Introduction
Get ready to tackle the GAMSAT like never before! In this debut episode of Thank Flip GAMSAT, Dr. Tom and Mare Forfa dive into the unique challenges healthcare professionals—especially nurses—face when preparing for the exam. From juggling shift work to overcoming fears about the science sections, they share practical tips and motivational insights to set you up for success. Plus, hear about their exciting new January Jumpstart program to kickstart your prep with free resources, Q&As, and a supportive community. Don’t miss this empowering and strategy-packed episode!
Transcript
Mare Forfa (00:01):
Hey!
Dr. Tom (00:01):
Hey Mare, how are you?
Mare Forfa (00:04):
I’m so excited to be here! A little bit nervous, gotta be real. First episode, and just excited.
Dr. Tom (00:10):
Now, I don’t know whether I should call you Mare or babe or honey because we are married. But I don’t want to make it weird for the listeners.
Mare Forfa (00:15):
I think you should just call me Mare. It would be awesome if our listeners all called me babe, but probably inappropriate, right?
Dr. Tom (00:25):
Don’t call me babe! You can, Mare, but I don’t think it would be appropriate for anyone else. Anyway, welcome everyone! This is Episode Zero of the Nurses Doing GAMSAT podcast. But before we get into that, Mare, I heard you earlier on a few calls with people preparing for the GAMSAT. Tell me about that—some of those conversations sounded really interesting.
Mare Forfa (00:57):
I’ve been slammed all morning with students who have some GAMSAT challenges. It’s always about figuring out how to overcome them. This morning, I was specifically talking to nurses. Nurses tend to have unique challenges—like one nurse, let’s call him T (not his real name), struggles with shift work. It’s not just about finding the time; it’s about the energy. He works nights, and waking up knowing you have to study before another shift is exhausting.
Dr. Tom (01:36):
You’re often awake for 40 hours at a stretch.
Mare Forfa (01:51):
Exactly! And he’s totally lost with Section 3. He hasn’t looked at science since high school, and even then, a lot of nurses didn’t study it deeply. It’s a huge challenge for many.
Dr. Tom (02:28):
And now it’s December, which means everyone is gearing up for the March exam. If you’re listening in January and not studying yet, you need to start right away.
Mare Forfa (02:49):
There’s enough time to get ready if you start now and study the right way. That’s what we’ll talk about today. But first, let’s introduce ourselves for anyone who hasn’t met us before.
Dr. Tom (03:12):
I’m Dr. Tom Forfa. About 18 years ago, I founded Pass GAMSAT after getting myself into medicine. I had to take the GAMSAT three times over three years—it was a grind. The first time, I studied the traditional way: textbooks for physics, chemistry, and biology. Walking into the exam, it was like being hit by a truck. I failed miserably.
The second time, I improved and got an interview with my first preference, Sydney University. But I bombed the interview. It felt personal when they rejected me, but I reflected, learned, and went at it again. The third time, I got into Notre Dame in Sydney. I distilled everything I learned into an ebook, which became hugely popular. Over time, it grew into a full-service GAMSAT preparation company with tutors, courses, and resources.
Mare Forfa (07:34):
My story’s a bit different. I studied education and always loved teaching. When we started dating, I had no idea you wanted to become a doctor. Combining my education background with your GAMSAT experience created this program.
Dr. Tom (08:14):
You were a huge part of this. Your experience in HR and education helped shape what we do now.
Mare Forfa (10:36):
I’ve spent years working in corporate roles for brands like Caltex and Prada, focusing on hiring, firing, and adult education. What I love about ThinkFlip is helping people overcome their mental barriers to success. Many healthcare professionals feel they’re not capable, but it’s often just a mindset issue. I love helping people tap into their potential and do the work.
Dr. Tom (12:42):
And now, ThinkFlip helps with more than just the GAMSAT. We guide people through the application and interview process too. My experience bombing one interview and passing another gave me insights into what works. Now we’re here to help healthcare professionals—nurses, ambos, physios, and more—make the leap to medicine.
Mare Forfa (15:11):
Representation matters. Seeing others who’ve been in your shoes can make all the difference. Whether you’re a nurse, physio, or paramedic, we want to share stories to inspire you and show that it’s possible. Nurses are already doing hard, underpaid work, so the leap to medicine isn’t beyond you.
Dr. Tom (16:41):
We also want to address the unique challenges nurses face, like shift work. It’s not just about time management but also energy and focus. You can’t just memorize sciences—you need intentional, structured study. One of our students, Danny, went from struggling to fit in 8 hours a week to over 20 hours of productive study. It’s doable with the right plan.
Mare Forfa (19:26):
Another challenge is the fear of sciences. Many nurses haven’t studied physics or chemistry in years and feel intimidated. But you’re capable of learning—we just need to create the right environment. Isolation and negative self-talk can sabotage progress, so community and accountability are crucial.
Dr. Tom (22:25):
We’re excited to share these stories and strategies with you. Our first mini-series, January Jumpstart, will help you kick off your preparation for the March GAMSAT. It’s free and includes resources, live Q&As, and a supportive community. Go to thankflipgamsat.com/jumpstart to join.
Mare Forfa (26:49):
This has been exciting. I want to remind everyone: you’re not alone. Nurses make great doctors. Stay inspired, stay focused, and remember—you’ve got this.
Dr. Tom (28:28):
You’ve got this. See you next time!
Resources Mentioned In This Podcast Episode
- The January Jumpstart registration page
- The January Jumpstart Slack channel – you can access this during the January Jumpstart otherwise, if you’re seeing this after the Jumpstart, then we invite you to join our Nurses Doing GAMSAT Facebook Group.
The Podcast
Want to Learn More?
Get our free GAMSAT study guide called the GAMSAT Manifesto.
