gamsat tips & suggestions

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Table of Contents

1. About the GAMSAT Syllabus

2. The Test Structure

A. Test Format

B. Test Timing

C. Question Pattern: MCQs

2.1 Tips to Manage MCQs

3. Skills You Need

3.1 Section 1

3.2 Section 2

3.3 Section 3

4. Section 1 - Reasoning in Humanities and Social Sciences

4.1 Classification of vignettes

A. Humanities

B. Data Interpretation

4.2 Types of Vignettes - Humanities

A. Fiction

B. Non fiction

4.2.1 Things to Look out for in Fiction and Non-fiction Passages

C. Proverbs and Quotations

4.2.2 Things to Look out for in Quotations and Proverbs

D. Poetry

4.2.2 Things to Look out for in Poetry Vignettes

E. Visual stimulus

4.2.4 Things to Look out for in Visual Stimulus in Humanities

F. Combined vignettes

4.3 Types of Vignettes: Data Interpretation

A. Graphs

B. Charts

C. Tables

D. Textual data

4.3.1 Things to Look out for in Data Interpretation Vignettes

4.3 Distribution of Vignettes

4.4 Types of Questions Based on Vignette

A. Broad Question Type: Drama

B. Broad Question Type: Novels and Short Stories

C. Broad Question Type: Non-fiction

D. Broad Question Type: Picture Study

E. Broad Question Type: Poetry

5. Section 2 - Written Communication

5.1 The Two Tasks

A. Task A: Discursive/ Argumentative/ Analytical Essay

B. Task B: Expository/ Reflective/ Personal Essay


5.2 Essay Framework

A. Title

B. Introduction

C. Separate body paragraphs

D. Conclusion

5.3 Choosing a Comment(s)

A. Selection

B. Interpretation

C. Planning

5.4 Evaluation Parameters

A. Thought and Content

B. Organisation and Expression

5.5 Tips for Writing a Good GAMSAT Essay

6. Reading List for Sections 1 and 2

7. Section 3 Reasoning in Biological and Physical Sciences


A. Physics

B. Chemistry

1. Organic Chemistry

2. Physical Chemistry


1. About the GAMSAT Syllabus

The GAMSAT tests your ability to analyse and interpret information and decision-making and

problem-solving skills. Apart from these soft skills, the exam also assesses your understanding

of basic scientific concepts and ability to apply the same.This syllabus structures in detail the

key concepts you need to know and the strategies you must adopt to tackle the test.

While the techniques and strategies outlined in this booklet will help you deal with specific

questions, keep in mind that there is no shortcut to learning the concepts needed. A holistic

understanding of the subjects is mandatory to deal with the extremely competitive entrance

examination.

2. The Test Structure

A. Test Format

Section 1: 75 questions

Section 2: 2 essays

Section 3: 110 questions

B. Test Timing

Total testing time: 5 hours 30 minutes (excluding the 1-hour lunch break)

Section 1: 100 minutes. 10 minutes reading time (not included within the 100

minutes)


minutes)

Lunch break: 1 hour


minutes)

C. Question Pattern: MCQs

Questions come in the Multiple-Choice format, that is, you are are given 4

options and must choose only one as the correct answer. There is no negative

marking in GAMSAT, so you can guess freely.

2.1 Tips to Manage MCQs

If two options seem equally correct, think logically and improve

your odds. Refer to the vignette to find the best answer.


Be careful when you confront All of the above and None of

the above options. These options are tricky; you must weigh all the given

options carefully.

Elimination is a good method to deal with such options. If at

least two options seem correct then choose All of the above. Conversely, if

any one of the given options seems incorrect then eliminate All of the above

Be careful of negative words like Which of the following is NOT

true about respiration? Often, you will find that there is emphasis on the

negative word with the use of capitalisation.

Pay attention to the double negatives in the stem like Which of

the following is NOT false about respiration?

You can easily eliminate some alternatives on account of being

completely irrelevant and implausible.

Some options act as distracters. In this case it is important to

read the vignette carefully to identify the core concepts that the questions

test.

Choose the best answer and eliminate those options which make

no logical sense.

Pay special attention to options in numerical problems. The

correct option should be approximately or exactly close to the number you get

after calculation.

3. Skills You Need

3.1 Section 1

Social sensitivity

Analytical skills

Critical thinking

Logical processing of data

Understanding premises and assumptions/cause and effect

Argumentative reasoning skills

Interpretation skills

Translating data from various formats

Problem-solving skills

Speed-reading ability

Comprehension skills

3.2 Section 2

Argumentative skills

Cohesion of thought


Communication skills

Ability to engage

Logic

Flexibility of thought

Organisation of expression

Thinking on your feet

Social awareness

3.3 Section 3

Speed reading ability

Comprehension skills

Basic mathematical aptitude

Analytical skills

Interpretation skills

Logical processing of data

Reasoning ability

4. Section 1 - Reasoning in Humanities and Social Sciences


A. Humanities

Fiction

Non fiction

Poetry

Visual stimulus

B. Data Interpretation

Graphs

Charts

Visual Stimulus

Text-based passages

Tables

C. Science

Physics


Organic Chemistry

Physical Chemistry

Biology

Biochemistry

4.2 Types of Vignettes - Humanities

A. Fiction

Short story extracts

Novel extracts

Drama extracts

Screenplay/script extracts

B. Non fiction

Essay extracts

Reviews

Extracts from newspapers/journals/periodicals

Readers responses to articles/reports

Interviews

Quotations/proverbs/sayings

Web content

Blogs

Communication

Biographies and autobiographies

Types of Vignettes - Science

A. Physics

B. Chemistry

C. Biology

4.2.1 Things to Look out for in Fiction and Non-fiction Passages

Dialogues: Note what the characters say, the tone

in which they speak and the subject of conversation.


Characterisations: Carefully note what the

characters seem like. Remember that the passages are random, so you

are not likely to know much about them. So, your inference must be as

clear as possible, dependant only on the meagre information that you

have at hand.

