BMAT
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BMAT (BioMedical Admissions Test) is an aptitude test used as part of the admissions process for Medicine, Veterinary Medicine or Physiological Sciences in some universities. It is a descendant of the "MVAT" (Medical and Veterinary Sciences Admissions Test).
The BMAT became part of the application process for such courses only in recent years. Initially, it was taken up by Oxford University for Medicine and Physiology; the University of Cambridge for Medicine and Veterinary Science (at both it replaced the MVAT test); University College London, for Medicine; the Royal Veterinary College for Veterinary Science; and the University of Bristol for Veterinary Science. In 2005, Imperial College London and the University of Manchester also made it a part of their entry requirements for Medicine, but in the 2006-07 application cycle, Manchester will replace it with the new UKCAT, being introduced in the majority of UK medical schools this year.
The BMAT consists of three sections. The first two are both multiple-choice/short answer: Section 1 is designed to test Aptitude and Skills (such as Critical Thinking, Logic and Reasoning), and lasts 60 minutes with 35 questions; while Section 2 tests Scientific Knowledge and Applications, and lasts 30 minutes, with 27 questions. The third section is a Writing Task, lasting 30 minutes, in which the candidate chooses from 3 questions requiring the construction of an argument or debate, an analysis of a statement, or similar task. Section 1 and 2 are marked out of 9 while section 3 is marked out of 15. The scores are standarised and given to one decimal place.
The results of the BMAT are used in a variety of ways by the different institutions using it: for example, University College London automatically invites candidates with scores over 19 for interview, but does not exclude candidates who do not achieve this; Oxford University combines the results with GCSE grades to decide who is called for interview for Medicine; often it is seen as just part of the application process - previous examination results, a teacher's reference, the candidate's personal statement and predicted grades are also important.
The BMAT is usually held at the beginning of November, and results are issued at the end of that month, in the form of a certificate with explanatory sheet. The results are weighted such that the scores form a normal distribution curve.
