How to Master the BMAT: Unbeatable Preparation for Success in the BioMedical Admissions Test

209 Pages·2009·2.62 MB·English

by  Chris John Tyreman

how to master BMAT TP:Layout 1 28/7/09 16:17 Page 1
i
HOW TO MASTER THE
BMAT
Unbeatable preparation for success in
the BioMedical Admissions Test
Chris Tyreman
London and Philadelphia
ii
While the author has made every effort to ensure that the content of this book is accurate, please note
that occasional errors can occur in books of this kind. If you suspect that an error has been made in any
of the tests included in this book, please inform the publishers at the address printed below so that it can
be corrected at the next reprint.
Publisher’s note
Every possible effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this book is accurate at the
time of going to press, and the publishers and authors cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions,
however caused. No responsibility for loss or damage occasioned to any person acting, or refraining from action,
as a result of the material in this publication can be accepted by the editor, the publisher or the author.
First published in Great Britain and the United States in 2009 by Kogan Page Limited
Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of research or private study, or criticism or review, as permitted
under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, this publication may only be reproduced, stored or trans-
mitted, in any form or by any means, with the prior permission in writing of the publishers, or in the case of
reprographic reproduction in accordance with the terms and licences issued by the CLA. Enquiries concerning
reproduction outside these terms should be sent to the publishers at the undermentioned addresses:
120 Pentonville Road 525 South 4th Street, #241
London N1 9JN Philadelphia PA 19147
United Kingdom USA
www.koganpage.com
© Chris Tyreman, 2009
The right of Chris Tyreman to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance
with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
ISBN 978 0 7494 5461 6
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A CIP record for this book is available from the British Library.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Tyreman, C. J.
How to master the BMAT : unbeatable preparation for success in the biomedical admissions test / Chris
John Tyreman.
p. ; cm.
ISBN 978-0-7494-5461-6
1. Medical colleges--Great Britain--Entrance examinations--Study guides. 2. Medical sciences--
Examinations, questions, etc. I. Title.
[DNLM: 1. Education, Medical--Great Britain--Examination Questions. W 18.2 T992h 2009]
R772.T97 2009
610.719141--dc22
2009022790
Typeset by Saxon Graphics Ltd, Derby
Printed and bound in Great Britain by MPG Books Ltd, Bodmin, Cornwall
iii
Contents
Introduction 1
Part 1 Reviews 3
1 Aptitude and skills review 5
A1. Understanding argument 1: basic aspects 5
A2. Understanding argument 2: flaws; types of questions 6
A3. Understanding argument 3: example argument 7
A4. Critical thinking: Venn diagrams and logic statements 8
A5. Shape symmetry 9
Aptitude review questions 10
2 Maths review 13
M1. Mental arithmetic review 1: basic operations 14
M2. Mental arithmetic review 2: further operations 15
M3. Fractions 1: basic arithmetic 16
M4. Fractions 2: improper fractions; ratios 17
M5. Decimals 1: fraction/decimal conversions and basic arithmetic 18
M6. Decimals 2: rounding (decimal place, significant figure) and
standard form 19
M7. Per cent (%) 20
M8. Time and clocks 21
M9. Areas, perimeters, volumes and surface area 22
M10. Algebra 1: substitution and re-arranging 23
M11. Algebra 2: simultaneous and quadratic equations 24
M12. Averages: mean, median, mode; weighted 25
M13. Pie and bar charts, line and scatter graphs, tables 26
M14. Cumulative frequency, box and whisker plots 27
M15. Geometry 1: angles and lines, triangles, other shapes 28
iv Contents
M16. Geometry 2: Pythagoras and trigonometric functions 29
M17. Circle theorems 31
M18. Inequalities 31
M19. Probability 1: basic concepts 32
M20. Probability 2: tree diagrams 33
M21. Permutations and combinations 35
Maths review questions 36
3 Physics review 41
P1. Measurements and prefixes 42
P2. Conventions for units, symbols and numbers 42
P3. SI base units for length, volume, mass 43
P4. Equations of motion 44
P5. Graphs of motion 45
P6. Projectile motion 46
P7. Force and motion (Newton) 46
P8. Force, work, power and energy 47
P9. Universal gravitation, satellites and escape velocity 48
P10. Force, momentum and impulse 48
P11. Force, stress and strain 49
P12. Moments, mechanical advantage, levers and pulleys 50
P13. Pressure, buoyancy and flow 50
P14. Gas laws 51
P15. Heat and energy 52
P16. Waves (light and sound) 52
P17. Electrostatics, capacitance and electricity 53
P18. Kirchhoff’s circuit laws, resistors and capacitors 54
P19. Electromagnetism and electromagnetic induction 55
P20. Radioactive decay 55
Physics review questions 56
4 Chemistry review 60
C1. Atoms, electron configuration and valency 60
C2. Periodic table 62
C3. Bonding: electrovalent (ionic), covalent and metallic 62
C4. The mole and balancing chemical equations (reactions) 63
C5. Types of chemical reaction 64
C6. Concentration and pH; reaction rates 65
