Why BMAT scores matter for Admissions and How You Can Improve Your Score

The BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) is a standardized test used by certain universities in the United Kingdom and other countries for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs in medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, and other related fields. The BMAT assesses critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills, as well as knowledge of scientific and mathematical concepts and your ability to write an essay. Here we will discuss the importance of BMAT scores in university admissions and provide tips for enhancing your BMAT score for better admission prospects.

Importance of BMAT scores in university admissions

BMAT scores are an essential component of the university admissions process for some of the UK’s top Medicine programs – including at Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, and UCL. The BMAT provides a standardized measure of academic and cognitive abilities that are essential for success in these programs.

Admissions committees use BMAT scores in conjunction with other criteria such as academic records, personal statements, and letters of recommendation to assess a candidate’s suitability for the program. Different universities use BMAT scores in different ways. Some universities use BMAT scores as a threshold for admission, where candidates must achieve a minimum score to be considered for admission.

Other universities use BMAT scores as one factor among many in the admissions decision, where a high BMAT score can strengthen a candidate’s application. Remember that universities also use BMAT scores to determine eligibility for interviews or to allocate places in competitive programs. The importance of BMAT scores in university admissions means that candidates must take the test seriously and prepare in as robust a manner as possible to achieve the highest possible score – a high BMAT score will open up more opportunities for admission to competitive programs, while a low score can limit the range of programs available to the candidate.

Enhancing your BMAT score for better admission prospects: How to Prepare

The first step to improving your BMAT score is to understand the exam itself. The test consists of three sections: Section 1 tests your problem-solving skills and critical thinking, Section 2 evaluates your scientific knowledge, and Section 3 assesses your ability to communicate your ideas effectively in writing.

Following this, begin with official BMAT past papers, of which you can find a range of BMAT Past Papers on our BlackStone Tutors site, here. We have divided them by subject matter as well as year, so you can zoom in on specific areas. It’s vital to work through past papers to understand your strengths and weaknesses – and remember to be honest to yourself when assessing them as well. Do not avoid areas of potential weakness, but rather try as many past questions as you can until you are confident in the areas which you need to work harder on.

Remember that preparation should consider your weaker areas. Many students will focus on areas which they find to be more interesting, and therefore easier – however, this leads to weaker areas becoming even weaker relative to the areas of strength.

You should certainly consider using an online BMAT course, or a BMAT crash course (also known as an intensive BMAT course). At BlackStone Tutors, signing up for our BMAT Crash Course will also allow you access to our online course – meaning that you benefit both from experienced tuition in-person, and the chance to work through content at your own pace.

You must use the official BMAT specification, as outlined on the Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing site. This will outline all the information that you need for each of Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics – and thus ensure that there are no blindspots in your revision.

Additionally, practise your essay-writing, from the outset. Many students forget to do so, or leave this to the last minute – expecting this to be a relatively easy section, or thinking it less important. This is a huge error, as developing a solid approach will ensure you can pick up marks here.

How BMAT scores are used in the admissions process

Here, we will explore how BMAT scores are used in the admissions process by Oxford University, Cambridge University, and University College London (UCL) – remember that the test is used elsewhere.

How BMAT scores are used in the admissions process: Oxford

Oxford University: No Official Threshold

Oxford University uses BMAT scores as part of its selection process for undergraduate programs in medicine and biomedical sciences. They state the following about the test:

‘You should bear in mind that as we short-list the same number of applicants every year, there is no actual cut-off. How well you need to do in BMAT will be entirely dependent on how well every other applicant does.

However, to offer a rough guide, we would suggest that the typical average applicant should be working towards a 6 (a 7 is still fairly rare) in sections 1 or 2; do note that sections 1 and 2 receive greater weighting (40% each) than section 3 (20%).’

How BMAT scores are used in the admissions process: Cambridge

Cambridge University: Weighted BMAT Score

Cambridge University uses BMAT scores as part of its selection process for undergraduate programs in medicine, veterinary medicine, and natural sciences (biological). As at Oxford, BMAT scores are considered as part of the process of admissions, alongside evidence of motivation for the chosen field, extracurricular activities, and other relevant factors in the personal statement, your school grades, references – and then, of course, the interview.

How BMAT scores are used in the admissions process: UCL

UCL: BMAT as Part of a Holistic Assessment

University College London (UCL) uses BMAT scores as part of its selection process for undergraduate programs in medicine and medical sciences. According to their website, BMAT scores are one of several factors considered in a holistic assessment of the applicant. In addition to BMAT scores, UCL considers academic record, personal statement, reference letters, and a situational judgement test in the admissions decision.

BMAT scores are used to help identify candidates with the potential to succeed in the program and to provide additional information about the candidate’s academic and cognitive abilities. UCL does not have a minimum threshold score for BMAT but considers the score in conjunction with other factors. The weight given to BMAT scores in the admissions decision depends on the program applied for and the quality of the other application components.

Strategies for improving your BMAT exam performance on the day

Make sure that you read everything as carefully as you can – in particular the problem solving components. This ensures that you will avoid making straightforward errors that could otherwise be avoided.

Ensure that you work to eliminate options if you’re pushed for time. This can be particularly useful when you are approaching problem solving questions or attempting questions that have a significant amount of data, as it will permit you to hone in on the correct options and spend your time on these options only.

If required, you can also use this technique to reduce the options to only two that are feasible. Of course, also avoid spending too long on a question that you simply do not know the answer to. There will always be some questions that you struggle with, and it’s much better to make a note of these and move on, rather than waste precious exam time trying to tackle something that you may simply not be able to answer.

Strategies for improving your BMAT exam performance on the day (continued)

You must take care of your health and wellbeing in the days before the exam – and the day itself. Taking care of your health and well-being is important for exam success in general, and the BMAT is no different. Get plenty of sleep the night before the exam, eat a good breakfast, and stay hydrated throughout the day. Avoid caffeine and other stimulants, as they may increase anxiety and interfere with your ability to think clearly. Take small breaks during the exam if needed to prevent fatigue and maintain focus.

In tandem with this, work to manage your stress and anxiety. The BMAT exam can be stressful, and it is normal to feel anxious before and during the exam. However, excessive stress and anxiety can interfere with your performance. Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation to help manage stress and anxiety. Visualise yourself performing well on the exam and focus on positive thoughts and feelings.

Arrive at the test centre early. Arriving at the test centre early can help you feel more relaxed and prepared for the exam, whilst rushing to the test centre will only increase your stress levels, which can negatively impact your performance. Therefore, plan to arrive at the test centre at least 30 minutes before the start of the exam. This will give you enough time to check in, familiarise yourself with the surroundings, and mentally prepare for the exam.

Lastly, use the rough working paper provided. The BMAT exam allows you to use rough paper, and it is essential to use it effectively. Use it to jot down notes, make diagrams, or solve complex problems. This will help you to organise your thoughts and avoid making mistakes.