BMAT Test Preparation

BMAT cannot be 'crammed' for; however, basic familiarity with a test's question and answer style will help you prepare.  Everything that you need to prepare for the BMAT is on, or mentioned on, this website, and you can practise the test with the specimen papers available for download.

BMAT Section 2 will always be based around the relevant version of the National Curriculum taken by the majority of the cohort.

Companies and individuals offering help with BMAT do not have a special insight into the nature of the test.  While a candidate's performance at any test will improve with some familiarisation or practice, anyone thinking of paying for such help should consider very carefully whether they would be wasting their money.

Introductory Tests

This condensed specimen paper contains short versions of all three sections of the BMAT, to allow candidates to familiarise themselves with the BMAT before going on to try the full length specimen papers below.

Please note: Questions from Section 2 in this Introductory Specimen Paper are based around the National Curriculum published prior to 2006.

Full Tests

These full length specimen papers will allow you to familiarise yourself with what will be expected from you when you take the BMAT.

Aptitude and Skills

This section tests the following aptitudes and skills: problem solving, understanding argument, data analysis and inference.

Scientific Knowledge and Applications

This section is based on core knowledge of Science and Mathematics at Key Stage 4, and tests the capacity to apply it at the level expected from BMAT applicants.

Please note: Questions from Section 2 in the Specimen Paper and the Past Paper are based around the National Curriculum published prior to 2006.

Past Paper 2009 refers to the National Curriculum taught from 2006.

BMAT Section 2 will always be based around the relevant version of the National Curriculum taken by the majority of the cohort.

Writing Task

This section tests the capacity to develop ideas and to communicate them effectively in writing, rather than testing knowledge.

Please note: From 2010 Section 3 will have a choice of 4 essay questions.

BMAT documents and links

BMAT Specification

Explanation of Results

Each year an explanation of results is issued to candidates to help them understand their BMAT results.

Suggested textbooks and further reading

Thinking Skills

Thinking Skills by Butterworth, John & Thwaites, Geoff
Critical Reasoning: A Practical Introduction by Thomson, Anne
Critical Thinking: A Concise Guide by Kemp, Gary & Bowell, Tracy
Critical Thinking for Students by Van Den Brink-Budgen, Roy
Thinking from A to Z (2nd Edition) by Warburton, Nigel
Critical Thinking: An Introduction by Fisher, Alec
The Logic of Real Arguments (2nd Edition) by Fisher, Alec

Science and Maths

Any textbook or revision guide which covers the Additional Science and Maths National Curriculum for Key Stage 4 would be suitable for BMAT preparation, this would include books used when studying at GCSE level.

Official BMAT Guide

Written by Cambridge Assessment, the official guide has everything needed to prepare and practice in a single book.  It contains plenty of specimen questions and answers, providing confidence and knowledge of what to expect from the BMAT.