In 2020, for the first time ever, the March GAMSAT was rescheduled and took place from May 28 to June 8, 2020. The traditional paper test was converted to an online-proctored home test. This was in response to concerns related to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. GAMSAT was administered by ACER through remote proctoring via the ProctorU platform.
Note that the online format had shortened Section 1 and Section 3 tests, both in timing and the number of questions.
Of course, a Reddit poll is not scientific. Nonetheless, it may be of interest to learn that a post-online GAMSAT poll reported 75% of students clicked No in response to the question: "Did you have any issues during your online GAMSAT/Proctor U experience?" (n = 398). Some students reported proctor and connection problems, among others.
Format of the Online May-June GAMSAT
What is the structure and layout of the GAMSAT online exam? What are the differences between the online GAMSAT and the paper exams?
Remote Proctor Window (Session) I: 28 May - 2 June
| Section | Questions | Time, min. | Time/Quest. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 40 (75) | 60 | 1.5 (1.3) |
| 2 | 2 (2) | 65 | ~30 (30) |
GAMSAT-prep.com
Remote Proctor Window (Session) II: 3 June - 8 June
| Section | Questions | Time, min. | Time/Quest. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 60 (110) | 120 | 2.0 (1.5) |
Note: Numbers in (parentheses) represent the traditional paper GAMSAT.
The time limit has been shortened in the online GAMSAT to 60 minutes in Section 1 (100 minutes + 10 minutes reading time in the paper exam) and 120 minutes in Section 3 (170 minutes + 10 minutes reading time in the paper exam).
To optimise May-June exam preparations, we uploaded a video going through the features of the online GAMSAT exam to make sure that candidates cover all bases and contingencies for this relatively new format!
GAMSAT Online Preparation Resources
This video explores Section 1, 2 and 3 preparation and strategies for the new May-June online abbreviated exam.
Gold Standard (GS) offers a free mock exam called GS-Free simulating the most recent GAMSAT format and timing. All multiple-choice questions come with helpful worked solutions with instant raw and scaled scores. Sign up now for a GAMSAT-prep.com user account - FREE FOREVER: Free GAMSAT Practice Test
The new September-October GAMSAT
The September 9, 2020, GAMSAT was changed to a digital (computer-based) exam held at selected test centres globally from September 28 to October 11, 2020. Note that some districts sat the exam as an online-proctored home test (e.g. Dublin) due to local restrictions as a result of COVID-19. ACER has not yet reported the structure of the 2021 exam.
