BioMedical Admissions Test

Introduction
The BMAT is a subject-specific admissions test, currently taken by applicants to Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and related courses at: Cambridge Oxford Imperial College London Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine University College London The Royal Veterinary College

BioMedical Admissions Test Purpose of the BMAT:

to assess whether candidates possess the generic skills often needed in undergraduate study to ensure that candidates scientific understanding is adequate for the study of medical and veterinary sciences

to provide additional information for admissions staff when selecting from within a group of very able candidates
to increase the transparency of the selection process

BioMedical Admissions Test

Structure of the test

Section 1 Aptitude and Skills 1 hour 35 multiple choice or short answer questions

Section 2 Scientific Knowledge and Applications 30 minutes 27 multiple choice or short answer questions
Section 3 Writing Task 30 minutes 1 from a choice of 4 short essay questions

BioMedical Admissions Test

BMAT Section 1 : Aptitude and Skills

Problem Solving Understanding Argument Data Analysis & Inference

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Problem Solving: Sample Question
1. Two buses, the Zipper and the Metbus, each pass my stop hourly, and I can catch either one. I have no regular times for travelling and I can never remember the bus times. I just go to the stop and catch the first bus that comes along. Yet I discover, over the year, the Zipper is more likely to come along first than the Metbus. The Zipper passes the stop at z minutes past every hour and the Metbus passes at m minutes past. If the Zipper passes the stop in the first half of the hour, which of the following would explain the higher probability of the Zipper coming along first? A z>m B m > 30 C z/m < 1 D 0 < (m-z) < 30 E 0 < (m-z) < 60

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Understanding Argument: Sample Question
2. A government study suggested that courses in adult education should be subsidised because they contribute to the economy, raise skills and improve job opportunities. However where an adult education course is purely for leisure there is no case for subsidy. Therefore subsidies for courses which are purely for leisure should be abandoned. Which one of the following is an underlying assumption of the above argument? A Unemployment figures are showing an upward trend. B Large numbers of adults will attend these courses. C There are enough teachers for the courses which would be subsidised. D Adults attending these courses will be able to upgrade their jobs if they pass the examinations. E Courses which are purely for leisure cannot be economically useful.

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Data Analysis & Inference: Sample Question
Questions 32 to 35 refer to the following information:

33

The data concerning the proportions of different BI claims in paragraph 3 would be puzzling without which one of the following explanations ? A B C D Whiplash accounted for most of the injuries classified as strains and sprains. Some of the claims were for sprains and strains along with other injuries. Not all of the claims made to insurance companies were for genuine injuries. The number of minor injuries has risen in contrast with number of fatal accidents.

In the United States, the number of serious auto accidents is declining. Countrywide, between 1980 and 1993, auto accident fatalities fell from 51,091 to 40,115, and property claims per 100 insured vehicles fell from 4.94 to 4.00, a decrease of 19 per cent. Credit for this remarkable improvement must go to the efforts of federal and state regulators to reduce automobile accidents and increase passenger safely. Laws mandating the wearing of seatbelts, the installation of airbags, a more robust construction of the car body, enhanced vehicle safety standards, better road design, and campaigns against drunk driving have all helped. Despite these impressive improvements in road safety, however, Americans now make more claims for bodily injury, referred to as BI. Between 1980 and 1993, the number of BI claims per 100 insured vehicles rose 33 per cent to 29.3, and the likelihood of a BI claim being filed in an accident that involved a property damage claim rose 64 per cent in the same time period. The whippies, as the insurance industry calls whiplash claimants, account for this huge increase in BI claims. For the purpose of insurance statistics, whiplash is recorded as "sprains and strains," and since these sprains and strains nearly all involve the neck and the back, it is reasonable to equate them with whiplash. From 1987 to 1992, claims in the US for sprains and strains increased in proportion to other injuries. In 1987, 75 per cent of BI claims were for sprains and strains, and 45 per cent for "all other injuries." By 1992 sprains and strains had risen to 83 per cent, and all other injuries had fallen to 40 per cent. This trend is no isolated oddity, for similar changes have happened elsewhere. In Japan annual collision deaths peaked at 4900 in 1993 and fell to little over 4200 by 1997, while over the same period the number of whiplash claims rose from 228,000 to 252,000.
[Source: Whiplash and other useful injuries, Andrew Malleson. McGill Queens University Press, Montreal. p 254.]

34

Estimate the number of BI claims per 100 insured vehicles in 1980. Give your answer to the nearest whole number.

