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What is the BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT)?

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

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BMAT Universities in 2022

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Always double-check before choosing your universities!

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Brighton & Sussex Medical School

Imperial College London

Lancaster University

University College London

University of Cambridge

University of Leeds

University of Oxford

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BMAT Dates in 2022 (for Entry 2023)

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Early September (date TBC):

Registration opens (visit Cambridge Assessment)

 

Early October (date TBC): 

Registration deadline

 

Mid October (date TBC):

Late registration deadline

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2 November (confirmed):

BMAT exam day

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VIEW BMAT TIMELINE: Available soon

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Overview of BMAT Subsections

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SECtion breakdown and allocated times

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Section 1: Thinking Skills (MCQ)​​

Number of Questions: 32

• 16 Problem-solving

• 16 Critical thinking

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Time: 60min

Score: 1.0 to 9.0

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Section 2: Maths & Science (MCQ)​

Number of Questions: 27

• 7 Biology

• 7 Chemistry

• 7 Physics

• 6 Maths

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Time: 30min

Score: 1.0 to 9.0

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Section 3: Essay​

Choose 1 of 3 options

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Time: 30min

Score:

• Quality and content: 0 to 5

• Quality of written English: A to E

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Section 1: Thinking Skills (MCQ)​

 

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.

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Section 2: Maths & Science (MCQ)

 

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: 

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Biology:

• Cells

• Movement across membranes

• Inheritance

• DNA

• Gene technologies

• Variation

• Enzymes

• Animal Physiology

• Environment

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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

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Physics:

• Electricity

• Motion & energy

• Thermal physics

• Waves

• Electromagnetic spectrum

• Radioactivity

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Maths:

• Numbers

• Algebra

• Geometry

• Measures

• Statistics

• Probability

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Section 3: Essay

 

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. 

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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.

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What Makes the BMAT Challenging?

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1. Time pressured

2. Competitive peers

3. Often not as straightforward as GCSE / AS level exam questions

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

5. No calculator is allowed (contrary to the UCAT)

6. 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)

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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.