How to get a HIGH NMAT Score and Percentile Rank
- @lukas_rph
- May 11, 2019
- 7 min read
Hello there! I guess it´s NMAT season once again which means your journey to becoming a doctor is about to start so better equip your self not just with weapon of knowledge but with ammunition of perseverance and strategies because as the saying goes "never engage in a battle of wits unarmed" so buckle up your seat belts as I´m about to give you the MOST IMPORTANT TIPS AND STRATEGIES on how to ace the exam and share to you on how I obtained 93 percentile during March 2019 NMAT. I hope this blog will be of great help to you!
So what is NMAT?
The National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) is required for all medical schools in the Philippines. It is administered by CEM twice per year (March and October) usually with October having more examinees, therefore, more competitors. NMAT is basically a competition since it is based on percentile ranking wherein your score will be based on the performance of all the examinees not on the total number of items. NMAT is not a typical exam that you are taking in your school where you can just cram or study a night before, this exam TOTALLY NEEDS PREPARATION AND DEDICATION.
The NMAT is a two-part test: Part 1 consists of tests of mental ability (More likely IQ exam: Inductive reasoning, Perceptual acuity, Quantitative/Math and Verbal) and Part 2 are tests of academic proficiency (Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Social Sciences). Technically for part 1, all you need is PRACTICE and a GOOD BACKGROUND OF VOCABULARY. In Part 2 things get a little bit serious as this requires note-taking and review of all the sciences you had during high school. But the problem is high school was way too long ago already, your idea of atom and inertia might have gone rusty at this moment so better open your books again or refer to a good reviewer to refreshen your brain somehow. If you took (or currently taking) a pre-med program that involves sciences it would be an edge for you. Just like in my case, where I took up Pharmacy (Now a Pharmacist) program, Chemistry and Biology were easy for me. But for those who took up courses which are not science-based programs, aiming for 90+ percentile is never a hindrance.
TIPS ON SURGING THE NMAT:
1. TIME IS YOUR ENEMY
NMAT is basically a time-pressured series of the exam so better bring a wristwatch with you to monitor your time. During the exam, especially for part 1, 3 hours seems like 30 minutes. So PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE and... PRACTICE! to adapt to the situation and finish earlier than the allotted time. While you answer practice questions, never forget to time yourself for every subtest you answer. For part 1 a total of 3 hours is given: 40 minutes for verbal, 50 minutes for quantitative, 50 minutes for inductive reasoning and 40 minutes for perceptual acuity and for part 2 a total of 2 hours and a half is allotted. Make sure you have good practice materials to study for part 1 (Learnfast mock exams will give you HUGE HELP).
2. PRACTICE THE BASIC OPERATIONS IN MATH
Take note that you are not allowed to use a calculator during the exam, therefore, you must know how to solve multiplication, division, addition, subtraction, algebraic equations, geometrical and statistical problems instantly. Again PRACTICE is an important deal here since the fundamental operation is part of the quantitative subtest. If ever you hated math all throughout High School to College no need to lose your hope of having that 90+ percentile because most of the questions are just very basic and only require a bag common sense and a bit of review. Recall the basic concepts in Algebra (rules of exponents, factoring, multiplying and dividing polynomials, square roots, fractions, word problems involving Algebra), Geometry (Pythagorean theorem, laws, and concepts of triangles, right triangles, word problems involving Geometry) and Statistics (Probability, Permutations, and Combinations). Make sure you have a formula sheets of all Algebra, Geometry and Statistics concepts. Another part of the quantitative subtest is the data analysis wherein you need to analyze and interpret tables and graphs. This part is just easy you just have to be quick to maximize your time in the fundamental operation part. The PICS review notes are TOTALLY ADVISED FOR THE MATHS since they provide step by step procedures on how to go on a problem.
3. ORGANIZE
Start answering the subtests where you are more comfortable with as this saves time. Take note your goal is to answer as many as possible so better answer the subtests where you think is more easy for you. My sequence in answering part 1 is as follows: Inductive reasoning, Quantitative, Perceptual, Verbal. For Part 2: Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Social Sci.
4. BE WISE
In solving problems especially inductive reasoning and perceptual acuity you need to develop your own techniques. Familiarize the pattern of questions given by the CEM especially for these two sub-tests because, as I have noticed, CEM ask questions similar to the methods or patterns of the questions they provide in their sample practice set (CEM gives you this copy after you pay for the registration) so make sure you develop your own techniques in facing this problem. Some things you need to take note are the: A.) Size of the image B.) Quantity C.) Position/Location. For the letter series list down all the alphabets and below each letter write their corresponding numbers. For example, A is 1 B is 2 C is 3 and so on because the pattern is more obvious when you substitute numbers. LEARNFAST MOCK EXAMS ARE REALLY VERY HELPFUL FOR IQ EXAMS LIKE THESE.
