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Is GAMSAT an IQ test?

The format of GAMSAT being multiple choice and testing inherent latent traits of intelligence may make it appear in many ways just another IQ test. However where, as IQ tests require very minimal specific knowledge the GAMSAT is an examination of far more complex ideas and reasoning skills based around specific subject knowledge. The best way to think of this is as an exam designed around the analysis or very specific reasoning skills, such as pattern recognition numeracy, graph reading and other general analytical processes. However, these are all presented in a much more nuanced fashion then a typical IQ test and will involve the basic understanding of key scientific concepts as well as a deep appreciation of language and verbal reasoning 

As such although there may seem to be a high correlation of performance between IQ tests and the GAMSAT the skills required are different and more targeted on the exam. This doesn't mean that developing your general analytical skills as you would for an IQ test are wasted, but it is important to realise that these are going to be examined in a very different way, and at a much higher level. This really all goes back to the question of how much you need to know for the GAMSAT, and how much of your performance is driven by pure reasoning. The answer as you would expect is complex but certainly do not come at the exam presuming it to simply be a regular IQ test. 

To find out more about what you should study please make use of the syllabus and other resources GradMed provides.