2014 NMAT Medical School Entrance Exam

How to get a good score on the NMAT Medical School Entrance Exam

First of all, I want to say that I am not Filipino, and I have very limited Pre-med science classes and my degree is a bachelor of arts. Despite that, I scored in the 80's on the NMAT exam and I could have scored higher. I am writing this hub to give anyone thinking about attending medical school in the Philippines what I believe to the be the best way to score the highest score possible. Once again, as I am not Filipino, the advice I am giving you is from the perspective of someone without a strong background in pre-med courses and is not Filipino, so keep that in mind if you have a strong background or you are Filipino. But I think the advice is good for everyone.
Studying for the exam. I actually did almost no studying whatsoever for the exam. I studied at most a few hours. I do not recommend this, but I want to let you know the exact materials that I used. I glanced over the MSA NMAT reviewer. Now I will tell you a little later about how this book definitely increased my score of what I would have gotten had I not used the book. I glanced over the book. Now it is a very small book, but there is a lot of information in those few pages that you need to go over in detail.
***Mistake on NMAT #1, I should have bought the MSA NMAT reviewer in advance and study it like a Bible.
If you are from the states like I am from, you may be thinking, where am I going to get a MSA NMAT reviewer from. I have seen the book online on various websites such as Ebay, amazon and you can even check Filipino websites such as olx.com, and suilit.com and see if the sellers are willing to ship to your address. The book is not a condensation of Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Calculus and Grammar. The book is however an insight into the main purpose of the NMAT. Unlike the MCAT, the NMAT is balanced equally into Sciences and IQ. You may be asking what do you mean by "IQ". I mean that the NMAT is a straight up IQ test. You will have hundreds of questions picking the next figure, and distinguishing what photo does not belong. The NMAT reviewer is probably the only study guide that you will find that will have a large number of "IQ" questions available to study in advance. Although IQ is supposedly fixed, if some of the questions have a similar appearance, it may be possible to score a higher score than normal if you are familiar at least with the style of the questions.
Now I want to get to mistake #2 for me on the NMAT exam.
****Mistake on NMAT #2, I should have studied more simple math.
This might actually sound strange, but I really should have focused The more on simple math equations. The NMAT is full of complex multiplication questions and you will need SPEED. I will repeat that again, you will need SPEED. Unlike many standardized tests from the states that will allow you to use a calculator, or will have only one answer close to the right answer, the NMAT has 40-50 questions where you will need to multiple 3-4 3 digit numbers in 30-45 seconds. If you are use to using a calculator and not doing multiplication in your head, you will suffer during the NMAT. While I personally think that I am a pretty fast in multiplication, I missed A LOT, I mean A LOT of questions where I just didn't have time. You cannot guess because 2-3 of your answer choices will be within a tenth of a decimal point away.

This book is a must have

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NMAT Reviewer

Last Thoughts

Well, for anyone considering medical school in the Philippines, the NMAT is a requirement for just about every medical school there. They offer the exam in November/December and in March/April every year. The exam that is offered in the winter is usually offered in California as well as in Manila. If you take the exam in Manila and you are not a Filipino Citizen, you are actually separated from the rest of the local students and you will take the exam in a room with all international students. Keep in mind that although the test covers basic science, the exam also looks at IQ and you should review material that address this. I have not seen any information about the NMAT on any other source, blog, website, or whatever that mentions this and this is why I wanted to bring it up. As a foreign student, many schools are a little lenient about your NMAT, however, you still want the highest score to make sure you have a number of options. Good luck on your test.

 

2013 Philippines Medical School Admission Test (NMAT)

The deadline for the 2013 Philippine Medical School Entrance Exam is fast approaching. The absolute final deadline for the U.S.A. exam in Los Angeles, California is November 19th, 2012, and the deadline for the exam in Manila, Philippines is November 16th, 2012. For those planning on attending any foreign medical school abroad, taking the Philippine NMAT should be considered. You can register online at http://www.cem-inc.org.ph/nmat/  The exam is the equivalent to the U.S. Medical School Entrance Exam, "MCAT", but it is quite different. The Philippine Exam tests standard Biology, Physics, Social Science, and Chemistry, during part II., but part I. is an entirely different animal, and has little to do with the basic sciences, and more to do with IQ and vision. 

Part I. of the NMAT consists of verbal, inductive reasoning, quantitative, and perceptual acuity. 

Verbal: The verbal section is pretty straightforward. You simply read a section on a variety of topics and you answer a set of questions below, such as what is the author's purpose, what is the main idea, does the writer have an bias?

Inductive Reasoning. This section is simply an IQ test for children. You will have to determine relationships between different figures that will be both time consuming and extremely difficult if you do not have sufficient practive. The MSA reviser has many questions that are not only similar, but may actually be repeated in this sectin.

Quantitative. This section consists of basic addition, multiplication and algebra. However, you will be required to multiply 3-4 sets of numbers such as 346 x 322 x 745 without the use of a calculator. Answers choices are within decimal points apart, so it is not possible to guess. Simply practice beforehand with basic multiplication, division, algebra is a must. Because of the number of problems, you must have completed previous sections of the NMAT in advance to allow additional time on this section.