Character actions: Take note of how the

characters behave. You can glean this from their body language,

gestures, the way they speak and the words they use, and of course

from the situation in which you find them.

Stage directions: This refers exclusively to drama

extracts. Note the setting, that is, where you see the characters. This

will help you get a better picture of the events that take place.

Words/phrases used in the passage: This is an

extremely important point to note. Whether it is a fiction or a non-

fiction passage, the words the author uses are extremely critical to

denote the message that s/he conveys. You have to understand the

meaning of the word/phrase with reference to the context in which the

author uses it.

Tone/perspective of the narrator/author: The

language the author uses and the style in which s/he writes reflect

his/her overall sentiment. This is especially relevant in terms of non-

fiction passages. If you read the passage carefully, you will see that the

author might be detached, critical, analytical or humorous in tone.

C. Proverbs and Quotations

Standalone quotes by luminaries

Proverbs and adages

Quotations accompanying

cartoons/poems/passages

Set of conflicting quotes

4.2.2 Things to Look out for in Quotations and Proverbs

Interpret in context: A proverb or a quotation

might accompany a separate image or prose/poetry passage. In such

cases, you must interpret the quotation/proverb in context. These


vignettes in fact are easier; because of the fact that you actually have a

hint of what the quotations mean.

Relate both/all vignettes: Relate both the

quote/proverb and the image/prose/poetry to see how they fit each

other. Once you understand the context, interpretation of the

statement will become much easier.

Process of elimination: A problem that you will

face with proverbs and quotations you are not familiar with, and those

that do not accompany a passage or image, is the lack of context. The

best you can do here is to eliminate the options and pick the one that

seems closest to the statement.

Read a lot: That is the only way to become

familiar not only with a variety of famous quotations, but with a variety

of ways to express a thought. A quotation, or a proverb, after all, is

only a way of expression that remains valid even when taken out of

context.

Avoid using prior knowledge: Often, the vignette

mentions the speaker of the quotation. Even if you are familiar with the

personality, do NOT use your knowledge in the question. Any inference

on the basis of your prior knowledge is not only unnecessary in this

context, but is highly likely to be incorrect as well.

D. Poetry

Poem extracts

Song extracts

4.2.2 Things to Look out for in Poetry Vignettes

Figures of speech: The poet uses figures of

speech to convey meanings. Familiarise yourself with the commonest

figures of speech, such as metaphor, simile, personification and so on.

Read between the lines: What the poet is trying

to say is often veiled behind the words. Read between the lines to see

what can be the possible underlying meaning.

Infer from context: If you cannot understand the

meaning of a particular line, infer the same from the entire poem as a


whole. There is certainly some way in which it fits in the entire

scenario.

Search for symbols: What are the

recurring/constant motifs and symbols in the poem? These are

significant and will help you understand the poem more easily.

Tone of the poem: Determine the tone the poet

uses. It can be detached, sad or euphoric. Understanding this will help

you interpret the lines much better.

Go by the question: If interpreting something

becomes really tough, go with the option that comes closest to your

understanding. If there is none, see which one you agree with the most.

E. Visual stimulus

Cartoons/sketches/photographs with captions

Cartoons/sketches/photographs without captions

Cartoons/sketches with speech bubble

Cartoons/sketches without speech bubble

4.2.4 Things to Look out for in Visual Stimulus in Humanities

Be on a sharp lookout for details: Remember

that every tiny bit of detail in the cartoon is there in order to draw your

attention to something. Every object and person in a cartoon is

significant.

Every cartoon has a message to convey: It might

be a political issue, like some new policy formulated by the government

that the cartoonist is opposing. Or, it might be a social issue. The

cartoon is sure to have some conspicuous detail, a glaring clue to the

message.

Facial features and other details: If there is an

exaggeration of the facial features of the caricature, or some detail in

the attire or expression, it is a dead giveaway of the message. It is very

likely that the cartoonist has exaggerated the detail in order to better

express the thought. It definitely has a very close connection to the

story.


Semblance to other creatures: Often, the

caricatures of people bear a close semblance to an animal. This is a

very common trick, and the choice of the animal definitely points to

some characteristic aspect of the person depicted that the cartoonist

attempts to highlight. Sometimes, the artist uses animals behaving like

humans to bring out a certain idea.

Labels or names: Often, the cartoonist labels an

object or a person -in short, a feature- in the cartoon. The label is

important because it acts as a very big clue to the interpretation of the

cartoon. It is likely that the cartoonist chose to label that particular

component in the cartoon to make the message clearer.

Accompanying quote/passage: Often, a

quotation or a passage, or both accompany an image. In your

interpretation of the image, take into account these as well. Both

media are definitely closely connected.

F. Combined vignettes

A unit in the GAMSAT Humanities paper can consist of a combination of

any of the different types of vignettes. There can also be a unit that

consists of related items of the same kind, that is, a couple of poetry

vignettes.

4.3 Types of Vignettes: Data Interpretation

A. Graphs

Bar graphs

Line graphs

Scatter Diagrams

B. Charts

Pie charts

Flowcharts

C. Tables

Data tables


D. Textual data Passage-based data

Puzzles

4.3.1 Things to Look out for in Data Interpretation Vignettes

Check for relations: Quickly note the relationship

between the variables in each table, chart, or graph. Do they have a

direct or indirect correlation? Where does the data spike or significantly

decrease?

Look for closely-related points: Your first step

is very crucial. The first point provided in the question may not

necessarily initiate your solution. Try to look out for two (or more)

most closely related points in the beginning and then it will be much

easier to organise all the clues and/or conditions around them.

Link the question to the data: One common

mistake in solving DI questions is using the wrong data. Make sure you

understand what the question is asking, then stop and consider which

table, graph, chart, or paragraph provides the information you have to

interpret for the correct answer. Harder DI questions will require you to

use more than one piece of data. The questions may be multi-step, so

look closely for key phrases in the question that refer to the labels you

already studied when you first reviewed the data.