C7. Exothermic and endothermic reactions; Le Chatelier’s principle 66
C8. Solids, liquids, gases; changes of state; themochemistry 67
C9. Electrochemistry, reactivity series and electrolysis 68
C10. Carbon (organic) chemistry; fractional distillation 69
Chemistry review questions 70
Contents v
5 Biology review 75
B1. Digestive system 75
B2. Respiratory system 76
B3. Circulatory system 76
B4. Nervous system; eye 77
B5. Endocrine system; menstrual cycle hormones 78
B6. Urinary system 79
B7. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), genes and cell division 81
B8. Patterns of inheritance 82
Biology review questions 85
6 Writing task review 89
W1. Choice of question (1 minute) 89
W2. Preparation (10 minutes) 89
W3. The four-paragraph approach (10 minutes preparation) 90
W4. Composing the essay (15 minutes) 91
W5. The final check (2–3 minutes) 92
Instructions for mock tests 95
Part 2 Tests and answers 97
7 Mock tests 99
Mock Test 1: Aptitude and skills 99
Mock Test 2: Scientific knowledge and applications 115
Mock Test 3: Writing task 126
Mock Test 4: Aptitude and skills 127
Mock Test 5: Scientific knowledge and applications 143
Mock Test 6: Writing task 155
Mock Test 7: Aptitude and skills 156
Mock Test 8: Scientific knowledge and applications 172
Mock Test 9: Writing task 183
8 Answers and explanations 184
Answers to review questions 184
Answers to mock tests 188
vi
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1
Introduction
Use this book to boost your BMAT score
This book will maximize your BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) score in the shortest
time with the least possible effort. It focuses on the core knowledge in the six key skill
areas. There are no chapters dealing with interviews or why you want to be a doctor/vet.
Written in a note-taking style, it is easy to pick up and revise without being off-putting
due to passages of time-consuming text or wordiness.
Fifty per cent revision, fifty per cent practice
The book is complete in two halves. The first half, of about 100 pages, consists of six
sections of revision material for the Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology components
of the BMAT, with additional notes for problem solving and the writing task. At the end
of each section, a set of review questions enables you to identify and improve your weak
areas before you sit the test. The second half, also of about 100 pages, consists of practice
papers that reflect the BMAT test. Candidates are supported throughout the book, and
where possible every question comes complete with its revision topics indicated in
brackets; for example (P3b; M6d) means revise Physics topic 3b and Maths topics 6d to
answer the question; (B1a; C10b,c) means revise Biology topic 1a and Chemistry topics
10b and 10c.
No other book is required
Do not worry if, for example, you dropped Physics or Chemistry two years ago. With this
‘all-in-one book’ you can fill in the gaps in your knowledge without having to buy any
other books. Even if a subject is new to you, rapid progress is possible because the level
of prior knowledge is assumed to be low.
2 Introduction
Expanded answers
Some other books provide only a ‘right/wrong’ marking scheme, which is fine if you
have chosen the correct answer but is otherwise of limited help. In this book, almost
every question comes with an expanded answer that offers sufficient explanation as to
the method involved.
Hints to the solution
It is often the case that a clue to the method of answer serves to jog the memory. For this
reason, many of the questions include a hint as to the solution. Even so, candidates should
try to answer the question without referring to the hint (written below the answer choices)
in the first instance. For some candidates the hint will ‘give the game away’, though in
many instances it will not and in any case the solution may still be several steps away.
This method of learning is an aid to memory and reduces the chances of ‘getting stuck’
and then having to turn to the answer as the only means forward.
BMAT test format
The Biomedical Admissions Test lasts two hours. It has three sections and the first two
are marked by computer. No calculators or dictionaries are permitted.
Section 1: Aptitude and skills: 35 multiple-choice or short-answer questions; time
allowed one hour.
Section 2: Scientific knowledge and applications: 27 multiple-choice or short-answer
questions; time allowed 30 minutes.
Section 3: Writing task: answer one question from a choice of three; one side of A4
paper; time allowed 30 minutes.
BMAT registration
Entry to the BioMedical Admissions Test is via Cambridge Assessment. Full details of
how and where to sit the BMAT are available on the BMAT website: http://www.bmat.
org.uk. The test is taken in November and the deadline for standard applications is at the
end of September.
A list of universities/courses requiring the BMAT can be found on the UCAS website:
http://www.ucas.ac.uk. At the time of writing, the BMAT is taken by students wishing to
read medicine, veterinary medicine and related courses at the University of Oxford, the
University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University College London and the
Royal Veterinary College.
3
Part 1
Reviews