35

Which one or more of the following offer some explanation for the apparent anomaly in the trend for bodily injury claims, especially strains and sprains, as against property claims. (Shade all that apply.) A B C Doctors are divided in their opinion as to whether or not whiplash is a bona fide condition. Many lawyers have introduced a no-win-no-fee service to claimants seeking compensation for personal injury. The severity of strains and sprains is difficult to assess whereas damage to a vehicle is directly observable.

32

What was the percentage decrease in fatalities in Japan between 1993 and 1997? Give your answer to the nearest whole number.

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BMAT Section 2 : Scientific Knowledge and Applications

restricted to material normally encountered in nonspecialist school science and mathematics courses (e.g. O level/GCSE) candidates are expected to show a level of understanding appropriate for such an able target group

BioMedical Admissions Test

BMAT Section 2: Sample Question Scientific Knowledge and Applications
25. The graph below shows how one factor in the internal environment in a person changes, and is returned to a normal level.

If someone has a condition which makes their homeostatic system less responsive, how would the shape of the graph be altered? A 1 would be earlier B 1 would be less steep C 2 would be earlier F 3 would be earlier

D 2 would be higher

E 3 would be steeper

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BMAT Section 3: Writing Task
Essay tasks will include brief questions based on topics of general, medical, veterinary or scientific interest. Questions will provide a short proposition and may require candidates to: explain or discuss the proposition's implications; suggest a counter proposition or argument; suggest a (method for) resolution. Responses are restricted to a single side of A4.

BioMedical Admissions Test

BMAT Section 3: Sample Question Writing Task
3 There is more to healing than the application of scientific knowledge. Briefly define scientific knowledge. Explain how it might be argued that medical treatment that is not wholly based on scientific knowledge is worthless. Discuss whether there can be approaches to healing that are valid but not amenable to scientific experiment. The essay is scored on the basis of the quality of the content of your response and on the quality of the English used.

BioMedical Admissions Test Preparing for the BMAT

A range of resources is available online at www.bmat.org.uk to help one prepare for BMAT, including test specification, past papers, format familiarization and suggested reading material You may also use the Preparing for the BMAT guidebook*, revised in September 2010 to reflect changes to the Section 2 science content and Section 3 essay marking criteria. * available in local bookstores and major libraries

BioMedical Admissions Test Registration

Registration will be handled by 2 test agents in Singapore
Candidates studying at a school/college/polytechnic in the Singapore school system (e.g. a Junior College) will need to register through the RELC Examinations Bureau (RELC EB) which is under the Regional Language Centre (RELC) website at www.relc.org.sg The registration form can be downloaded from the RELC EB website at www.relc.org.sg Candidates studying at a school/college/education establishment outside of the Singapore school system should approach the British Council: www.britishcouncil.org.sg/en/ielts-andexams/cambridge-admissions-tests

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Dates, Test fees & Payment
Standard Entry Registration period 1 September 2012 to 1 October 2012 Late Entry 2 October 2012 to 15 October 2012

SGD 330.00 Total Amount payable (inclusive of GST and Centre Administration Fee)

SGD 413.00 (inclusive of GST, Centre

Administration Fee, Cambridge Assessment and Centre late fees)

Payment Mode

AXS Station (available from 18 Sept 2012)

(Note: should you need to make payment before 18 Sept 12, pls email RELC EB at bmat@relc.org.sg)
Payment Deadline (via AXS station) 1 October 2012 (before 23:00hrs Singapore time) 15 October 2012 (before 23:00hrs Singapore time)

BioMedical Admissions Test

Standard Registration Processes
Student must email the following items to bmat@relc.org.sg as proof of eligibility to take the BMAT through RELC EB from 15 August 2012

A copy of the registration form (available from RELC website), completed and signed A photocopy of your NRIC (front & back) for Singaporeans/Permanent Residents or Foreign Identification document for international students (e.g. passport) A photocopy of your student card/pass (front and back) (for students currently attending a school/college/polytechnic within the Singapore school system) A level /Diploma certificate (for students who have graduated from a school/college/polytechnic within the Singapore school system)

Eligible students will receive notification via email within 5 working days from RELC EB. A confirmation number will be given to successful students to make payment via any AXS station (available from 18 September 2012)

Payment must be completed before 23:00hrs on 1st October 2012 (for Standard Entry) and 15th October 2012 (for Late Entry).