Simplify: Always try to simplify the question by

categorising data given into tables, Venn diagrams, etc.

Predict: You may be able to approximate an

answer by rounding off numbers for certain questions. Be consistent in

how you approximate, and only do so if the answer choices are far

enough apart that estimation is prudent.

Read carefully: Dont miss out on the units, the

footnotes and wherever percentages have to be distinguished from the

absolute value.

Visualise: If you make a note of the main

points in a table or diagram (like a flow of events), it will help you to

visualise the clues and/or conditions and you will be able to solve the

puzzle very quickly. However, you have to be very careful while

creating the same because a single error may lead to the whole

table/diagram being incorrect.


4.3 Distribution of Vignettes

A percentage distribution* of the GAMSAT Section 1 questions will be as

follows:

Fiction: 13%

Non-fiction: 53%

Poetry: 20%

Picture study: 4%

Data Interpretation: 10%

*Note that the distributions given here are indicative of average ACER

distribution.

4.4 Types of Questions Based on Vignette

A. Broad Question Type: Drama

Questions based on dialogues

Questions based on character actions

Questions based on stage setting

Based on the abovementioned broad question types, what are the questions

you can expect?

What does character B mean when s/he says a

particular word or line?

What does A mean about B by saying "XYZ"?

What does the dramatic excerpt suggest about the

mindset of the characters?

What does the excerpt suggest of the relationship

between characters A and B?

What impression of the surrounding is generated

from the given details?

What impression of the character C comes through

in the dramatic excerpt?

B. Broad Question Type: Novels and Short Stories

Questions based on the usage of words/phrases in

the passage


Questions based on the characterisation in the

passage

Questions based on the structure of the passage

Questions based on perspective/tone of

author/narrator

Questions based on the theme/idea of the passage

Questions based on the setting of the passage


you can expect?

What does the opening line of the passage

suggest?

What does the reaction of character A to a

particular situation suggest?

How can the tone of the passage be best

described?

How can the relationship between character A and

character B be best described?

What does the author most nearly mean by the

word ABC?

What can be gleaned of the character B from the

extract?

What is most likely to be the point of discussion in

the passage immediately following/preceding the given

How can the attitude of character A be best

described?

What can be inferred of the narrators

characteristics from the piece?

What is the format that the author follows in

structuring the piece?

How is paragraph 1 related to paragraph 4?

What would be the most suitable title to the given

piece?

C. Broad Question Type: Non-fiction

Questions based on certain words/phrases in the

passage

Questions based on the theme/idea of the passage

Questions based on the structure of the passage

Questions based on the tone/point of view of the

author



you can expect?

What is the basic idea that the passage is based

on?

What is the message that the author is trying to

convey in the given passage?

How can the structure of the passage be best

described?

What is the relationship between paragraph 1 and

paragraph 2?

What is the principal concern of the author in the

passage?

What is most likely to be the topic of discussion in

the passage immediately following the given one?

What is certainly NOT the concern of the author in

the passage?

What does the author mean by the word ABC?

What does the word ABC most nearly mean, as

used in the passage?

What does the author try to convey by using the

phrase XYZ?

What is certainly not implied by the phrase XYZ

used in the passage?

Which of the following arguments is the author

most likely to disagree with?

How can the tone of the author be best described

in the passage?

How can the point of view of the author be best

described as in the passage?

What would be the most appropriate title for the

piece?

D. Broad Question Type: Picture Study

Questions based on the message conveyed by the

cartoon

Questions based on facial features/expressions

Questions based on labels or names

Questions based on the event depicted in the

image


Questions based on the dialogue given in the

speech bubble

Questions based on the caption


you can expect?

What message is given out by the cartoon/image?

What is the centre of humour in the cartoon?

What is the proverb that goes best with the

cartoon/image?

What is the speaker most likely to mean by the

statement?

What would be the likeliest caption of the

cartoon/image?

How can the tone of the cartoon be best

described?

How can the setting of the cartoon/image be best

described?

E. Broad Question Type: Poetry

Questions asked on the idea / Theme of the poem

Questions based on the narrator/ his point of

view/ his relation to other characters in the poem

Questions asked on setting/ atmosphere of the

poem

Questions asked on the tone of the poet

Questions based on particular lines of a poem

Questions asked on symbolism and imagery


you can expect?

What does the opening line/closing line of the

poem suggest?

What is the atmosphere in the poem like?

What does the phrase/word ABC / XYZ in line 4

imply?

What is the verb/adjective used in line 8 referring

to?

What does line 5 imply?

Whom is the speaker addressing?


What can definitely be inferred of the speaker

from the poem?

Which word does the poet use in order to

emphasise a certain point in the poem?

Which of the following words do not express a

certain idea in the poem?

Which of the following expresses the idea of the

poem most appropriately?

How can the setting of the poem be best

described?

How can the tone of the poem be best described?

What comparison has been used by the poet in

order to refer to a certain idea?

The speakers state is reinforced by which of the

following images?

What is the central topic/subject dealt with in the

poem?

What would be the perfect / nearest synonym for

the word ABC?

What is the relationship between the sections of

the passage?


5. Section 2 - Written Communication

5.1 The Two Tasks

A. Task A: Discursive/ Argumentative/ Analytical Essay

State your stance- for, against, neutral

Validate your stance with arguments and examples

B. Task B: Expository/ Reflective/ Personal Essay

Use a personal style

Explore your experiences

State your thoughts and illustrate with

experiences

Evaluate the experiences with logical

introspection

5.2 Essay Framework

A. Title

Short

Catchy

Attention-grabbing

Tone/slant setting

Thought-provoking

Glimpse into the topic

B. Introduction

Begin with hook sentence

Thesis statement

Short

Attention-grabbing

Avoid stating your stance outright

C. Separate body paragraphs

One paragraph for each argument


No repetitions

No overlapping

Sequencing of ideas

Smooth transition from one paragraph to the next

D. Conclusion

Clear stance

Reinforcement of stance

Create opening for further thought

No new argument presented

Not a summary of the essay

5.3 Choosing a Comment(s)

A. Selection Which topic do you have most to say about?

Do you agree or disagree? Or, are you neutral?

