A common question from students in the final year of school is: When can I sit the UMAT? You can sit the UMAT in your final year of schooling (Year 13) and any number of times thereafter. 

Many students and parents mistakenly believe that they can only sit UMAT once and only in first year of university.

MedEntry suggests that all students who are interested in pursuing medicine sit UMAT as early as possible (in Year 13), for many reasons.

Firstly, sitting UMAT in Year 13 is great practice for you. When you sit UMAT again in the first year of your university degree, you will already be familiar with the process and experience of sitting UMAT. This will greatly reduce your stress levels and increase your performance. You will already be ahead of others. Performance generally improves on re-sits (this competitive advantage is generally not available to Australian students). Remember that both Auckland and Otago University allow only one attempt at applying for medicine after the first year of your university degree (but remember there is no limit of the number of attempts at UMAT). Therefore, doing well in UMAT is essential.

Secondly, UMAT tests skills that need to be developed over a period of time. Students who start earlier with their preparation do better in UMAT. UMAT preparation will also boost your Year 13 school performance and your university GPA by enhancing your thinking skills.

Thirdly, if you do well when you sit UMAT in Year 13, you can apply for an undergraduate medical degree in Australia. There are many benefits to studying medicine as an undergraduate. However, once you start a university degree, you are NOT eligible to apply to most medical schools in Australia.

If you have any enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact:

Dr Edward Boyapati | Principal Lecturer | MedEntry UMAT Preparation