My GAMSAT Score & GPA Calculation

You check your inbox and find an unread email from ACER. This is it: your GAMSAT result is finally here! Let’s not panic, though; yes, this result might quite
literally change your life, but it is only the first score of many others like your GPA you must also consider. When you receive your GAMSAT result, it will show
an Overall GAMSAT Score and a score for each of the three test sections. Generally, most medical schools rank applicants with this overall score, whereas
other universities take an average of the three GAMSAT sections. The universities will set their own cut-off scores from year to year.

GEMSAS and non-GEMSAS Australian medical school minimum GAMSAT score requirements for postgraduate Medicine entry in 2024.

Keep in mind the section score breakdown is important because different universities place different emphasis on the weighting of Section III. For example,
the Universities of Queensland, Melbourne, and Notre Dame take the Mean Average of the individual scores across the three sections. All other universities
in the GEMSAS Consortium use the Traditional GAMSAT Section Weighting System, which weights Section III twice as much as Section I and Section II. The
University of Sydney ranks applicants based on each Section Score. Each of the four GAMSAT scores is expressed on a scale of 0–100 and are not percentage
marks or the number of questions answered correctly. Since ACER does not provide definitive information on the scoring process, candidates are unable to
replicate the rounding process of their scores.

Example GAMSAT Mean (unweighted) Average and traditional, Weighted Average Section’s I–III calculation methods.

Mean Average of GAMSAT Section’s I, II, and III (All sections weighted equally)
Weighted Average of GAMSAT Section’s I, II, and III (Section III is weighted twice as much)

To assist candidates with the evaluation of their test performance, GAMSAT scores are accompanied by a chart showing an approximate percentile ranking
for each Overall Score. This will give you an indication of how well you performed against other candidates in the same GAMSAT sitting. Usually, the average
GAMSAT candidate will achieve an Overall Score somewhere between 55–60. You will notice in the representative figure below that even the slightest
increase in your GAMSAT Overall Score will correspond with a massive boost in your percentile ranking.

Representative figure of GAMSAT Overall Score and Percentile rankings. Small increases in Overall Scores will correspond with improved Percentile rankings.

All medical schools consider your weighted or unweighted Grade Point Average (w-GPA and uw-GPA, respectively) in some form, so it helps to have at least a
credit-average to be competitive. Though, each institution varies in the way they consider these scores, and the general rule is that the last three years of
undergraduate academic study are used for the GPA calculation. The most common w-GPA method is shown below:

• Final Year results (most recent) = GPA will be weighted by a factor of 3
• Final–1 Year results (2nd most recent) = GPA will be weighted by a factor of 2
• Final–2 Year results (3rd most recent) = GPA will be weighted by a factor of 1

The formula is expressed as

The “weighted average” is calculated by dividing the sum of the weighted products by 6. This will factor the weightings across the three years of study to give an overall GPA, where an emphasis is placed on the latter years of study. For more information on how other institutions calculate GPA scores, visit the
GEMSAS website.

Combined GAMSAT and GPA average method

Medical schools may utilise the combined averages formula to rank candidates for interview, which pools GPA and GAMSAT scores to give an overall score.
The formula is expressed as: (GPA score/7 × 100) + GAMSAT Overall Score. The combined score outcome is vital for students to assess their competitiveness,
or potential to achieve an offer and secure a place in an Australian medical school. For example, you and your friend both achieved a GAMSAT Overall Score
of 70 but your GPA was 6.5/7 and your friends was 6.0/7:

• Your combined average score = (6.5/7 × 100) + 70 = 162.85 
• Your friend's combined average score = (6.0/7 × 100) + 70 = 155.71

It's critical to note a student's GPA will have a significant impact on their GAMSAT score requirement to be competitive and the amount of preparation work required. If a student has a GPA of 5.5/7.0 versus someone who has 6.8/7.0, they need to outperform them significantly in the GAMSAT exam.

So, what GAMSAT and GPA scores should you aim for to be competitive? Well, the Institute of Medical Education does not have a crystal ball and we cannot
make guarantees. Plus, most medical schools keep these numbers secret (go figure). But from recent candidate feedback, it looks as though a non-rural
GAMSAT score of at least 65 and a GPA of 6.5/7.0 (a combined average of 158) will give you the best chance for an interview offer. Considering GAMSAT
participation numbers increase every year, these figures will most likely climb, reflecting the competitive nature of Medicine entry in the digital age.

Do not panic just yet, these numbers should only be used as a guide. You may be eligible for schemes based on your rurality status, bonuses for prior
academic performance / occupation, and your postgraduate GPA score may also count toward your final calculation at some institutions. At the Institute of
Medical Education, we offer a range of programs, including the GAMSAT Premier Program, that are sure to boost your performance in the GAMSAT and
overall Percentile ranking amongst your peers. Contact us today to and we can work together to tailor your very own pathway into Medicine.