Biomedical Admissions Test - Registration, Key Dates, Cost, Exam Pattern

Prospects looking to apply for courses like Biomedical Sciences, Medicine and Medicine (Graduate Entry) are required to take the BMAT exam or Biomedical Admissions Test. Generally, the duration is two hours for the BMAT test and is conducted under a timed environment. The test is acceptable in popular study-abroad destinations in the world such as the UK, Europe and Asia. Some of the top universities in the world also accept BMAT exam scores for courses in Biomedical Sciences, and Medicine.

The BMAT exam pattern has three sections. Section one tests problem-solving, understanding of arguments, and data analysis and inference. The second section of BMAT tests a candidate's knowledge in the non-specialist school Science and Mathematics courses. Candidates are expected to apply this knowledge – possibly in new contexts. The third section of BMAT examines the ability to come up with ideas and translate them into writing. This section does not test a candidate's knowledge. One must also know that BMAT is no longer acceptable in universities from 2024. Instead, UCAT is accepted now.

What is the BMAT Exam?

BMAT full form is the Biomedical Admissions Test developed by Cambridge Assessment Admission Testing. It is accepted by top universities in the world when selecting candidates for medical, dental, biomedical and veterinary degree programs.

Studying in the United Kingdom, Singapore, Spain, Malaysia, Thailand and the Netherlands requires a BMAT. Though there are several BMAT exam dates in a year, candidates must take BMAT only once in an admission cycle. BMAT exam dates vary for different countries.

BMAT Exam: Latest Updates

BMAT is being withdrawn from 2024 due to operational and financial difficulties. However, there are no changes to the BMAT exam and BMAT results that have been already taken. They will be accepted for respective admission cycles. The universities and countries that accept BMAT will keep alternate arrangements in place for 2024 entrance to medical courses. That is UCAT.

What is the UCAT Exam?

University Clinical Aptitude Test which is generally referred to as UCAT is used as an alternative for BMAT 2024 onwards. It is an entrance exam to secure admission into medical and dental schools in the UK, New Zealand, and Australia. It helps in assessing the student's ability to perform in the medicine and dentistry-based courses.

UCAT is generally divided into different sections that include the following:

UCAT Test Format:

BMAT Registration

BMAT registration is not an automatic process. Completing UCAS application alone is not enough to register for the BMAT application. Applicants also have to complete Biomedical Admissions Test registration through one of the BMAT test centres. Mostly, students complete their BMAT registration through their own school or college or one of the open BMAT test centres.

Provide BMAT test centre with the following information for BMAT Registration:

1. Name, gender, date of birth and the correct UCAS number.

2. The university name, course and course code applying to.

3. Any access arrangements, if required along with sufficient evidence to support request.

4. Candidates registering for the Biomedical Admissions Test through their school or college must know that BMAT Registration can be done anytime between September 1 and September 29. Even in an open BMAT test centre, it is possible to complete BMAT registration anytime between the said dates.

Access Arrangements for Biomedical Admissions Test

Candidaets who have a permanent or long-term disability like visual impairment, dyslexia, cerebral palsy, etc, may be eligible for obtaining access arrangements for BMAT. Candidates with a short-term difficulty are also eligible for access arrangements. BMAT test dates The access arrangements for BMAT include modified materials like large print or braille exam papers, extra time, or laptop use. It is required to provide medical evidence for the same.

Popular exams to study abroad:

Cost for BMAT Exam

In this table, we talk about the Biomedical Admissions Test cost in different regions. Some test centres may add an administration fee to the BMAT registration fee. This administration fee includes invigilation costs, dispatch costs and room hiring costs. Prospects are advised to contact respective BMAT test centre for BMAT cost details.

BMAT Cost

Biomedical Admissions Test exam pattern

Let’s talk about the BMAT exam pattern now. BMAT exam format consists of three sections with a total 2hr duration. While first two sections contain MCQs, third section is a descriptive one with a writing section.

BMAT exam pattern

How is Biomedical Admissions Test scored?

There is no pass or fail in the BMAT exam and there is no negative marking.

BMAT exam scoring

Items to Bring on the Biomedical Admissions Test Day

1. Bring a personal ID card, for example, a passport, driving licence or provisional driving licence, or student ID.

2. Bring a soft pencil and eraser for sections 1 and 2 and a black ink pen for Section 3. Use of correction fluid is not permitted.

3. Dictionaries and calculators are not allowed.

4. Candidates are not allowed to bring food or drink into the test room, except an unlabelled water bottle.

BMAT Syllabus

BMAT syllabus consists of aptitude testing through problem-solving and critical thinking skills, Sciences and a writing task to test a candidate's judgement skills.

BMAT Exam Preparation

BMAT exam preparation goes well with guidance. Read the following tips to ace BMAT.

BMAT Exam Preparation Tips

• Use various free resources available on the official website-admissionstesting.org/bmat-preparation, from syllabus, and knowledge resources to practice prapers.
• Learn about various question types through practice papers provided on the official website- admissionstesting.org/for-test-takers/bmat/preparing-for-bmat/practice-papers/. Try solving them to get real-time experience of the test.
• Understand which questions are taking more time and which are less.
• Watch YouTube videos from current medical students and experts to receive advice.
• Read more and start practising writing, and expressing different opinions.
• Read a variety of subjects, topics and source materials.
• Practice self-writing to assess the time taken for writing an essay and practice to reduce the time.