Updated as of June 2, 2020
Hello there, aspiring medical doctor!
If you're reading this with high hopes of acquiring tips on how to achieve your dream score, well here's some good news: YOU ARE READING THE RIGHT POST! These tips I'm about to share are 100% based on my experience and hopefully, these would also work for you.
Before I start, I'll be honest with you: I took this test twice (October 16, 2016, and March 27, 2017). I admit that I wasn't prepared for my first take but during the second take, I gave my best, and successfully, I got a very high percentile rank.
So now let's start:
Set A Goal
Before you start, you should know what is the cut-off percentile rank required by the medical school you are applying for. This is done by searching from the Internet or by inquiring from the school. This will motivate you in your study and give you an idea of how much effort you should give.
Mind conditioning is very crucial. You have to make sure your brain keeps up with you to achieve the result you want. Also, this is the time where discipline enters the picture.
STOP BEING LAZY!
Assess Your Capabilities
AS A STUDENT:
Assessing your capabilities would help you decide whether you're comfortable with self-studying or enrolling in a review center. Reviewing in a review center would mean spending money but if you want to get good results without emptying your pockets, self-studying with discipline is the option. On my part, I did both since I got a low score on my first take.
AS AN EXAM TAKER:
The NMAT is a time-pressured test thus, focusing on subjects you are weak on is very important (This was something I did not do on my first take). The test is a combination of mental ability (PART 1) and academic proficiency (PART 2) with corresponding time-limits.
Make Your Own Study Schedule
Some people could easily understand ideas and facts faster and some need more time and concentration. Your study pace could give you the idea of how you go about the reviewing process. This can be a guide on how you make your study schedule (how many minutes/hours/days you should study a topic or a subject). Also, place here how many hours you would allot for breaks, exercise, and all those things you have to do within the day. You may apply the Pomodoro technique here.
Trivia: Pomodoro technique was developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. It is a time management method which utilizes a timer to break down tasks into intervals separated by short breaks
The Internet Is Your Friend
If you only have one month to get ready for the NMAT, then, this tip would help you. I swear to this and I mean a lot of people are sharing tips and some points on what to study for each subject and on how to effectively answer the PART 1 of the test.
Here are some links for part One:
Verbal Analogies:
Quantitative:
Inductive Reasoning and Perceptual Acuity
Practice and Time Yourself
Answering practice tests and timing yourself is useful in determining which of the subjects you're strong or weak at. Since NMAT is a time-pressured test, it is important not to waste time.
Here's the sequence I did during the actual exam: For part ONE, I started with Verbal, Perceptual Acuity, Inductive Reasoning, then ended with Quantitative while for part TWO, I started with Biology, Social Science, Chemistry, then ended with Physics. As you noticed, I answered Quantitative and Physics last because I need more time to solve math problems.
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Here are some additional tips you could use on the day of the test:
Additional Tip # 1: Pay attention to CEM's rules
You must read this: Instructions On The Day Of The Test or else you'll be disqualified to take the test. Please bring only the allowed items to the exam area.
Additional Tip # 2: Never forget to pray
Pray before, during, and after the test but take note, prayer doesn't also work if you did not exert effort in studying, too.
Additional Tip # 3: On the day of the test, please bring candies, lunch, and water
This tip is to avoid lining up or wasting your one hour lunch at fast food chains or canteens around the exam area. This will help you save time and energy.
As for the candies, you can substitute it with chocolates. You can eat it while taking the exam especially if you get hungry.
Additional Tip # 4: Do your best to answer correctly every item on the test
This last tip is what you call #ThisIsTheMoment. I'm begging you. PLEASE... Please...please take the test like it's a very important test. Don't simply shade because you have to answer each item but it should be the best answer among the choices. Remember you're aiming for a high NMAT result to get into a prestigious medical school so give all your best.
I firmly believe that you can review and practice for the NMAT, especially if you forgot the terms and basics in physics, chemistry, social science, and biology, and if you are slow in answering the part One.
All these tips may not be applicable to all, but I hope that this will enlighten you to do your best and get into the medical school of your choice. Good luck and do well on your test.
All these tips may not be applicable to all, but I hope that this will enlighten you to do your best and get into the medical school of your choice. Good luck and do well on your test.
For more information about the test, you can check this CEM link: About NMAT.
