GAMSAT Preparation: Tips For Last Minute Brush Up
GAMSAT is one of those competitive exams that raises goose-bumps. It is quite normal for you to get nervous while entering the exam hall but effective GAMSAT preparation will render you with the much-needed confidence on the D-Day. The week preceding the exam is often the hardest. But if you know how to make the best of it, this could also be the turning point for you.
You will often come across successful candidates who claim that the key to their success was their last minute GAMSAT preparation. While only last minute preparation cannot really guarantee success by itself, it is also true that this is the most significant time and you must trod successfully at this time.
But how do you go about planning your study routine for that one all important one week? To answer this question you will have to first take an account of your own strengths and weaknesses. It is only then that you will be able to chalk out a fool proof routine.
The first and foremost thing to keep in mind is that this whole week must be devoted to revision of previously learned topics and concepts. No more learning and memorising new concepts because it will confuse you all the more. Rather, you must spend your precious time in revising the topics with which you are familiar. By cramming up new details just before the D-day you will only be reducing your own probability of qualifying the exam. In the phase of revision you need to keep control over your nerves. The moment you get nervous you will tend to lose your confidence. Try and control your anxiety. Any sort of nervous breakdown will hamper your performance at the GAMSAT.
The last minute GAMSAT preparation demands more focus on recollecting basic facts. Since the very purpose of GAMSAT is to judge the candidate’s reasoning and problem solving abilities within the scientific context hence you need to try and solve at least one full length GAMSAT paper before sitting for the real exam. The examiners would want to see how well you interpret things and situations. Replication of mere notes and courses can have adverse effects. Your revision should not be memorising of details and facts, rather it should include a review of all that you have already learnt.
The best thing to do is rush through those topics which you usually find tough. It means you have no end of working on your weaknesses. Focus on it until you discover that you have overcome your fears and have become comfortable in attending those topics. But make it a point that you do not deviate from your strengths which will help you to gather maximum scores. The last minute revision of GAMSAT preparation material can help you analyse how far you have succeeded in getting yourself ready for the test. You will then be in a situation to find out if you have been able to match the criteria of practising under test conditions. Since you can expect the unexpected, your GAMSAT preparation should also include making your own strategies. Remember that you are the best judge of your capacities and only you can push yourself to the limit.
In the last few days of GAMSAT preparation avoid going for intensive study periods. You really cannot do much to help yourself at the last moment. So, instead of exhausting yourself try and relax. Watch television or listen to some music to relieve your stress. Along with all the above mentioned tips for your last minute GAMSAT preparation, there are a few other aspects which you will have to look into. Try visiting the test centre beforehand so that you do not miss reaching the centre on time on the D-day. Keep the necessary materials of test in advance; this includes making arrangement for the stationary items, a bilingual dictionary (for non-english speaking candidates) and all the other essential documents for the day. Once the countdown for the GAMSAT exam begins, just soak in the experience and think positive.