Ok, now hear me out – daily GAMSAT essay practice is so important, itās not funny
Imma explain further, but hereās to you Too-Busy peeps first
![Do Your Ese Meme - When your teacher tells you to do your essay buy you though she said ese - FastGAMSAT [daily GAMSAT essay practice]](https://i0.wp.com/www.fastgamsat.com/wp-content/uploads/Do-Your-Ese-Meme-When-your-teacher-tells-you-to-do-your-essay-buy-you-though-she-said-ese-FastGAMSAT.png?resize=500%2C471&ssl=1)
(āO_O)
Hey Will, when is the GAMSAT held in September 2022?
( ļ¾āļ¾)
The September 2022 GAMSAT sitting will be held between 5th to 9th September 2022.
(āO_O)
Wait, but I read somewhere that thereās also a sitting earlier in the year.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
That would be the March GAMSAT – that was held between 18th to 23rd March 2022.
(āO_O)
Ok, so if there are two sittings, which one should I sitā¦?
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Thatās a very good question, and I go through the reasons in two separate posts – in GAMSAT March 2022: Why You Should Sit It, I focus on the March GAMSAT.Ā
( ļ¾āļ¾)
In this post, I focus on the September GAMSAT.
(āO_O)
Then, let us wait no longer~
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Yep, letās do it.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
The first benefit, is that GAMSAT September 2022 is great for practice runs, for several reasons:
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Gamster, you know the difference in prep times available for the March GAMSAT, as opposed to the September GAMSAT, right?
(āO_O)
Yeah – itās extreme: For the March sitting, you have around three months of summer holidays, then a gentle start to Semester 1; and for the September sitting, itās the hectic times of final assessments of Semester 1, one months of winter holidays, then the ramp-up into mid-semester assessments in Semester 2.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Thatās right – so for normal uni students, there is less time to prepare for the September exam (AKA not months of holidays). So, if you were going to do a practice run anyway, the logical thing to do would be to choose the September exam rather than the March exam.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Ok, so you know how for the March GAMSAT, you can use it for same-year applications for every country, whereas for the September GAMSAT, you can only use it for same-year applications for the UK?
(āO_O)
Yeah, so it actually makes the September GAMSAT seem lower stakes.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Exactly – so since you canāt use the September GAMSAT scores for same-year application anyway, you might as well use it to give yourself an idea of what to expect from the exam (in terms of stamina and studying and stress-management), which will give you a better idea of how to prep properly for the March GAMSAT
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Also, itās easier to keep your prep from the practice run for the real thing, if you choose GAMSAT September 2022 as your practice run.
(āO_O)
How does that work?
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Ok, so after the September GAMSAT, are final assessments and exams for Semester 2, then months of holidays, and a gentle start to Semester 1, then the March GAMSAT.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Compare that to after the March GAMSAT, are mid-term assessments and exams for Semester 1, a short break, final assessments and exams for Semester 1, then a still-short (~1 month) holiday, mid-term assessments and exams for Semester 2, then the September GAMSAT.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
So, to start prep leading up to the September GAMSAT as a practice run – and continue prep until the March GAMSAT as the real thing, you will have more prep time and less distractions, and can retain your prep way better – and much less so, if you took the March exam first, followed by the September exam.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Hey Gamster, you know how there are ppl who actually live in the UK and Ireland?
(āO_O)
The way you say it, makes it seem like a conspiracy theory if I believe it.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Hold on – āifā?
(^Ī¦Š“Ī¦^)
So, are we to understand that you did not believe it by default?
(āO_O)
Oh, shucksā¦.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Anyway, assuming that ppl do live in the UK and Ireland…
(āO_O)
Stop hypothetical-ising a whole people!
( ļ¾āļ¾)
…Then they actually have an advantage, with the September GAMSAT.
(āO_O)
Oh, how?
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Ok firstly, their university academic calendar makes it so that, they have more time to prep for the September GAMSAT.
(āO_O)
Oh, just like the timetable advantage that most places have with the March GAMSAT.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Itās actually more extreme than that: Check out the timetables for Exeter (UK), Liverpool (UK), Cardiff (UK), Cork (Ireland), Limerick (Ireland), Dublin (Ireland).