5. READ SHORT STORIES, NOVELS, MAGAZINES TO AID YOUR READING COMPREHENSION
This subtest pulled my NMAT score since I was not able to answer all the questions in reading comprehension due to the lack of time and honestly I hated the subject. I do not have a good vocabulary in English ever since grade school. For this part, I think if you are a bookworm no need to worry!
6. CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS ARE YOUR EDGE
Assume that everyone is good in part 1 since it only tests your skills, so meaning anyone can answer the exam even the High school students because for part 1 only PRACTICE is needed. However, the game is different in part 2, since this time only true persevered and diligent people ace this part hence if you do good in part 2 the higher chance of you getting a good percentile rank. Just like in my case, I was totally screwed in the verbal part because I wasn´t able to finish on time thus it totally pulled my part 1 but due to my efforts and passion for science, I still manage to regain my rank. This is totally true for Chemistry and Physics, majority of the takers hated these subjects because it seems daunting for them to read all the topics included in it, but it's not really true, you don´t have to read all of the entire books you just have to focus some parts that are always repeated by the CEM every NMAT exam.
Each time you study sciences always make sure you UNDERSTAND FULLY THE CONCEPT AND KNOWS HOW TO SOLVE PROBLEMS VERY FAST because questions about chem and physics are always either/both conceptual or problem-solving so make sure to solve problems within a minute or two at max to save time.
For chemistry, 90% percent of the questions revolve around general(inorganic) and organic chemistry and 5 % biochem and another 5% for analytical chem. Generally, questions are about the periodic table trends, stoichiometry, gas laws, proteins like the enzymes, saturation, normality and molarity problems, density, chemical bonding, organic nomenclature, hybridization (sp3, sp2, sp), Le chateliers principle of equilibrium, isomerism, and thermodynamics.
For Physics only focus on mechanics, laws of motion, theories of gravity( Galileo to Newton to Einstein theories) electrodynamics/statics (ohms law!), nuclear physics( radiation decays) optical physics (diffraction, refraction, and reflection) and sound physics(Doppler effect). Again always remember to UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT because most of the time CEM tests your understanding of the topic. I find the UP premed honor society reviewer notes for sciences VERY HELPFUL. TRUST ME.
7. A BIOLOGY READING A DAY KEEPS BAD NMAT SCORE AWAY
The majority of the takers are BS BIO students/graduates but don´t worry if you´re not one! Why? Because Biology questions are very basic and conceptual! Don´t dig deeper if you study biology, only focus on the general concept. You just have to read at least 2-3 topics per day. Don´t push your self too hard once you read biology because studying this subject takes time to sink it in your head. What I did during my review was, I made a summary notes after I read the topic then I review it during the weekends so that I will never forget the concept.
I could say that CEM mostly obtained their questions from Campbell biology! Great that I have all summarized topics in Campbell Bio in powerpoint together with the UP Notes. It was really a BIG HELP!!! Most questions about bio are: Cell and its parts and functions, Ecology(population, community, and ecosystem), Genetics(punnet square, pedigree, disorders), Physiology (lungs, cardio, the human ear, kidneys) and Taxonomy and Zoology a bit.
8. SOCIAL SCI IS 50% COMMON SENSE AND 50% KNOWLEDGE
People keep on saying that social sci is a no-need-to-study-subject but I wasn't careless at all and I didn't believe in them. And I made the right decision because there were real questions that require reading especially Psychology and about society and culture that I wasn't familiar with. Unless you're a psych major no need to focus on this one but for the non-psych majors do a reading on all summary topics in psych and sociology. UP and KAPLAN MCAT reviewers are advised for this part!
9. RELAX LANG, ALAM MONG KAYA MO TO
Madali lang NMAT, kailangan mo lang talaga ng tamang notes at oras para mag aral. If you ask me if there´s a need for review centers I would answer no, unless you are really willing to pay huge amounts of money but I achieved 93 percentile without review centers and I lack of proper review due to my hectic working sched from mondays to saturdays I only had sundays to study. You just have to believe and compose yourself during your reviews and most of all prayer is the key!
10. I HAVE ALL THESE NOTES (UP, LEARNFAST, PICS, KAPLAN, COMPILED, MOCK EXAMS AND OTHERS) IN A FOLDER. I OFFER THE FILES FOR A SMALL PRICE TO HELP YOU IN YOUR NMAT JOURNEY. :) ATTACHED BELOW IS THE LINK TO MY SHOP IN SHOPEE :)
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