BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT)

By:Ying Shuen (Batch 5)

If you are interested to take MBBS course in University of Malaya (UM), one of the entry requirement is to have a BMAT result. To make it clear, ONLY UM requires a BMAT result. If any of you who are planning to take MBBS course in any other local university, you do not need to take this test.

Unlike MUET, BMAT has nothing to do with KMKt, you will need to handle all things, from registration to transportation and accommodation on your own. Remember to get permission from HEP for BMAT since you’re going out of college for the test. Thus, for those who are planning to take BMAT, there are a few things that you need to take note.

1.      REGISTRATION

a.       The registration will usually start one or two months before the test and the registration period is around one month. Since you will be taking the test in Semester 2 (most likely February), so keep yourselves updated on the important dates starting the beginning of Semester 2.

b.      To know about the registration dates, simply google search ‘BMAT registration’, and it should lead you to this link https://bmat.um.edu.my. The pictures below show the online registration site before and after the registration is opened.

 

 

c.       During the registration, you are required to pay a total of RM200 through the online application portal (UM E-Payment). After successful payment, you should receive an email as shown below:

 At the same time, you will be lead to a page stating the date that you will receive your EXAMINATION SLIP. An example of the page is shown below.

d.      The examination slip will be sent to your email from the date stated in the page onwards. After receiving it, remember to PRINT it out as you must bring it into the exam hall. An example of the slip is shown below. (If you DO NOT receive the slip, kindly check your SPAM/JUNK mail. If there is still no sign of the slip there, please contact the university.)

2.      PREPARING FOR BMAT

a.       Preparation is essential for BMAT. Although your entry to UM is not fully based on your BMAT results, however, it still represents certain percentage during the candidate selection.

b.      For your information, all communications will be conducted strictly via e-mail before and after the exam. Do check your email from time to time so that you do not miss out any important information and updates. If you are facing any problems or need more information, feel free to e-mail the administrator at bmat@um.edu.my.

c.       All you need to know about BMAT questions, formats and scores are clearly stated in this link http://www.admissionstestingservice.org/for-test-takers/bmat-umalaya/

d.      It is also encouraged for you to do past year papers during preparation for the exams. Past year papers can be found at https://www.admissionstesting.org/for-test-takers/bmat/preparing-for-bmat/practice-papers/

e.       Take note of every details required for each section so that no silly mistakes occur. The details will be written on the front cover of each section. For example:

                                                              i.      For Section A and B (MCQ), calculators are NOT allowed.

                                                            ii.      For Section C (Writing), only BLACK PENS are allowed and candidates are NOT allowed to request for extra papers.

3.      TRANSPORTATION AND ACCOMODATION

a.       Since there is only one exam hall in East Malaysia, which is at University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, you will need to travel there either by bus or by flight. Due to shortage of time, it is more encouraged to go there by flight, plus it will be less tiring. If you book the tickets earlier, it will be around RM 100 – RM 150 (for AirAsia Roundtrip ticket).

b.      For accommodation, you may book a hotel room or a homestay depending on the amount of people you have. However, it is suggested to find a place near UM to be safe. For the hotel, you may consider Cititel Midvalley Hotel or Crystal Crown Hotel, while for homestay, you may check out Moontel Homestay @ Vista Angkasa.

c.       Taking us as an example, we had our BMAT on Saturday, so we left KMKt 4pm Friday to the airport, depart at 7.30pm. After the exam at around 6pm Saturday, we directly went to KLIA2 and depart back to Kelantan at 9.30pm. The schedule is up to you guys, if you guys want to stay another night, remember to get permission from HEP.

4.      ON EXAM DAY

a.       Bring all important documents especially your EXAMINATION SLIP and IC.

b.      Wear formal attire.

c.       Arrive UM at least 2 hours earlier to find your exam hall and place. It is best to locate the exact location of examination in UM (which block) before the exam day.

d.      You will be quarantined before directly entering the exam hall so make sure to arrive early, be noted that the invigilators are the professors from UM itself, it is not good to leave a bad impression to them.

e.       Go to the toilet before entering the quarantine room or before starting section A. The examination consists of 3 sections that will be carried out one section at a time back to back with around 5-10 minutes break in between. However, the 5-10 minutes break is not a ‘toilet break’, the invigilators will want you to check the paper and fill up your details. They will continue the exam immediately once the details are filled up. This indicates that the invigilators will not care whether if you are already seated or not before continuing another section of the exam. If you are in the toilet when the exam is continued, no extra time will be given to you.

f.       If you really forgot to bring any stationary, you may borrow them from the secretory.

