Is the BMAT Being Phased Out?

The Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT) is currently a central component of the application to study Medicine at certain universities in the UK.

In particular, the Universities of Cambridge, Oxford, Brighton and Sussex, Lancaster, Leeds, University College London and Imperial College London, as well as other faculties around the world, have traditionally used the BMAT as an entrance exam for prospective students on their medical courses. 

The BMAT is a series of three different exams, testing scientific and mathematical knowledge, problem-solving, critical thinking and written communication skills.

Phasing Out the BMAT

The Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing organisation (CAAT), in charge of administering entrance exams, has announced that the BMAT will be phased out starting from the 2024 admissions cycle. 

The CAAT have cited the logistics and complexity of delivering the exam at an affordable and accessible price as making the continuation of the BMAT unsustainable as an entrance exam to medical schools.

But what does this mean for prospective medical students?

Plan and Stay Informed

Applying to medical school can often be a long and demanding process, so the last thing you’ll need is a sudden change to the admissions process that you’re unaware of. Keeping up to date on the latest changes will make your life a lot easier, reducing stress and helping you to avoid last-minute rearrangements – or missing an application cycle entirely! 

As a prospective medical student, it’s vital to be up to date with the latest news on the relevant admissions process, so you can confidently put your best foot forward in your application!

What’s Ahead for the BMAT?

Although definitive details haven’t yet been confirmed, it looks like medical schools that typically use the BMAT will put in place their own individual entrance exams. The best way to access reliable and updated information is to regularly check the admission requirements on each university’s website. You can also subscribe to university newsletters, or send an  email to admissions tutors directly if your query is particularly specific. 

The Cambridge Assessment Admissions Team website is also a reliable source of information, especially regarding the new arrangements once the BMAT is phased out. 

Regardless of the exact format of the new exams, it’s likely that critical thinking and problem-solving skills will be at the core of the new examinations. To succeed in the new tests, it’s important to build a strong foundation in relevant subjects, as well as to practise your problem-solving, critical thinking and written communication skills. 

Our Medicine summer school is an excellent way to gain these skills, reinforce your knowledge and boost your confidence for entrance exams and interviews! 

Seek Help and Support Early On

If you feel overwhelmed with the changing admission process, or you’re worried about what it could mean for your application, it’s always a good idea to seek help and support early on. 

Your teachers at school are a great first point of contact. If you’d like further guidance, then professional exam preparation services and university admissions teams are well-trained to deal with a range of challenges, and will certainly help you through the admission cycle. 

Teachers and professional services will be familiar with specific entrance exams, and can help you to develop a personalised study plan so you can reach your full potential! 

The admissions process to medical school is ever-changing, but regardless of the specific entrance exam you’ll be taking, plan ahead, seek support, and continue to develop your core skills and knowledge.

For an extra boost to your Medicine application, access your individual University Preparation Report for specialised tips and advice.

We’ll continue to update our blog with the latest information here at OxBright, so do keep checking back in, and best of luck with your application!

By Diego Balassini

Diego is a practicing junior doctor, having graduated from Cambridge University, and Barts and The London School of Medicine. His undergraduate thesis focused on cancer biology and therapeutics. He is planning a career in reconstructive and plastic surgery, hoping to draw together innovations from tissue bioengineering, regenerative and stem cell research.