How to prepare for GAMSAT on a budget

GAMSAT prep can get expensive fast. Courses, books and practice exams all add up. The good news is you can prepare properly without spending a fortune. This is how I'd do it with free and low-cost resources.

1. Start with free YouTube videos

My YouTube channel is a free place to start.

• I go through ACER Section 1 questions step by step.
• You can follow along with the questions and my explanations.
• They're a good way to pick up strategies and get your head around the tricky question types.

You can watch them as many times as you like, and it won't cost you anything.

2. Get an essay marked for free

Section 2 is often the quickest section to improve, and essay practice doesn't have to cost much.

• Send me an essay through my free Section 2 marking.
• You'll get feedback on your structure, clarity and argument.
• Use that feedback in every essay you write after that.

Even one marked essay can make a big difference to your writing, and it won't cost you a cent.

3. Practise with the ACER papers

The official ACER practice papers are the best GAMSAT prep you can buy, and they're worth the money.

• Do full papers under timed conditions so it feels like the real thing.
• Use them to work out which sections need the most work.
• If you can't afford all of them, start with one and build from there.

Nothing else gets as close to the style and difficulty of the real exam.

4. Add Des O'Neill questions

The Des O'Neill questions are another good resource, especially for Section 1.

• Focus on the question types you find hardest.
• They're particularly good for building your reasoning and comprehension.
• You don't need the whole set. Picking the ones you need is fine when you're on a budget.

5. Use ChatGPT for extra help

AI tools like ChatGPT can also help when money's tight.

• Ask it to explain a Section 1 question you're stuck on.
• Get it to come up with new Section 2 prompts so your practice doesn't get stale.
• Ask for feedback on the structure and clarity of your essays.

It won't replace a good tutor, but alongside free resources it can fill some of the gaps. I've written more about this in How to Use ChatGPT to Help You Study for GAMSAT.

6. Put it all together

Preparing on a budget is about using these resources in the right order:

• Start with the free videos to build your foundations.
• Practise essays and get one marked for free.
• Do at least one ACER practice paper under timed conditions.
• Use Des O'Neill questions to work on your weak spots.
• Use ChatGPT for explanations and extra practice.

Put together, that's a solid study plan that costs very little.

Final thoughts

You don't need to spend thousands of dollars to prepare for the GAMSAT. Free YouTube videos, free essay marking, the ACER papers, Des O'Neill questions and ChatGPT will take you a long way.

Spending more doesn't guarantee a better score. Practising consistently, working on your weak spots and making the most of what's available will.