Thanks everyone!! Wow - never expected such detailed responses!
I did 1 UMAT paper (the free ACER one). I think even doing just 1 gives you huge benefit as you get to know the format of it, and after that I'm guessing you get diminishing returns.
Enjoy!
Thanks for the advice OptimistPrime! I always thought that to do well in the UCAT you had to study over time i.e it takes time the skills you need to answer questions correctly. I'm not going neglect studying for it as it is different for everyone though (I really want to get into med!!). I guess your example just shows that some people need different amounts of study
Cheers!
Just wanted to post a message - Don't fall for the marketing previous UMAT companies will throw at you regarding their experience. Companies such as Icanmed and Medentry are claiming they expected the UCAT and have experience in it when they do not. I think the best prep you could do is order some UKCAT books from the UK and do them. The UCAT is simply the Aus version of the UKCAT the only change being the name. Since the UKCAT has been running in the UK for many years their are a plethora of resources you can get quite easily and cheaply. Just have a google for some books
Already have
Fell for MedEntry. Soon after I realised. I'm only in year 11 tho, and I'll probs get medify, and 1250 Q's book soon. But I've learnt my lesson so first I'll get your guys advice. Is this a good combo? Sorry for letting u down Lear lol
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Yeah JCU has a focus on rural/tropical/indigenous. That can turn off some people, but at the end of the day it’s still a med course and I don’t think it is too forced on students. It’s definitely somewhere you should apply, particularly if you don’t do as well as anticipated in the UCAT. I also forgot to mention that Bond is also an option in Queensland, although obviously this is undesirable to many people due to the exhorbitant cost.
Given that studying a lot for the UMAT/UCAT isn’t exactly correlated with getting high marks, I would recommend prioritising studying for year 12, as you’ll get a lot more bang for your buck. With that being said, many universities weight the UCAT equally or even more than ATAR, so you should definitely put in some effort. I started early in the summer holidays with my revision and only really did much during the Easter and winter holidays when I had time, but I made sure to understand all the main strategies for each section and complete enough practice questions and exams.
True, a degree is a degree whichever uni you go to. But I Don't think I'll be going to Bond, even if I get an offer lol.
The main reason why I'm studying now for it is so it won't be too much for when I'm in year 12. Thanks for the advice Quantum44!
I'm no expert when it comes to med entry, but I thought I'd add some quick advice considering you called out to anyone who got into QLD med and I recently got an offer at Griffith Gold Coast for the provisional undergrad med course next year. The biggest thing I can say from my personal experience is, if you're willing to put in hard work in QCE (VCE in my case), it is totally possible to get into undergrad med (at Griffith) with a crappy UMAT (or in your case, UCAT). Obviously setting yourself to get as high a UMAT/UCAT as possible will open up the most opportunity for you, but as someone who didn't do so well on the UMAT and was really discouraged afterwards, thinking I had no chance at undergrad med anywhere, it was really surprising and encouraging to find out that I was able to get into the Griffith course (and the most in-demand of the 3 Griffith campuses, at that), with my crappy UMAT not mattering much at all. Long story short, I guess from my experiences I'd say to not let a lower UMAT/UCAT discourage you and to keep pushing throughout the year. You can achieve so much more than you expect!! (FYI, I didn't use tutoring or prep companies throughout the year, or even get tutoring)
Good luck
Cool, thanks smamsmo22! I'm definitely wouldn't mind getting into med there! My brother goes here but for music. If you Don't mind me asking, what ATAR did you get? Usually it's really high 99's for Griffith, isn't it? Feel free to PM me if your not comfortable with posting it publicly
. And fair enough, not many people get high UCAT or UMAT scores without going through a prep company!
Sorry couldn't get back to you all earlier! And thanks again for all your guys advice!!!