The problem-solving questions test your ability to perform simple mental arithmetic and proficiency in numerical reasoning.
Compared to Critical Thinking questions the Problem-Solving Questions are less formulaic and predictable. A strategic approach is needed to tackle the 16 problem solving questions, but more importantly practising numerous questions will expose you to the reoccurring mathematical topics used. There are only 3 main question types within the problem-solving section of the BMAT: Relevant information, finding procedures and identifying similarities.
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Several branches of maths are assessed within the BMAT where you must be confident with several mathematical topics and able to perform simple mathematic arithmetic. As well as working accurately the BMAT is time controlled meaning your approaches must be efficient and timely.
Number concepts calculations require you to understand the properties that exist between numbers. This may include counting and comparing. Ensure competence interpreting simple fractions and percentages doing percentage operations and conversions.
Operational mathematics requires addition, subtraction, multiplication, division. Squaring square rooting and logarithms. There are several mathematical shortcuts which will help you to save time and easily manipulate numbers. Avoid having to use excessive written methodologies such as long multiplication and division. Remind yourself of divisibility rules and multiplication tricks to provide a shorthand methodology. Ensure you can square, cube, square root and cube root by hand without using a calculator. Many of the answer options may seem very similar and differ only by one place value, ensure you check and correctly calculate unit conversions. If you have time remaining at the end of the exam it may be worth sense checking your answers rounding to ensure you are not a power of ten out.
Spatial Reasoning questions are incorporated into this section. These questions will test your ability to reflection, rotate and recognise patterns. In order to prepare for these questions, ensure you are confident with lines of symmetry, the 3 requirements for rotation and cube nets. Check that you are confident with how to calculate proportions.
Learn time-efficient BMAT strategies and practice with reflective BMAT questions & worked solutions.
Question Type | Description | Top tips |
Date and Time | Scenarios will involve different categories or groups of people and information related to date and time | Memorise details such as days in year, days in each month, time conversions between second, minutes, hours and days |
Ordered Questions – like UCAT decision making | Criteria such as weight, height etc. need to be ordered in comparison to a description of how individual peoples values compare to one another. | Draw a table or Venn diagram. Work by process of elimination. |
Monetary questions | Calculate values of money using large extracts of information | Ensure you are confident with percentage value calculations |
Tabular questions | Selecting relevant information out of a table | Carefully read the question so you are confident with what you are identifying. Note table headings and units. |
Pin Code Questions | Calculate values of a pin code using descriptive clues. | Be willing to try trial and error. If possible, create a algebraic equation. |
Speed, Distance Time | Using formulae to calculate rate, speed, distance, time, acceleration | Be aware of unit conversions. You may need to double distances where travelling questions refer to travel to and from a location. Check you can interpret values and how they are represented on graphs. |
Spatial Reasoning | Reflection, rotation and rearrangement | Practice transformations, familiarise yourself with 3D shapes and cones. |
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