ​qualities​ ​considered​ ​important​ ​both​ ​for​ ​success​ ​in​ ​medical​ ​school​ ​and​ ​in 
subsequent​ ​medical​ ​practice.  
 
These​ ​include: 
 
+ Quality​ ​of​ ​motivation 
+ Learning​ ​style​ ​and​ ​team​ ​skills 
+ Communication​ ​skills 
+ Pro-social​ ​attitude 
+ Personal​ ​management​ ​and​ ​self-evaluation​ ​skills 
+ Approach​ ​to​ ​decision​ ​making 
+ Moral​ ​judgement 
 
Common​ ​questions​ ​include: 
 
+ Why​ ​do​ ​you​ ​want​ ​to​ ​study​ ​medicine? 
+ What​ ​are​ ​your​ ​greatest​ ​strengths​ ​and​ ​weaknesses? 
+ Who​ ​were​ ​your​ ​favourite​ ​teachers​ ​at​ ​school​ ​and​ ​why? 
+ What​ ​were​ ​your​ ​favourite​ ​subjects​ ​at​ ​school​ ​and​ ​why? 
+ How​ ​have​ ​you​ ​dealt​ ​with​ ​challenges​ ​in​ ​the​ ​past? 
+ What​ ​is​ ​a​ ​situation​ ​in​ ​which​ ​you​ ​worked​ ​in​ ​a​ ​team​ ​and/or​ ​showed​ ​leadership? 
+ What​ ​do​ ​you​ ​do​ ​to​ ​relax? 

47 
 

+ How​ ​would​ ​your​ ​parents​ ​and​ ​friends​ ​describe​ ​you? 

 
 
How​ ​do​ ​you​ ​prepare? 
 
Unlike​ ​the​ ​MMI,​ ​semi-structured​ ​interviews​ ​don’t​ ​require​ ​special​ ​preparation​ ​and​ ​you 
won’t​ ​be​ ​tested​ ​on​ ​specialist​ ​knowledge. 
 
Preparing​ ​for​ ​the​ ​above​ ​questions​ ​can​ ​give​ ​you​ ​an​ ​advantage​ ​going​ ​into​ ​your​ ​session, 
but​ ​don’t​ ​go​ ​memorising​ ​your​ ​answers​ ​word​ ​for​ ​word.  
 
Semi-structured​ ​interviews​ ​are​ ​more​ ​relaxed​ ​and​ ​conversational​,​ ​and​ ​your​ ​responses 
need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​natural​ ​and​ ​authentic.​ ​Nothing​ ​will​ ​kill​ ​a​ ​conversation​ ​faster​ ​than​ ​someone 
who’s​ ​reciting​ ​a​ ​speech​ ​from​ ​memory! 
 
Rather,​ ​go​ ​over​ ​these​ ​topics​ ​a​ ​few​ ​times​ ​with​ ​someone​ ​close​ ​to​ ​you.​ ​Write​ ​out​ ​your 
answers​ ​and​ ​think​ ​about​ ​how​ ​you’d​ ​answer​ ​the​ ​questions​ ​on​ ​the​ ​spot.​ ​Genuinely​ ​ask 
yourself​ ​each​ ​of​ ​these​ ​things,​ ​and​ ​think​ ​about​ ​them​ ​until​ ​you​ ​are​ ​confident​ ​in​ ​what​ ​you 
believe. 
 
Think​ ​about​ ​your​ ​motivation​ ​and​ ​expectations​ ​for​ ​a​ ​career​ ​in​ ​medicine​ ​and​ ​consider 
how​ ​your​ ​past​ ​experiences​ ​may​ ​be​ ​relevant,​ ​as​ ​you’ll​ ​probably​ ​be​ ​given​ ​an​ ​opportunity 
to​ ​discuss​ ​any​ ​achievements​ ​which​ ​have​ ​not​ ​otherwise​ ​been​ ​covered. 
 
Therefore,​ ​make​ ​sure​ ​you​ ​prepare,​ ​but​ ​don’t​ o ​ ver​ ​prepare.​ ​I​ ​guess​ ​you​ ​could​ ​call​ ​it 
semi-preparing?! 
 
 

The​ ​“hybrid”​ ​interview 

 
This​ ​interview​ ​style​ ​is​ ​used​ ​by: 
 
+ University​ ​of​ ​Adelaide 
 
Okay,​ ​that’s​ ​not​ ​the​ ​official​ ​name,​ ​but​ ​this​ ​one​ ​is​ ​kind​ ​of​ ​a​ ​mix​ ​between​ ​the​ ​MMI​ ​and 
the​ ​semi-structured​ ​interview,​ ​so​ ​we’re​ ​going​ ​with​ ​hybrid​ ​for​ ​now! 
 
The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Adelaide’s​ ​interview​ ​for​ ​its​ ​joint​ ​Bachelor​ ​of​ ​Medicine​ ​and​ ​Bachelor​ ​of 
Surgery​ ​(MBBS)​ ​program​ ​comprises​ ​two​ ​15​ ​minute​ ​sessions,​ ​each​ ​with​ ​a​ ​panel​ ​of​ ​up​ ​to 
two​ ​interviewers. 
 

48 
 

These​ ​assessors​ ​have​ ​all​ ​undergone​ ​a​ ​training​ ​program​ ​and​ ​are​ ​recruited​ ​from​ ​the 
following​ ​groups: 
 
+ Academic,​ ​clinical​ ​academic,​ ​and​ ​professional​ ​staff​ ​of​ ​the​ ​university 
+ Graduates​ ​from​ ​the​ ​MBBS​ ​degree 
+ People​ ​from​ ​the​ ​wider​ ​community  
 
The​ ​university​ ​looks​ ​for​ ​skills​ ​and​ ​characteristics​ ​it​ ​deems​ ​important​ ​for​ ​undertaking 
the​ ​degree​ ​and​ ​for​ ​use​ ​in​ ​future​ ​medical​ ​practice.​ ​To​ ​gauge​ ​this,​ ​candidates​ ​are​ ​given​ ​a 
series​ ​of​ ​scenarios​ ​and​ ​associated​ ​questions​ ​focusing​ ​on​ ​their​ ​personal​ ​qualities.  
 
These​ ​include: 
 
+ Motivation 
+ Communication​ ​skills 
+ Critical​ ​thinking​ ​and​ ​problem​ ​solving  
+ Compatibility​ ​with​ ​the​ ​degree 
+ Demonstration​ ​of​ ​attention​ ​to​ ​detail​ ​and​ ​professional​ ​behaviour 
 
 
How​ ​do​ ​you​ ​prepare? 
 
While​ ​you​ ​don’t​ ​have​ ​actual​ ​questions​ ​to​ ​go​ ​off,​ ​you​ ​can​ ​see​ ​the​ ​direction​ ​the​ ​interview 
is​ ​headed​ ​based​ ​on​ ​the​ ​list​ ​of​ ​qualities​ ​they’re​ ​looking​ ​for. 
 
It’s​ ​a​ ​good​ ​idea​ ​to​ ​prepare​ ​some​ ​responses,​ ​but​ ​again​ ​you​ ​want​ ​to​ ​avoid​ ​sounding 
rehearsed​ ​in​ ​your​ ​replies​ ​since​ ​the​ ​15​ ​minute​ ​time​ ​slot​ ​gives​ ​you​ ​some​ ​time​ ​to​ ​establish 
rapport​ ​with​ ​the​ ​panel​ ​and​ ​ease​ ​into​ ​your​ ​answers.​ ​So​ ​don’t​ ​overdo​ ​it! 
 

The​ ​Multiple​ ​Skills​ ​Assessment 

 
This​ ​interview​ ​style​ ​is​ ​used​ ​by: 
 
+ The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Newcastle/University​ ​of​ ​New​ ​England  
 
For​ ​their​ ​joint​ ​medical​ ​program,​ ​The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Newcastle​ ​and​ ​University​ ​of​ ​New 
England​ ​run​ ​a​ ​Multiple​ ​Skills​ ​Assessment​ ​(MSA). 
 
This​ ​is​ ​suspiciously​ ​similar​ ​to​ ​the​ ​MMI,​ ​made​ ​up​ ​of​ ​eight,​ ​eight-minute​ ​rotating​ ​stations. 
At​ ​each​ ​station,​ ​candidates​ ​discuss​ ​various​ ​scenarios​ ​and​ ​undertake​ ​activities​ ​with​ ​the 
assessor.  

49 
 

 
Wonder​ ​where​ ​they​ ​got​ ​that​ ​idea​ ​from?! 
 
You’ll​ ​be​ ​assessed​ ​on​ ​your: 
 
+ Capacity​ ​to​ ​thrive​ ​within​ ​the​ ​Joint​ ​Medical​ ​Program​ ​learning​ ​environment 
+ Ability​ ​to​ ​make​ ​everyday​ ​and​ ​important​ ​decisions​ ​affecting​ ​yourself​ ​and​ ​others, 
often​ ​without​ ​certainty​ ​about​ ​the​ ​outcome 
+ Interpersonal​ ​and​ ​communication​ ​skills 
+ Degree​ ​of​ ​personal​ ​desire​ ​and​ ​driving​ ​force​ ​to​ ​be​ ​a​ ​doctor 
 
 
How​ ​do​ ​you​ ​prepare? 
 
Refer​ ​to​ ​the​ ​MMI​ ​preparation​ ​notes​ ​above​ ​and​ ​focus​ ​on​ ​the​ ​above​ ​talking​ ​points.​ ​Easy! 
 
Well,​ ​that’s​ ​it​ ​for​ ​the​ ​interview​ ​section. 
 
Regardless​ ​of​ ​the​ ​style​ ​of​ ​interview,​ ​all​ ​medical​ ​interviews​ ​require​ ​a​ ​great​ ​deal​ ​of 
preparation​ ​and​ ​are​ ​best​ ​treated​ ​as​ ​another​ ​exam​ ​that​ ​you​ ​have​ ​to​ ​study​ ​for.  
 
There​ ​are​ ​no​ ​flukes​ ​when​ ​it​ ​comes​ ​to​ ​medicine! 
   

50 
 

05 
The​ ​Best​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Best 
 
 
Now​ ​that​ ​you​ ​know​ ​how​ ​to​ ​get​ ​into​ ​medical​ ​school,​ ​let’s​ ​take​ ​a​ ​look​ ​at​ ​the​ ​best 
universities​ ​in​ ​Australia​ ​and​ ​New​ ​Zealand. 
 
While​ ​there​ ​are​ ​plenty​ ​of​ ​fantastic​ ​universities​ ​in​ ​both​ ​countries,​ ​there​ ​are​ ​a​ ​few​ ​that 
stand​ ​out​ ​from​ ​the​ ​crowd.​ ​Even​ ​though​ ​most​ ​of​ ​them​ ​may​ ​be​ ​harder​ ​to​ ​get​ ​into​ ​than 
other​ ​medical​ ​unis,​ ​it’s​ ​always​ ​good​ ​to​ ​reach​ ​for​ ​the​ ​stars! 
 

New​ ​Zealand 
There​ ​are​ ​only​ ​two​ ​universities​ ​in​ ​New​ ​Zealand​ ​that​ ​offer​ ​medicine,​ ​so​ ​naturally​ ​they 
are​ ​both​ ​on​ ​this​ ​list! 

University​ ​of​ ​Otago:​ ​Dunedin,​ ​New​ ​Zealand 

 
 

51 
 

University​ ​of​ ​Otago​ ​is​ ​New​ ​Zealand's​ ​first​ ​university​​ ​and​ ​it's​ ​also​ ​considered​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the 
best​ ​in​ ​the​ ​medical​ ​field.​ ​Its​ ​medicine​ ​and​ ​dentistry​ ​degrees​ ​are​ r​ anked​ ​in​ ​the​ ​top​ ​100 
of​ ​the​ ​world​,​ ​so​ ​you​ ​know​ ​they​ ​must​ ​be​ ​great!  
 
While​ ​the​ ​uni​ ​does​ ​offer​ ​an​ ​undergraduate​ ​medical​ ​degree,​ ​you’ll​ ​need​ ​to​ ​complete​ ​a 
“Health​ ​Science​ ​First​ ​Year”​ ​degree​ ​and​ ​pass​ ​your​ ​exams​ ​on​ ​the​ ​first​ ​try​ ​with​ ​at​ ​least 
70%​ ​on​ ​each​ ​one​ ​before​ ​continuing​ ​on​ ​to​ ​your​ ​medical​ ​Bachelor's​ ​degree.  
 
Keep​ ​in​ ​mind​ ​that​ ​there​ ​are​ ​about​ ​2,000​ ​students​ ​in​ ​the​ ​first-year​ ​program​ ​and​ ​only 
300​ ​spots​ ​in​ ​the​ ​medical​ ​school​ ​(of​ ​which​ ​a​ ​mere​ ​180​ ​are​ ​for​ ​undergraduates).​ ​Don’t 
get​ ​discouraged​ ​though,​ ​hard​ ​work​ ​can​ ​take​ ​you​ ​far! 
  
Tuition 
+ Local​ ​students:​​ ​$15,087​ ​NZD​ ​a​ ​year 
+ International​ ​students:​​ ​$32,025-$83,200​ ​NZD​ ​a​ ​year,​ ​depending​ ​on​ ​your​ ​course 

Entry​ ​Requirements 
+ Undergraduate:​​ ​UMAT,​ ​Health​ ​Science​ ​First​ ​Year​ ​exams​ ​(pass​ ​with​ ​at​ ​least​ ​70%)  
+ Postgraduate:​​ ​GAMSAT,​ ​Bachelor's​ ​degree​ ​(or​ ​higher) 

Student​ ​Enrolment 
+ Total:​​ ​18,532 
+ International​ ​students:​​ ​3,871 

QS​ ​World​ ​University​ ​Rankings 

+ Overall:​​ ​151 
+ Medicine:​​ ​51-100 
 
Pros 
+ Offers​ ​both​ ​undergraduate​ ​and​ ​graduate​ ​degrees​ ​in​ ​medicine 
+ No​ ​interview​ ​needed  
+ Places​ ​more​ ​emphasis​ ​on​ ​the​ ​UMAT​ ​(33%) 
 
Cons 
+ Ranked​ ​lower​ ​than​ ​The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Auckland 
+ Requires​ ​you​ ​to​ ​spend​ ​all​ ​three​ ​years​ ​of​ ​your​ ​clinical​ ​rotations​ ​in​ ​one​ ​location 
+ Places​ ​more​ ​emphasis​ ​on​ ​the​ ​UMAT​ ​(33%) 
 
Is​ ​it​ ​for​ ​you? 
If​ ​your​ ​interview​ ​skills​ ​aren’t​ ​great​ ​but​ ​your​ ​UMAT​ ​skills​ ​are,​ ​you’ve​ ​got​ ​a​ ​good​ ​chance​ ​of 
getting​ ​into​ ​Otago.​ ​Plus,​ ​the​ ​uni​ ​is​ ​bigger​ ​than​ ​The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Auckland​ ​so​ ​it’s​ ​slightly 
easier​ ​to​ ​get​ ​in​ ​as​ ​more​ ​students​ ​are​ ​admitted​ ​overall.  
 

