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GAMSAT Reading List

To begin with, although it is true that a well-read candidate is naturally advantaged over one who is not, it is simply not practical for most candidates for the GAMSAT to embark on a concentrated course in reading simply for the purposes of improving performance in the exam. Given the fact that no particular area of knowledge is specified by GAMSAT, the outlay of energy in general reading would be too great to pay off in the finite amount of time available. One must choose one’s battles.  Knowledge is indispensable, but given the fact that this is not a knowledge-based exam, we need to be mindful of the fact that in this context knowledge is useful as a reference point, as a source of illustrations, for case studies, examples, and analogies, rather than for its own sake.

Although the GAMSAT written communication paper is not knowledge based, being well read is always an asset. That is why we send out a reading list prior to the course.  More specifically, it is useful to be able to place the themes that form the essay titles in this exam within some sort of context.  People from different academic backgrounds access different contexts, but some contexts are more useful than others, and the OUP paperback series called “A very short introduction to…” which enables an easy and (usually) readable way to extend your knowledge base, and therefore the number of contexts at your disposal. Recommended subject areas (in no particular order) are -   Globalisation;   Postmodernism;   Evolutionary theory;   Evolutionary psychology*;   Nature and nurture;   The Future  Medical Ethics;  Philosophy of Science;  Politics;   International Relations.