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Ep 3: How To Beat The Science Students At Their Own Game (January Jumpstart Pt 3)

Episode 3

In This Episode:

In Episode 3 of the Nurses Doing GAMSAT Podcast, Dr. Tom and Mare dive into the infamous Section 3 of the GAMSAT, exploring why so many healthcare professionals struggle with it and how to turn it into an opportunity for success.

They’ll break down the difference between knowledge-based and skill-based study, sharing why reasoning skills are the key to acing this section.

If the science section feels overwhelming, this episode is packed with practical advice and mindset shifts to help you tackle it with confidence.

Resources Mentioned:

  • Video of reasoning skills in action – register for the January Jumpstart and it’s in the Slack Channel

  • An online Section 3 diagnostic test that analyses your performance and identifies the key areas to improve your GAMSAT score – register for the January Jumpstart and it’s in the Slack Channel

  • Mel Robbins, The Let Them Theory.

    Mare Forfa (00:16):
    Hello, and welcome to Episode 3 of our January Jumpstart for the Nurses Doing GAMSAT podcast! Super excited to be here today. Tom, how are you feeling?

    Dr. Tom (00:29):
    Great! Very good, very good. We’ve got bootcamp classes happening this week. As we’re recording, we’ve got sessions almost every night. People are taking GAMSAT prep seriously, especially with the March exam coming up. It’s exciting, and I’m keen to talk about Section 3 today. For any new listeners, this is the third episode of a four-part series. You might want to go back and listen to the first two to build the foundation. Today, we’re diving into shifting your mindset about Section 3 and giving practical strategies to tackle the “holier-than-thou” science section.

    Mare Forfa (01:47):
    Speaking of “holier-than-thou,” you had quite the morning. You dropped our daughter at vacation care, and she pulled the classic “koala.” Parents, you know the juggle—school holidays are wild.

    Dr. Tom (02:14):
    Yeah, thanks for bringing that up. She didn’t want to let go of my arm. It’s tough because she loves it once she’s there. But I’m left frazzled, questioning my life choices, while she’s off rock climbing, swimming, and flying kites. It’s like an analogy for GAMSAT—it seems overwhelming at first, but once you’re in, you realize you can handle it.

    Mare Forfa (03:22):
    Exactly! With GAMSAT—especially Section 3—people freak out, but once you start studying properly, it’s manageable. Tonight, she’ll come home raving about how fun her day was. Same with GAMSAT—at the end, you’ll look back and think, “Wow, I’ve grown so much.”

    Dr. Tom (03:57):
    True. Section 3 is the big culprit for most people’s stress. Whether or not you have a science degree, it’s intimidating. Even science students and PhDs struggle. I’ve seen brilliant people feel defeated, wondering if they’re “smart enough.” Spoiler: it’s not about intelligence; it’s about preparation.

    Mare Forfa (05:18):
    Let’s clear this up: you don’t need a PhD in chemistry to ace Section 3. In fact, cramming knowledge isn’t the answer. If you’re training for a swimming race by running, you’ll build cardio but drown in the pool. GAMSAT requires skills—not just knowledge.

    Dr. Tom (06:04):
    Exactly. Most people overwhelm themselves by cramming science. I made that mistake too. After a year abroad in California, I decided to pursue medicine. I tackled the GAMSAT the traditional way—studying textbooks and memorizing physics, chemistry, and biology. Spoiler: it didn’t work. You can’t cram years of content in months. Knowledge matters, but it’s reasoning skills that make the difference.

    Mare Forfa (07:29):
    Let’s reframe Section 3: the full title is “Reasoning in Biological and Physical Sciences.” The emphasis is on reasoning. Science is just the environment. Knowing everything about water won’t make you a swimmer; you need to master swimming techniques. Similarly, reasoning is the skill you’re developing within the context of science.

    Dr. Tom (11:04):
    That’s a brilliant analogy. You need foundational science knowledge, but you don’t need to dive too deep. ACER specifies Year 12 physics, first-year biology, and first-year chemistry. Anything more advanced is overkill and a waste of time.

    Mare Forfa (12:58):
    And let’s talk about building reasoning skills. People assume practice questions are enough. They’re not. Practice questions test your skills; they don’t develop them. Without proper techniques, you’ll feel stuck and frustrated. Think of practice questions as feedback questions—they reveal what you need to improve.

    Dr. Tom (16:19):
    Exactly. To build skills, you need three steps: learn replicable techniques, study worked examples, and apply those techniques through feedback questions. Think of teaching a child addition: you show them the process, use examples (like bananas), and let them practice. You wouldn’t throw a worksheet at them and expect them to figure it out alone.

    Mare Forfa (18:48):
    So true. The process is universal: learn the technique, see examples, and practice. This applies to riding a bike, inserting cannulas, or answering GAMSAT questions. Once you grasp this, you can focus on finding resources that teach the right techniques.

    Dr. Tom (23:56):
    To bring this to life, we’ll share a video in our Slack group demonstrating reasoning skills in action, along with a Section 3 practice test. It’s about identifying your weaknesses and building from there.

    Mare Forfa (24:32):
    Just a note: those practice questions are for feedback, not for mindless drilling. They help pinpoint skills to improve. If you’re listening in January, join our January Jumpstart to access these resources. Visit thankflipgamsat.com/episode3 to register.

    Dr. Tom (26:09):
    This approach has worked for countless nurses and healthcare professionals. You don’t need a science degree—just the right strategies and effort. Success is 100% doable.

    Mare Forfa (27:00):
    Absolutely. And if you feel overwhelmed, acknowledge that you might need support. Don’t try to figure it out alone. Whether it’s us or someone else, find resources and guidance. Proper preparation makes all the difference.

    Dr. Tom (28:20):
    People often think they’ll be the exception and ace the exam without effort. But results come from replicable techniques, worked examples, and consistent practice. Hoping for luck isn’t a strategy.

    Mare Forfa (31:22):
    It’s about habits, not motivation. Motivation sparks the fire, but habits keep it burning. You don’t brush your teeth because you’re motivated—you do it because it’s a habit. Build study habits that support your goals.

    Dr. Tom (37:46):
    We’ll share videos, resources, and practice tests in Slack. If you’re listening after January, head to thankflipgamsat.com/episode3 for access. Build confidence, tackle Section 3, and achieve your dreams.

    Mare Forfa (38:15):
    Join our community—you don’t have to do this alone. Introduce yourself in Slack and let’s support each other. We’re here to help.

    Dr. Tom (38:41):
    In Episode 4, we’ll cover staying on track: what to study, how to adjust, and using the best resources. Subscribe so you don’t miss it.

    Mare Forfa (39:20):
    And Tom, if you say “read widely” as advice, I’ll lose it. That’s the most overused tip ever.

    Dr. Tom (39:35):
    Don’t worry, we’ll share effective strategies instead. Stay tuned for the next episode!

    Mare Forfa (40:09):
    See you next time!

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