52 
 

P.S.​​ ​If​ ​you’re​ ​looking​ ​to​ ​escape​ ​the​ ​hustle​ ​and​ ​bustle​ ​of​ ​a​ ​large​ ​city,​ ​you’ll​ ​love​ ​the 
student-centric​ ​town​ ​of​ ​Dunedin.  
 
 

The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Auckland:​ ​Auckland,​ ​New​ ​Zealand 

As​ ​the​ ​highest​ ​ranked​ ​university​ ​in​ ​New​ ​Zealand​,​ ​it’s​ ​no​ ​surprise​ ​that​ ​The​ ​University​ ​of 
Auckland​ ​has​ ​an​ ​excellent​ ​medical​ ​program. 
 
Like​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Otago,​ ​you​ ​need​ ​to​ ​complete​ ​a​ ​separate​ ​first-year​ ​degree,​ ​in​ ​this​ ​case 
eight​ ​units​ ​in​ ​either​ ​the​ ​Bachelor​ ​of​ ​Health​ ​Sciences​ ​(BHSc)​ ​or​ ​the​ ​Bachelor​ ​of​ ​Science 
(BSc​ ​Biomedical​ ​Science),​ ​before​ ​you​ ​can​ ​begin​ ​your​ ​actual​ ​medical​ ​studies. 
 
Only​ ​your​ ​first​ ​attempt​ ​at​ ​these​ ​units​ ​will​ ​count​ ​and​ ​you’ll​ ​need​ ​to​ ​maintain​ ​at​ ​least​ ​a 
6.0​ ​GPA​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​be​ ​considered​ ​for​ ​an​ ​interview. 
 
However,​ ​just​ ​because​ ​you​ ​have​ ​the​ ​minimum​ ​GPA​ ​for​ ​the​ ​program​ ​doesn’t​ ​guarantee 
you​ ​an​ ​interview,​ ​so​ ​make​ ​sure​ ​you’re​ ​constantly​ ​pushing​ ​yourself​ ​during​ ​your​ ​first​ ​year 
in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​increase​ ​your​ ​chances​ ​of​ ​getting​ ​into​ ​the​ ​medical​ ​program. 
 

53 
 

Your​ ​GPA​ ​will​ ​then​ ​be​ ​taken​ ​into​ ​account​ ​along​ ​with​ ​your​ ​UMAT​ ​score​ ​and 
performance​ ​in​ ​the​ ​MMI​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​determine​ ​whether​ ​or​ ​not​ ​you​ ​deserve​ ​a​ ​spot. 
 
The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Auckland’s​ ​medical​ ​program​ ​is​ ​extremely​ ​competitive,​ ​so​ ​you​ ​need​ ​to 
be​ ​an​ ​extremely​ ​competitive​ ​candidate.​ ​Take​ ​into​ ​account​ ​that​ ​there​ ​are​ ​usually 
around​ ​2,000+​ ​students​ ​in​ ​each​ ​first-year​ ​Bachelor’s​ ​program​ ​and​ ​about​ ​1,400​ ​of​ ​those 
are​ ​vying​ ​for​ ​a​ ​spot​ ​in​ ​the​ ​medical​ ​program,​ ​which​ ​only​ ​has​ ​280​ ​spots​ ​in​ ​total.​ ​Not​ ​to 
mention,​ ​only​ ​135​ ​of​ ​those​ ​spots​ ​go​ ​to​ ​students​ ​coming​ ​from​ ​the​ ​first-year​ ​program,​ ​so 
you’re​ ​looking​ ​at​ ​about​ ​a​ ​10%​ ​success​ ​rate.  
 
You​ ​pretty​ ​much​ ​have​ ​to​ ​be​ ​at​ ​the​ ​top​ ​of​ ​your​ ​class​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​secure​ ​a​ ​spot​ ​in​ ​UoA’s 
medical​ ​program.​ ​Get​ ​ready​ ​to​ ​work​ ​hard! 
 

Tuition 
+ Local​ ​students:​​ ​$5,882-$15,082​ ​NZD​ ​a​ ​year,​ ​depending​ ​on​ ​your​ ​year 
+ International​ ​students:​​ ​$32,392-72,896​​ N
​ ZD​ ​a​ ​year,​ ​depending​ ​on​ ​your​ ​year 

Entry​ ​Requirements 
+ Undergraduate:​​ ​UMAT​ ​score​ ​(15%),​ ​first-year​ ​subjects​ ​GPA​ ​(60%),​ ​Multiple​ ​Mini 
Interview​ ​(25%),​ ​competent​ ​in​ ​English​ ​(prerequisite) 
+ Graduate:​​ ​Same​ ​as​ ​above​ ​without​ ​the​ ​need​ ​to​ ​take​ ​the​ ​first-year​ ​subjects 

Student​ ​Enrolment 
+ Total:​​ ​29,461 
+ International​ ​students:​​ ​8,568 

QS​ ​World​ ​University​ ​Rankings 

+ Overall:​​ ​82 
+ Medicine:​​ ​51-100 
 
Pros 
+ Highest​ ​ranked​ ​university​ ​in​ ​New​ ​Zealand 
+ Ability​ ​to​ ​do​ ​your​ ​clinicals​ ​at​ ​three​ ​different​ ​locations;​ ​one​ ​per​ ​year. 
+ Offers​ ​both​ ​undergraduate​ ​and​ ​graduate​ ​degrees​ ​in​ ​medicine 
 
Cons 
+ Extremely​ ​competitive 
+ Multiple​ ​Mini​ ​Interviews​ ​required​ ​for​ ​admissions 
+ You​ ​only​ ​have​ ​two​ ​shots​ ​at​ ​applying​ ​for​ ​the​ ​Bachelor's​ ​program 
 
Is​ ​it​ ​for​ ​you? 

54 
 

Are​ ​you​ ​looking​ ​for​ ​a​ ​great​ ​university​ ​in​ ​a​ ​big​ ​city?​ ​If​ ​so,​ ​you’ll​ ​love​ ​The​ ​University​ ​of 
Auckland.​ ​Just​ ​be​ ​sure​ ​to​ ​brush​ ​up​ ​on​ ​your​ ​interview​ ​skills​ ​before​ ​you​ ​apply.​ ​Luckily​ ​we 
prepped​ ​you​ ​on​ ​that​ ​earlier! 
 
 

Australia 
There​ ​are​ ​many​ ​more​ ​universities​ ​to​ ​choose​ ​from​ ​in​ ​Australia!  
 

The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Sydney:​ ​Sydney,​ ​NSW 

 
The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Sydney​ ​is​ ​the​ ​best​ ​medical​ ​university​ ​in​ ​Australia​ ​and​ ​New​ ​Zealand​. 
 
There’s​ ​just​ ​one​ ​catch:​ ​it​ ​only​ ​offers​ ​a​ ​postgraduate​ ​degree…​ ​sort​ ​of. 
 
While​ ​USyd’s​ ​main​ ​medical​ ​program​ ​only​ ​comes​ ​in​ ​postgraduate​ ​form,​ ​there​ ​is​ ​a​ ​way 
around​ ​it​ ​–​ ​but​ ​it’s​ ​not​ ​easy. 
 
Enter,​ ​the​ ​Double​ ​Degree​ ​Medicine​ ​Program​ ​(DDMP).  

55 
 

 
This​ ​program​ ​lets​ ​high​ ​school​ ​graduates​ ​complete​ ​an​ ​approved​ ​three-year 
undergraduate​ ​degree​ ​in​ ​either​ ​the​ ​arts​ ​or​ ​sciences​ ​and​ ​then​ ​continue​ ​on​ ​to​ ​complete 
a​ ​four-year​ ​Doctor​ ​of​ ​Medicine​ ​(MD)​ ​degree.  
 
Sounds​ ​great,​ ​right? 
 
You’re​ ​not​ ​the​ ​only​ ​one​ ​who​ ​thinks​ ​so.​ T ​ he​ ​dual​ ​program​ ​is​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​most 
competitive​ ​programs​ ​in​ ​the​ ​entire​ ​university.  
 
In​ ​fact,​ ​there​ ​are​ ​only​ ​30​ ​domestic​ ​places​ ​and​ ​10​ ​international​ ​places​ ​available​ ​every 
year.​ ​Not​ ​to​ ​mention,​ ​the​ ​score​ ​expectations​ ​are​ ​absolutely​ ​ridiculous;​ ​you’ll​ ​need​ ​at 
least​ ​a​ ​99.95​ ​ATAR​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​get​ ​in.​ ​Yep,​ ​that’s​ ​no​ ​less​ ​than​ ​a​ ​perfect​ ​score. 
 
To​ ​apply​ ​to​ ​the​ ​MD​ ​as​ ​a​ ​postgrad,​ ​you’ll​ ​need​ ​at​ ​least​ ​a​ ​50​ ​on​ ​your​ ​GAMSAT​ ​and​ ​to​ ​be 
marked​ ​really​ ​well​ ​in​ ​the​ ​MMI. 
 
It’s​ ​no​ ​wonder​ ​USyd’s​ ​medical​ ​program​ ​has​ ​such​ ​a​ ​great​ ​reputation​ ​–​ ​it​ ​only​ ​accepts 
the​ ​best! 
  

Tuition 
+ CSP:​ ​$10,596​ ​AUD​ ​a​ ​year 
+ Domestic​ ​fee​ ​paying​ ​students:​ ​N/A 
+ International​ ​students:​​ ​$76,000​ ​AUD​ ​a​ ​year 

Entry​ ​Requirements 
+ Undergraduate​ ​double​ ​degree:​​ ​Competent​ ​in​ ​English,​ ​99.95​ ​ATAR​ ​(or 
equivalent) 
+ Postgraduate:​​ ​GAMSAT,​ ​MMI,​ ​Bachelor's​ ​degree​ ​GPA 

Student​ ​Enrolment 
+ Total:​​ ​29,461 
+ International​ ​students:​ ​8,568 

QS​ ​World​ ​University​ ​Rankings 

+ Overall:​​ ​50 
+ Medicine:​​ ​15 
 
Pros 
+ The​ ​best​ ​of​ ​the​ ​best 
+ DDMP 
+ Hands-on​ ​experience​ ​in​ ​year​ ​one​ ​and​ ​two 

56 
 

+ Extensive​ ​international​ ​opportunities 

 
Cons 
+ Very​ ​competitive 
+ Technically​ ​only​ ​a​ ​postgraduate​ ​medical​ ​degree 
 
Is​ ​it​ ​for​ ​you? 
If​ ​you​ ​have​ ​top-notch​ ​grades,​ ​can​ ​talk​ ​your​ ​way​ ​through​ ​anything,​ ​and​ ​have​ ​an 
excellent​ ​GAMSAT​ ​score,​ ​you​ ​may​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​get​ ​into​ ​The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Sydney​ ​and​ ​reap 
the​ ​benefits​ ​of​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​top​ ​20​ ​medical​ ​schools​ ​in​ ​the​ ​world. 
 
If​ ​you​ ​already​ ​have​ ​an​ ​undergrad​ ​degree​ ​and​ ​are​ ​looking​ ​for​ ​a​ ​phenomenal​ ​medical 
program​ ​in​ ​a​ ​lively​ ​city​ ​with​ ​excellent​ ​hands-on​ ​opportunities,​ ​The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Sydney 
is​ ​right​ ​up​ ​your​ ​alley.  
 
 

The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​New​ ​South​ ​Wales:​ ​Kensington,​ ​NSW 

 
 
Unlike​ ​most​ ​schools​ ​on​ ​this​ ​list,​ ​The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​New​ ​South​ ​Wales​ ​(UNSW)​ ​weighs​ ​your 
ATAR​ ​and​ ​your​ ​UMAT/GAMSAT​ ​score​ ​equally,​ ​so​ ​you​ ​need​ ​to​ ​make​ ​sure​ ​your​ ​whole 
application​ ​is​ ​on​ ​point! 
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Luckily,​ ​UNSW’s​ ​interview​ ​process​ ​is​ ​slightly​ ​easier​ ​than​ ​other​ ​universities​ ​because​ ​it 
uses​ ​the​ ​semi-structured​ ​panel​ ​model​ ​instead​ ​of​ ​the​ ​MMI​ ​system.​ ​It’s​ ​still​ ​scary,​ ​but​ ​at 
least​ ​you​ ​only​ ​have​ ​to​ ​prepare​ ​for​ ​one​ ​interview,​ ​not​ ​10!  
 

Tuition 
+ CSP:​​ ​$10,596​ ​AUD​ ​a​ ​year 
+ Domestic​ ​fee​ ​paying​ ​students:​​ ​$32,880​ ​AUD​ ​a​ ​year 
+ International​ ​students:​​ ​$70,140​ ​AUD​ ​a​ ​year  

Entry​ ​Requirements 
+ Undergraduate:​​ ​Academic​ ​rank,​ ​a​ ​raw​ ​score​ ​of​ ​at​ ​least​ ​50​ ​in​ ​each​ ​UMAT​ ​section 
(however​ ​there​ ​is​ ​wiggle​ ​room​ ​depending​ ​on​ ​your​ ​ATAR​ ​score),​ ​and​ ​interview 
mark 
+ Postgraduate:​​ ​Academic​ ​rank,​ ​GAMSAT​ ​score,​ ​and​ ​interview​ ​mark 

Student​ ​Enrolment 
+ Total:​​ ​39,784 
+ International​ ​students:​​ ​14,292 

QS​ ​World​ ​University​ ​Rankings 

+ Overall:​​ ​45 
+ Medicine:​​ ​50 
 
Pros 
+ Undergraduate​ ​program​ ​available 
+ The​ ​only​ ​university​ ​in​ ​Australia​ ​to​ ​offer​ ​an​ ​Exercise​ ​Physiology​ ​course​ ​as​ ​part​ ​of 
its​ ​medical​ ​program 
+ Semi-structured​ ​interview​ ​required​ ​(easier​ ​than​ ​the​ ​MMI!) 
+ ATAR​ ​and​ ​UMAT​ ​scores​ ​are​ ​weighted​ ​equally,​ ​so​ ​there’s​ ​a​ ​bit​ ​of​ ​wiggle​ ​room 
+ Lower​ ​minimum​ ​ATAR​ ​requirement​ ​than​ ​The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Sydney​ ​(96.00​ ​vs. 
99.95) 
 
Cons 
+ Not​ ​ranked​ ​as​ ​high​ ​as​ ​The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Sydney 
+ UMAT​ ​and​ ​ATAR​ ​scores​ ​are​ ​weighted​ ​equally 
 
Is​ ​it​ ​for​ ​you? 
If​ ​you​ ​have​ ​a​ ​strong​ ​ATAR​ ​and​ ​UMAT/GAMSAT​ ​score,​ ​you​ ​shouldn’t​ ​have​ ​a​ ​problem 
landing​ ​an​ ​interview​ ​at​ ​The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​New​ ​South​ ​Wales.​ ​While​ ​the​ ​uni​ ​has​ ​a​ ​great 
medical​ ​program​ ​overall,​ ​if​ ​you​ ​have​ ​any​ ​interest​ ​in​ ​exercise​ ​medicine,​ ​UNSW​ ​is​ ​the 
place​ ​to​ ​be.  

