Aptitude tests

• GAMSAT

  All candidates applying to ScotGEM are required to sit the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT). There are two sittings of the test each year: March and September. Exact dates can be found on the GAMSAT website.

  This should be sat in either the year of application or the previous year. To apply in 2019 for ScotGEM 2020 entry, ScotGEM Admissions will accept the following results only:

  • March 2018
  • September 2018
  • March 2019
  • September 2019.

  For 2019 entry, only those with a GAMSAT score of an overall 50, with no subset lower than 47, were called to interview. Paper III was not double weighted.

  ScotGEM Admissions are unable to advise as to the likely GAMSAT scores that will be required to be called for interview for 2020 entry. 

  Use of GAMSAT
  The GAMSAT is designed to assess the capacity to undertake high-level intellectual studies in the medical and health professional programmes. It is used in collaboration with other admissions processes such as the UCAS application, academic qualifications and the UCAT SJT/SJTace.

  There are no general exemptions from the test. Candidates who believe they may be unable to sit the GAMSAT should see the GAMSAT website.

• SJTace / UCAT SJT

  All candidates applying to ScotGEM are required to sit the Situational Judgment Test for Admissions to Clinical Education (SJTace / UCAT SJT).

  This should be sat in the year of application (unless sat on a previous occasion). The deadline for sitting the test is usually the first week in October, but the exact date can be found on the UCAT website.

  Applicants re-applying for ScotGEM who have sat the SJT on a previous occasion are not required to re-take the test if they apply to ScotGEM for a second time. Such applicants should email ScotGEM admissions (scotgem-admissions@st-andrews.ac.uk) with details at the time of application.

  Use of SJTace

  The SJTace is designed to help select applicants with the most appropriate professional behaviours required for new doctors to be successful in their clinical careers. It is used in collaboration with other admissions processes such as the UCAS application, academic qualifications and the GAMSAT.

  The SJTace has identical content to the SJT subtest offered within the UCAT, and therefore candidates who already intend to sit the 2019 UCAT test do not need to sit the SJTace. Their UCAT result (which includes an SJT banding) will be communicated to all their university choices.

  Applicants should also note the following entry exceptions:

  • Candidates who have achieved a Band 4 in the SJTace or UCAT SJT will not be considered for a ScotGEM place.
  • Applicants who have sat the SJT on a previous occasion would not normally be required to re-take the test if they apply to ScotGEM. Such applicants should email ScotGEM admissions (scotgem-admissions@st-andrews.ac.uk) with details at the time of application.
  • There are no general exemptions from the test. Candidates who believe they may be unable to sit the SJTace should see the information on mitigating circumstances on the UCAT website.
  • A candidate may only take the test once in any test cycle, and any instances of multiple testing in the same year will be treated as an example of unprofessional behaviour.

• Extenuating circumstances

  GAMSAT
  We adhere to the guidance given on the GAMSAT website with regard to candidates who are not fit to take the test due to illness or other personal circumstances. There is no possibility of special consideration being given to GAMSAT test results. In no circumstances will GAMSAT scores be adjusted to account for any perceived disadvantage. ScotGEM will not take any illness or personal circumstances into account retrospectively, as we are unable to predict how it would have impacted on the GAMSAT score.

  Candidates who present themselves for the GAMSAT test are declaring themselves fit to take the test. Candidates not fit to take their test due to illness or other personal circumstances must defer their test to a later date, even if this means losing the test fee.

  Candidates may defer the test date for the GAMSAT test sitting once only. No changes to the test sitting can be made once the deferral request has been submitted. All deferrals will incur an administration fee. See GAMSAT website.

  ScotGEM would not exempt a candidate from the GAMSAT on the grounds of a significant or unforeseen medical or personal issue.

  All applicants must have sat the test in the appropriate testing cycle.

  UCAT / SJTace
  We adhere to the guidance given on the UCAT website with regard to candidates who are not fit to take the test due to illness or other personal circumstances.

  Candidates who present themselves for the UCAT test are declaring themselves fit to take the test. Candidates not fit to take their test due to illness or other personal circumstances must reschedule their test to a later date, even if this means losing the test fee. We will not take into account any illness or personal circumstances that occur around the time of, or on the day of, the UCAT test.

  Candidates who plan to take the test in the final weeks of testing but fall ill may not be able to reschedule within the test window. UCAT recommends that candidates take the test early in the cycle.

  ScotGEM would not exempt a candidate from the UCAT on the grounds of a significant or unforeseen medical or personal issue.

  Please email scotgem-admissions@st-andrews.ac.uk for guidance.