(āO_O)
Am I reading this right? It looks like they not only get at least 3 months holidays (like Australian unis), but the GAMSAT exam (early September) happens when theyāre still on holidays!
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Well, GAMSAT is during Week 1 for some places (e.g. Limerick, Dublin).
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Secondly, for the September GAMSAT, there are more venues for the UK, and less for the rest of the world.
(āO_O)
Ok, so if people live in the UK, it means they can arrange transport and accommodation a lot easier, or not need to arrange special plans at all?
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Thatās right, and that hinges on the assumption that ppl really live there. (Which is not – and can never be – confirmed)
(āO_O)
God dammit.
Can Use For Same-Year Application
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Thirdly, UK & Irelandās med school application process happens so late, that the September GAMSAT scores actually can be used for same-year applications.
(āO_O)
So, both March and September GAMSAT scores are good for same-year applications in UK and Ireland?!
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Thatās right, which leads to an interesting effect: In most countries, the March GAMSAT is the only one relevant for same year application – so ppl can use the September GAMSAT as the practice run, then sit the March GAMSAT as the real thing.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
But in UK and Ireland, things can be reversed – because March and September GAMSAT scores are equally relevant, and the September sitting is the last one of the year, British and Irish Gamsters can use the March GAMSAT as the practice run, then sit the September GAMSAT as the real thing.
(āO_O)
Thinking like that trips me out.
(āO_O)
Say, Will – so you mentioned the advantages of doing the March GAMSATā¦.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Sure did: Leading up to the March GAMSAT, most uni students get a long-ass holiday and not too much uni curriculum, meaning lots of free time and low stress, which makes it an optimal time for GAMSAT prep.
(āO_O)
Ok, and the September GAMSAT is the oppositeā¦.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Yep, as mentioned in the Practice Run section – which is why ppl use it as a practice run~
(āO_O)
So if the September GAMSAT disadvantages normal uni students, what about ppl who arenāt normal uni students?
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Very good! The September GAMSAT is harder schedule-wise to prep for, so normal uni students wonāt have as much time to prep; and also, because more of the normal uni students will have a practice-run mentality, theyāre likely to go soft on themselves during prep or the exam.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
This potentially makes the September GAMSAT less competitive for ppl who arenāt normal uni students.
(āO_O)
Like, what types of people?
( ļ¾āļ¾)
More specifically, the following demographics, actually benefit from the September GAMSAT:
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Part-time students have a lower study-load already, so they have more room to take on GAMSAT prep.
(āO_O)
What if they study part-time because they have other responsibilities, like work or childcare?
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Then that just means they have better time management skills than normal full-time students…
(^Ī¦Š“Ī¦^)
Who may be more used to procrastinating and cramming and pulling all-nighters.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
…Which makes busy part-timers more prepared for take on GAMSAT prep anyway.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Students who study all throughout the year, donāt actually benefit from taking the March GAMSAT.
(āO_O)
Isnāt that a bad thing?
( ļ¾āļ¾)
It might be a bad thing if we were discussing the March GAMSAT, but weāre talking about the September GAMSAT.
(āO_O)
Thatās true.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
And just like the students who juggle uni with other responsibilities, the students taking an accelerated pathway – with less downtime and more workload – have more academic discipline.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
This means these accelerated students experience prep for the September GAMSAT at the same difficulty level as the March GAMSAT, while reaping the benefits of the September GAMSAT being less competitive.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
As mentioned above, British and Irish universities have a different structure, with Autumn Semester (Semester 1) starting in September, and Spring Semester (Semester 2) finishing in May or June.
(āO_O)
Yeah, and when the September GAMSAT is on, theyāre even earlier in their Semester 1 timetable (and thatās if uniās even started for them yet) – meaning they have little to no competing interests for their time and energy.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Yep, so students in the British Isles have a huge leg-up for GAMSAT September 2022.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Gam, have you heard of the saying āif you need something done, get a busy person to do itā?
(āO_O)
I think so – why?
( ļ¾āļ¾)
The quote is talking about the right type of busy ppl.
(āO_O)
There are right and wrong types of busy people?
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Yep – the wrong type are busy out of circumstance: Whether out of poor choices or time-management, they have responsibilities that stack up and spill over, and are ābusyā, because they are always putting out fires.