Check if you have enough support for the stance

you wish to take.

Disagreeing might give you more arguments that

agreeing.

Incorporate multiple quotes if you cannot choose.

B. Interpretation Quotes might reflect opposing principles.

Understand what the quotes mean before

interpreting.

Interpretation can be radical, or very safe; it

doesnt matter.

C. Planning Jot down points during reading time.

Pen only most relevant points.

Sequence your thoughts in order of importance.

Avoid unnecessary ramblings.

No ambiguity is permitted.

Choose arguments you can validate and illustrate.

Dont deviate from the topic.

5.4 Evaluation Parameters


A. Thought and Content

1. Unity of subject: Adhere to the quote(s) you

choose. Diverting from the topic is not acceptable.

2. Diversity of discussion: Flexibility of thought is

essential, so try to explore the topic from various perspectives.

3. Attention to detail: Dont assume the reader

knows everything. Make sure your illustrations and arguments are

clearly explained.

4. Factual accuracy: If you are putting in facts,

make sure they are correct. Get proper names right; and avoid dates

and names if you are unsure.

5. Separate but relevant ideas in each paragraph:

Each paragraph is dedicated to a separate but relevant argument, idea

or opinion.

6. Usage and incorporation of illustrations:

Illustrations are a must. Ideally, there should be one relevant example

supporting each argument.

7. Adequate elaboration of ideas/cohesiveness:

Keep the essay tightly wound together. Elaborate your arguments, but

no more than is necessary.

8. Self-contradiction/Taking a stance: Your stance

may be neutral, but dont contradict yourself by refuting your own

statements. Present all sides of the issue if necessary, but stick to your

own stance.

9. Originality of thought: Avoid making an entire

essay out of a well-known tale, and dont use the quote/quotes you

choose verbatim to embellish the essay.

B. Organisation and Expression

1. Essay structure: Stick to the title-introduction-

body paragraph-conclusion framework. Each is equally important.


2. Adherence to word limit: A too-long essay might

become tedious to read, and you might lose track of thought and run

out of time. Stay within the 300-500 word limit.

3. Sequencing of ideas throughout the essay: Keep

a check that the flow of ideas in the writing is logical in terms of

thought as well as fluid in terms of expression.

4. Style and readability: Easy reading is the key. Be

consistent with the styles that you choose for a particular essay. Use

short sentences.

5. Grammatical correctness: Grammar and

sentence construction must be correct. Try to use transitional

words/phrases. Subject-verb agreement is essential.

6. Punctuation: Apostrophe, quotation marks,

commas, question marks, periods should be used correctly.

7. Accuracy of spelling: There should not be too

many errors in the spellings. Use British spellings.

8. Sentence length and structure: Short sentences

are always better and easier to read than the lengthy ones. Active voice

sentences are more desirable than passive voice. Sentences should be

well-constructed and organised and excessively long and complex

sentences are to be avoided.

9. Usage of acronym: Do not use acronyms. They

vary from place to place, and using the full form is always safe.

10. Handwriting: Neat and legible copies make a

good impression. Lower legibility might also lead to the reader

misconstruing your thoughts.

5.5 Tips for Writing a Good GAMSAT Essay

Cogent arguments: There must be cogent arguments to support

the opinions you present in an essay. Without these arguments, your opinions

are open to interpretation, and this gives the impression that you do not have

anything to say in favour of your ideas.


Give good examples: Put in illustrations to support your

arguments. Examples always back up your arguments. You can take them from

anywhere, including historical events, current affairs, stories and personal

anecdotes.

Add a personal touch: In a reflective essay, a personal touch is

always welcome. Of course, this is not mandatory, but a personal anecdote or a

narrative in the first person is a good way to go.

Queens language: Always write the GAMSAT essay in British

English.

Give a title: Do not omit to give a good title to the essay. Try to

keep it crisp and catchy. The title should give a hint to the reader of what is

about to come without saying too much.

Stick to the structure: Structure your essay properly. There

should be a clear introduction, a body structure divided into several

paragraphs, and a conclusion. Keep the separate arguments in distinct

paragraphs.

Choose the topic wisely: Choose a topic you have ample to say

about. Unless you have at least three to four arguments lined up, the essay will

merely become repetitive. Avoid repetition at all costs.

Avoid ambiguity: Do not be ambiguous anywhere. The examiner

should be in no doubt as to what your opinions are. An argumentative essay

often requires you to weigh the pros and cons in the debate; in such a

situation, make sure that you validate each and every point, both in for and

against the topic.

Dont leave unsupported hypothesis: Whatever hypotheses you

present, make sure you back it up with arguments and examples. Without

these, your stance claim remains unfounded.

Dont be repetitive: Dont repeat your arguments to lengthen

your essay. This applies to vocabulary and examples as well.

6. Reading List for Sections 1 and 2


7. Section 3 Reasoning in Biological and Physical Sciences


A. Physics

Forces

1. NewtonS first Law, Newtons

Second Law and Newtons Third Law.

2. Vectors: vector addition , vector

subtraction, vector components, vector trigonometry.

3. Resolving forces into perpendicular

components.

4. Normal Forces, Friction, Static and

Kinetic Forces.

5. Calculating forces on an inclined

plane.

6. Laws of Universal Gravitation: mass

and weight.

7. Calculating gravitational force

between two masses.

Linear Motion

1. Distance, Time, Speed,

Displacement, Velocity, Acceleration, Acceleration due to

gravity (g), Friction and Air resistance.

2. Graphical representation of linear

motion, including displacement-time and velocity-time graphs.

3. Kinematic relationship between

displacement, time, velocity and acceleration assuming constant

acceleration.

