BMAT About the Test

The BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) is a 2 hour pen and paper test consisting of 3 separate sections. The BMAT does not require a great amount of extra study as it relies on skills and knowledge that candidates should already have.

Background and development of BMAT

Test Format

Cambridge Assessment is responsible for producing and marking the BMAT. The test consists of the following three sections:

Section 1: Aptitude and Skills
Section 2: Scientific Knowledge and Application
Section 3: Writing Task

Separate answer sheets will be provided for each section.

Calculators may not be used in the BMAT.

Each section is designed to measure a specific construct as detailed below, although more detailed information can be found in the BMAT Specification

Section 1 - Aptitude and Skills

Table: Paper table
Section	What does it test?	Questions	Timing
Aptitude and Skills	This section tests generic skills in problem solving, understanding argument and data analysis and inference	35 multiple choice or short answer questions	60 minutes

Section 2 - Scientific Knowledge and Applications

Table: Paper table
Section	What does it test?	Questions	Timing
Scientific Knowledge and Applications	This section tests a candidate’s ability to apply scientific knowledge normally encountered in non-specialist school science and maths courses, up to and including National Curriculum Key Stage 4. BMAT Section 2 will always be based around the relevant version of the National Curriculum taken by the majority of the cohort.	27 multiple choice or short answer questions	30 minutes

Section 3 - Writing Task

Table: Paper table
Section	What does it test?	Questions	Timing
Writing Task	This section tests ability to select, develop and organise ideas and communicate them in writing in a concise and effective way	1 essay question from a choice of 4 questions	30 minutes

Any rough work should be done in the space provided on the Section 3 question paper.

Scoring

Each question, in Sections 1 and 2, is worth one mark. Total raw marks for each section are converted to the BMAT scale, which runs from 1 (low) - 9 (high). Scores are reported to one decimal place. Typical BMAT candidates will score around 5.0, which equates to approximately half marks. The best candidates will score around 6.0, and a few exceptional candidates will score higher than 7.0.

Section 3 essays are double marked. Each examiner gives a score for quality of content on the scale of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and a score for quality of written English on a scale of A, C, E.

If the two marks for quality of content are the same, or occupy adjacent positions on the scale, the average of the two marks is reported. If the two marks for quality of written English are the same, or occupy adjacent positions on the scale, the scores are combined in the following way: AA = A, AC = B, CC = C, CE = D and EE = E.

If there is a larger discrepancy in the marks, the essays are marked for a third time, and the final mark awarded is checked by the Senior Assessment Manager.

For example, an essay given a 4C by one examiner and 4A by the other will receive a final score of 4B; an essay given 3C by one examiner and 2C by the other will receive a mark of 2.5C.

Delivery

The BMAT will take place on 2nd November 2011 at 9.00am. The majority of candidates will sit the BMAT at their own school or college; other candidates should use the Open Centre Network to locate a centre.

Results

A statement of results will be issued to each candidate on 23rd November 2011. Candidates and centres will be able to download their results using our online results sites:

Results Online - Candidates
Results Online - Centres

Explanation of Results 2011

Previous years’ explanation of results can be downloaded in PDF format:
2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 2010.

Results will be passed to any BMAT institution a candidate has applied to for use in their admissions process. The use of results varies between institutions; candidates should contact the institution(s) to which they have applied to in order to find out how their results will be used.

Results Enquiries and Appeals

Candidates can decide to query their BMAT result or make an appeal immediately following results release. Please see below for more information regarding Cambridge Assessment’s BMAT Special Considerations, Results Enquiries and Appeals Policy.

Special Considerations, Results Enquiries & Appeals Policy (PDF, 23 KB)

The flow diagram below gives details of the appropriate circumstances for submitting either a Results Enquiry or an Appeal, as well as the expected timescales for a response from Cambridge Assessment:

Special Considerations, Results Enquiries & Appeals process flow diagram (PDF, 36 KB)

The relevant ‘Application for Results Enquiry’ or ‘Application for an Appeal’ form below must be filled in and signed by the candidate making the appeal, and then

In the case of candidates who took the test at their school / college: given to their centre’s Examinations Officer, who should then submit the Application for Results Enquiry or Appeal form to Cambridge Assessment on the candidate’s behalf. All Results Enquiry or Appeal forms should be accompanied by a covering letter or fax on the centre’s headed notepaper.
In the case of candidates who took the test at an open centre: the request for a Results Enquiry or Appeal form may be submitted to Cambridge Assessment directly by the candidate.

Application for Results Enquiry (PDF, 22 KB)
Application for an Appeal (PDF, 21 KB)

Candidates should be aware that their results can go down as well as up and that this could affect their university application.

The Results Enquiry or Appeal CANNOT proceed without the candidate’s written consent, as given on the Results Enquiry or Appeal form. Once this form has been received by Cambridge Assessment, the process will be instigated and the appropriate institution(s) informed.

For information about results enquiries and appeals fees please see BMAT Dates and Cost

For all other queries about Results Enquiries and Appeals, including deadline dates, please see the BMAT FAQs

Table: Paper table
Section	Content	Time
Aptitude and Skills	35 multiple choice or short answer	60 minutes
Scientific Knowledge and Application	27 multiple choice or short answer	30 minutes
Writing Task	1 essay question from a choice of 4	30 minutes