How long do I need to prepare?
One of the first things students ask me is: "How much time should I spend studying?" Honestly, it depends. Everyone has a different background and different strengths and weaknesses, so there's no one answer that fits everyone.
What I can do is break it down by section and give you a realistic guide to plan around.
Why prep time varies
- How much science you've done affects how long Section 3 will take.
- How much you read and write affects how quickly you'll get on top of Sections 1 and 2.
- Your schedule, and how many hours a week you can study, makes a big difference.
Because of all this, prep time can be anything from a few months to almost a year.
Section 1: Reasoning in Humanities and Social Sciences
Section 1 often takes the longest, because it relies on strong reading comprehension and critical reasoning.
- If you already read widely and are used to analysing texts, you might only need a few months of targeted practice.
- If you haven't done much humanities or analytical reading, it could take up to a year to build the comprehension and speed you need.
What matters most is practising regularly with passages, reasoning questions and timed sets, so you get both more accurate and faster.
Section 2: Written Communication
Section 2 is often the quickest to improve. It tests how clearly you express yourself, how you structure your writing and how you build an argument.
- A few months of focused essay practice can make a noticeable difference.
- Writing regularly, looking at your structure and getting feedback matter more than how much you already know.
If you're consistent, you'll often see results sooner than in Sections 1 and 3.
Section 3: Reasoning in Biological and Physical Sciences
Section 3 needs biology, chemistry and physics knowledge, plus problem-solving skills. (I don't teach Section 3 myself, but this is a rough guide.)
- With a strong science background, a few months of targeted revision and practice questions may be enough.
- If you're coming from a non-science background, you'll need more time to learn or revise the core science while also practising reasoning and interpreting data.
Overall, Section 3 prep is a mix of revising content and sharpening your problem-solving.
Suggested timelines based on your background
| Your background | Suggested prep time |
|---|---|
| Strong science, and you read and write regularly | 3 to 4 months |
| Science background, but weaker reading and writing | 4 to 6 months |
| Non-science background, and not much humanities | 6 to 9 months |
| Not much science or humanities | 9 to 12 months |
These are just guidelines. Focused, consistent study counts for more than the number of hours you clock up.
Tips for preparing well
- Start with a full practice test to find your strengths and weaknesses.
- Make a realistic weekly study plan and stick to it.
- Focus on reasoning and problem-solving rather than memorising.
- Read a wide range of texts to build your skills for Section 1.
- Write essays regularly and act on your feedback for Section 2.
- For Section 3, revise the core science first, then move on to practice questions and timed papers.
- Do full-length practice papers to build your stamina and timing.
Final thoughts
There's no single answer to how long you need to prepare. Lots of students do well with 4 to 6 months of structured, consistent study. Others, especially if their background doesn't line up as well with the exam, do better with longer.
How long you study matters less than studying smart: targeted, consistent practice across all sections. Get that right and you'll make the most of your time and feel confident on the day.
If you have more questions or need a hand, email me at hello@gamsattutorials.org.
Preparing for the GAMSAT?
