Oxford and Cambridge Medical School Admission: A Must-Pass Hurdle! What is BMAT? Hong Kong Exam Dates and Exam Format Guide

Studying medicine in the UK is no easy feat, and aiming for prestigious UK medical schools adds even more challenges. Students with this goal should understand what BMAT is well in advance of preparing for the DSE (Diploma of Secondary Education) exams! Cyclopes has compiled a BMAT exam guide for Hong Kong, including schedules, exam venues, fees, and formats, to make your journey towards studying medicine in the UK smoother.

BMAT (BioMedical Admissions Test) is an entrance exam designed specifically for applicants to medical, dental, and veterinary schools. In a previous article, Cyclopes provided a detailed introduction to the UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) in "What is the UCAT exam? Process for registering for the UCAT in Hong Kong and preparation tips." mentioning that different UK universities accept either UCAT or BMAT scores, with only six institutions, including many top UK universities, accepting BMAT scores. These universities include not only Cambridge and Oxford but alsoUniversity College London (UCL), Imperial College London, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, and Lancaster University. It's evident that BMAT is suitable for students with outstanding DSE results who aspire to attend top UK medical schools.

https://www.cyclopeseducation.com/blog/53/process-for-registering-ucat-in-hong-kong-and-some-preparation-tips

https://www.cyclopeseducation.com/blog/49/ucl-tuition-fees-and-guide-applying-for-ucl-full-scholarships

Source: BMAT

The BMAT exam schedule follows a relatively fixed timeline, so students planning to take the exam should mark their calendars. Key dates for the 2023 exam year, as officially announced by BMAT, include the following:

September 1st: Registration for the exam opens.

September 29th: Last registration deadline for exam venues (also the deadline for special requests, such as fee reductions).

October 18th: Exam day (the exam takes place at 3:00 PM).

November 24th: Release of exam scores.

December 1st: Final day to apply for result rechecks.

In Hong Kong, students can take the BMAT exam at two different venues: the British Council in Admiralty and ITS Tutorial School in Central. For candidates from outside the UK and the European Union, the official BMAT exam fee for the 2023 exam year is £104 or $142 in US dollars. However, in Hong Kong, the fees are higher: the British Council charges HKD 3,050, while ITS Tutorial School charges HKD 3,000.

Additionally, students planning to take the exam at the British Council in Hong Kong must submit their exam registration forms online and complete the payment by 10:00 AM on September 26th. After registration, the Council will provide candidates with detailed information about the exam venue.

Regardless of which exam you're preparing for, it's essential to understand the format of the BMAT exam in advance. The exam consists of three sections:

Thinking Skills: This section assesses critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Scientific Knowledge and Applications: It tests a candidate's fundamental high school-level science knowledge and application skills in biology, physics, chemistry, and mathematics.

Writing Task: In this section, students are required to demonstrate their English writing skills by composing a short essay, effectively conveying their thoughts fluently.

Source: Freepik

How Should Students Prepare for the BMAT Exam? Students should prepare for the BMAT exam in the following ways:

For the first section, students can review past exam questions, become familiar with the question patterns, and enhance their problem-solving skills.

Regarding the second section, students should thoroughly revise their previous DSE science subject knowledge, cross-reference textbooks from their studies, and practice with BMAT past papers.

As for the third section, students can use past BMAT essay topics to conduct timed practice writing exercises, aiming to develop the ability to write quickly and accurately during the exam.

We hope the information above is helpful to all Hong Kong students preparing to take the BMAT exam, enabling them to fully understand what BMAT entails. For students interested in taking the BMAT or have any questions related to studying in the UK, feel free to contact Cyclopes' team of professional education consultants. We are here to provide answers and guidance!