[important] Change to UMAT structure

[pi]

Thanks to MSO for this, posting it here too

Key point: sections will NOT have separate timings. I'd advise people to still practice normally and try to complete things by the current timings as it will help enormously.

If someone could email ACER to confirm this, that would be awesome.

[gibsonaxxxs]

Yes this is correct; the ACER site states the following: "UMAT is a 3 hour test consisting of 134 questions and there are no rest breaks." (taken from http://umat.acer.edu.au/about-umat/structure-and-content)

The link to the latest information booklet (published March 26th 2013) is: http://umat.acer.edu.au/files/UMAT_info_book_13.pdf so hopefully that helps.

Guys, I'll second pi's advice about preparing the same way. The questions are going to be the same in types, so there's no real need to be super worried. The only thing different is the structure. Don't worry at this stage - it was a surprise for everyone (including all prep programs!)

I'll be posting up a set of tips on my UMAT blog in a sec. Please do check it out - hope that will help

[shinny]

Yes this is correct; the ACER site states the following: "UMAT is a 3 hour test consisting of 134 questions and there are no rest breaks." (taken from http://umat.acer.edu.au/about-umat/structure-and-content)

Wouldn't say this is confirmation of any sort. There never were any rest breaks to begin with, and when they say rest breaks, I assume they mean as in GAMSAT-style rest breaks where you can leave to go have lunch etc. The letter posted above looks legit enough though.

[Dedicated]

Imagine them mixing the sections up. Doing a problem solving one then getting hit with a non verbal reasoning one. Would be epic.

[gibsonaxxxs]

Wouldn't say this is confirmation of any sort. There never were any rest breaks to begin with, and when they say rest breaks, I assume they mean as in GAMSAT-style rest breaks where you can leave to go have lunch etc. The letter posted above looks legit enough though.

Thanks for pointing that out I guess I wasn't clear enough in stating that there was no mention of sections on that link given; it's just said to be a 3 hr exam.
Furthermore, if you compare the current information booklet (2013) with the previous one (2012), you'll note that there is no mention of sections anymore. (The link to the old information booklet: http://umat.acer.edu.au/files/UMAT_info_book_12-web.pdf - if you're comparing, go to "Structure and Content" of each)

[EspoirTron]

Thanks for that pi! Sometimes I feel that the cohort of 2013 are the ones they are trying everything on - first VCAA cut mid-years and now ACER declare this! 

[pi]

Thanks for that pi! Sometimes I feel that the cohort of 2013 are the ones they are trying everything on - first VCAA cut mid-years and now ACER declare this! 

I think change makes it easier tbh, especially with Section 1 haha

[EspoirTron]

I think change makes it easier tbh, especially with Section 1 haha

Haha yes that's true I am glad, it allows more time for section 1 which can push you for time. I wonder what made them make that decision!
I guess I won't be seeing any awesome shapes on the corner of my booklet anymore! 

[zvezda]

there was no reading time in UMAT for previous years was there?

[pi]

there was no reading time in UMAT for previous years was there?

Pretty sure there wasn't any

[datfatcat]

Pretty sure there wasn't any

There was 1 minute last year for you to check over the whole booklet to see if there's any missing pages.  If you did it quick, you could have .5 minute reading tima HAHA!

[Edward21]

There was 1 minute last year for you to check over the whole booklet to see if there's any missing pages.  If you did it quick, you could have .5 minute reading tima HAHA!

If you read the above letter carefully it clearly states 10 minutes reading time  for checking..? I guess it's good to get a brief idea of what you'll be up against and where everything is for keeping within time limits

[Edward21]

MORE IMPORTANTLY 
1) Would it be better to be swayed by the sea of random 1,2,3 section questions, or choose and go from there??? As in, should I do each question in order, and have to change my way of thinking, or try to do all section 1 style questions, then do section 2 and section 3 within the full 3 hours

2) I had the ultimate freak out, my friend went to a Medentry lecture and told me that the lecturer said that you get partial marks taken off for incorrect answers, yet ACER has stated that no marks are taken off for incorrect answers like VCAA says too. I'm not sure who/what to trust on this? Aka mad rush to fill in random boxes for a 1/4 chance of getting it right? Or just leave blank to avoid losing marks for being incorrect? 

[Irving4Prez]

MORE IMPORTANTLY 
1) Would it be better to be swayed by the sea of random 1,2,3 section questions, or choose and go from there??? As in, should I do each question in order, and have to change my way of thinking, or try to do all section 1 style questions, then do section 2 and section 3 within the full 3 hours

2) I had the ultimate freak out, my friend went to a Medentry lecture and told me that the lecturer said that you get partial marks taken off for incorrect answers, yet ACER has stated that no marks are taken off for incorrect answers like VCAA says too. I'm not sure who/what to trust on this? Aka mad rush to fill in random boxes for a 1/4 chance of getting it right? Or just leave blank to avoid losing marks for being incorrect? 

On top of point 2, they said that questions had different 'values' and there was basically a point system (i.e. some questions are worth 3 marks whereas other less difficult ones are only worth one), how did MedEntry even manage to find this intel and is this actually true?

[pi]

I think it has to be true otherwise you would be able to predict your score based on how many you got wrong (esp section 3). But since it's not a percentage (as you can get over 100) and that you can get small differences of 65 and 66, questions must be weighted.