Preparing for the IMAT

General Overview

Guide from personal experience and advice from hundreds of students over five years.
Future videos/articles to cover updated strategies.
Different candidates and recent high scorers to provide additional insights.

Focus on strengths, plan for weaknesses: Adjust study plan based on remaining time.
- 8 months left: Cover entire syllabus.
- 2 weeks left: Maximize strengths, avoid weak areas (e.g., if bad at physics, focus elsewhere).
Continuous testing: Test yourself as you cover material.
- Before starting new chapters, test on that topic using BMAT questions.
- Understand mistakes to avoid repeating them.
Past papers: Use strategically based on the remaining time frame (e.g., 20 weeks = 2 exams per week).
- Simulate exact test conditions
- Review mistakes thoroughly and identify weak areas.
- Repeat tests to recognize high-yield topics and question types.
- Pareto Principle: 80% result from 20% material.
MCQ strategies: Learn strategies to improve success.
- Example: Eliminate incorrect options before guessing.
- Understand timing and practice timing drills.
Timing drills and strategic approach: Vital to manage time effectively in the test.
- Develop a strategy before the test and stick to it.
Specific strategies for IMAT questions: Many repeating question types have shortcuts.

Score was 48.6 prepared 2 months while working full-time.
Emphasize strategy over intelligence.
Strategies included: Consistent test taking, analysis of weak spots, and timing drills.
Recommended tools: Flashcards and question banks (e.g., BMAT questions).

Logical reasoning: Full marks due to prior experience with similar tests (HPAT).
- Utilize Cambridge’s logical reasoning book.
- Consistently practice question types.
- Potential future logical reasoning guide.
General knowledge: Difficult to cram for; involves broader reading and playing trivia games.
- Some topics include European history, politics, cultural arts.
- Awaiting further expert advice to optimize strategy.

Approach: Mix of memorization and solving.
- Use question practice, flashcards for some values.

Approach: Primarily solving problems.
- Identify high-yield question types and practice extensively.
  - Solving consistently important to understand repeating types.

Don’t chase a certain score: Focus on doing your best.
Confidence: Stay calm and maintain a clear mind during the test.
Body Health: Sleep, nutrition, and exercise are crucial for effective learning and memory consolidation.
- Exercise boosts BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor), aiding neuron health.
- Consolidation of memory happens during sleep.
- Good nutrition improves overall cognitive function