5.      BMAT RESULTS

a.       When you enter the exam hall, you will be given a ‘Candidate Day Sheet’ and a ‘Candidate Results Sheet’ as shown below.
- ‘Candidate Day Sheet’ is to acknowledge you about your candidate number.
- ‘Candidate Results Sheet’ is to let you know where and how to get your results, so keep this sheet carefully. If you are unable to access your BMAT result, contact the university via email.

b.      The results will be released around 1 month after the exam and it will be around the time when you are filling up your UPU choices.

c.       After obtaining your results, you may use that as a guideline to make your first choice for UPU. If you are below average when comparing your BMAT results to your friends, you may consider choosing other universities as your first choice if you are not really determined to take MBBS in UM. HOWEVER, in my opinion, if you really want to enter MBBS in UM, just put UM as your first choice regardless the result PROVIDED you obtained CGPA 4.0 in Semester 1. Although BMAT results have its portion in candidate selection, but most importantly is to get CGPA 4.0 and perform well in the interview session after matriculation. If comparing CGPA, BMAT and interview, BMAT plays a relatively low percentage in the selection.

To know more your journey to MBBS in UM, here is a flow-chart of Admission Process to UM MBBS Programme for 2019 BMAT Candidates. Each year’s admission process is the same, just a slight difference in the dates. Thus, no harm done to look through it.

Lastly, I hope that this blog will come in handy for those who are planning to sit for BMAT, if you still have any questions about BMAT that are unanswered, kindly click on this link https://bmat.um.edu.my/page/faq. A simple reminder, this blog is written based on my experience when taking BMAT in February 2019, be aware that there may be slight changes in the procedure from year to year, so always keep yourselves updated on the latest information at the UM Faculty of Medicine at https://medicine.um.edu.my/bmat or jus google search ‘BMAT UM’ should do the trick. In the end, I sincerely wish all of you the best of luck and may your dream become a reality. All the best!





文: NAISHAN

BMAT 是一个马大举办的测验， 他使用了剑桥大学的一个测验以赛选有资格的学生参加面试。

BMAT  aka ( Biomedical Admission Test) 是在二月中举行。有兴趣读医科的学霸们或是没事做但很有钱的学生可以到马大参加这个很有意义的测验或想到 KL 走走的土豪们可以参加。都关在这个监牢那么久了就花一些些钱看看别州的女生或男生吧。如果你很厚脸皮还可以认识到一些新朋友。

BMAT　是一个有　３个 paper 的测验

第一张测验是 IQ 测验（选择题）。 那些觉得自己很聪明像爱因斯坦的学生会很喜欢而那些比较智障的会觉得很好玩因为能开很多次手抢或自动抢。

第二张测验是科学和数学常识的测验（选择题）。那些 SPM 以为考 SCIENCE 考到很厉害， 很会背东西的学霸会很喜欢因为spm 上课有听书的学生都会做。如果你不会那就完蛋啦科科表示你没尊敬你老师。

第三张是考你会不会写英文。你以为你 SPM 英文拿个A+很棒是吗？考了这张英文试卷你就知道SPM是骗人的尤其是那些以为自己是讲外国英文的学霸们。测验很简单就是在半小时内写完一篇作文。你觉得是要写描述巴刹的情况的话你可以滚回你家算了吧。如果是那么简单你邻居都能进剑桥大学了。

要考ＢＭＡＴ你可以坐飞机到 KL或做一个很长很长的巴士。到了KL你能找到离马大靠近的住宿是最好但有朋友家住是更加好。考试当天早到好过迟到，早到是早两个小时到因为有很多有梦想的人想到马大读医科披上那英俊潇洒风度翩翩的白袍以为自己是什么著名的神医。

BMAT说了那么多是一个不简单的试卷。剑桥就喜欢为难人，考试费算贵贵然后出难难的题目为难人类不如他去管好自己的大学先吧。如果你是真的有心跟风到马大读医科的我多多鼓励你们去尝试但是如果你是要去玩或走走的， 免了吧。别浪费钱和时间了，考试费不便宜啊，算麦飞机票真的不便宜啊可怜你父母亲吧！是他们的血汗钱你这个不孝子就拿着去烧因为你以为你是接下来的神医科科。

BMAT有很多past　year 好做。可以上网找都是免费的。有心考的学生早早做好准备吧别浪费机会，机会是给与有准备的人。马大是一个很有名的大学很多大马的人想进有机会又有能力的学生就别浪费这机会。如果你考的好你也能ｉｍｐｒｅｓｓ　到一些书呆子的女生或男生。想读医的好好加油和想清楚先吧别忙着跟风因为风是透明的你这么都跟不到他的别骗自己啦。好好加油学弟妹们！