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The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Melbourne:​ ​Melbourne,​ ​VIC 

 
The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Melbourne’s​ ​medical​ ​program​ ​is​ ​structured​ ​somewhat​ ​like​ ​The 
University​ ​of​ ​Sydney’s​ ​in​ ​that​ ​there’s​ ​no​ ​actual​ ​undergraduate​ ​medical​ ​degree,​ ​but 
there​ ​is​ ​a​ ​dual​ ​degree​ ​program​. 
 
However,​ ​unlike​ ​USyd,​ ​getting​ ​into​ ​Melbourne’s​ ​undergrad​ ​program​ ​doesn’t​ ​guarantee 
you​ ​a​ ​spot​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Doctor​ ​of​ ​Medicine.​ ​All​ ​offers​ ​are​ ​provisional​​ ​and​ ​are​ ​assessed​ ​based 
on​ ​your​ ​undergraduate​ ​scores​ ​so​ ​you’ll​ ​need​ ​to​ ​work​ ​hard​ ​to​ ​secure​ ​your​ ​place​ ​in​ ​med 
school. 
 
Although​ ​your​ ​pre-med​ ​study​ ​won’t​ ​be​ ​all​ ​fun​ ​and​ ​games,​ ​Melbourne​ ​uni​ ​offers​ ​a 
range​ ​of​ ​undergraduate​ ​degrees​ ​to​ ​choose​ ​from​ ​in​ ​its​ ​dual​ ​degree​ ​program,​ ​such​ ​as 
biomedicine​ ​and​ ​psychology.​ ​Keep​ ​in​ ​mind​ ​that​ ​you'll​ ​have​ ​to​ ​complete​ ​anatomy, 
physiology,​ ​and​ ​biochemistry​ ​at​ ​second-year​ ​level​ ​regardless​ ​of​ ​what​ ​you​ ​major​ ​in. 
 
Once​ ​you’re​ ​in​ ​the​ ​MD,​ ​you’re​ ​guaranteed​ ​a​ ​top​ ​of​ ​the​ ​range​ ​medical​ ​education.   
 

Tuition 
+ CSP:​​ ​$10,596​ ​AUD​ ​a​ ​year 

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+ Domestic​ ​fee​ ​paying​ ​students:​​ ​$68,490​ ​AUD​ ​a​ ​year 

+ International​ ​students:​​ ​$62,063-$81,280​ ​AUD​ ​a​ ​year,​ ​depending​ ​on​ ​your​ ​course 

Entry​ ​Requirements 
+ Undergraduate:​​ ​95+​ ​ATAR​ ​(or​ ​equivalent) 
+ Postgraduate:​​ ​GAMSAT​ ​score,​ ​MMI,​ ​undergraduate​ ​degree​ ​with​ ​a​ ​strong​ ​GPA, 
competent​ ​in​ ​English 

Student​ ​Enrolment 
+ Total:​​ ​42,182 
+ International​ ​students:​​ ​18,030 

QS​ ​World​ ​University​ ​Rankings 

+ Overall:​​ ​41 
+ Medicine:​​ ​19 
 
Pros 
+ Highest​ ​ranked​ ​research​ ​university​ ​in​ ​Australia 
+ Top​ ​20​ ​in​ ​the​ ​world​ ​for​ ​medicine  
+ Double​ ​degree​ ​option​ ​(Bachelor’s/MD)​ ​available 
+ Large​ ​student​ ​body 
 
Cons 
+ Very​ ​expensive 
+ The​ ​double​ ​degree​ ​doesn’t​ ​guarantee​ ​admission​ ​into​ ​the​ ​graduate​ ​program 
+ Large​ ​student​ ​body 
 
 
Is​ ​it​ ​for​ ​you? 
Are​ ​you​ ​looking​ ​to​ ​go​ ​to​ ​a​ ​top​ ​20​ ​university?​ ​Do​ ​you​ ​have​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​of​ ​money​ ​to​ ​spend?​ ​Are 
you​ ​confident​ ​in​ ​your​ ​ability​ ​to​ ​get​ ​great​ ​grades​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​you​ ​make​ ​it​ ​into​ ​the​ ​MD 
program?​ ​If​ ​so,​ ​you’ll​ ​do​ ​just​ ​fine​ ​at​ ​The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Melbourne.​ ​If​ ​not,​ ​you​ ​may​ ​want​ ​to 
reassess​ ​your​ ​options.  
 
 

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Monash​ ​University:​ ​Melbourne,​ ​VIC  

 
Finally,​ ​an​ ​undergraduate​ ​medical​ ​program​ ​in​ ​Victoria!  
 
Don’t​ ​get​ ​too​ ​excited​ ​quite​ ​yet;​ ​the​ ​famed​ ​program​ ​isn’t​ ​very​ ​easy​ ​to​ ​get​ ​into.  
 
Your​ ​ATAR​ ​must​ ​be​ ​above​ ​90​ ​to​ ​apply,​ ​but​ ​the​ ​better​ ​your​ ​grades,​ ​the​ ​more​ ​likely​ ​you 
are​ ​to​ ​get​ ​in.​ ​You’ll​ ​also​ ​need​ ​to​ ​sit​ ​the​ ​UMAT​ ​and​ ​go​ ​through​ ​a​ ​tedious​ ​interview 
process​ ​that​ ​covers​ ​seven​ ​assessment​ ​categories: 
 
1. Motivation 
2. Communication​ ​skills 
3. Critical​ ​thinking 
4. Ethical​ ​reasoning 
5. Empathic​ ​reasoning 
6. Teamwork​ ​and​ ​collaboration 
7. Advocacy 
 

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Only​ ​after​ ​completing​ ​(and​ ​exceeding)​ ​all​ ​of​ ​these​ ​requirements​ ​will​ ​you​ ​be​ ​offered​ ​a 
place​ ​at​ ​Monash. 
 
Get​ ​to​ ​work!​ ​You​ ​have​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​to​ ​prepare​ ​for.  
 

Tuition 
+ CSP:​​ ​$10,596​ ​AUD​ ​a​ ​year 
+ Domestic​ ​fee​ ​paying​ ​students:​​ ​$58,554​ ​AUD​ ​a​ ​year 
+ International​ ​students:​​ ​$68,546​ ​AUD​ ​a​ ​year  

Entry​ ​Requirements 
+ Undergraduate:​ ​At​ ​least​ ​50​ ​in​ ​each​ ​UMAT​ ​section,​ ​94​ ​ATAR​ ​(or​ ​equivalent),​ ​MMI, 
school​ ​subject​ ​prerequisites​ ​(maths,​ ​English,​ ​science) 
+ Postgraduate:​​ ​GAMSAT,​ ​MMI,​ ​Bachelor's​ ​degree​ ​(or​ ​equivalent) 

Student​ ​Enrolment 
+ Total:​​ ​57,433 
+ International​ ​students:​​ ​20,578 

QS​ ​World​ ​University​ ​Rankings 

+ Overall:​​ ​60 
+ Medicine:​​ ​=29 
 
Pros 
+ Bachelor’s​ ​degree​ ​in​ ​medicine​ ​available 
+ Short​ ​five-year​ ​degree 
+ Less​ ​expensive​ ​than​ ​The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Melbourne 
 
Cons 
+ Not​ ​as​ ​internationally​ ​recognised​ ​as​ ​some​ ​of​ ​the​ ​other​ ​unis​ ​on​ ​this​ ​list 
+ MMI​ ​system 
 
Is​ ​it​ ​for​ ​you? 
If​ ​you​ ​are​ ​dead​ ​set​ ​on​ ​getting​ ​an​ ​undergraduate​ ​degree​ ​in​ ​medicine,​ ​Monash​ ​might​ ​be 
your​ ​best​ ​bet.​ ​Just​ ​remember,​ ​you’ll​ ​need​ ​to​ ​work​ ​really​ ​hard​ ​in​ ​high​ ​school​ ​to​ ​get​ ​in.  
 
 
 
 

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The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Queensland:​ ​Brisbane,​ ​QLD 

 
The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Queensland​ ​only​ ​offers​ ​a​ ​postgraduate​ ​medical​ ​degree​​ ​but​ ​there​ ​is​ ​a 
“provisional​ ​pathways”​ ​option,​ ​which​ ​gives​ ​you​ ​the​ ​ability​ ​to​ ​get​ ​into​ ​the​ ​medical 
program​ ​if​ ​you​ ​meet​ ​certain​ ​requirements​ ​while​ ​completing​ ​your​ ​undergraduate 
degree. 
 
You​ ​must​ ​complete​ ​your​ ​undergraduate​ ​degree​ ​in​ ​a​ ​certain​ ​amount​ ​of​ ​time​ ​and 
achieve​ ​an​ ​overall​ ​GPA​ ​of​ ​5.0​ ​or​ ​more.​ ​While​ ​these​ ​requirements​ ​don’t​ ​sound​ ​too 
difficult​ ​to​ ​meet,​ ​the​ ​truth​ ​is,​ ​your​ ​GPA​ ​must​ ​be​ ​much​ ​higher​ ​than​ ​a​ ​5.0​ ​if​ ​you​ ​actually 
want​ ​to​ ​get​ ​into​ ​the​ ​program​ ​because​ ​there​ ​are​ ​only​ ​280​ ​positions​ ​available​​ ​and​ ​only 
140​ ​of​ ​them​ ​are​ ​offered​ ​to​ ​provisional​ ​pathway​ ​students.  
 
Basically,​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​get​ ​in,​ ​you​ ​must​ ​be​ ​a​ ​top​ ​student.  
 
The​ ​good​ ​news​ ​is​ ​that​ ​you​ ​don’t​ ​have​ ​to​ ​go​ ​through​ ​any​ ​interviews​ ​to​ ​get​ ​accepted.  
 

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Thank​ ​goodness​ ​for​ ​that!  

 

Tuition 
+ CSP:​​ ​$10,596​ ​AUD​ ​a​ ​year 
+ Domestic​ ​fee​ ​paying​ ​students:​​ ​N/A 
+ International​ ​students:​​ ​$32,086-$69,062​ ​AUD​ ​a​ ​year,​ ​depending​ ​on​ ​your​ ​course 

Entry​ ​Requirements 
+ Undergraduate:​​ ​Queensland​ ​Year​ ​12​ ​English​ ​(or​ ​equivalent),​ ​high​ ​school​ ​OP​ ​1​ ​or 
99​ ​Entry​ ​Rank​ ​(or​ ​equivalent),​ ​and​ ​a​ ​competitive​ ​overall​ ​UMAT​ ​score​ ​with​ ​at​ ​least 
a​ ​50​ ​in​ ​each​ ​section 
+ Postgraduate:​​ ​A​ ​previous​ ​degree​ ​or​ ​qualification​ ​with​ ​a​ ​minimum​ ​set​ ​GPA, 
relevant​ ​professional​ ​experience,​ ​compliance​ ​with​ ​special​ ​entry​ ​requirements, 
GAMSAT​ ​score 

Student​ ​Enrolment 
+ Total:​​ ​37,497 
+ International​ ​students:​​ ​10,420 

QS​ ​World​ ​University​ ​Rankings 

+ Overall:​​ ​47 
+ Medicine:​​ ​=42 
 
Pros 
+ Provisional​ ​pathways​ ​available 
+ No​ ​interview 
 
Cons 
+ Very​ ​competitive​ ​due​ ​to​ ​limited​ ​number​ ​of​ ​spots 
+ No​ ​chance​ ​to​ ​prove​ ​your​ ​social​ ​skills​ ​in​ ​an​ ​interview 
+ More​ ​weight​ ​on​ ​academic​ ​grades​ ​and​ ​exam​ ​scores 
 
Is​ ​it​ ​for​ ​you? 
If​ ​the​ ​thought​ ​of​ ​doing​ ​an​ ​interview​ ​freaks​ ​you​ ​out​ ​but​ ​you​ ​still​ ​want​ ​to​ ​become​ ​a 
doctor,​ ​UQ’s​ ​admissions​ ​process​ ​is​ ​perfect​ ​for​ ​you.​ ​However,​ ​you’ll​ ​need​ ​a​ ​pretty​ ​good 
academic​ ​record​ ​and​ ​rockstar​ ​exam​ ​scores​ ​to​ ​get​ ​in,​ ​especially​ ​directly​ ​out​ ​of​ ​high 
school.  
 
 

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06 
The​ ​Cost​ ​of​ ​Studying​ ​Medicine 
 

It’s​ ​no​ ​secret​ ​that​ ​medical​ ​school​ ​around​ ​the 

world​ ​is​ ​expensive​ ​and,​ ​unfortunately,​ ​it’s​ ​not 
any​ ​cheaper​ ​in​ ​Australia​ ​or​ ​New​ ​Zealand.  
 
However,​ ​the​ ​cost​ ​of​ ​medical​ ​school​ ​shouldn’t 
stop​ ​you​ ​from​ ​pursuing​ ​your​ ​dreams.​ ​There​ ​are 
many​ ​different​ ​ways​ ​you​ ​can​ ​finance​ ​your 
education,​ ​so​ ​don’t​ ​give​ ​up​ ​quite​ ​yet! 
 
Keep​ ​in​ ​mind​ ​that,​ ​depending​ ​on​ ​your 
program,​ ​you​ ​are​ ​likely​ ​to​ ​be​ ​in​ ​school​ ​for​ ​four 
to​ ​eight​ ​years​​ ​so​ ​figuring​ ​out​ ​an​ ​accurate 
budget​ ​is​ ​really​ ​important.  
 
First,​ ​let’s​ ​take​ ​a​ ​look​ ​at​ ​the​ ​expenses. 

New​ ​Zealand​ ​Expenses 

The​ ​average​ ​medical​ ​tuition​​ ​in​ ​New​ ​Zealand​ ​for​ ​citizens,​ ​residents,​ ​and​ ​Australians​ ​is 
about​ ​$15,249​ ​NZD​ ​a​ ​year​. 
 
As​ ​an​​ ​international​ ​student​,​ ​you’re​ ​looking​ ​at​ ​closer​ ​to​ ​between​ $ ​ 32,376-$78,907​ ​NZD 
a​ ​year​,​ ​depending​ ​on​ ​your​ ​course.  
 
But​ ​wait!  
 