BioMedical Admissions Test

Download registration form from www.relc.org.sg

Submit registration form and supporting documents to bmat@relc.org.sg

(15 Aug 12 1 Oct 12)

Overview of registration process (Standard registration)

Upon receiving confirmation number, make payment at AXS station (available from 18 Sept 12) Deadline for payment is 1 Oct 12 for standard entry and 15 Oct 12 for late entry Receive statement of entry and RELC notification letter (by 2 Nov 12) 7 Nov 12, 3pm Sit for BMAT

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Process for students who require financial assistance

Financial assistance is available for students currently under the MOE Financial Assistant Scheme (MOE FAS). MOE FAS guidelines can be found at http://www.moe.gov.sg/initiatives/financial-assistance/ Polytechnic students should seek advice from their polytechnics on their eligibility for financial assistance Student s have to submit the BMAT registration form with supporting documents directly to their school by 14 September 2012. The school will submit the registration form and payment to RELC EB on the students behalf. If a student is not receiving full subsidy for the BMAT, the student is to submit the remaining sum to his/her school as well. The school will submit students application and full payment to RELC EB on the students behalf.

BioMedical Admissions Test

Download registration form from www.relc.org.sg

Overview of registration process (Students requesting financial assistance)

Submit registration form, supporting documents and non-subsidised portion of fees to your school (by 14 Sept 12)

Receive statement of entry and RELC notification letter (by 2 Nov 12)

7 Nov 12, 3pm sit for BMAT

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Access/Special Arrangement

Access/Special arrangement is the term given to any pre-examination adjustments based on history of need and provision. That is to say that a candidate may have dyslexia, dysgraphia, dysorthographia, or working memory deficit and require extra time, the use of a laptop or some other physical requirement. Student has to inform RELC of any special arrangement needs Student has to indicate this requirement in the Registration form Student has to provide evidence on this requirement (e.g. A certified letter from doctor)

BioMedical Admissions Test

Example of Special Arrangements that should be indicated in the BMAT Registration form

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After registration

Student will receive their Statement of Entry and RELC EB notification letter via email 5 days before the test Students who do not receive their statement of entry/notification letter should contact RELC EB at 6738 5638 or write to bmat@relc.org.sg by indicating your name , NRIC/FIN and contact number RELC EB Notification letter will indicate test venue candidate desk number test time reporting time

BioMedical Admissions Test Things to bring to test venue

1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

Statement of Entry RELC EB Notification Letter NRIC/Foreign Identification document Student card/pass 2B soft pencil, eraser and black ink pen (refer to www.relc.org.sg for more details)

BioMedical Admissions Test

Test Date & Time
Date Time : : Wednesday, 7 November 2012 3.00pm 2.30pm

Reporting time :

Test Venues
a) Raffles Institution (RI) b) Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) c) Victoria Junior College (VJC)
Candidates currently attending these schools will take BMAT at their school. RELC reserves the right to assign candidates from other school/college/ polytechnic to sit for the BMAT at one of the schools and the decision made will be final.

BioMedical Admissions Test Results to be released on 21 November

Results Online System Statement of Results Explanation of Results

You need to register at https://results.cambridgeassessment.org.uk/candidates/controller/open/login.html if you are first time user.

BioMedical Admissions Test

BMAT 2012 Key Event Dates
Date Event Submission of Registration form and supporting documents RELC EB accepts entries from this date. Entries submission is to proof of eligibility to register with RELC EB. MOE Financial Assistant Scheme (MOE FAS) Closing date Students under MOE FAS will need to submit the application form directly to their school by this date. Payment Opening date RELC Examinations Bureau accepts payment via AXS station from this date. Standard Entry Closing date Submission of Registration form for Standard Entry will apply until 12.00 hrs Singapore time. Payment must reach RELC EB by this date before 23:00hrs Singapore time. Last date for BMAT Entries Submission of Registration form for Late Entry will apply until 12.00 hrs Singapore time. Payment must reach RELC EB by this date before 23:00hrs Singapore time. Entries cannot be withdrawn after this date. Candidates who miss this deadline should contact Cambridge Assessment directly. Last date for refund of BMAT fees request RELC EB must receive all requests for refund by this date before 15.00 hrs Singapore time. BMAT takes place at 3.00pm at Raffles Institution, Hwa Chong Institution and Victoria Junior College. Candidates to report by 2.30pm. BMAT online results released date No paper results will be issued. All results will be released via Cambridge Assessment Results Online system. Last date for submission of BMAT result enquiry to Cambridge Assessment. From 15 August 2012 14 September 2012 18 September 2012 1 October 2012

2 15 October 2012

15 October 2012 7 November 2012 21 November 2012 28 November 2012

BioMedical Admissions Test

Further information

www.bmat.org.uk
www.relc.org.sg
or contact
1)LKCMedicine Admissions at admissions-lkcsom@ntu.edu.sg 2)RELC EB at bmat@relc.org.sg (for registration and exam matters)