How I ACED Section 1 GAMSAT
Preparing for Section 1 of the GAMSAT can seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Section 1 tests your ability to interpret a range of texts. These texts may be fiction, non-fiction, poems, diagrams, or even cartoons, and you're expected to answer multiple-choice questions focusing on themes, characters, plot, and the author's perspective. In this article, I will explain how you can approach this section and improve your performance significantly.
Understanding the Purpose of Section 1
Before diving into study techniques, it’s essential to understand the philosophy behind Section 1. Why is it part of the GAMSAT? After all, what does reading a poem or analysing a piece of fiction have to do with being a successful doctor?
Medical schools increasingly emphasise the importance of communication skills. Effective communication is not just about speaking but also about listening and interpreting. Section 1 primarily tests your ability to interpret and understand information, which is vital for doctor-patient interactions. As a doctor, you will often need to comprehend a patient’s emotions and intentions, which aligns with the emotional intelligence (EQ) tested in Section 1.
Key Principle: Interpret Without Bias
A common mistake students make is allowing preconceived notions or biases to influence their answers. GAMSAT Section 1 does not expect you to have expertise in philosophy, psychology, or poetry. Everything you need to answer the questions is provided in the text. Yet often we will be tempted to think beyond the evidence provided to us within the text to try and craft and answer to the question.
When you encounter a difficult text—perhaps a dense extract on philosophy or a complex poem—it is super important to not feel overwhelmed. Remember, ACER knows that you don’t have prior knowledge of these topics. They’re acutely aware that the vast majority of GAMSAT sitters don’t read poetry, philosophy and literature regularly. They do expect you to distill the information presented in the text without drawing on external knowledge or letting personal biases interfere. This approach ensures objectivity and accuracy in your answers.
For example, if you’re a strong proponent of capitalism and come across a text criticising capitalism, put aside your opinions and focus solely on what the text is communicating. As someone that often relishes in debate and conversation about the value of market economics - I’d find it super easy to remove impartiality and look at things from a biased view. S1 punishes this. Instead, putting your own beliefs aside and focusing on what
The importance of an Evidence-Based approach
One of the most important study habits for Section 1 is using evidence from the text to support your answers. When practicing, always trace back your answers to a specific line, phrase, or piece of evidence from the text. This habit will help you avoid answering questions based on gut feelings or instinct, which often leads to errors. Remember, ACER is giving you everything you need to answer all the questions - there is no external knowledge required to do well in S1.
When answering a question, ask yourself, "Where in the text is this supported?" For example, if the question asks whether a character is frightened, you should be able to point to a line that shows this through actions or dialogue. And if your choosing between two answers - consider which one is more “provable” based on.
As with medical diagnoses, where decisions are based on evidence like test results or symptoms, your answers in Section 1 must be grounded in the evidence presented in the text.
When studying; Prioritise Quality Over Quantity
When preparing for Section 1, it’s easy to focus on doing as many questions as possible. However, a quality-based approach is far more effective than simply churning through questions.
Instead of rushing through 40 questions in 45 minutes, try doing 20 questions in the same amount of time but go into depth with each one. After completing the questions, review your answers thoroughly.
Write out explanations for why you answered a question correctly or incorrectly, and note the patterns in your mistakes.
To help with this process, use tools like the Section 1 Question Tracker. This tracker allows you to log your performance, including the types of texts and mistakes you make. Over time, this data will help you identify weak areas (e.g., poems or cartoons) so you can focus your practice accordingly. Check out the tracker here!
How to Study for Section 1
If you have a few months to prepare, you have enough time to implement a solid study strategy. Start by using the Section 1 Question Tracker to log your practice questions, as mentioned earlier. This tracker will help you monitor your progress and pinpoint areas that need improvement.
Focus on targeted practice based on your weaknesses. For instance, if you struggle with interpreting poems, spend more time practicing questions based on poems instead of non-fiction texts.
Best Resources for Section 1 Preparation
Without a doubt, the best practice materials come directly from ACER. These questions are designed by the same people who write the GAMSAT exam, making them the most relevant. You can check them out here
For additional practice, consider using Des O’Neil Papers, which are widely available online. Another excellent resource is ReadTheory, a free website that adjusts the difficulty of its reading comprehension questions based on your performance. ReadTheory can help you gradually improve your ability to understand and interpret different text types.
Conclusion
Improving your Section 1 score is entirely possible with the right approach. “You can’t get better at S1” is a whole bunch of nonsense! Focus on understanding the purpose of the section, interpreting texts objectively, and basing your answers on evidence. Prioritize quality practice over quantity, and use tools like the Section 1 Question Tracker to monitor your progress. With dedication and the right strategy, your Section 1 score can significantly improve, giving you a better chance of success in the GAMSAT.
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