Obviously​ ​going​ ​to​ ​a​ ​university​ ​costs​ ​more​ ​than​ ​just​ ​tuition;​ ​you’ll​ ​also​ ​need​ ​to​ ​find​ ​a 
place​ ​to​ ​live,​ ​buy​ ​meals​ ​and​ ​of​ ​course,​ ​have​ ​a​ ​little​ ​fun​ ​every​ ​once​ ​in​ ​awhile! 
 
Thankfully,​ ​while​ ​medical​ ​school​ ​expenses​ ​are​ ​costly​ ​in​ ​New​ ​Zealand,​ ​daily​ ​life​ ​is​ ​not 
quite​ ​as​ ​pricey.  
 
If​ ​you​ ​are​ ​planning​ ​to​ ​attend​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Otago,​ ​you​ ​should​ ​expect​ ​to​ ​spend​ ​about 
$16,647-$18,866​ ​NZD​ ​an​ ​academic​ ​year​ ​on​ ​living​ ​expenses,​ ​including​ ​your​ ​housing. 
 

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Since​ ​The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Auckland​ ​is​ ​located​ ​in​ ​the​ ​heart​ ​of​ ​a​ ​big​ ​city,​ ​living​ ​costs​ ​are​ ​a 
bit​ ​higher​ ​and​ ​you​ ​should​ ​expect​ ​to​ ​spend​ ​an​ ​average​ ​of​ ​$15,182-$25,969​ ​NZD​ ​an 
academic​ ​year,​ ​including​ ​housing.  
 
The​ ​majority​ ​of​ ​those​ ​budgets​ ​will​ ​most​ ​likely​ ​be​ ​spent​ ​on​ ​your​ ​accommodation​ ​but 
the​ ​rest​ ​of​ ​it​ ​will​ ​be​ ​spent​ ​on​ ​food,​ ​drinks,​ ​and​ ​textbooks,​ ​etc. 
 
Take​ ​a​ ​look​ ​at​ ​the​ ​average​ ​cost​ ​of​ ​typical​ ​items​ ​below: 
 
+ Inexpensive​ ​meal​ ​at​ ​a​ ​restaurant:​​ ​$15.31​ ​NZD​ ​in​ ​both​ ​cities 
+ A​ ​domestic​ ​beer​ ​at​ ​a​ ​restaurant:​​ ​$9.12​ ​NZD​ ​in​ ​Dunedin,​ ​$8.61​ ​NZD​ ​in​ ​Auckland 
+ Coffee:​​ ​$4.44​ ​NZD​ ​in​ ​Dunedin,​ ​$4.59​ ​NZD​ ​in​ ​Auckland 
+ Water​ ​bottle:​​ ​$2.40​ ​NZD​ ​in​ ​Dunedin,​ ​$2.72​ ​NZD​ ​in​ ​Auckland 
+ A​ ​loaf​ ​of​ ​fresh​ ​bread:​​ ​$1.74​ ​NZD​ ​in​ ​Dunedin,​ ​$2.30​ ​NZD​ ​in​ ​Auckland 
+ One-way​ ​local​ ​public​ ​transport​ ​ticket:​​ ​$3.04​ ​NZD​ ​in​ ​Dunedin,​ ​$3.54​ ​NZD​ ​in 
Auckland 
+ Movie​ ​ticket:​​ ​$14.18​ ​NZD​ ​in​ ​Dunedin,​ ​$18.23​ ​NZD​ ​in​ ​Auckland 
 
Depending​ ​on​ ​where​ ​you’re​ ​from,​ ​these​ ​items​ ​may​ ​seem​ ​ridiculously​ ​expensive​ ​or​ ​they 
may​ ​seem​ ​very​ ​inexpensive​ ​to​ ​you. 
 
Either​ ​way,​ ​it’s​ ​very​ ​important​ ​to​ ​think​ ​about​ ​costs​ ​outside​ ​of​ ​tuition​ ​when​ ​you’re 
looking​ ​into​ ​medical​ ​school. 
 

Australia​ ​Expenses 
There​ ​are​ ​three​ ​different​ ​prices​ ​for​ ​Australian​ ​universities. 
1. Commonwealth​ ​Supported​ ​Place​ ​(CSP)​ ​price:​​ ​ ​Eligible​ ​Australian​ ​citizens​ ​only​ ​as 
of​ ​2018 
2. Domestic​ ​price:​​ ​All​ ​other​ ​Australian​ ​citizens 
3. International​ ​price:​ ​The​ ​rest​ ​of​ ​the​ ​world,​ ​including​ ​New​ ​Zealand  
 
If​ ​you​ ​are​ ​an​ ​Australian​ ​citizen,​ ​you​ ​are​ ​automatically​ ​eligible​ ​for​ ​a​ ​CSP.​ ​However,​ ​you 
must​ ​apply​ ​and​ ​will​ ​be​ ​assessed​ ​based​ ​on​ ​merit​ ​or​ ​your​ ​ability​ ​to​ ​meet​ ​your​ ​course 
requirements. 
 
CSPs​ ​are​ ​government​ ​subsidies​ ​that​ ​do​ ​not​ ​need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​paid​ ​back.​ ​Basically,​ ​the 
government​ ​covers​ ​part​ ​of​ ​your​ ​tuition​ ​and​ ​you​ ​are​ ​expected​ ​to​ ​pay​ ​the​ ​rest​ ​through 
your​ ​“student​ ​contribution​ ​amount”.​ ​The​ ​amount​ ​you’ll​ ​need​ ​to​ ​contribute​ ​is​ ​based​ ​on 
your​ ​course.  
 

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Most​ ​public​ ​(and​ ​some​ ​private)​ ​universities​ ​in​ ​Australia​ ​offer​ ​CSPs​ ​for​ ​the​ ​majority​ ​of 
their​ ​undergraduate​ ​courses​ ​and​ ​a​ ​few​ ​of​ ​the​ ​graduate​ ​courses.  
 
 
The​ ​current​ ​student​ ​contribution​ ​amounts​ ​are​ ​as​ ​follows: 
 
Band​ ​3:​​ ​Law,​ ​dentistry,​ ​medicine,​ ​veterinary​ ​science,​ ​accounting,​ ​administration, 
economics,​ ​and​ ​commerce:​ ​$0-$10,596​ ​AUD​ ​a​ ​year   
 
Band​ ​2:​​ ​Computing,​ ​built​ ​environment,​ ​other​ ​health,​ ​allied​ ​health,​ ​engineering, 
surveying,​ ​agriculture,​ ​mathematics,​ ​statistics,​ ​and​ ​science:​ ​$0-$9,050​ ​AUD​ ​a​ ​year 
 
Band​ ​1:​​ ​Humanities,​ ​behavioral​ ​science,​ ​social​ ​studies,​ ​education,​ ​clinical​ ​psychology, 
foreign​ ​languages,​ ​visual​ ​and​ ​performing​ ​arts,​ ​and​ ​nursing:​ ​$0-$6,349​ ​AUD​ ​a​ ​year 
 
Not​ ​so​ ​bad,​ ​right? 
 
If​ ​you​ ​are​ ​an​ ​Australian​ ​citizen​ ​and​ ​aren’t​ ​eligible​ ​for​ ​CSPs​ ​(sorry​ ​Kiwis,​ ​as​ ​of​ ​2018​ ​you 
are​ ​no​ ​longer​ ​eligible​ ​for​ ​CSPs),​ ​you​ ​will​ ​pay​ ​what’s​ ​called​ ​a​ ​domestic​ ​“full​ ​fee”​. 
 
These​ ​fees​ ​vary​ ​from​ ​university​ ​to​ ​university​ ​but​ ​are​ ​usually​ ​closer​ ​to​ ​the​ ​international 
prices​ ​than​ ​the​ ​CSP​ ​prices.  
 
For​ ​example,​ ​studying​ ​medicine​ ​at​ ​Western​ ​Sydney​ ​University​ ​would​ ​cost​ ​a​ ​CSP 
$10,596​ ​AUD​ ​a​ ​year,​ ​a​ ​domestic​ ​student​ ​$42,320​ ​AUD​ ​a​ ​year,​ ​and​ ​an​ ​international 
student​ ​$60,760​ ​AUD​ ​a​ ​year 
 
The​ ​moral​ ​of​ ​the​ ​story​ ​is,​ ​if​ ​you​ ​are​ ​an​ ​Australian​ ​citizen,​ ​try​ ​to​ ​get​ ​a​ ​CSP! 
 
Like​ ​New​ ​Zealand,​ ​where​ ​you​ ​decide​ ​to​ ​go​ ​to​ ​uni​ ​makes​ ​a​ ​big​ ​impact​ ​on​ ​how​ ​much 
additional​ ​money​ ​you’ll​ ​need​ ​every​ ​year.  
 
Let’s​ ​take​ ​a​ ​look​ ​at​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​most​ ​expensive​ ​cities​ ​to​ ​go​ ​to​ ​uni​ ​in​ ​and​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the 
cheapest: 
 
Sydney​ ​vs.​ ​Hobart. 
 
If​ ​you​ ​are​ ​looking​ ​to​ ​study​ ​in​ ​Sydney,​ ​you​ ​should​ ​expect​ ​to​ ​spend​ ​between​ ​$13,517 
(tight​ ​budgeting​ ​required)​ ​and​ ​$48,436​ ​AUD​ ​(if​ ​you​ ​get​ ​the​ ​nicest​ ​place​ ​and​ ​the​ ​most 
expensive​ ​groceries,​ ​etc.)​ ​per​ ​academic​ ​year,​ ​including​ ​housing. 
 
On​ ​the​ ​other​ ​hand,​ ​if​ ​you​ ​want​ ​to​ ​go​ ​to​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Tasmania​ ​in​ ​Hobart,​ ​your​ ​cost​ ​of 
living​ ​will​ ​be​ ​between​ ​$9,372​ ​and​ ​$28,101​ ​AUD​ ​per​ ​academic​ ​year,​ ​including​ ​housing. 

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Take​ ​a​ ​look​ ​at​ ​the​ ​average​ ​cost​ ​of​ ​typical​ ​items​ ​below: 
 
+ Inexpensive​ ​meal​ ​at​ ​a​ ​restaurant:​​ ​$15.12​ ​AUD​ ​in​ ​Sydney,​ ​$19.15​ ​AUD​ ​in​ ​Hobart 
+ A​ ​domestic​ ​beer​ ​at​ ​a​ ​restaurant:​​ ​$7.06​ ​in​ ​both​ ​cities 
+ Coffee:​​ ​$3.90​ ​AUD​ ​in​ ​Sydney,​ ​$4.47​ ​AUD​ ​in​ ​Hobart 
+ Water​ ​bottle:​​ ​$2.66​ ​AUD​ ​in​ ​Sydney,​ ​$2.58​ ​AUD​ ​in​ ​Hobart 
+ A​ ​loaf​ ​of​ ​fresh​ ​bread:​ ​$2.58​ ​AUD​ ​in​ ​both​ ​cities 
+ One​ ​way​ ​local​ ​transportation​ ​ticket:​​ ​$4.03​ ​AUD​ ​in​ ​Sydney,​ ​$3.13​ ​AUD​ ​in​ ​Hobart 
+ Movie​ ​ticket:​​ ​$20.15​ ​AUD​ ​in​ ​Sydney,​ ​$18.11​ ​AUD​ ​in​ ​Hobart 
 
If​ ​you’re​ ​wondering​ ​why​ ​Sydney​ ​requires​ ​so​ ​much​ ​more​ ​cash​ ​per​ ​month​ ​than​ ​Hobart 
(since​ ​the​ ​numbers​ ​above​ ​are​ ​quite​ ​similar),​ ​check​ ​out​ ​the​ ​difference​ ​in​ ​rent! 
 
One​ ​bedroom​ ​apartment​ ​(per​ ​month):​​ ​$2,656​ ​AUD​ ​in​ ​Sydney,​ ​$1,148​ ​AUD​ ​in​ ​Hobart 
 

Funding​ ​Options:​ ​New​ ​Zealand  

Unfortunately,​ ​neither​ ​New​ ​Zealand​ ​nor​ ​Australia​ ​have​ ​very​ ​robust​ ​financial​ ​aid​ ​options, 
especially​ ​if​ ​you’re​ ​an​ ​undergraduate​ ​international​ ​student. 
 
If​ ​you​ ​are​ ​a​ ​New​ ​Zealand​ ​or​ ​Australian​ ​citizen​ ​you​ ​have​ ​access​ ​to​ ​government 
student​ ​loans,​ ​which​ ​cover​ ​your​ ​tuition​ ​and​ ​living​ ​costs.  
 
You​ ​don’t​ ​need​ ​to​ ​pay​ ​back​ ​your​ ​loan​ ​until​ ​you​ ​start​ ​making​ ​more​ ​than​ ​$19,804​ ​NZD​ ​a 
year​ ​(pre​ ​tax).​ ​Plus,​ ​your​ ​loan​ ​is​ ​interest​ ​free​ ​unless​ ​you​ ​leave​ ​New​ ​Zealand​ ​for​ ​six 
months​ ​or​ ​more.  
 
On​ ​top​ ​of​ ​your​ ​government​ ​loans,​ ​you​ ​may​ ​also​ ​be​ ​eligible​ ​for​ ​a​ ​weekly​ ​allowance​ ​that 
you​ ​don’t​ ​need​ ​to​ ​pay​ ​back.​ ​The​ ​amount​ ​you​ ​get​ ​depends​ ​on​ ​your​ ​relationship​ ​with 
your​ ​parents,​ ​their​ ​income,​ ​your​ ​living​ ​situation,​ ​your​ ​relationship​ ​status,​ ​and​ ​whether​ ​or 
not​ ​you​ ​have​ ​kids.  
 
If​ ​you​ ​are​ ​an​ ​international​ ​student,​ ​however,​ ​none​ ​of​ ​these​ ​options​ ​apply​ ​to​ ​you. 
Luckily,​ ​there​ ​are​ ​quite​ ​a​ ​few​ ​scholarships​ ​available​ ​through​ ​both​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Otago 
and​ ​The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Auckland​.​ ​Keep​ ​in​ ​mind​ ​that​ ​the​ ​majority​ ​of​ ​these​ ​scholarships 
are​ ​for​ ​postgraduate​ ​students​,​ ​but​ ​there​ ​are​ ​a​ ​few​ ​for​ ​undergraduates​ ​as​ ​well.​ ​Just 
another​ ​reason​ ​to​ ​keep​ ​your​ ​grades​ ​up​ ​and​ ​make​ ​sure​ ​you​ ​are​ ​as​ ​qualified​ ​as​ ​possible!  
 