4. Analysis of graphs: calculating area

under the curve.

5. Separating motion into horizontal

and vertical components.

6. Understanding vertical motion.


7. Concepts and application of air

resistance.

8. Calculating projectile motion.

Non-linear Motion

1. Concepts of angular displacement,

velocity and acceleration.

2. Relationship between angular

displacement, velocity and acceleration.

3. Graphing rotational motion:

calculation of radians and degrees.

Energy and Work

1. Concepts of work, power, kinetic and potential energy.

2. Concepts and application of concepts Law of

Conservation of Energy and Law of Conservation of Momentum.

3. Concepts of elastic and non-elastic collision.

4. Concepts of Elasticity and Hookes Law.

5. Calculation of elastic force and potential.

Fluids

1. Concepts of Density, Pressure, Hydrostatic Pressure,

Atmospheric pressure, and Buoyancy.

2. Concepts of Archimedes Principle.

3. Concepts of surface tension.

4. Understanding the difference between cohesive and

adhesive forces.

5. Patterns of liquid flow (streamline, laminar flow and

turbulent flow).

6. Calculation of total hydrostatic pressure at depth.

7. Understanding effect of ice melting on water level.

8. Equation of continuity of liquid flow.

9. Understanding liquid flow through varying diameters.

10. Concepts of Bernoullis equation.

11. Application of Bernoullis equation.


Thermodynamics

1. Concepts of system, heat, temperature, specific heat

capacity, conduction and thermal conductivity, convection and

radiation.

2. First Law of Thermodynamics, and Second Law of

Thermodynamics.

3. Calculating of specific heat capacity and thermal

conductivity.

4. Understanding the relationship between pressure, volume

and work.

5. Understanding work done by a system or work done on a

system ...of varying volume and constant pressure.

Electrostatics

1. Concepts of Coulomb's Law, electric

field and electric potential.

2. Calculating the magnitude of forces

between two point charges.

3. Calculating the electric field

strength around a point charge.

4. Calculating the electric potential of

a charge in an electric field.

Current electricity and Circuits

1. Concepts of Ohms Law: relationship between current,

voltage and resistance.

2. Understanding series and parallel circuits.

3. Concepts of electric power and energy.

4. Understanding the concepts of Kirchoffs Law.

Magnetism


1. Concepts of magnets: permanent, induced and

electromagnets.

2. Concepts of magnetism, magnetic force, magnetic field,

magnetic induction and electromagnetism.

3. Understanding polarity of magnets and magnetic fields

around a bar magnet.

4. Calculating the magnitude of force on a moving charge in

an external magnetic field.

5. Understanding the mechanism of induction.

6. Calculating the direction and magnitude of force on a

current carrying wire in an external magnetic field.

7. Calculating the magnetic field created by current

carrying wires.

Waves

1. Concepts of Transverse waves: Peaks and Troughs,

Longitudinal waves: Compression and Rarefactions, frequency,

wavelength, period, amplitude, wave velocity, and node.

2. Concepts of superposition of waves: constructive and

destructive interference.

3. Concepts of standing waves.

4. Concepts of sound intensity, timbre, beats, and Doppler

effect.

5. Concepts of reflection, refraction, and Snells Law.

6. Concepts of simple harmonic motion, spring oscillator and

pendulum.

7. Concepts of relative sound intensity scale.

8. Understanding reflection and refraction of waves: Snells

Law.

9. Calculation of the time period and frequency of simple

Harmonic Motion.

10. Understanding the mechanics of simple pendulum.

11. Understanding the Doppler effect and calculating the

apparent frequency detected when the source is in relative motion.

Nuclear Physics

1. Concepts of atoms, protons, neutrons, electrons, atomic

number, mass number, isotopes, and Law of conservation of

mass.


2. Concepts of radiation: alpha particle, beta particle and

gamma radiation, half life, nuclear fission, fission chain reaction

and nuclear fusion.

3. Understanding the forces within an atom and their effect

on nuclear stability

4. Understanding the process of different types of

radioactive decay. Understanding the constituents, charge and

penetrance of different types of radiation.

5. Understanding the rate of radioactive decay is dependent

upon half-life.

6. Understanding nuclear fission and its role in generating

nuclear power.

7. Understanding the process of nuclear fusion.

Basic Math

1. Concepts of basic exponentials and

basic logarithms.

2. Understanding of linear graphs,

exponential and inverse graphs

3. Understanding the concepts of

interpolation and extrapolation in graphs.

B. Chemistry

1. Organic Chemistry

IUPAC nomenclature

Alkanes, Alkenes and Alkynes

1. Steric hinderance and Pi bond.

2. Understanding that cycloalkanes

forms bonds at angles that minimise the energy state of the

structure.

3. Conformations of cyclohexane (boat

and chair conformations).

4. Conformations of alkenes and

alkynes: understanding that steric hindrance results in cis

isomers being less stable than trans isomer.

Alcohols, Ethers, Aldehyde and Ketones


1. Hydrophilic, Lipophilic and Resonance.

2. Understanding the role of pi electrons in

resonance and the rules of resonance.

3. Understanding the role of H bonding in

determining the boiling point of alcohol

4. Understanding the change in physical

properties of alcohols as they get larger (e.g., solubility

in certain media, boiling point etc.)

5. Understanding the chemical properties of

alcohols (as Bronsted acids and bases, and as

nucleophiles)

6. Understanding the acidity of aldehyde due

to resonance.

Carboxylic acid, Esters, Amines

1. Understanding the acidity of carboxylic

acid.

Benzene compounds

Reaction mechanism:addition, substitution, elimination,

redox, rearrangement

Isomer

1. Structural isomer, conformational isomer:

Newman projections

2. Isomers undergo inter-convertibility,

understanding that enantiomers have identical physical

property but different chemical reactivity.

Stereochemistry

1. Chirality, Enantiomer, Fischer projection,

Diastereomer, optical activity, Racemic compound and

meso compounds.

