Ep 4: What To Study And How To Get It All Done (January Jumpstart Pt 4)

Dr Tom (00:00):
Welcome back, everyone, to episode four of the Nurses Doing GAMSAT podcast. This is also the fourth part of the January Jumpstart, which is a challenge we’re running to help those listening get their preparation up and running for the March and September 2025 GAMSATs. It’s a four-part series, and in this final part, we bring everything together.

With that in mind, let’s quickly recap the last three lessons, and then we’ll talk about what we’re covering today. But before we do that—welcome, Mare, to the session.

Mare Forfa (00:40):
Thank you! It’s been a great morning. I’ve already been to Pilates and got smashed on the reformer. I know you were… I think you were deadlifting this morning. Is that right?

Dr Tom (00:48):
Yeah, I went to the gym and did some deadlifts. Actually, I just remembered they were meant to be sumo deadlifts, but I did conventional instead. Completely missed it! For those who don’t know, they’re very different techniques. It only just occurred to me as I was talking to you that I didn’t follow the plan—which, coincidentally, is something we’re going to talk about today.

Mare Forfa (00:58):
Man, you’ve got to follow a plan. If you don’t follow the plan, you don’t get the result. It’s pretty simple.

Dr Tom (01:18): 
That’s it. Later in the week, I’m meant to do conventional deadlifts, so I’ll just swap and do sumo ones instead.

Mare Forfa (01:25):
This is why I go to a class. I turn up, listen, do the things, get smashed, and then I’m done. I’m not one of those DIYers who wants to pull things together. Neither are you. I know you’ve got a coach as well.

Dr Tom (01:37): 
No, my plan isn’t DIY. I’ve got a trainer who’s given me my plan, but I don’t like the class environment. I’d rather work alone, follow the recordings, and get it done in my own time. So, we’re kind of two different approaches to the same goal. Anyway, I had a great morning—dropped Ruby, our daughter, off at vacation care.

Mare Forfa (01:53): 
Two versions of the same thing.

Dr Tom (02:04): 
They’re doing go-karting today. I thought the go-karts were motorised, but they’re pedal ones. Still fun, but I was hoping for the motorised ones.

Mare Forfa (02:17):
Okay, that’s fun. Look, when I was a kid at vacation care, it was just a trampoline in an old YMCA and Vegemite sandwiches. It was crap. This vacation care stuff is amazing.

Dr Tom (02:33): 
Yeah, it’s amazing what kids get to do these days. Back in the day, we just ran around the neighbourhood skateboarding and getting into trouble. Ruby’s got a totally different experience. Anyway, let’s get into today’s session. Just to recap the last three episodes:

Mare Forfa (02:47): 
A different time, for sure.

Dr Tom (03:01):
In part one of the January Jumpstart, we talked about time management and, more specifically, how to create more time in your schedule for GAMSAT study. Many of our listeners are full-time healthcare professionals like nurses, physios, OTs, and social workers. You’ve got to look after yourself while fitting in GAMSAT prep. So, we showed you how to create at least eight extra hours a week. If you haven’t listened to that episode, go back and check it out.

Mare Forfa (03:38):
The second episode was all about mindset. From speaking to thousands of students, I’ve seen that overcoming self-doubt is a huge challenge. How do you stop worrying and step into a mindset of “I can do this” instead of “Am I smart enough?” We shared techniques to overcome self-sabotage, fear of failure, and that nagging self-doubt.

Dr Tom (04:09): 
Then, in episode three, we focused on the science section—getting into the nitty-gritty of GAMSAT preparation. We discussed what the science section is really about and shared strategies for tackling science questions without prior science knowledge. It was a mind-blowing moment for many listeners. And now, we’re onto the fourth episode, where the big question is: how do you actually get started? What do you study? What are your options? How do you make sure you get it all done? Essentially, how do you start strong and finish strong, whether it’s your first attempt or not?