You​ ​may​ ​also​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​work​ ​up​ ​to​ ​20​ ​hours​ ​a​ ​week​ ​during​ ​your​ ​term​ ​and​ ​full​ ​time​ ​in 
the​ ​holidays​ ​while​ ​in​ ​New​ ​Zealand​ ​on​ ​a​ ​student​ ​visa​ ​to​ ​supplement​ ​your​ ​income​ ​and 
help​ ​pay​ ​for​ ​school.​ ​Thanks​ ​Kiwi​ ​government! 
68 
 

 
If​ ​you’re​ ​still​ ​struggling​ ​to​ ​find​ ​the​ ​money​ ​to​ ​pay​ ​for​ ​your​ ​education,​ ​reach​ ​out​ ​to​ ​your 
local​ ​government​ ​or​ ​companies​ ​based​ ​in​ ​your​ ​home​ ​country.​ ​Many​ ​offer​ ​funding​ ​to 
university​ ​students,​ ​but​ ​keep​ ​in​ ​mind​ ​that​ ​they​ ​may​ ​want​ ​you​ ​to​ ​return​ ​to​ ​your​ ​country 
once​ ​you​ ​graduate. 
 
P.S.​​ ​As​ ​you​ ​saw​ ​above,​ ​not​ ​all​ ​medical​ ​schools​ ​are​ ​the​ ​same​ ​price.​ ​If​ ​money​ ​is​ ​an​ ​issue, 
pick​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Otago.​ ​Cheaper​ ​tuition,​ ​cheaper​ ​living​ ​costs.​ ​Win-win. 
 

Funding​ ​Options:​ ​Australia 

Unfortunately,​ ​Australia’s​ ​financial​ ​aid​ ​options​ ​aren’t​ ​much​ ​better​ ​than​ ​New​ ​Zealand’s.  
 
If​ ​you​ ​are​ ​lucky​ ​enough​ ​to​ ​receive​ ​a​ ​CSP,​ ​your​ ​costs​ ​are​ ​reduced​ ​dramatically​ ​and​ ​you 
won’t​ ​need​ ​to​ ​pay​ ​the​ ​government​ ​back​ ​at​ ​all.​ ​The​ ​price​ ​you​ ​see​ ​is​ ​what​ ​you​ ​get. 
 
However,​ ​if​ ​you’re​ ​not​ ​eligible​ ​for​ ​a​ ​CSP​ ​your​ ​financial​ ​options​ ​are​ ​limited.  
 
As​ ​an​ ​Australian​ ​student​ ​(and​ ​as​ ​of​ ​2018,​ ​Kiwi​ ​students​ ​too),​ ​you​ ​are​ ​eligible​ ​to​ ​receive 
one​ ​of​ ​three​ ​different​ ​government​ ​loans​ ​to​ ​either​ ​help​ ​you​ ​pay​ ​for​ ​your​ ​student 
contribution​ ​amount​ ​or​ ​your​ ​full​ ​fees.  
 
1. FEE-HELP 
2. HECS-HELP 
3. SA-Help 
 
FEE-HELP​​ ​is​ ​a​ ​loan​ ​from​ ​the​ ​government​ ​that​ ​helps​ ​you​ ​pay​ ​for​ ​all​ ​or​ ​some​ ​of​ ​your 
tuition​ ​fees​​ ​but​ ​can’t​ ​be​ ​used​ ​for​ ​any​ ​living​ ​fees,​ ​including​ ​textbooks.​ ​As​ ​a​ ​medical 
student,​ ​the​ ​maximum​ ​loan​ ​you​ ​can​ ​take​ ​is​ ​$124,238​ ​AUD.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​a​ ​“lifetime”​ ​limit​ ​and 
once​ ​you​ ​borrow​ ​the​ ​max​ ​amount​ ​of​ ​money,​ ​you​ ​can​ ​no​ ​longer​ ​receive​ ​any​ ​money 
from​ ​the​ ​FEE-HELP​ ​scheme. 
 
There​ ​is​ ​a​ ​loan​ ​fee​ ​of​ ​25%​ ​for​ ​undergraduate​ ​courses​ ​only.  
 
In​ ​order​ ​to​ ​use​ ​this​ ​loan,​ ​you​ ​must​ ​be​ ​studying​ ​at​ ​an​ ​“approved”​ ​provider,​ ​so​ ​check​ ​with 
your​ ​uni​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​that​ ​it’s​ ​approved. 
 
Keep​ ​in​ ​mind​ ​that​ ​this​ ​loan​ ​is​ ​only​ ​for​ ​eligible,​ ​domestic​ ​fee-paying​ ​students.​ ​If​ ​you 
receive​ ​a​ ​CSP,​ ​you​ ​are​ ​not​ ​eligible​ ​for​ ​this​ ​loan. 
 

69 
 

On​ ​the​ ​other​ ​hand,​ ​the​ ​HECS-HELP​​ ​loan​ ​is​ ​only​ ​for​ ​CSP​ ​students​.​ ​This​ ​loan​ ​helps​ ​you 
pay​ ​your​ ​student​ ​contribution​ ​amount​ ​if​ ​you​ ​cannot​ ​afford​ ​it.​ ​There​ ​is​ ​no​ ​limit​ ​to​ ​how 
much​ ​you​ ​can​ ​borrow​ ​with​ ​this​ ​loan.  
 
Last​ ​but​ ​not​ ​least,​ ​the​ ​SA-HELP​​ ​loan​ ​can​ ​help​ ​you​ ​pay​ ​for​ ​some​ ​or​ ​all​ ​of​ ​your​ ​student 
services​ ​and​ ​amenities​ ​costs.​​ ​These​ ​fees​ ​include​ ​charges​ ​by​ ​your​ ​university​ ​for 
anything​ ​from​ ​sporting​ ​activities​ ​to​ ​food​ ​services.​ ​Aside​ ​from​ ​the​ ​regular​ ​requirements 
(i.e.​ ​Aussie​ ​or​ ​Kiwi​ ​citizenship,​ ​approved​ ​uni,​ ​etc.),​ ​you​ ​also​ ​need​ ​to​ ​give​ ​the​ ​uni​ ​your​ ​tax 
file​ ​number​ ​or​ ​application​ ​for​ ​one​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​be​ ​eligible​ ​for​ ​this​ ​loan.  
 
Universities​ ​are​ ​only​ ​allowed​ ​to​ ​charge​ ​a​ ​maximum​ ​of​ ​$294​ ​AUD​ ​a​ ​year​​ ​for​ ​these​ ​fees 
and​ ​so,​ ​if​ ​you​ ​are​ ​eligible,​ ​the​ ​maximum​ ​amount​ ​you’ll​ ​receive​ ​each​ ​year​ ​is​ ​$294​ ​AUD. 
 
All​ ​three​ ​HELP​ ​loans​ ​(as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​any​ ​oversees​ ​HELP​ ​loans​ ​you​ ​use)​ ​form​ ​your​ ​total​ ​HELP 
debt,​ ​which​ ​you​ ​need​ ​to​ ​start​ ​repaying​ ​once​ ​your​ ​income​ ​is​ ​above​ ​$54,126​ ​AUD​ ​a​ ​year, 
even​ ​if​ ​you’re​ ​still​ ​in​ ​school.​ ​Your​ ​repayment​ ​rate​ ​depends​ ​on​ ​your​ ​income.​ ​The​ ​more 
you​ ​make,​ ​the​ ​more​ ​you​ ​repay. 
 
If​ ​you​ ​prefer​ ​not​ ​to​ ​take​ ​out​ ​loans,​ ​there​ ​are​ ​a​ ​number​ ​of​ ​scholarships​ ​available​ ​through 
the​ ​individual​ ​universities.​ ​However,​ ​they​ ​are​ ​all​ ​very​ ​competitive​ ​and​ ​many​ ​of​ ​them 
only​ ​give​ ​you​ ​funds​ ​for​ ​your​ ​undergraduate​ ​science​ ​degree​ ​and​ ​not​ ​your​ ​medical 
degree. 
 
For​ ​example, 
1. USyd:​​ ​Scholar's​ ​program​ ​for​ ​Science​ ​degrees​ ​(Advanced​ ​Science,​ ​Medical 
Science)​ ​–​ ​about​ ​$5,000​ ​AUD​ ​per​ ​year  
2. UNSW:​ ​Different​ ​scholarships​ ​carry​ ​different​ ​amounts 
3. UQ:​​ ​Has​ ​scholarship​ ​available​ ​for​ ​up​ ​to​ ​$6,000​ ​per​ ​year 
4. University​ ​of​ ​Tasmania:​​ ​Many​ ​scholarships​ ​available​ ​for​ ​everything​ ​from 
athletics​ ​to​ ​merit 
  
Some​ ​universities​ ​such​ ​as​ ​UNSW​ ​also​ ​have​ ​merit​ ​scholarships​ ​that​ ​don’t​ ​require​ ​an 
application,​ ​which​ ​are​ ​offered​ ​to​ ​the​ ​two​ ​best​ ​candidates​ ​every​ ​year.  
 
As​ ​an​ ​international​ ​student,​ ​your​ ​options​ ​are​ ​even​ ​more​ ​limited​ ​since​ ​you​ ​are​ ​not 
eligible​ ​for​ ​any​ ​government​ ​loans​ ​and​ ​many​ ​scholarships​ ​are​ ​only​ ​for​ ​Aussie​ ​or​ ​Kiwi 
citizens.  
 
However,​ ​there​ ​are​ ​a​ ​few​ ​universities,​ ​such​ ​as​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Tasmania,​ ​that​ ​offer​ ​a 
handful​ ​of​ ​scholarships​ ​for​ ​international​ ​students.   
  
 

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Like​ ​we​ ​mentioned​ ​above,​ ​you​ ​may​ ​also​ ​want​ ​to​ ​check​ ​with​ ​your​ ​local​ ​government​ ​or 
companies​ ​in​ ​your​ ​home​ ​country​ ​for​ ​additional​ ​funding.  
 
And​ ​as​ ​always,​ ​where​ ​you​ ​go​ ​to​ ​uni​ ​can​ ​make​ ​a​ ​huge​ ​difference​ ​in​ ​how​ ​much​ ​your 
total​ ​cost​ ​is​ ​so​ ​if​ ​you’re​ ​really​ ​strapped​ ​for​ ​money​ ​make​ ​sure​ ​to​ ​pick​ ​your​ ​uni​ ​wisely.  

 
 
 
 

 
   

71 
 

07 
Life​ ​After​ ​Medical​ ​School  

 
 
 
 
Now​ ​that​ ​you​ ​know​ ​how​ ​to​ ​get​ ​into​ ​medical 
school,​ ​let’s​ ​take​ ​at​ ​the​ ​timeline​ ​and​ ​what 
happens​ ​after​ ​you​ ​graduate! 
 

The​ ​Med​ ​School​ ​Years 

 
The​ ​amount​ ​of​ ​time​ ​you​ ​spend​ ​in​ ​medical 
school​ ​depends​ ​on​ ​the​ ​country​ ​you​ ​choose,​ ​the 
school​ ​you​ ​choose,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​pathway​ ​you 
choose. 
 
In​ ​both​ ​Australia​ ​and​ ​New​ ​Zealand​ ​you’ll​ ​spend 
about​ ​five​ ​to​ ​six​ ​years​​ ​in​ ​medical​ ​school​ ​as​ ​an 
undergraduate.  
 
If​ ​you​ ​are​ ​studying​ ​at​ ​The​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Sydney,​ ​you’ll​ ​spend​ ​seven​ ​years​ ​in​ ​medical 
school​ ​due​ ​to​ ​the​ ​joint​ ​degree​ ​(three​ ​years​ ​undergraduate,​ ​four​ ​years​ ​medical​ ​school). 
 
Postgraduate​ ​timelines​ ​vary​ ​from​ ​seven​ ​to​ ​nine​ ​years​ ​based​ ​on​ ​the​ ​length​ ​of​ ​your​ ​first 
undergraduate​ ​degree​ ​and​ ​your​ ​postgraduate​ ​medical​ ​degree.  
 
If​ ​you’re​ ​studying​ ​in​ ​New​ ​Zealand,​ ​the​ ​last​ ​year​ ​of​ ​your​ ​studies​ ​will​ ​consist​ ​of​ ​an 
internship​ ​program​ ​during​ ​which​ ​you’ll​ ​be​ ​paid​ ​a​ ​sum​ ​of​ ​money​ ​to​ ​work​ ​as​ ​an 
apprentice​ ​and​ ​rotate​ ​through​ ​different​ ​roles​ ​at​ ​a​ ​hospital. 
 
During​ ​this​ ​last​ ​year​ ​in​ ​NZ,​ ​you’ll​ ​apply​ ​to​ ​be​ ​a​ ​housing​ ​officer​ ​through​ ​a​ ​program​ ​called 
ACE.  
 
ACE​ ​matches​ ​you​ ​up​ ​with​ ​District​ ​Health​ ​Boards​ ​(DHB)​ ​that​ ​you​ ​are​ ​interested​ ​in 
working​ ​for​ ​and​ ​who​ ​want​ ​you.  
 
Then,​ ​once​ ​you​ ​graduate,​ ​you​ ​receive​ ​provisional​ ​registration​ ​through​ ​the​ ​Medical 
Council​ ​of​ ​New​ ​Zealand​ ​(MCNZ).   

72 
 

After​ ​Graduation 
 
Once​ ​you​ ​complete​ ​your​ ​degree​ ​and​ ​your​ ​internship​ ​and​ ​are​ ​given​ ​a​ ​place​ ​at​ ​a​ ​DHB​ ​in 
New​ ​Zealand,​ ​you​ ​become​ ​a​ ​housing​ ​officer.​ ​Basically,​ ​you​ ​are​ ​the​ ​most​ ​junior​ ​doctor 
for​ ​the​ ​next​ ​two​ ​years​ ​so​ ​buckle​ ​your​ ​seatbelt​ ​and​ ​enjoy​ ​the​ ​ride. 
 
You’ll​ ​spend​ ​these​ ​two​ ​years​ ​doing​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​of​ ​administrative​ ​work​ ​while​ ​also​ ​interacting 
with​ ​patients​ ​and​ ​getting​ ​more​ ​exposure​ ​to​ ​different​ ​specialities.​ ​After​ ​you​ ​finish​ ​your 
housing​ ​officer​ ​duties​ ​you​ ​can​ ​apply​ ​for​ ​full​ ​registration​ ​from​ ​MCNZ,​ ​which​ ​allows​ ​you 
to​ ​practise​ ​anywhere​ ​in​ ​NZ. 
 
Australia’s​ ​timeline​ ​is​ ​a​ ​bit​ ​different.​ ​After​ ​you​ ​graduate,​ ​you’ll​ ​complete​ ​a​ ​similar 
year-long​ ​internship​ ​program.​ ​Your​ ​internship​ ​will​ ​consist​ ​of​ ​emergency​ ​medical​ ​care, 
medicine,​ ​surgery,​ ​and​ ​other​ ​areas​ ​such​ ​as​ ​anesthesia​ ​and​ ​rehabilitation​ ​medicine.  
 
