BMAT FAQs

What is the BMAT?

The BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) is a two hour pen and paper test consisting of three sections.

  • Section 1: Aptitude and Skills (60 minutes - 35 multiple choice questions)
  • Section 2: Scientific Knowledge and Applications (30 minutes - 27 multiple choice questions)
  • Section 3: Writing Task (30 minutes - 1 essay question from a choice of 3)

About the BMAT
BMAT Specificiation
Sample Papers

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Who needs to take the BMAT?

All candidates applying to the following institutions/courses are required to take BMAT:

The Royal Veterinary College: D100, D101
Imperial College London: A100, B900, BB29, BB2X
University College London: A100
University of Cambridge*: A100, A101, D100
University of Oxford: A100, BC98

* Please note that it is not essential for applicants to the Cambridge Graduate course in Medicine (A101) to sit the BMAT, although applicants could use a successful result as part of their pre-medical requirements.

Failure to sit the BMAT could result in an unsuccessful application to a candidate’s chosen institution, it is important that candidates refer to university websites, prospectuses, and UCAS for a definitive list of entry requirements.

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When is the BMAT taken?

The BMAT will take place on 3rd November 2010 at 9.00am GMT.

International candidates should check with their centre to confirm the start time.

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Where can the BMAT be taken?

Typically, candidates sit the BMAT at their school or college.  Candidates who do not attend a school or college will need to find an open centre where they can take the test.

Candidates who cannot find a centre should contact the BMAT Support Team.

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How much does the BMAT cost?

BMAT fees are currently under review.

Some open centres may charge an administrative fee for organising and administering the BMAT on behalf of external candidates.

BMAT Costs

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Can BMAT fees be reimbursed?

Candidates from the U.K. in receipt of full Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA), Job Seeker’s Allowance or Income Support may apply for their BMAT fees to be reimbursed. Candidates from within the E.U. in receipt of full Educational Maintenance Allowance, or the equivalent, may apply for their BMAT fees to be reimbursed.

Candidates registered at a closed centre, should speak to their Exams Officer, Head of Sixth Form or Careers Officer and ask them to contact us. Candidates registered through an open centre may contact us directly by writing to:

The BMAT Support Team
1 Hills Road
Cambridge
CB1 2EU
United Kingdom

Standard entry fees will be reimbursed to candidates who have taken BMAT and applied to a BMAT university. Late entry fees and administration fees will not be reimbursed.

A copy of a candidate’s entitlement for benefits should be enclosed with the request for reimbursement of fees.

All requests for reimbursement of fees should reach the BMAT Support Team by Friday, 15th October 2010.

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As a candidate how do I register for BMAT?

Candidates cannot register themselves for BMAT; they must be registered by an approved BMAT centre.

If you are currently attending a school or college you should approach your Examinations Officer to discuss whether or not your school can accommodate for you to sit the BMAT there; other candidates should find an open centre where they can sit the BMAT.

If you cannot find a centre near you to take the BMAT you should contact the BMAT Support Team.

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As an Examinations Officer how do I register my candidate?

Candidates must be registered by their Examinations Officer through our Entries Extranet. If your centre has not offered Cambridge Assessment Admissions Tests before you will need to register with us.

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Where does the BMAT candidate number need to be entered?

BMAT candidate numbers begin with a “B” followed by five numbers. Candidate numbers must be entered on all examinations scripts on the day of the test, candidates will be provided on a Statement of Entry on the day of the test.

Candidates applying to the University of Cambridge entering their candidate number onto their Cambridge Application Form should only enter the five numbers from their candidate number.

UCAS advise that candidates should enter their candidate number onto their UCAS form, more information can be found on the UCAS website.

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What are access arrangements?

Access arrangements is the term given to any pre-examination adjustments based on history of need and provision. That is to say that a candidate may have dyslexia, dyspraxia, dysgraphia, dysorthographia, or working memory deficit and require extra time, the use of a laptop or some other physical requirement.

It is important for candidates to consult with their centre notifying them of any access arrangements the candidate may have and the candidate should be prepared to provide clinical evidence as requested.

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What evidence should an Examinations Officer submit for candidates with access arrangements?

Examinations Officers do not need to submit any evidence to Cambridge Assessment but candidates may be asked to provide evidence of any need for access arrangements at interview.

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Is extra time allowed for candidates without English as their first language?

Extra time is not allowed for candidates without English as their first language.  A decision was taken by the BMAT universities that candidates applying to courses requiring the BMAT are expected to have a good command of English.  The level of English required for courses can be found on each institution's website.

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Where should requests for special considerations be sent?

Special considerations are used to indicate to institutions that a candidate suffered temporary illness, injury or disposition at the time of the assessment. All special considerations will be passed onto any BMAT university to which the candidate has applied. The University will be asked to take the special consideration into account when considering applications. No adjustment will be made to candidates' results.

Requests for special considerations should be completed on the form below and sent with an accompanying letter on school headed notepaper to:

Admissions Tests Team
1 Hills Road
Cambridge
CB1 2EU
United Kingdom

Special Considerations Form

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What preparation materials are available for BMAT?

Preparation Materials for BMAT.

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When will BMAT exam materials arrive at the centre?

BMAT exam materials will arrive with the examination centre approximately a week to ten days before the date of the exam marked with a sticker stating “Admissions Tests Materials Enclosed”.

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What writing equipment should be used for BMAT?

Candidates should use a soft pencil for Sections 1 and 2 of the BMAT. It would also be helpful if you have an eraser available should you need to erase and fill in another answer.

For Section 3 of the BMAT you must use a black ink pen.

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Are dictionaries allowed for BMAT?

No, dictionaries and bi-lingual dictionaries may not be used for BMAT.

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Are calculators allowed for BMAT?

No, calculators may not be used.

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When will BMAT results be published?

BMAT results will be released from 00:00hrs GMT via our Results Online System on 1st December 2010.
Online Results - Candidates
Online Results - Centres

Results Online User Guide - Candidates (PDF, 888 KB)
Results Online User Guide - Centres (PDF, 486 KB)

Please note: Results Online only supports Internet Explorer and Firefox browsers, if you are using any other browser you may not be able to use the Results Online system. Internet Explorer and Firefox can both be downloaded for free from www.microsoft.com or www.getfirefox.com

 

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Can previous BMAT results be used as part of a new application?

BMAT results are only accepted by universities in the year candidates apply for university. Candidates should sit the BMAT in November 2010 if they are applying to start university in 2011 or for a deferred place in 2012.

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Can BMAT results be queried?

No, results cannot be queried.

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Need More Information?
Email: BMAT Support Team
Call: +44 (0)1223 55 33 66
Opening Hours: 0900 - 1700 GMT

I deal with the business brought by ~100 candidates for university admissions tests every year. The efficiency of the site enables me to handle the workload with very few administrative overheads.

Stuart Hocknell
Vice Principal
Abbey College Cambridge


About the Test
Details about the format, content, timing, scoring, delivery and results of the BMAT


Dates & Costs
Find out when tests are taking place and how much they cost


Test Preparation
BMAT resources for candidates and teachers, including past papers, recommended reading lists and specifications.


Registration
Information for candidates and teachers about the BMAT registration process