(āO_O)
I think Iām sometimes like this – especially during assessment time.
(^Ī¦Š“Ī¦^)
Thatās most ppl, so itās not unusual.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
In contrast, the right type are busy by choice: They have great work ethic and time management, and are busy, because they are operating on their edge, and want to squeeze the most out of the 24 hours in their day.
(āO_O)
That reminds me of Steven Coveyās 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Similarly, for the academically disciplined, they can wake up earlier, study without getting distracted, and keep their motivation and energy levels up despite the responsibilities of real life, and so on.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
For them, thereās not much difference in prepping for the March or September GAMSATs – they will find time for the necessary prep; and if they take GAMSAT September 2022, they will simply benefit from the lower level of competition.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
So, if youāre a uni student, youāre advantaged by the academic calendar for the March GAMSAT, and disadvantaged for the September GAMSAT.
(āO_O)
Does that mean that candidates who are not in uni, have it the opposite way?
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Well, graduates donāt necessarily get disadvantaged for the March GAMSAT – itās more like the advantages and disadvantages of the academic calendar donāt apply to them.
(āO_O)
So, thereās no difference for them whether they sit the March or September GAMSAT?
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Not in terms of uni anyway – they can still be affected by their responsibilities, like how busy work is at different parts of the year.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
The point is, they donāt systematically experience the disadvantage of prepping for GAMSAT September 2022, which can translate to a relative advantage over their uni-dwelling competitors.
(āO_O)
So, which people should sit the September GAMSAT?
( ļ¾āļ¾)
So firstly, ppl who want a practice run: Since you canāt use GAMSAT September 2022 scores for same-year med school applications, you can sit the September GAMSAT in 2022, then sit the March GAMSAT in 2023 if need be, and apply in 2023.
(āO_O)
But med schools in UK and Ireland accept September scores for same-year applications.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
I was getting to that: so because British and Irish candidates can use both March and September scores for same-year applications, and their academic timetable heavily favours September GAMSAT prep, they should definitely focus on sitting GAMSAT September 2022.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Lastly, because uni students outside the UK and Ireland are systematically disadvantaged by their academic timetable when prepping for GAMSAT September 2022, they are more likely to be less prepared, or less dedicated (due to the practice run mentality).
( ļ¾āļ¾)
So, if youāre any of the following demographics, you can likely benefit from taking GAMSAT September 2022 seriously:
(āą² ć
æą² )
Including learning about a side-gig that pays $60 or more?
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Yep – with no qualifications, labour, or dodgy-ness.
(āO_O)
I’m in.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
If that’s a yes, then check out the FastGAMSAT ebook pack on the homepage!
( ļ¾āļ¾)
And yes, that’s Snarksy on the cover.
( ^Ī¦Š“Ī¦^)
Draw me like one of your French girls, Willeo.
(āO_O)
Hey Will, when is the GAMSAT held in March 2022?
( ļ¾āļ¾)
The March 2022 GAMSAT sitting will be held between 18th to 23rd March 2022.
(āO_O)
Wait, but I read somewhere that thereās also a sitting later in the year.
[Spoiler Warning] As GAMSAT costs inflate, candidates will feel more and more like gangsters with the amount of money theyāre throwing around…
(āO_O)
Hey Will, whatās the cost of the upcoming GAMSAT?
( ļ¾āļ¾)
The cost of attending GAMSAT in 2022 is AUD$515.
(āO_O)
Wait, has the price gone up since this year?
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Actually no – the price of taking the GAMSAT in 2021 was also AUD$515.
(āO_O)
Oh thatās not so bad.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Oh it hasnāt always been a cake-walk like this – the GAMSAT fee has gone up quite a bit since I took it back in 2009.
(āO_O)
Oh, whatās the price been like?
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Check out the GAMSAT costs over the past 10 years or so:
| Year | GAMSAT Costs (In Australia) |
| 2024 | $549 |
| 2023 | $515 |
| 2022 | $515 |
| 2021 | $515 |
| 2020 | $510 |
| 2019 | $505 |
| 2018 | $490 |
| 2017 | $490 |
| 2016 | $470 |
| 2015 | $455 |
| 2014 | $440 |
| 2013 | $425 |
| 2012 | $409 |
| 2011 | $374 |
| 2010 | $308 |
| 2009 | $308 |
| 2008 | $300 |
(āO_O)
Hmmm…
( ļ¾āļ¾)
What?