Then​ ​you’ll​ ​spend​ ​another​ ​year​ ​or​ ​more​ ​as​ ​a​ ​general​ ​resident,​ ​which​ ​is​ ​very​ ​similar​ ​to 
New​ ​Zealand’s​ ​junior​ ​housing​ ​officer​ ​program.​ ​Eventually,​ ​you’ll​ ​enter​ ​a​ ​specialisation 
training​ ​program,​ ​which​ ​allows​ ​you​ ​to​ ​get​ ​hands-on​ ​experience​ ​in​ ​your​ ​desired​ ​field. 
These​ ​training​ ​programs​ ​could​ ​take​ ​multiple​ ​years​ ​depending​ ​on​ ​the​ ​specialisation. 
 
What​ ​can​ ​we​ ​say,​ ​young​ ​doctors​ ​must​ ​pay​ ​their​ ​dues. 
 
 

Registrar​ ​Programs 
 
From​ ​here​ ​on,​ ​both​ ​countries’​ ​pathways​ ​are​ ​very​ ​similar.​ ​After​ ​gaining​ ​full​ ​registration 
from​ ​MCNZ​ ​or​ ​completing​ ​your​ ​residency,​ ​you’ll​ ​climb​ ​up​ ​the​ ​ladder​ ​and​ ​become​ ​a 
Registrar.  
 
As​ ​a​ ​Registrar​ ​you’re​ ​more​ ​of​ ​a​ ​doctor​ ​than​ ​when​ ​you​ ​were​ ​a​ ​housing​ ​officer/resident, 
but​ ​less​ ​of​ ​a​ ​doctor​ ​than​ ​a​ ​consultant.  
 
Your​ ​job​ ​is​ ​still​ ​relatively​ ​general​ ​until​ ​you​ ​enter​ ​into​ ​a​ ​specialised​ ​training​ ​program. 
However,​ ​entry​ ​into​ ​training​ ​programs​ ​can​ ​take​ ​four​ ​or​ ​more​ ​years​ ​due​ ​to​ ​their 
competitiveness.​ ​Once​ ​you​ ​enter​ ​into​ ​a​ ​training​ ​program,​ ​your​ ​work​ ​will​ ​be​ ​more 
specialised​ ​and​ ​you​ ​can​ ​focus​ ​on​ ​mastering​ ​your​ ​craft​ ​for​ ​the​ ​next​ ​two​ ​to​ ​six​ ​years​ ​or​ ​so.  
 
 

73 
 

The​ ​End 
 
Congrats!​ ​You​ ​made​ ​it! 
 
Once​ ​you​ ​complete​ ​your​ ​Registrar​ ​program,​ ​you’ll​ ​officially​ ​be​ ​a​ ​consultant​ ​or​ ​specialist 
in​ ​your​ ​chosen​ ​field.​ ​Woohoo! 
 
The​ ​path​ ​to​ ​becoming​ ​a​ ​doctor​ ​is​ ​definitely​ ​not​ ​short​ ​or​ ​easy,​ ​regardless​ ​of​ ​which 
country​ ​you​ ​wish​ ​to​ ​practise​ ​in,​ ​but​ ​then​ ​again​ ​the​ ​training​ ​reflects​ ​the​ ​job’s​ ​difficulty. 
 
To​ ​be​ ​honest,​ ​your​ ​educational​ ​journey​ ​never​ ​ends.​ ​In​ ​order​ ​to​ ​be​ ​great​ ​at​ ​your​ ​job, 
you’ll​ ​need​ ​to​ ​constantly​ ​learn​ ​about​ ​the​ ​new​ ​technologies​ ​and​ ​read​ ​the​ ​new​ ​studies​ ​in 
your​ ​field​ ​to​ ​make​ ​sure​ ​you’re​ ​treating​ ​your​ ​patients​ ​to​ ​the​ ​best​ ​of​ ​your​ ​ability.  
 
Trust​ ​the​ ​process​ ​and​ ​know​ ​that​ ​at​ ​the​ ​end​ ​of​ ​the​ ​day,​ ​being​ ​a​ ​doctor​ ​is​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the 
most​ ​rewarding​ ​professions​ ​in​ ​the​ ​world.  
 

 
 
   

74 
 

08 
International​ ​Opportunities 
 
 
 
Even​ ​though​ ​you​ ​might​ ​be​ ​set​ ​on​ ​Australia​ ​or 
New​ ​Zealand​ ​for​ ​medical​ ​school,​ ​don’t​ ​forget​ ​that 
there​ ​are​ ​other​ ​options​ ​around​ ​the​ ​world​​ ​that 
may​ ​be​ ​easier​ ​to​ ​get​ ​into,​ ​cheaper,​ ​or​ ​just​ ​more 
appealing! 
 
Keep​ ​in​ ​mind​ ​that​ ​medicine​ ​in​ ​Australia​ ​and​ ​New 
Zealand​ ​is​ ​very,​ ​very​ ​competitive.​ ​If​ ​you​ ​don’t​ ​get​ ​a 
perfect​ ​ATAR​ ​or​ ​UMAT​ ​score,​ ​you’re​ ​probably​ ​not 
going​ ​to​ ​get​ ​into​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​top​ ​medical 
universities.​ ​Therefore,​ ​you’re​ ​much​ ​better​ ​off 
using​ ​your​ ​great​ ​(but​ ​not​ ​perfect)​ ​scores​ ​to​ ​get 
into​ ​an​ ​Ivy​ ​League​ ​or​ ​Oxbridge​ ​college,​ ​getting​ ​a 
world​ ​class​ ​undergraduate​ ​education,​ ​and​ ​then 
coming​ ​back​ ​to​ ​Australia/New​ ​Zealand​ ​to​ ​study 
medicine​ ​at​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​top​ ​unis.  
 
For​ ​example,​ ​you​ ​need​ ​a​ ​95.00​ ​ATAR​ ​or​ ​above​ ​to​ ​get​ ​into​ ​the​ ​medical​ ​program​ ​at 
University​ ​of​ ​Tasmania,​ ​which​ ​isn’t​ ​necessarily​ ​the​ ​best​ ​school.​ ​However,​ ​with​ ​the​ ​same 
ATAR​ ​you​ ​could​ ​probably​ ​get​ ​a​ ​1500​ ​SAT​ ​score,​ ​which​ ​is​ ​good​ ​enough​ ​to​ ​get​ ​into 
University​ ​of​ ​Pennsylvania​ ​–​ ​an​ ​Ivy​ ​League​ ​college!​ ​By​ ​completing​ ​an​ ​undergraduate 
degree​ ​at​ ​UPenn​ ​first,​ ​you​ ​get​ ​the​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​travel,​ ​expand​ ​your​ ​point​ ​of​ ​view, 
learn​ ​a​ ​new​ ​subject,​ ​and​ ​do​ ​it​ ​all​ ​at​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​top​ ​universities​ ​in​ ​the​ ​world.  
 
Then,​ ​once​ ​you’ve​ ​completed​ ​your​ ​undergraduate​ ​degree,​ ​you’ll​ ​be​ ​in​ ​a​ ​better​ ​position 
to​ ​crush​ ​your​ ​GAMSAT​ ​and​ ​stroll​ ​into​ ​a​ ​place​ ​at​ ​a​ ​top​ ​medical​ ​school,​ ​such​ ​as​ ​The 
University​ ​of​ ​Sydney.​ ​Plus,​ ​your​ ​experience​ ​makes​ ​you​ ​a​ ​unique​ ​and​ ​desirable 
candidate. 
 
Think​ ​about​ ​it,​ ​studying​ ​overseas​ ​will​ ​probably​ ​even​ ​make​ ​you​ ​a​ ​better​ ​doctor​ ​in​ ​the 
long​ ​run,​ ​so​ ​don’t​ ​rule​ ​out​ ​opportunities​ ​abroad​ ​when​ ​deciding​ ​where​ ​to​ ​go​ ​to​ ​school! 
 

75 
 

The​ ​US 
Medicine​ ​in​ ​the​ ​US​ ​is​ ​only​ ​offered​ ​as​ ​a​ ​postgraduate​ ​degree.​ ​However,​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​get 
into​ ​any​ ​medical​ ​program​ ​in​ ​the​ ​US,​ ​you​ ​need​ ​to​ ​complete​ ​certain​ ​courses​ ​during​ ​your 
undergraduate​ ​degree,​ ​such​ ​as​ ​chemistry,​ ​biology,​ ​physics,​ ​and​ ​maths​ ​and​ ​sit​ ​the 
Medical​ ​College​ ​Admissions​ ​Test​ ​(MCAT).  
 
Admissions​ ​officers​ ​also​ ​take​ ​into​ ​account​ ​your​ ​healthcare​ ​and​ ​medical​ ​research 
experiences,​ ​your​ ​interests,​ ​potential​ ​to​ ​contribute​ ​to​ ​your​ ​community,​ ​and​ ​your​ ​drive 
to​ ​help​ ​others,​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​how​ ​you​ ​perform​ ​in​ ​the​ ​interview.  
 

How​ ​to​ ​Prepare 

 
Few​ ​colleges​ ​in​ ​the​ ​US​ ​offer​ ​a​ ​specific​ ​“pre-med”​ ​degree​ ​but​ ​most​ ​students​ ​who​ ​wish 
to​ ​become​ ​doctors​ ​major​ ​in​ ​some​ ​sort​ ​of​ ​science.​​ ​While​ ​what​ ​you​ ​major​ ​in​ ​isn’t​ ​that 
important,​ ​your​ ​GPA​ ​and​ ​specifically​ ​your​ ​grades​ ​in​ ​the​ ​required​ ​courses​ ​are.  
 
Medicine​ ​tends​ ​to​ ​be​ ​a​ ​really​ ​popular​ ​career​ ​path​ ​in​ ​the​ ​US,​ ​so​ ​many​ ​students​ ​go​ ​into 
uni​ ​thinking​ ​they​ ​want​ ​to​ ​be​ ​a​ ​doctor.​ ​Due​ ​to​ ​the​ ​large​ ​influx​ ​of​ ​students,​ ​the​ ​first-year 
required​ ​courses​ ​are​ ​usually​ ​used​ ​as​ ​“weed​ ​out”​ ​courses.  
 
Basically,​ ​the​ ​courses​ ​are​ ​made​ ​to​ ​be​ ​extremely​ ​difficult​ ​to​ ​dissuade​ ​people​ ​from 
continuing​ ​down​ ​the​ ​medical​ ​path.​ ​This​ ​isn’t​ ​the​ ​case​ ​at​ ​all​ ​universities​ ​but​ ​beware; 
you’ll​ ​need​ ​to​ ​work​ ​extra​ ​hard​ ​in​ ​the​ ​US​ ​to​ ​do​ ​well​ ​and​ ​prove​ ​you​ ​are​ ​worthy​ ​of 
pursuing​ ​the​ ​medicine​ ​route.​ ​Sometimes​ ​just​ ​knowing​ ​that​ ​these​ ​types​ ​of​ ​classes​ ​exist 
helps​ ​you​ ​deal​ ​with​ ​their​ ​insane​ ​difficulty.  
 

MCAT 
 
In​ ​order​ ​to​ ​get​ ​into​ ​medical​ ​school,​ ​you​ ​must​ ​sit​ ​the​ ​MCAT.​ ​ ​The​ ​exam​ ​is​ ​designed​ ​to 
test​ ​your​ ​physical​ ​and​ ​biological​ ​science​ ​knowledge,​ ​verbal​ ​reasoning​ ​and​ ​writing​ ​skills, 
and​ ​used​ ​to​ ​gauge​ ​how​ ​well​ ​you’ll​ ​do​ ​in​ ​medical​ ​school. 
 
You​ ​should​ ​take​ ​the​ ​exam​ ​the​ ​calendar​ ​year​ ​before​ ​you​ ​want​ ​to​ ​go​ ​to​ ​medical​ ​school, 
but​ ​you​ ​should​ ​start​ ​preparing​ ​long​ ​before​ ​that. 
 
The​ ​exam​ ​takes​ ​a​ ​total​ ​of​ ​seven​ ​and​ ​a​ ​half​ ​hours​​ ​and​ ​even​ ​though​ ​it’s​ ​all​ ​multiple 
choice,​ ​it’s​ ​certainly​ ​not​ ​easy. 

76 
 

 
It​ ​consists​ ​of​ ​four​ ​sections: 
1. Biological​ ​and​ ​Biochemical​ ​Foundations​ ​of​ ​Living​ ​Systems 
2. Chemical​ ​and​ ​Physical​ ​Foundations​ ​of​ ​Biological​ ​Systems 
3. Psychological,​ ​Social,​ ​and​ ​Biological​ ​Foundations​ ​of​ ​Behavior 
4. Critical​ ​Analysis​ ​and​ ​Reasoning​ ​Skills 
 
The​ ​first​ ​three​ ​sections​ ​are​ ​95​ ​minutes​ ​each​ ​and​ ​consist​ ​of​ ​59​ ​multiple​ ​choice 
questions.​ ​The​ ​last​ ​section​ ​is​ ​90​ ​minutes​ ​long​ ​and​ ​consists​ ​of​ ​53​ ​multiple​ ​choice 
questions. 
 
Each​ ​section​ ​is​ ​scored​ ​out​ ​of​ ​125​ ​for​ ​a​ ​total​ ​of​ ​528​​ ​and​ ​you’ll​ ​have​ ​to​ ​do​ ​really,​ ​really 
well​ ​if​ ​you​ ​want​ ​to​ ​get​ ​into​ ​the​ ​top​ ​medical​ ​schools.  
 

Average​ ​Cost  
 
The​ ​cost​ ​of​ ​medical​ ​school​ ​depends​ ​on​ ​two​ ​factors 
1. Private​ ​vs.​ ​public​ ​school 
2. If​ ​public,​ ​are​ ​you​ ​in-state​ ​or​ ​out-of-state? 
 
Private​ ​schools​ ​are​ ​by​ ​far​ ​the​ ​most​ ​expensive​​ ​and​ ​everyone​ ​pays​ ​the​ ​same​ ​price, 
regardless​ ​of​ ​where​ ​they​ ​are​ ​from.​ ​The​ ​average​ ​private​ ​med​ ​school​ ​tuition​ ​is​ ​over 
$50,000​ ​USD…​ ​just​ ​for​ ​tuition! 
 
Public​ ​schools,​ ​on​ ​the​ ​other​ ​hand,​ ​are​ ​somewhat​ ​more​ ​affordable​,​ ​if​ ​you​ ​are​ ​from​ ​the 
state​ ​you​ ​wish​ ​to​ ​go​ ​to​ ​school​ ​in​ ​(i.e.​ ​in-state).​ ​Otherwise,​ ​they​ ​are​ ​about​ ​the​ ​same​ ​price 
as​ ​private​ ​schools.​ ​The​ ​average​ ​out-of-state​ ​medical​ ​school​ ​tuition​ ​is​ ​$50,000​ ​USD​ ​a 
year.​ ​The​ ​average​ ​in-state?​ ​Only​ ​$39,116​ ​USD​ ​a​ ​year.​ ​What​ ​a​ ​steal! 
 