Mare Forfa (05:12) Before we dive into pathways, we need to start by framing the GAMSAT as a marathon, not a sprint. The GAMSAT isn’t just about passing the exam. It’s about becoming the person who’s ready to be a medical student and, ultimately, a doctor. People often think, “I just need to pass this exam,” but the reality is that who you become on the journey to medicine determines the kind of doctor you’ll be. Think beyond the exam—what kind of med student and doctor do you want to be? This mindset shift changes everything.

Dr Tom (06:28): 
Exactly. The physics, chemistry, biology, and poetry—none of it is overly difficult, but it can feel boring. But when you approach it as part of the journey to saving lives and becoming the person you want to be, it shifts your perspective. It’s not about cramming—you can’t cram for the GAMSAT because it’s a skills-based exam. The question isn’t, “Do I have enough time?” but rather, “What am I doing with my time?”

Mare Forfa (08:34): 
It’s like the 2020 word of the year: pivot. If what you’re doing isn’t working, pivot and use your time effectively.

Dr Tom (08:40):
That’s it. So, here are the key steps for GAMSAT preparation. If you’re not taking notes, I suggest you start now. Mare, do you want to kick us off?

Mare Forfa (09:20):
The first step is to research and understand the exam. What’s it really about? What are you up against? Yes, you need to know the sections, the format, and the timing, but also why it’s structured the way it is. For example, some people hate the essay-writing section. But when they understand that it’s about articulating your thoughts clearly, thinking critically, and working under pressure—skills you’ll need as a doctor—their perspective shifts.

Dr Tom (10:36):
Exactly. The same applies to symbolic poetry in Section 1. Nobody’s going to ask you to interpret poetry in a hospital, but the skills it builds—critical thinking, interpreting abstract information—are crucial.

Mare Forfa (13:25): 
The next step is creating a study plan. This is your map. You don’t wander the streets of Bangkok hoping to find the markets; you use Google Maps. Likewise, your study plan needs to be efficient and tailored to your strengths and weaknesses. Practice questions shouldn’t make up 100% of your study—they test your skills, not build them. Skill-building comes first.

Dr Tom (16:26):
Then, you incorporate practice questions to identify your progress and weaknesses. The goal isn’t to avoid mistakes but to learn from them. Mistakes are gold because they show you where your marks are hiding. Once you identify weaknesses, focus on fixing them.

Mare Forfa (19:28): 
Another critical step is test strategy. How you study isn’t always how the test environment will be. You need to practise under exam conditions—with timing, distractions, and the specific tools you’ll use—to build confidence and adaptability.

Dr Tom (19:50): 
Mindset and motivation are key throughout. Negative self-talk, self-sabotage, and fear of failure are common challenges. Tackling these head-on is essential.

Mare Forfa (22:13):
Accountability is the final piece. It’s easy to get distracted, but having someone keep you on track—whether a coach, group, or partner—makes all the difference.

Dr Tom (23:32): 
There are two pathways: DIY or guided. DIY can work, but there’s a hidden tax in time, energy, and missed opportunities. Guided programs like our bootcamp streamline the process with proven strategies, resources, and accountability.

Mare Forfa (40:03): 
Our bootcamp starts with strategic analysis to create a personalised plan. We offer an education library, small group classes, one-on-one power calls, and proper accountability. We’ve spent 18 years refining this process to support students through every stage, from study to applications and interviews.

Dr Tom (46:03): 
At the time of recording, registrations are open for our next live nurses cohort, starting 21 January. Visit thankflipgamsat.com/episode4 for more details. Whether you go DIY or join a program, the important thing is to set yourself up for success.

Mare Forfa (50:43):
We hope today’s episode has been helpful. Let us know about your journey. We’re excited to see you succeed.

Dr Tom (51:12):
That’s it for the January Jumpstart series. Make sure you subscribe for more episodes. Thanks, Mare, and thanks to everyone listening.

Mare Forfa (51:31):
Thanks, Tom! And thank you to our listeners. This has been fun, and there’s so much more to come.

Dr Tom (51:41):
Have a great day, and we’ll see you next time.