(āO_O)
Can I just check somethingā¦ (Excel magic noises)
| Year | GAMSAT Costs (In Australia) | Price Difference From Previous Year | GAMSAT Costs Inflation Rate (%) | Australia National Inflation Rate (%) |
| 2024 | $549 | $34 | 6.60 | 3.8 |
| 2023 | $515 | $0 | 0.00 | 4.1 |
| 2022 | $515 | $0 | 0.00 | 6.6 |
| 2021 | $515 | $5 | 0.99 | 2.9 |
| 2020 | $510 | $5 | 0.99 | 0.9 |
| 2019 | $505 | $15 | 3.06 | 1.6 |
| 2018 | $490 | $0 | 0.00 | 1.9 |
| 2017 | $490 | $20 | 4.26 | 2.0 |
| 2016 | $470 | $15 | 3.30 | 1.3 |
| 2015 | $455 | $15 | 3.41 | 1.5 |
| 2014 | $440 | $15 | 3.53 | 2.5 |
| 2013 | $425 | $16 | 3.91 | 2.5 |
| 2012 | $409 | $35 | 9.36 | 1.7 |
| 2011 | $374 | $66 | 21.43 | 3.3 |
| 2010 | $308 | $0 | 0.00 | 2.9 |
| 2009 | $308 | $8 | 2.67 | 1.8 |
| 2008 | $300 | – | – |
(āO_O)
ā¦Itās conclusive.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
What do you see, my liege?
(āO_O)
I see thatā¦ some years, the GAMSAT does not beat inflation.
(^Ī¦Š“Ī¦^)
Very good!
( ļ¾āļ¾)
So kids, what lesson did we learn today?
(āO_O)
That the GAMSAT is expensive.
(^Ī¦Š“Ī¦^)
An astute observation.
(āO_O)
So, is there actually a best time to prep for the GAMSAT?
( ļ¾āļ¾)
That best time would be right now, since the GAMSAT will only get more and more expensive over time.
(^Ī¦Š“Ī¦^)
The cost of waiting is actually higher than that: Each year you donāt sit the GAMSAT, is one less year you have before retirement, and one less year you can be earning the biggest bucks as a consultant.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
As the saying goes, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.
(āO_O)
Could I have sat the GAMSAT 20 years ago?
(^Ī¦Š“Ī¦^)
Sure – ACER created the GAMSAT back in 1995.
(āO_O)
(Regret-o-meter intensifies)
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Though you and the GAMSAT would both have been playing in the mud back then.
(āO_O)
Thatās true – so the time to start, is right now.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Right! If you want to learn about GAMSAT prep, check out the blog for all the latest tips – and when youāre ready to get serious, check out the study guide super bundle on the homepage!
(^Ī¦Š“Ī¦^)
Or if you canāt deny your heart any longer, you can also just click on the below image with me on the cover, to start accessing the study guide quick smart.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Gamster, have you ever wanted to learn to use Reddit for GAMSAT prep!
(āO_O)
You can use Reddit for GAMSAT prep?
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Iāll take that as a no
(āO_O)
It sounds like I should change the errors of my way though?
(^Ī¦Š“Ī¦^)
Youāre just saying that to get into our pants
| To skip to the TL;DR summary, click here. |
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Hey Gamster, wha-
(āO_O)
ā¦
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Oh Gās doing a practice exam, letās come back later- and geez, stop eating Gās toes.
(^Ī¦Š“Ī¦^)
But food waits for no one.
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Hey Gamster, howās GAMSAT prep going?
(āą² ć
æą² )
ā¦
( ļ¾āļ¾)
Youāre not Gamster. What did you do with Gamster??? Continue reading [BusyGAMSAT] Need A Job? Apply In Person
Know those ppl who always say āNothing looks good on meā?
Why not introduce them to your exclusive line of makeup.
Stuck? Whoās stuck? Iām not stuck. Iām just hanging out until I get good ideas. Continue reading š§ šGAMSAT Reflective Essays: Prep Made Easy