Of​ ​course​ ​going​ ​to​ ​medical​ ​school​ ​also​ ​comes​ ​with​ ​other​ ​expenses​ ​such​ ​as​ ​housing, 
food,​ ​and​ ​textbooks. 
 
All​ ​up,​ ​you’re​ ​looking​ ​at​ ​about​ ​$80,000+​ ​USD​ ​a​ ​year​ ​for​ ​private​ ​and​ ​out-of-state​ ​public 
schools,​ ​and​ ​around​ ​$60,000​ ​USD​ ​a​ ​year​ ​for​ ​in-state​ ​public​ ​schools. 
 
Shocking,​ ​right?​ ​The​ ​good​ ​news​ ​is​ ​that​ ​the​ ​US​ ​has​ ​a​ ​wide​ ​variety​ ​of​ ​financial​ ​aid​ ​options 
available,​ ​so​ ​depending​ ​on​ ​your​ ​situation,​ ​going​ ​to​ ​school​ ​in​ ​the​ ​States​ ​may​ ​actually​ ​be 
cheaper​ ​than​ ​going​ ​to​ ​school​ ​in​ ​Australia​ ​or​ ​New​ ​Zealand. 
 

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Plus,​ ​with​ ​over​ ​179​ ​medical​ ​schools​ ​in​ ​the​ ​US,​ ​there’s​ ​no​ ​way​ ​they​ ​can​ ​all​ ​be​ ​that​ ​pricey. 
There​ ​are​ ​some​ ​schools​ ​that​ ​are​ ​only​ ​$16,000​ ​USD​ ​or​ ​so​ ​a​ ​year,​ ​like​ ​Texas​ ​A&M​ ​(in-state 
tuition).​ ​However,​ ​many​ ​of​ ​these​ ​less​ ​costly​ ​schools​ ​tend​ ​to​ ​be​ ​lower​ ​ranked. 
 
Keep​ ​in​ ​mind​ ​that​ ​although​ ​you’ll​ ​only​ ​need​ ​to​ ​pay​ ​these​ ​fees​ ​for​ ​the​ ​four​ ​years​ ​you 
attend​ ​medical​ ​school,​ ​you​ ​must​ ​also​ ​complete​ ​at​ ​least​ ​a​ ​three​ ​year 
residency/fellowship​ ​before​ ​you​ ​can​ ​become​ ​a​ ​practising​ ​doctor.  
 

Financial​ ​Aid 
 
Many​ ​students​ ​graduate​ ​from​ ​medical​ ​school​ ​with​ ​large​ ​sums​ ​of​ ​debt​ ​but​ ​this​ ​doesn’t 
have​ ​to​ ​be​ ​the​ ​case​ ​for​ ​you! 
 
There​ ​are​ ​lots​ ​of​ ​different​ ​scholarship​ ​options​ ​that​ ​you​ ​should​ ​look​ ​into​ ​including: 
1. Small,​ ​local​ ​scholarships 
2. Federal​ ​government​ ​scholarships​ ​(only​ ​available​ ​for​ ​US​ ​citizens/permanent 
residents) 
3. School-specific​ ​merit​ ​scholarships  
 
The​ ​good​ ​news​ ​is​ ​that​ ​around​ ​58%​ ​of​ ​most​ ​private​ ​school​ ​medical​ ​students​ ​receive 
some​ ​sort​ ​of​ ​aid​ ​from​ ​the​ ​university​ ​they​ ​go​ ​to.  
 
Of​ ​course,​ ​there​ ​are​ ​also​ ​always​ ​loan​ ​options,​ ​both​ ​federal​ ​and​ ​private,​ ​for​ ​US​ ​students.  
 
But​ ​before​ ​you​ ​jump​ ​to​ ​loans,​ ​make​ ​sure​ ​you​ ​research​ ​all​ ​of​ ​the​ ​scholarships​ ​available 
to​ ​you​ ​(even​ ​if​ ​you’re​ ​an​ ​international​ ​student).​ ​You’ll​ ​be​ ​surprised​ ​by​ ​just​ ​how​ ​many 
resources​ ​are​ ​available​ ​in​ ​the​ ​US.  
 

Top​ ​3​ ​Medical​ ​Schools​ ​in​ ​the​ ​US 

 
Based​ ​on​ ​the​ ​QS​ ​World​ ​University​ ​Rankings.  
 
1. Harvard​ ​University:​ ​Cambridge,​ ​Massachusetts 
Full​ ​Cost:​​ ​$87,321-$92,444​ ​USD​ ​a​ ​year,​ ​depending​ ​on​ ​your​ ​course​ ​and​ ​year 
Average​ ​GPA:​​ ​3.92 
Average​ ​MCAT:​​ ​518 
QS​ ​Ranking:​​ ​1 
 
2. Johns​ ​Hopkins​ ​University:​ ​Baltimore,​ ​Maryland 

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Full​ ​Cost:​​ ​$74,772-$81,640​ ​USD​ ​a​ ​year,​ ​depending​ ​on​ ​your  

course​ ​and​ ​year 
Average​ ​GPA:​​ ​3.92 
Average​ ​MCAT:​​ ​519 
QS​ ​Ranking:​​ ​4​ ​(tied​ ​with​ ​Stanford) 
 
3. Stanford​ ​University:​ ​Stanford,​ ​California 
Full​ ​Cost:​​ ​$87,383-$121,681​ ​USD​ ​a​ ​year,​ ​depending​ ​on​ ​your  
course​ ​and​ ​year 
Average​ ​GPA:​​ ​3.89 
Average​ ​MCAT:​​ ​518 
QS​ ​Ranking:​​ ​4​ ​(tied​ ​with​ ​Hopkins) 
 
 

The​ ​UK 
The​ ​UK’s​ ​medical​ ​school​ ​system​ ​is​ ​more​ ​aligned​ ​with​ ​the​ ​Australian/New​ ​Zealand 
system​ ​than​ ​it​ ​is​ ​with​ ​the​ ​US​ ​system. 
 
You​ ​can​ ​study​ ​medicine​ ​as​ ​an​ ​undergraduate​ ​in​ ​the​ ​UK,​ ​but​ ​there​ ​are​ ​also​ ​options​ ​for 
you​ ​if​ ​you​ ​decide​ ​to​ ​get​ ​an​ ​undergraduate​ ​degree​ ​first​ ​and​ ​then​ ​go​ ​into​ ​medicine​ ​as​ ​a 
postgrad. 
 

How​ ​to​ ​Prepare 

 
Medical​ ​school​ ​is​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​most​ ​competitive​ ​programs​ ​at​ ​all​ ​UK​ ​universities​ ​so 
preparing​ ​early​ ​is​ ​key.  
 
First​ ​and​ ​foremost,​ ​most​ ​medial​ ​programs​ ​require:  
+ Three​ ​As​ ​at​ ​A​ ​level,​ ​including​ ​chemistry​ ​or​ ​biology 
+ An​ ​IB​ ​grade​ ​of​ ​38​ ​or​ ​an​ ​IELTS​ ​score​ ​of​ ​7.0 
+ The​ ​UK​ ​Clinical​ ​Aptitude​ ​Test​ ​(UKCAT)​ ​or​ ​the​ ​BioMedical​ ​Admissions​ ​Test 
(BMAT) 
 
You’ll​ ​need​ ​to​ ​plan​ ​ahead​ ​to​ ​make​ ​sure​ ​you​ ​are​ ​taking​ ​the​ ​right​ ​A​ ​levels​ ​and​ ​that​ ​your 
scores​ ​either​ ​meet​ ​or​ ​exceed​ ​the​ ​requirements. 
 
It’s​ ​very​ ​important​ ​to​ ​also​ ​take​ ​up​ ​medical​ ​related​ ​extracurricular​ ​activities​​ ​to​ ​not 
only​ ​prepare​ ​for​ ​your​ ​career​ ​ahead​ ​but​ ​also​ ​to​ ​prepare​ ​for​ ​your​ ​interview.​ ​During​ ​the 

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interview​ ​process,​ ​you’ll​ ​be​ ​asked​ ​about​ ​your​ ​motivation,​ ​personal​ ​interests,​ ​previous 
work,​ ​and​ ​proof​ ​of​ ​previous​ ​achievements. 
 
If​ ​you’re​ ​applying​ ​for​ ​a​ ​postgraduate​ ​medical​ ​program,​ ​you​ ​need​ ​to​ ​have​ ​a​ ​strong 
Bachelor’s​ ​degree​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​medical​ ​related​ ​work​ ​experience​ ​at​ ​least​ ​one​ ​day​ ​a​ ​week 
for​ ​six​ ​months.  
 

The​ ​UKCAT 
 
Some​ ​UK​ ​universities​ ​require​ ​that​ ​you​ ​sit​ ​the​ ​UKCAT​ ​to​ ​help​ ​them​ ​decide​ ​whether​ ​or 
not​ ​you​ ​are​ ​fit​ ​to​ ​be​ ​a​ ​doctor.  
 
While​ ​the​ ​US’​ ​MCAT​ ​consists​ ​of​ ​mostly​ ​science,​ ​the​ ​UKCAT​ ​has​ ​no​ ​science​ ​at​ ​all.​ ​It’s 
basically​ ​the​ ​UK’s​ ​version​ ​of​ ​the​ ​UMAT. 
 
The​ ​exam​ ​tests​ ​your​ ​attitude,​ ​critical​ ​thinking,​ ​cognitive​ ​abilities,​ ​and​ ​logical​ ​reasoning. 
 
The​ ​sections​ ​are​ ​as​ ​follows:  
+ Verbal​ ​Reasoning:​​ ​Can​ ​you​ ​think​ ​logically​ ​about​ ​written​ ​information​ ​and​ ​come 
to​ ​a​ ​reasonable​ ​conclusion?​ ​11​ ​passages​ ​and​ ​44​ ​questions​ ​in​ ​21​ ​minutes.  
+ Quantitative​ ​Reasoning:​​ ​Can​ ​you​ ​solve​ ​numerical​ ​problems?​ ​9​ ​tables,​ ​graphs​ ​etc 
and​ ​38​ ​questions​ ​in​ ​24​ ​minutes. 
+ Abstract​ ​Reasoning:​ ​Can​ ​you​ ​figure​ ​out​ ​different​ ​relationships​ ​through 
convergent​ ​and​ ​divergent​ ​thinking?​ ​55​ ​questions​ ​in​ ​13​ ​minutes. 
+ Decision​ ​Analysis:​ ​Can​ ​you​ ​understand​ ​various​ ​forms​ ​of​ ​information​ ​to​ ​infer 
relationships​ ​in​ ​different​ ​situations​ ​and​ ​decide​ ​on​ ​an​ ​appropriate​ ​response?​ ​1 
scenario,​ ​28​ ​questions​ ​(with​ ​a​ ​basic​ ​calculator)​ ​in​ ​32​ ​minutes. 
+ Situational​ ​Judgement:​​ ​How​ ​do​ ​you​ ​respond​ ​in​ ​different​ ​situations​ ​and​ ​how 
well​ ​do​ ​you​ ​understand​ ​medical​ ​ethics?​ ​20​ ​scenarios​ ​and​ ​67​ ​questions​ ​in​ ​27 
minutes. 
 
Each​ ​section​ ​is​ ​scored​ ​separately​ ​and​ ​then​ ​scaled​ ​between​ ​300​ ​and​ ​900.​ ​Your​ ​total 
scaled​ ​score​ ​is​ ​simply​ ​the​ ​sum​ ​of​ ​your​ ​sections.​ ​The​ ​range​ ​of​ ​final​ ​scores​ ​is​ ​1200-3600.  
 

The​ ​BMAT 
 
Other​ ​UK​ ​unis​ ​require​ ​the​ ​BMAT.  
 
The​ ​BMAT​ ​is​ ​designed​ ​to​ ​test​ ​your​ ​critical​ ​thinking,​ ​scientific​ ​knowledge,​ ​and​ ​writing 
skills. 

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The​ ​exam​ ​is​ ​broken​ ​down​ ​as​ ​follows: 
1. Aptitude​ ​and​ ​Skills:​ ​Problem​ ​solving,​ ​understanding​ ​arguments,​ ​data​ ​analysis, 
and​ ​inference.​ ​35​ ​multiple​ ​choice​ ​questions​ ​in​ ​60​ ​minutes. 
2. Scientific​ ​Knowledge​ ​and​ ​Application:​ ​Three​ ​sciences​ ​and​ ​maths.​ ​27​ ​multiple 
choice,​ ​fill-in-the-blank,​ ​free​ ​response,​ ​and​ ​matching​ ​questions​ ​in​ ​30​ ​minutes. 
3. Writing:​ ​Choose​ ​one​ ​of​ ​four​ ​prompts​ ​to​ ​respond​ ​to.​ ​One​ ​science-based​ ​essay​ ​in 
30​ ​minutes.  
 
The​ ​first​ ​two​ ​sections​ ​are​ ​scored​ ​on​ ​a​ ​scale​ ​of​ ​1-9​ ​and​ ​the​ ​essay​ ​is​ ​scored​ ​on​ ​a​ ​scale 
from​ ​0-5​ ​along​ ​with​ ​a​ ​quality​ ​of​ ​written​ ​English​ ​score​ ​A-E.  
 

Cost 
 
Tuition​ ​fees​ ​in​ ​the​ ​UK​ ​depend​ ​on​ ​your​ ​home​ ​country.​ ​If​ ​you’re​ ​an​ ​EU​ ​citizen,​ ​your 
tuition​ ​fees​ ​are​ ​significantly​ ​lower​ ​than​ ​the​ ​tuition​ ​fees​ ​for​ ​international​ ​students.  
 
EU​ ​students​ ​pay​ ​about​ ​$11,370​ ​USD​ ​a​ ​year​​ ​in​ ​tuition​ ​whereas​ ​international​ ​students 
usually​ ​pay​ ​around​ ​$51,700​ ​USD​ ​a​ ​year. 
 
However,​ ​these​ ​are​ ​just​ ​the​ ​tuition​ ​fees.​ ​When​ ​you​ ​include​ ​the​ ​cost​ ​of​ ​living,​ ​you’ll​ ​need 
at​ ​least​ ​another​ ​$14,800​ ​USD​ ​a​ ​year​ ​if​ ​your​ ​uni​ ​is​ ​outside​ ​of​ ​London​ ​and​ ​at​ ​least​ ​$18,700 
USD​ ​a​ ​year​ ​if​ ​your​ ​uni​ ​is​ ​in​ ​London. 
 
Once​ ​you​ ​factor​ ​in​ ​living​ ​expenses,​ ​you’re​ ​looking​ ​at​ ​closer​ ​to​ ​$26,170​ ​USD​ ​a​ ​year​ ​for​ ​EU 
students​ ​not​ ​in​ ​London,​ ​$30,070​ ​USD​ ​a​ ​year​ ​for​ ​EU​ ​students​ ​in​ ​London,​ ​$66,500​ ​USD​ ​a 
year​ ​for​ ​international​ ​students​ ​not​ ​in​ ​London,​ ​and​ ​about​ ​$70,400​ ​USD​ ​a​ ​year​ ​in 
London. 
 