2. Representing compounds containing chiral carbon

with Fischer projections.

3. Understanding enantiomers polarise light towards

different directions (D or L).

4. Understanding that meso compounds are not

optically active.


5. Determining chiral configuration (determining R or

S nomenclature).

Biochemistry

Carbohydrates

1. Determining the chirality (D or L) of

carbohydrate.

2. Concepts of Glycosidic linkage.

3. Understanding polysaccharides.

Lipids

1. Concepts of Triglycerides.

2. Understanding saturated fatty acid vs unsaturated

fatty acid.

3. Concepts of saponification.

4. Understanding the effect of double bonds on

melting point and the typical phase of saturated and

non-saturated fatty acids at room temperature.

Protein

1. Concepts of amino acids, peptide bonds, N-

terminal and C-terminal residue.

2. Concepts of zwitterion and isoelectric point, and

physical property of amino acids.

3. Understanding that the side chains determine the

chemical property of amino acids.

4. Understanding peptide bonds and their role in

protein formations.

5. Concepts of Primary, Secondary, Tertiary and

Quaternary structure of protein.

6. Understanding that secondary structure can be

either alpha helix or beta sheet.

Other lab techniques and structure determining methods

for organic compounds

1. Chromatography, Titration,

2. Basic understanding of IR-UV-visible spectroscopy

3. Basic understanding of NMR spectroscopy


4. Basic understanding of Mass spectroscopy

2. Physical Chemistry

Moles and Avogadros number, Stoichiometry

Bohr atom: speed of light, Plancks constant

Atomic Structure

1. Concepts of wave

mechanical atom, Principal quantum number, Angular

momentum quantum number, Magnetic quantum number

and Magnetic moment of the electron.

2. Understanding Bohr

atom with respect to the hydrogen atom: concepts of the

discrete atomic spectra of the hydrogen atom.

3. Understanding the

wave-mechanical model, orbital shapes, rules of electron

configuration.

4. Understanding the

relationship between wavelength and frequency of

electromagnetic radiation, and calculating the energy of

a photon of a known frequency or wavelength.

Periodic Table

1. Understanding the structure of the periodic table

with regards to electron configuration.

2. Understanding periodic trends with regards to

atomic radius, ionic radius, ionisation energy and

electronegativity

3. Understanding the process of ionisation and the

direction with ionisation with regards to position on the

periodic table

4. Understanding the effect of periodic trends on the

strength of hydrogen halide acids

Chemical Bonding

1. Ionic bond, covalent bond (polar covalent bond),

metallic bonding

2. Intramolecular bonding: Hydrogen bonding,

permanent dipole-dipole attractions, temporary dipole-

dipole attractions


3. Concepts on electrical conductivity in metals

a. Understanding the geometrical arrangements of molecules.

Concepts of relative strengths of different types of intermolecular forces.

Chemical Kinetics and Chemical Equilibrium

1. Collision theory, Transition state theory, factors affecting

the reaction rate

2. Understanding the factors that affect the rate of the

reaction (i.e., orientation of the molecules and activation

energy)

3. Understanding that reaction rate is equivalent

quantitatively to the change in concentration of reactants and

products.

4. Rate Laws: Forward and Backward Reaction

5. Understanding the factors that affect the reaction rate

(eg. concentration, surface area of the reactants, temperature

of the reaction)

6. Chemical Equilibrium, Reaction quotient, equilibrium

constant

7. Determining the reaction quotient and calculating the

constant of equilibrium

8. Le Chateliers Principle

9. Applying Le Chateliers principle to determine the

direction of a reaction when a change occurs at equilibrium:

change in temperature at equilibrium, change in pressure at

equilibrium, change in volume at equilibrium, and change in

concentration at equilibrium.

10. Catalyst

Concepts that catalysts decrease the time taken to reach

equilibrium but does not change the equilibrium constant itself

Thermochemistry

1. Standard state, Enthalpy : Endothermic reaction,

exothermic reaction, entropy, Free energy: Gibbs Helmholtz

reactioN

2. Understanding that enthalpy change determines the heat

of the reaction

3. Understanding factors that influence entropy and entropy

of reaction

4. Calculating free energy and determining the spontaneity

of a reaction.

Gases

1. Ideal Gas, Boyles Law, Charless Law, Gay-Lusacs Law,

Avogadros Law


2. Grahams Law of Effusion, Daltons Law of Partial

Pressures, Ideal Gas Law,

3. Universal Gas Constant, Real Gases

4. Understanding the differences between ideal gas and real

gas

5. Understanding the impact of intermolecular forces and

molecular size on the pressure and volume of real gases

6. Understanding the relationship between pressure,

volume, temperature and quantity of gases

7. Understanding the relationship between temperature,

kinetic energy and average speed

8. Understanding the factors that affect rate of effusion.

Phases

1. Solid, liquid and Gases, Melting/ freezing point,

Evaporation and Condensation, Melting and Boiling Point,

Sublimination, Specific heat capacity, Triple point and Critical

Point

2. Factors that influence the phase of substances

(temperature, pressure, and strength of intermolecular forces).

3. Understanding the phases and changes of phases at a

molecular level.

