Who uses GAMSAT
Graduate Entry programmes, a recent introduction to medical training in Ireland, were designed to cater for the more advanced learning styles of those who have already experienced university education. The 4 year courses are open to those who have normally achieved a 2:1 (or equivalent) in their degree, which can generally be in any discipline. The latter meant that a further tool was required to assess potential ability to cope with the level of science education required within a medical degree. Alongside their counterparts in the UK and Australia, the Irish medical schools involved elected to use GAMSAT as a key determinant in their admissions criteria.
GAMSAT was introduced in Ireland in 2005 and initially used as part of the entrance requirements for candidates applying for the graduate entry veterinary science programme at UCD (University College Dublin). Since that time graduate entry programmes for medicine have been implemented at the following and GAMSAT is a part of the admissions requirement:
GAMSAT in Ireland is pivotal as it is the primary source of evaluation for entrants on to the graduate entry programmes. Currently it is not the norm for the medical schools to interview so GAMSAT scores are crucial as they will determine whether a candidate is likely to receive an offer.
At the moment, for example, UCD state that the minimum score they require is 60 (although this doesn’t guarantee an offer), whilst RCSI stated that the lowest score they accepted in 2010 was 63. Others will simply say that offers will be made to those with the highest score. Consequently once allocations have been filled even those with a good score may find they are unable to secure a place. This does, of course, raise the pressure for those seeking to enter medical school substantially.
This differs from the UK where a cut off score is required, say 60, in order to be invited for interview, where decision on offers/rejections will be made. So whilst it is part of the entrance requirements, albeit a very important part, it doesn’t mirror the procedure in Ireland.