Seems​ ​like​ ​a​ ​steal​ ​compared​ ​to​ ​some​ ​US​ ​unis! 
 

Financial​ ​Aid 
 
There​ ​are​ ​definitely​ ​more​ ​financial​ ​aid​ ​opportunities​ ​for​ ​EU​ ​students​ ​than​ ​there​ ​are​ ​for 
international​ ​students. 
 
EU​ ​students​ ​are​ ​eligible​ ​for​ ​a​ ​variety​ ​of​ ​grants,​ ​scholarships​ ​(both​ ​through​ ​the 
government​ ​and​ ​private​ ​donors),​ ​and​ ​loans.​ ​Most​ ​singular​ ​forms​ ​of​ ​financial​ ​aid​ ​do​ ​not 
cover​ ​the​ ​full​ ​cost​ ​of​ ​uni​ ​but​ ​you​ ​can​ ​combine​ ​multiple​ ​options​ ​to​ ​get​ ​the​ ​full​ ​amount 
you​ ​need.  

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There​ ​aren’t​ ​many​ ​aid​ ​options​ ​available​ ​to​ ​international​ ​students:​ ​however,​ ​it’s​ ​always 
worth​ ​checking​ ​with​ ​your​ ​uni,​ ​your​ ​local​ ​government​ ​and​ ​companies​ ​in​ ​your​ ​home 
country​ ​to​ ​see​ ​what​ ​kind​ ​of​ ​aid​ ​they​ ​can​ ​offer​ ​you.  
 

Top​ ​3​ ​Medical​ ​Schools​ ​in​ ​the​ ​UK 

1. University​ ​of​ ​Oxford:​ ​Oxford,​ ​England 

Full​ ​Cost:  
UK/EU​ ​students:​​ ​$22,661-$28,053​ ​USD​ ​per​ ​year,​ ​depending​ ​on​ ​living 
arrangements​ ​and​ ​other​ ​expenses 
International​ ​students:​​ ​$53,795-$66,087​ ​USD​ ​per​ ​year,​ ​depending​ ​on​ ​living 
arrangements,​ ​year,​ ​and​ ​other​ ​expenses 
A​ ​levels:​ ​A*AA​ ​in​ ​three​ ​A​ ​levels,​ ​with​ ​at​ ​least​ ​an​ ​A​ ​in​ ​chemistry​ ​and​ ​either​ ​biology, 
physics,​ ​or​ ​maths 
BMAT​ ​Average:​​ ​64%​ ​(more​ ​weight​ ​placed​ ​on​ ​sections​ ​1​ ​and​ ​2 
QS​ ​Ranking:​ ​2 
 
 
2. University​ ​of​ ​Cambridge:​ ​Cambridge,​ ​England 
Full​ ​Cost:  
UK/EU​ ​students:​​ ​$21,680​ ​USD​ ​per​ ​year  
International​ ​students:​​ ​$83,456-$94,071​ ​USD​ ​per​ ​year,​ ​depending​ ​on​ ​living 
arrangements​ ​and​ ​other​ ​expenses 
A​ ​levels:​​ ​A*A*A​ ​in​ ​three​ ​A​ ​levels,​ ​with​ ​at​ ​least​ ​an​ ​A​ ​in​ ​chemistry​ ​and​ ​either 
biology,​ ​physics,​ ​or​ ​maths 
BMAT​ ​Average:​​ ​N/A​ ​but​ ​needed​ ​for​ ​admission 
QS​ ​Ranking:​​ ​3  
 
 
3. University​ ​College​ ​London:​ ​London,​ ​England 
Full​ ​Cost:  
UK/EU​ ​students:​​ ​$30,911​ ​USD​ ​per​ ​year  
International​ ​students:​ ​$61,812​ ​USD​ ​per​ ​year  
A​ ​levels:​ ​A*AA,​ ​biology​ ​and​ ​chemistry​ ​required 
BMAT​ ​Average:​​ ​4.7/4.8/3.1A,​ ​with​ ​more​ ​emphasis​ ​on​ ​Section​ ​3 
QS​ ​Ranking:​​ ​9 

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Ireland 
 
There​ ​are​ ​multiple​ ​world​ ​class​ ​medical​ ​programs​ ​in​ ​Ireland​ ​and​ ​the​ ​country​ ​makes​ ​it 
really​ ​easy​ ​for​ ​international​ ​students​ ​to​ ​apply.​ ​Yay! 
 

How​ ​to​ ​Prepare 

 
Ireland​ ​has​ ​three​ ​different​ ​medical​ ​programs​:​ ​a​ ​four-,​ ​five-,​ ​and​ ​six-year​ ​program.  
 
The​ ​program​ ​you​ ​apply​ ​to​ ​depends​ ​on​ ​your​ ​level​ ​of​ ​education. 
 
If​ ​you​ ​just​ ​graduated​ ​from​ ​high​ ​school​ ​and​ ​took​ ​biology,​ ​chemistry,​ ​physics​ ​(or​ ​maths) 
courses,​ ​you​ ​should​ ​apply​ ​to​ ​a​ ​six-year​ ​program. 
 
If​ ​you​ ​just​ ​graduated​ ​from​ ​high​ ​school​ ​and​ ​took​ ​AP/IB​ ​biology,​ ​chemistry,​ ​physics​ ​(or 
maths)​ ​courses,​ ​the​ ​five-year​ ​program​ ​is​ ​for​ ​you.  
 
The​ ​four-year​ ​program​ ​is​ ​for​ ​people​ ​who​ ​already​ ​have​ ​a​ ​Bachelor’s​ ​degree​ ​and​ ​took​ ​the 
MCAT.​ ​Basically,​ ​it’s​ ​a​ ​postgraduate​ ​program. 
 
The​ ​universities​ ​take​ ​your​ ​course​ ​difficulty​ ​and​ ​scores​ ​into​ ​account​ ​when​ ​deciding 
whether​ ​or​ ​not​ ​to​ ​admit​ ​you​ ​but​ ​most​ ​unis​ ​don’t​ ​have​ ​specific​ ​cut-offs,​ ​unless​ ​you’re 
from​ ​Ireland. 
 
Of​ ​course,​ ​the​ ​higher​ ​your​ ​grades,​ ​the​ ​better​ ​your​ ​chances​ ​are​ ​of​ ​getting​ ​in.  
 
Thankfully,​ ​Ireland​ ​makes​ ​it​ ​really​ ​easy​ ​for​ ​people​ ​around​ ​the​ ​world​ ​to​ ​apply​ ​through​ ​its 
Atlantic-Bridge​ ​Program​​ ​which​ ​streamlines​ ​the​ ​application​ ​process.​ ​It​ ​combines​ ​all​ ​six 
Irish​ ​medical​ ​schools​ ​into​ ​one​ ​application​ ​and​ ​one​ ​set​ ​of​ ​supporting​ ​documents​ ​so 
that​ ​you​ ​can​ ​apply​ ​to​ ​all​ ​the​ ​schools​ ​at​ ​once​ ​if​ ​you’d​ ​like!  
 

MCAT 
 
In​ ​order​ ​to​ ​get​ ​into​ ​a​ ​four-year​ ​program​ ​you​ ​must​ ​have​ ​a​ ​Bachelor’s​ ​degree​ ​and​ ​take 
the​ ​MCAT.​ ​As​ ​we​ ​said​ ​above,​ ​the​ ​exam​ ​is​ ​designed​ ​to​ ​test​ ​your​ ​physical​ ​and​ ​biological 

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science​ ​knowledge,​ ​verbal​ ​reasoning​ ​and​ ​writing​ ​skills,​ ​and​ ​used​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​an 
indication​ ​of​ ​how​ ​well​ ​you’ll​ ​do​ ​in​ ​medical​ ​school. 
 
For​ ​more​ ​information,​ ​check​ ​out​ ​the​ ​MCAT​ ​info​ ​in​ ​the​ ​US​ ​section.  
 

Cost 
 
The​ ​best​ ​thing​ ​about​ ​Irish​ ​medical​ ​schools​ ​is​ ​that​ ​they​ ​are​ ​free​ ​for​ ​EU​ ​citizens. 
 
Yep,​ ​you​ ​heard​ ​that​ ​right.​ ​FREE. 
 
All​ ​you​ ​need​ ​to​ ​contribute​ ​is​ ​$3.572​ ​USD​ ​a​ ​year​ ​for​ ​non-tuition​ ​related​ ​student​ ​services 
such​ ​as​ ​exam​ ​fees​ ​and​ ​student​ ​clubs.​ ​You’ll​ ​also​ ​need​ ​to​ ​pay​ ​for​ ​living​ ​fees​ ​which​ ​range 
from​ ​$11,907-$17,860​ ​USD​ ​a​ ​year​ ​based​ ​on​ ​your​ ​city​ ​and​ ​living​ ​arrangements. 
 
So​ ​in​ ​reality,​ ​medical​ ​schools​ ​aren’t​ ​free​ ​in​ ​Ireland​ ​but​ ​at​ ​least​ ​you​ ​won’t​ ​need​ ​to​ ​pay 
tuition.​ ​That​ ​counts​ ​for​ ​something,​ ​right? 
 
If​ ​you’re​ ​an​ ​international​ ​student,​ ​you’re​ ​out​ ​of​ ​luck. 
 
Your​ ​tuition​ ​fees​ ​range​ ​from​ ​$39,500-$64,894​ ​USD​ ​a​ ​year,​ ​depending​ ​on​ ​your​ ​uni.  
 
However,​ ​your​ ​living​ ​costs​ ​are​ ​the​ ​same​ ​as​ ​EU​ ​students.​ ​So​ ​overall​ ​you’ll​ ​need​ ​between 
$51,407​ ​and​ ​$82,754​ ​USD​ ​a​ ​year.  
 
It’s​ ​not​ ​cheap​ ​but​ ​at​ ​least​ ​Ireland’s​ ​beautiful! 
 

Financial​ ​Aid 
 
If​ ​you’re​ ​an​ ​EU​ ​student,​ ​your​ ​tuition​ ​is​ ​already​ ​free.​ ​What​ ​more​ ​could​ ​you​ ​want? 
 
However,​ ​there​ ​are​ ​financial​ ​aid​ ​options​ ​for​ ​the​ ​rest​ ​of​ ​your​ ​fees​ ​in​ ​the​ ​form​ ​of​ ​grants, 
scholarships,​ ​and​ ​loans. 
 
If​ ​you​ ​are​ ​from​ ​the​ ​US,​ ​you​ ​may​ ​be​ ​eligible​ ​for​ ​US​ ​government​ ​loans​​ ​so​ ​check​ ​with 
your​ ​university​ ​to​ ​see​ ​what​ ​loans​ ​you​ ​can​ ​use. 
 
US​ ​citizens​ ​and​ ​other​ ​international​ ​students​ ​can​ ​also​ ​find​ ​various​ ​scholarships​ ​to​ ​help 
fund​ ​their​ ​fees. 
 

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Top​ ​3​ ​Medical​ ​Schools​ ​in​ ​Ireland 

 
1. National​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Ireland​ ​Galway:​ ​Galway,​ ​Ireland 
Full​ ​Cost:  
UK/EU​ ​students:​​ ​$15,479-$21,432​ ​USD​ ​per​ ​year​ ​based​ ​on 
living​ ​costs​ ​(tuition​ ​is​ ​free)  
International​ ​students:​​ ​$55,962-$61,916​ ​USD​ ​per​ ​year​ ​based​ ​on​ ​living​ ​costs  
Course​ ​offered:​​ ​5-​ ​and​ ​6-year​ ​courses 
QS​ ​Ranking:​​ ​151-200 
 
2. Trinity​ ​College,​ ​Dublin:​ ​Dublin,​ ​Ireland 
Full​ ​Cost:  
UK/EU​ ​students:​​ ​$15,479-$21,432​ ​USD​ ​per​ ​year​ ​based​ ​on  
living​ ​costs​ ​(tuition​ ​is​ ​free)  
International​ ​students:​​ ​$58,658-$64,611​ ​USD​ ​per​ ​year​ ​based​ ​on​ ​living​ ​costs 
Course​ ​offered:​​ ​5-year​ ​course 
QS​ ​Ranking:​​ ​151-200 
 
3. University​ ​College​ ​Dublin:​ ​Dublin,​ ​Ireland 
Full​ ​Cost:  
UK/EU​ ​students:​​ ​$15,479-$21,432​ ​USD​ ​per​ ​year​ ​based​ ​on  
living​ ​costs​ ​(tuition​ ​is​ ​free)  
International​ ​students:​​ ​$58,707-$67,780USD​ ​per​ ​year​ ​based​ ​on  
living​ ​costs​ ​and​ ​course 
Course​ ​offered:​​ ​4-​ ​and​ ​6-year​ ​courses 
QS​ ​Ranking:​ ​151-200 
 

 
   

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09 
Final​ ​Thoughts 
 
 
       
Phew!​ ​That​ ​was​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​of​ ​information!  
 
With​ ​this​ ​eBook​ ​by​ ​your​ ​side​ ​you​ ​can​ ​nail​ ​your​ ​admissions​ ​exams​ ​and​ ​crush​ ​your 
interview,​ ​even​ ​if​ ​it’s​ ​the​ ​dreaded​ ​MMI.  
 
Just​ ​remember,​ ​your​ ​pathways​ ​to​ ​medical​ ​school​ ​are​ ​endless.​ ​Whether​ ​your​ ​route 
involves​ ​an​ ​undergraduate​ ​degree​ ​in​ ​the​ ​US​ ​and​ ​a​ ​postgraduate​ ​medical​ ​degree​ ​in 
New​ ​Zealand,​ ​or​ ​a​ ​dual​ ​degree​ ​in​ ​Australia,​ ​nothing​ ​can​ ​hold​ ​you​ ​back​ ​from​ ​becoming 
a​ ​doctor​ ​as​ ​long​ ​as​ ​you​ ​work​ ​hard​ ​and​ ​plan​ ​ahead.  
 
You’ve​ ​got​ ​the​ ​key​ ​to​ ​success,​ ​now​ ​all​ ​you​ ​have​ ​to​ ​do​ ​is​ ​use​ ​it! 
 
If​ ​you’d​ ​like​ ​to​ ​learn​ ​more​ ​about​ ​your​ ​medical​ ​school​ ​options,​ ​visit​ ​our​ ​website​ ​for​ ​a​ f​ ree 
consultation​,​ ​where​ ​we’ll​ ​assist​ ​you​ ​every​ ​step​ ​of​ ​the​ ​way.​ ​From​ ​finding​ ​your​ ​best​ ​fit​ ​uni 
to​ ​actually​ ​applying,​ ​we’ve​ ​got​ ​your​ ​back!  
 
 
 

 
   

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