4. Enthalpy and entropy changes associated with phase

changes

5. Calculating the energy requirements associated with

temperature changes of substances with defined specific heat

capacity

6. Understanding the temperature vs pressure diagrams in

the context of phases

7. Understanding why evaporation occurs temperature is

below boiling point

Solutions and Solubility

1. Solute, Solvent, Solubility

2. Molarity, Normality and Molality, Mole fraction

3. Solubility product, Common ion effect

4. Understanding that the polarity of the solvents

determines the type of solute that dissolves

5. Understanding that the process of dissolving can be either

an endothermic or exothermic process

6. Understanding the effect of temperature and pressure on

the solubility of solids and gases

7. Calculating ionic concentrations of a solute with a

defined solubility product


8. Concepts of the relationship between molality of a

solution on the boiling and freezing points

Acids and Bases

1. Acid and Conjugate base, Base and conjugate acid

2. Dissociation constant of acid, base and water

3. Definition of pH: concepts of acidity and basicity

4. Strong and weak acid, Strong and weak base

5. Acid dissociation constant (Ka), pKa, Base dissociation

constant Kb (pKb)

6. Buffer and Titration Curve

7. Understanding the dissociation of water and how it

affects hydrogen and hydroxide ion concentrations

8. Calculate pH from the hydrogen ion concentration

9. Concepts of periodic trends on the strength of acids and

base

10. Understanding factors that determine the strength of

oxoacids

11. Understanding that metal hydroxides are strong bases

while nitrogen bases are weak bases

12. Calculating the concentration of hydrogen ions (or pH) of

weak acids with defined pKa

13. Relationship between base constant and acid constant

14. Calculating the pH of weak bases

Biology

Biomolecules

1. Understanding of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and

Nucleic acids.

2. Understanding the difference in structure and function

between carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids.

3. Understanding the role of biomolecule in cell biology.

Enzymes

1. Catalyst, Activation Energy, rate of reaction.

2. Lock-and-key model, Induced-fit model, Transition state.

3. Michaelis-Menten Equation, Lineweaver-Burk Equation.

4. Concepts of enzymes as biological catalyst and protein.


5. Concepts of enzymes increase the rate of chemical

reaction by lowering the activation energy.

6. Understanding the induced-fit model used to explain the

function of an enzyme.

7. Understanding how enzymes stabilize the transition state

of reactants.

8. Understanding the Michaelis-Menten equation as a

mathematical model for enzyme kinetics.

9. Concepts of Lineweaver-Burk equation as an alternate

way to represent Michaelis-Menten equation and enzyme

kinetics.

Cell

1. Concepts of phospholipid membrane, nucleus,

mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, golgi

apparatus, cytoskeleton, intracellular signalling, and

homeostasis.

2. Understanding the structure and function of cell

components: organelles and membranes.

3. Understanding how cell communicates with each other

via receptors, hormones and neurotransmitters.

4. Understanding cellular communication involves a cascade

intracellularly via receptors.

5. Understanding homeostatsis at both cellular and systemic

level.

Metabolism

1. Concepts of ATP, glucose, glycolysis, Kerbs cycle,

anerobic respiration and anaerobic respiration.

2. Understanding the role of ATP as an energy molecule.

3. Understanding how the transfer of electrons allow for the

transfer of energy and bonding.

4. Understanding how glycolysis produces energy for a cell.

5. Understanding how the Krebs cycle generates energy for

a cell.

6. Understanding the differences between aerobic and

anaerobic respiration.

Cell Nucleus


1. Concepts of DNA, mRNA, tRNA, genes, introns, exons,

promoters, methylation, and histone acetylation.

2. Understanding how a gene is transcripted into mRNA.

3. Understanding how the cell nucleus controls protein

synthesis.

4. Understanding how mRNA is translated at ribosomes and

used to synthesise proteins.

5. Understanding the mechanism of gene regulation to

control a cell.

Mitosis

1. Understanding of G1 phase, S phase, G2 phase,

chromosomes, and mitosis: interphase, prophase, metaphase,

anaphase, and telophase.

2. Understanding the stages of a cell cycle and the stages of

mitosis.

Genetics

1. Concepts of traits, alleles, genotype, phenotype,

Mendelian inheritance, Homozygous, Heterozygous, Dominant

genes, recessive genes, and Co-dominance.

2. Understanding the concept of Mendelian inheritance,

difference between genotype and phenotype, difference

between homozygous and heterozygous.

3. Concepts of dominant and recessive genes and their

pattern of inheritance.

4. Concepts of co-dominance of genes (eg. the ABO blood

group system).

Meiosis

1. Concepts of haploid, diploid, gametes, fertilization,

meiosis, and homologous chromosomal pairs.

2. Understand the gametes as formed through meiosis.

3. Concepts of chromosomal inheritance as related to

meiosis.

4. Understanding ploidy in gamete production.

Nervous System


1. Understanding neurons, axons, dendrites, myelin sheaths,

synapse, and action potential.

2. Understanding the structure and function of a neuron.

3. Understanding how action potentials are propagated

through a nerve.

4. Understanding the difference and importance of

myelinated versus unmyelinated nerve fibres.

5. Understanding that the nervous system can be divided

anatomically into the central and peripheral nervous systems.

6. Understanding that the nervous system can be divided

functionally into sensory and motor nervous system.

7. Understanding that the motor nervous system can be

divided into voluntary and involuntary subsystems.

8. Understanding that the involuntary motor nervous system

can be divided into the sympathetic nervous system and the

parasympathetic nervous system.

Gastrointestinal System

1. Mouth, Oesophagus, Stomach, Duodenum, Liver, Bile

duct, Pancreas, Small intestine, Large intestine, rectum,

digestion, Absorption, Villi, Microvilli, Hepatic Portal Vein,

Appetite, Vitamins and Minerals.

2. Understanding the role and function of each part of the

digestive system.

3. Understanding the importance of surface area for

absorption.

4. Understanding that the hepatic portal vein carries

absorbed nutrients from the intestinal system to the liver.

5. Understanding that fatty acids are absorbed via different

mechanisms.

6. Understanding how apetite is an interaction between the

brain and digestive system, facilitated by nerves and hormones.

7. Understanding the role of vitamins and minerals in body

health.

Musculoskeletal System


1. Axial skeleton, Haversian system, PTH, Calcitonin,

Smooth Muscle, SkeletaL system, Antagonistic muscles,

myofibrils, sarcomere, actin, myosin, troponin, length-tension

relationship, Preload, Afterload, Isometric contractions, Isotonic

Contractions

2. Concepts of the major bones of the body.

3. Understanding how bones are regulated by both PTH and

calcitonin.

4. Identifying the major muscles of the body.

5. Understanding how muscles are grouped functionally.

6. Understanding the histological organisation of skeletal

muscle.

