Ep 14: What Happens After March GAMSAT?

Tom Forfa (00:16) Welcome back to the Nurses Doing GAMSAT podcast by ThankFlip GAMSAT. I’m Dr Tom, Founder and CEO of ThankFlip GAMSAT.

Now, once the March GAMSAT is over, a lot of our Bootcampers ask us, “What do I do now? What’s the next step? Is it applications? Is it interviews? Should I sit the September GAMSAT? What do I do for each of them?” These are all great questions and very important ones. I’m going to cover those today.

This all depends on whether you feel confident about your March GAMSAT performance, whether you feel like you completely messed it up, or maybe you’re unsure. Over the last 18 years of doing this, we’ve learned that each of these three groups is a bit different, and you need to take different actions depending on which group you’re in. We’re going to address all of that today.

Before we jump into it, a quick reminder to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss the next episode. We’re going to have a lot of great content coming your way in the next few weeks and months. I’m also going to give you a ton of free resources today, and you can find all of those in the show notes at thankflipgamsat.com/episode14.

Let’s talk about the situation. Every year at this time, you’ve been busting your ass for the March GAMSAT. A lot of our Bootcampers have been working really hard, like a steam train building momentum. Then suddenly, once the GAMSAT is over, you’re left wondering, “What do I do now? What do I do with my hands? What do I do with my time? Where do I go from here?”

What happens next? When do results come out? The first thing I want to do today is run through the timeline, because you need to know what happens when. Then we’ll talk about the significance of each event and how to prepare yourself so that by this time next year, you’re starting medical school.

Here’s the timeline. We’ll run through it first, and then go into detail on each step.

The GAMSAT results will be released in mid-May. Then, only two weeks later, on the 31st of May, GEMSAS applications close. That means applications for most medical schools close just two weeks after the GAMSAT results are released. The non-GEMSAS medical schools close their applications in June, and I’ll explain the distinction between GEMSAS and non-GEMSAS in a second.

At the very end of August, you’ll receive interview offers. If you receive an interview offer, the interview will only be held about two or three weeks later. So there’s not much time there. In September, interviews are held, and that’s around the same time as the September GAMSAT. It’s a really busy period. Then, in early November, they release the offers after the interview. So by early November, you’ll know if you’ve been accepted into medical school. In late January, you begin your studies.

Let’s go over that again. Mid-May: GAMSAT results are released. End of May: medical school applications close (some are in June, but most are due by the end of May). End of August: you hear if you got an interview. If you did, you sit your interview two or three weeks later in September. September is also when the next GAMSAT is held. Early November: medical school offers are released. Late January: you start medical school.

Now let’s dive into each of these, because, as with all things GAMSAT, it’s never as simple as it seems.

First, when the results are released in May, let’s look at when that usually happens. In 2024, results came out on Friday the 17th of May. In 2023, they were released on Thursday the 18th of May. So, generally, it’s around that 17th-18th timeframe, towards the end of the week. It really depends on how quickly ACER processes all the numbers, statistics, and whatever else they do behind the scenes. But expect mid-May.

When your results come out, it’s important to understand what they actually mean. We’re going to have further episodes breaking this down in more detail, but here’s a quick insight. The score you get is called a weighted GAMSAT score, meaning Section 3 is worth twice as much as the other two sections. The calculation is: Section 3 is multiplied by two, then added to Sections 1 and 2, and the total is divided by four to get your overall GAMSAT score. Most medical schools use this weighted score, but some schools use an unweighted score, where all three sections are worth the same.

At this point, you also need to calculate your GPA. This is on a seven-point scale, and it’s not necessarily the GPA written on your university transcript. Medical schools have their own way of calculating it. It’s a complicated process, but we have an entire podcast episode on this—Episode 6: Is My GPA High Enough? We break down how to calculate it, what’s considered a high GPA, and what to do if your GPA isn’t high enough.

Now, medical schools all have different ideas about what makes a great medical student. Some will calculate your GPA differently than others. I had a GAMSAT student who was in tears because she called the University of Sydney, told them her GPA, and was told outright that it wasn’t high enough. She thought her dream was over. But when she actually ran her grades through Sydney’s system—because Sydney uses the UAC application process—her GPA ended up being higher. Suddenly, she was in a strong position to apply.

This is why you need to calculate your GPA in the correct system. For most medical schools, that means using the GEMSAS system. GEMSAS is essentially a centralised application system that handles applications for ten of Australia’s fourteen postgraduate medical schools. When you apply through GEMSAS, you submit one application listing your top five preferences, and you’ll receive one interview offer from that system.

The other four medical schools operate independently, meaning you must apply to each of them separately. If you apply to all possible schools, that could mean submitting five applications—one for GEMSAS and one for each independent school. Most people submit a maximum of three applications.

The way you list your preferences in GEMSAS is critical. You could have the scores to get in but miss out because you listed your preferences in the wrong order. Someone with lower scores might get in just because they played their cards right.

Medical schools also have different bonus points depending on your background. For example, if you’re a nurse or another healthcare clinician, some schools are better suited for you. If you’re a rural applicant or an international student, the process is different again. It’s easy to overlook the complexity of the application process, but it’s just as important as the exam itself.

The good news is, we specialise in the application and interview process. We’ve developed methodologies that help people get interviews when they otherwise wouldn’t. If you’re confused about this, don’t stress—that’s why we’re bringing this to you now so you can start preparing early.

I know this has been a lot to take in, but we’re going to cover all of this in more detail in future episodes. If you have any questions, head over to our Facebook group Nurses Doing GAMSAT and join the discussion. And don’t forget to check out the show notes at thankflipgamsat.com/episode14 for all the links and resources I mentioned today.

See you in the next episode!