top of page

Changes to BMAT Assessment in 2024/25

Click the link to view the announcement released online on 10/11/2022 on reforms to the BMAT assessment from the academic year 2024/25 onwards for medicine.

  •  

    The BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) is a 2-hour admissions exam, which tests the candidate’s logical aptitude, scientific knowledge and numeracy skills, and written and reasoning skills.

  •  

    Always double-check before choosing your universities!

    Brighton & Sussex Medical School

    Imperial College London

    Lancaster University

    University College London

    University of Cambridge

    University of Leeds

    University of Oxford

  •  

    Early September (date TBC):

    Registration opens (visit Cambridge Assessment)

     

    Early October (date TBC): 

    Registration deadline

     

    Mid October (date TBC):

    Late registration deadline

    2 November (confirmed):

    BMAT exam day

  • ​​

    Section 1: Thinking Skills (MCQ)​

    Number of Questions: 32

    • 16 Problem-solving

    • 16 Critical thinking​

    Time: 60min

    Score: 1.0 to 9.0

    Section 1 is divided evenly between critical reasoning and problem-solving questions. Critical thinking question subtypes include identifying a conclusion / assumption / flaw in a statement / method of argument / weakening or strengthening statements / inferences / explanations. Problem-solving question subtypes involve data analysis, word-based problems, spatial reasoning questions and identification of repetition / pattern.

    Section 2: Maths & Science (MCQ)

     

    Number of Questions: 27

    • 7 Biology

    • 7 Chemistry

    • 7 Physics

    • 6 Maths​

    Time: 30min

    Score: 1.0 to 9.0

    Applied science makes up Section 2 of the BMAT, and is divided roughly evenly between Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths. The time pressure is more severe than in Section 1, with roughly a minute per question. It is crucial to familiarise yourself with the BMAT content specification, as Cambridge Assessment have published a list of assumed knowledge for Section 2 - roughly summarised below: 

    Biology:

    • Cells

    • Movement across membranes

    • Inheritance

    • DNA

    • Gene technologies

    • Variation

    • Enzymes

    • Animal Physiology

    • Environment

    Chemistry:

    • Atomic structure

    • Periodic table

    • Chemical reactions & equations

    • Quantitative chemistry

    • Oxidation, reduction & redox

    • Chemical bonding, structure & properties

    • Group chemistry

    • Separation techniques

    • Acids, bases & salts

    • Rates of reaction

    • Energetics & electrolysis

    • Carbon / organic chemistry

    Physics:

    • Electricity

    • Motion & energy

    • Thermal physics

    • Waves

    • Electromagnetic spectrum

    • Radioactivity

    Maths:

    • Numbers

    • Algebra

    • Geometry

    • Measures

    • Statistics

    • Probability

    Section 3: Essay

    Choose 1 of 3 options​

    Time: 30min

    Score:

    • Quality and content: 0 to 5

    • Quality of written English: A to E

    Section 3 of the BMAT is a writing task, for which you have 30 minutes in total. This includes selecting one topic of a choice of three, planning the essay, writing the essay, and proofreading. The essay is scored on both content and use of written English. The three options you have are general (philosophy) theme, science theme or medical theme. The essay should consist of three parts: explanation & argument of statement, counterargument and reconciliation & conclusion. 

    For more material on questions types within each section, guidance on recognising and tackling questions subtypes, and one-on-one personalised mentoring and access to practice questions, please sign up to the In2MedSchool Mentorship Programme.

    • Time pressured

    • Competitive peers

    • Often not as straightforward as GCSE / AS level exam questions

    • Requires a proactive & strategic approach with good application / synthesis of knowledge

    • No calculator is allowed (contrary to the UCAT)

    • Prior to Covid the BMAT was a pen-and-paper exam, recent transition to an on-screen exam has led to software glitches (as reported by test-takers)

    The BMAT (contrary to the UCAT) has published all its past papers going back to 2003. In addition, the 2014, 2020, and specimen papers have full worked answers freely available online. This means that there is plenty of practice available.

UCAT Application Timeline: Important Dates

Leave Your Feedback!

 

Help improve In2MedSchool by filling in our feedback form.

This will allow us to better support aspiring medics aiming to study Medicine in the UK.

bottom of page