On 30th March 2020, ACER announced that the online registration is open for the new online GAMSAT, which will be delivered between 28th May and 1st June 2020. In this unprecedented situation, many of you may be worried or confused about the logistics of an online GAMSAT. Here, we provide answers and thoughts on some of the most pressing concerns that you may have. This article also incorporates the more recent update email from ACER on 1st April 2020 regarding the usage of scrap papers, guidelines on device screen size and test security.
A. Only the students who had registered (or had deferred to) to sit the March 2020 GAMSAT are eligible to sit the May/June online GAMSAT.
A. You will be sitting your exam not at a test centre, but at your home or a private location of your choice.
A. Your online GAMSAT will be monitored by remote proctoring, through a company called ProctorU. ACER has recommended a video for students to watch to get a better idea of the process (note: this video not specific to the GAMSAT).
A. Yes. The number of questions and time given for Section I and III will be different from previous GAMSAT exams.
Section I
Section III
This means that for the online GAMSAT, you will have significantly more time per question for Section III.
A. If you do not wish to sit the online GAMSAT, you can defer your registration and sit a paper GAMSAT exam at a test centre in September 2020 or March 2021. Of course, there is no guarantee at this stage that the September 2020 GAMSAT will go ahead at a test centre, given the unpredictability of the COVID-19 context. You can also ask for a refund instead.
A. All steps are outlined in the Official ACER GAMSAT Booklet. Here is a summary of the process:
A. Yes, you can reschedule your exam up to 72 hours before the testing window opens. You should note that no changes are permitted after 24th May 2020.
A. You will only be allowed to use a desktop or laptop computer to sit your online GAMSAT. These will need to have a built-in camera, or have an external camera connected. ACER recommends a screen size of 15-inch or larger, but a 13-inch screen will be acceptable as the resolution is 1280 x 1024 or higher. Other digital devices such as smartphones, iPads and other types of tablets will be allowed. You will be required to have a reliable internet connection.
A. It is understandable that some students will not have access to a reliable internet connection, or a suitable desktop or laptop computer. Some students may also struggle to find a quiet and private place to sit their exams. If you find yourself in such a position, please contact ACER directly to address your concerns.
A. Yes. You are allowed to use two sheets of paper per test session (i.e. two for Sections 1&2, and two for Section 3). You will be required to show both sides of your papers to the proctor before the test, and also show your rough workings at the end of the test. You will be required to rip and dispose of the papers while the proctor is watching.
A. ProctorU and ACER will be putting in all available measures to minimize cheating:
A. If you need to go to the bathroom during your test session, you will need to advise your proctor and wait for approval before going ahead. Session clock will not be paused, except when prior approval has been given. Bathroom breaks will not be allowed during the last ten minutes of each section.
Check the official ACER website for further updates. We will be posting a summary of updates on the GAMSAT, as well as any other updates relevant to medical schools admissions in our COVID-19 Live Updates page.
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