7. Understanding that the sarcomere is smallest functional

contractile unit.

8. Understanding how actin, myosin and troponin interact

cyclically during sarcomere contraction.

9. Understanding the control of sarcomere contraction by

nerves and calcium ions.

10. Understanding the role of preload and afterload on

muscle contraction.

11. Distinguish between isometric and isotonic contractions.

Cardiovascular System

1. Atria, Ventricles, Valves, pulmonary Circulation, Systemic

Circulation, Arterioles, Capillaries, Venules, Veins,

Cardiomyocytes, cardiac cycle, SA node, AV node, Purkinje

fibres, Starling equation, Frank-Starling mechanism, Stroke

volume, Blood pressure.

2. Understanding the functional anatomy of the heart.

3. Distinguish anatomically and functionally veins from

arteries.

4. Understanding the importance of pulmonary circulation,

and systemic circulation.

5. Understanding the intrinsic contractility of

cardiomycetes.

6. Understanding how the heart rate is controlled and

generated.

7. Understanding how the hearts electrical signal is

conducted.


8. Understanding the net flow of fluid across the capillary

wall is governed by the Starling equation.

9. Understanding how changes in stroke volume can be

accomplished by alterations in the venous return according to

the Frank-Starling mechanism.

10. Understanding how blood pressure is regulated via

baroreceptors neurally and hormones (ADH and RAAS).

Respiratory System

1. Trachea, Bronchi, Lungs, Bronchioles, Alveoli, Negative

Pressure, and Pulmonary Circulation.

2. Concepts of lung volumes: tidal volume, functional

residual capacity, inspiratory capacity, inspiratory reserve

volume, expiratory reserve volume, residual volume, vital

capacity, and total lung capacity.

3. Elastance, Surfactant, Dead Space, Alveolar Gas

Equation, ventilation, perfusion, RBC, and Haemoglobin.

4. Concepts of haemoglobin-oxygen dissociation curve.

5. Understanding breathing mechanics and the way lungs

work as negative pressure systems.

6. Understanding how lungs are designed for gas exchange.

7. Understanding how compliance and elastance of lung

tissue affects ventilation.

8. Understanding the role of surfactant in the alveoli and its

significance in respiratory distress syndrome.

9. Understanding the significance of the alveolar gas

equation in terms of all the factors that affect alveolar pO2.

10. Understanding how the anatomy and the vertical position

of the lung can affect both ventilation and perfusion.

11. Understanding the importance of RBCs in oxygen

transport and the properties of haemoglobin in both low and high

oxygen environments.

12. Understanding that lungs are the primary means of

getting rid of carbon dioxide from cellular metabolism.

13. Understanding the integration of neural, chemical and

sensory information in the control of respiration.

Renal System

1. Ureters, Medullary pyramids, Renal artery and Renal vein,

Nephron, Interstitial fluid and Extracellular fluid, Glomerular

filtration, Counter-current system.


2. Understanding the functional structure of a kidney:

cortex, calyx, renal pelvis, ureters, medullary pyramids, renal

artery and renal vein.

3. Understanding the function of nephron: the smallest

functional renal unit.

4. Understanding the role of lymphatics in draining

interstitial fluids.

5. Understanding the role of the kidneys in regulating the

amount of fluid in the body.

6. Understanding that fluid accumulation in the body signals

poor renal function, cardiac function and fluid balance.

7. Understanding the role of kidneys as an excretory system

for waste products.

8. Understanding that glomerular filtration is the first step

in the formation of urine and the role of Starlings force.

9. Understand how the counter-current system of the

nephron allows for regulation of urine concentration and volume.

Miscellaneous

1. Understanding the lymphatic, immune and endocrine

systems of animals

2. Understanding mechanisms governing behaviour in

animals

3. Understanding the requirements for plant growth

4. Understanding photosynthesis

5. Recognising plant responses to environmental stimuli

(trophisms)

6. Understanding viral replication mechanism

7. Understanding variation in gene pool

8. Understanding Lamarckian and Darwinian theories of

selection

9. Understanding the mechanism of selection

10. Understanding the factors governing population size and

recognising patterns of growth

11. Understanding different form of community interaction

(competition, symbiosis, parasitism, mutualism, mimicry,

succession).

12. Understanding the components of an ecosystem-trophic

levels, energy pyramids, food webs, nutrient cycling.

13. Understanding the factors that influence the environment

and biosphere, including climatic factors and pollution.


Tips to Deal with Visual Stimulus Vignettes

1. Tests your ability to visualise, analyse and mould your

thought process in a time-effective way to arrive at the right

answer.

2. Apart from having sound prior knowledge, smart reading

of data provided in the vignette is required

3. Data Interpretation comprises of flowcharts, schematic

diagrams of metabolic pathways, circuit diagrams, graphs with

two or more variables, experimental data with certain values

and relevant units, organic reaction mechanisms, electronic

transitions etc.

4. Collate information from the vignette mentally and then

read the questions to see which parameter or variable is dealt

with.

5. Graphical presentation of data is the most commonly

seen vignette in GAMSAT Section 3.

6. Graphs test your ability to relate variables and their

dependency on one another. Be careful to differentiate between

positive (direct proportionality) and negative slopes (inverse

proportionality).

7. In case of reaction mechanisms, carefully observe the

mechanistic arrows (reversible, irreversible, inhibition,

stimulation, attack by reactive species etc).

8. In case of graphs portraying motion or any other concept

in Physics, observe the magnitude (in case of scalar quantities)

and both magnitude and direction (in case of vector quantities).

9. Think of all the probable ways in which you can relate

the variables in the graph and then read the question to judge

the most apt way to solve it.

10. A three-step process to approach Data Interpretation

questions in GAMSAT is

i. observe

ii. understand

iii. interpret

gamsat tips & suggestions

Documents

minutes section

questions section

test format section

hour section

essays section

minutes reading time

broad question type

types of vignettes