Perceptual Acuity. I almost think that this section is impossible. If you have not studied the MSA reviewer in advance, you may want to skip this section entirely. You must answer quickly, and you are not given much time to visually tell the difference between 2 figures that may be rotated, inverted, or partially visible. This skill set is nothing that you would have likely learned in any type of class, so you must study this in advance. The MSA reviewer is extremely beneficial. 

Good luck on the exam. 

How to Pay for Foreign Medical School

Attending medical school outside the United States that does not have guaranteed U.S. federal students loans can often be a challenge. Even for schools that may qualify for private loans, they sometimes do not cover travel expenses or the high cost of living, books, uslme fees, and other miscellaneous expenses. While some students resort to taking online classes to qualify to student loans in the U.S., which can be time consuming and disasterous for one's GPA, I have noticed some students have become creative in financing their medical school education abroad. I came across a website today that listed a number of medical students from Carribean Medical Schools that were ineligible for student loans called gofundme.com. What amazed me was not that medical students were using gofundme.com, but rather it seemed like people were actually impressed at the determination of many of these student and actually donated money. While I didn't see any $25,000 USD donations that would pay for an entire year's medical tuition and room and board expenses, I did see donations in the hundreds of dollars that would surely go a ways into helping out. 

Another website that I noticed was begslist.org. The problem with begslist.org is that you really have no way of knowing that someone actually received any of the donations, and in what amount, or if the person has met their goal. The gofundme website has a format that is similar to many microfinance loan sites (without the loan) that may work well if a medical student is truly in need. 

I'm not going to say too much because I still need a student visa.

I haven't been posting in a while because I was trying to work. I actually earn up to a couple hundred dollars a month in my spare time online. You can earn money online to help pay for school, but that hasn't been working so well lately. I should have posted this before, but I still wasn't able to get all my documents authenticated from the Philippine Consulate in Saipan. The Attorney General gave me a difficult time authenticating my College of William and Mary diploma since it was written entirely in Latin. It think it may have helped that the former Attorney General was a William and Mary grad.

I still am undecided whether to have my parents try to get everything authenticated at the Embassy in D.C. or to try to do it myself in May when I get back to VA.

I Have Wanted This Forever: Ross University School of Medicine Information Sessions February and March, 2011.

All of my transcripts were received by UNCG for the summer post-bacc pre-med program. I also requested a copy of my transcripts to personally be sent in case I need them for any other schools. They are sealed with the schools certification stamps on the envelopes.

While doing a google search, I came across a google ad for the Ross University Medical School information sessions that are going on this weekend and next month. The title "You have wanted this forever" is great and really puts my ambition into words. Although I don't think that Ross is the best school around, I believe that they do very well with marketing.

The info sessions are being held in a number of major cities in the U.S.

February, 2011

• Columbus, OH, Saturday, February 26, 2011, Information Seminar
• New Orleans, LA, Saturday, February 26, 2011, Information Seminar

March, 2011

• New York, NY, Saturday, March 5, 2011, Information Seminar
• Toronto, ON, Saturday, March 5, 2011, Information Seminar
• Houston, TX, Saturday,March 12, 2011, Information Seminar
• Irvine, CA, Saturday, March 12, 2011, Information Seminar
• Tampa, FL, Saturday, March 12, 2011, Information Seminar

Three months until summer session.

I had a total of five undergraduate and graduate transcripts that I requested to be sent off to UNCG. Four of them came in and I am still waiting on the fifth. I'm glad that I am taking care of this now, and I feel like I'm having a test run of the med school application process. I know that I still have a few months to go, but since I am planning on taking much more than the recommended prerequisites, I was thinking that I should try to get ahead. I purchased theThinkwell Biology lectures, and I must say that they are suprisingly enjoyable. I have seen about 7-8 hours so far, and I am still interested in watching the next 50-60 hours remaining. I wish I could have someone as animated and interesting as George Wolfe to teach me in real life. I know that College level biology will likely go into much more depth than the lecture, but I am hoping that it at least will give me a good base which to attack my summer classes.

The thinkwell website sells the online version of the lecture for $150, and the physical CDs are an extra $25. You can only purchase the CD's from the thinkwell website if you already purchased the online version.

Amazon.com has a number of Thinkwell biology CD's for as low as $19.69.  You may have to pay a little extra for the notes, but I have been told that many online biology classes require Thinkwell biology lectures for their classes. It is definitely worth checking out.

If you are interested in watching a sample video, you can check out:

How can I qualify for in-state tuition?

I called Tidewater Community College today to inquire about in-state tuition. I am planning on trying to kill myself with science med school prerequisites this summer, and I would save over $3,000 if I was declared an in-state applicant. I spoke to a representative in Chesapeake, but she could not answer my questions. She transferred me to the enrollment office where no one picked up the phone. I called the Virginia Beach office and was able to speak to someone in enrollment. I was trying to explain my situation about how I never intended to remain outside the state of Virginia, and that I meet the majority of the factors listed in VA Code §23-7:4 B. I tried to explain the factors that SHEV considers when granting in-state residency and how they apply to me.

1. Continuous residence for at least one year immediately prior to the date of alleged entitlement.
2. State to which income taxes are filed or paid.
3. Driver's license.
4. Motor vehicle registration.
5. Voter registration. b. Actual voting.
6. Employment.

a. If a person has otherwise shown residence in the state with domiciliary intent, unemployment does not preclude a finding that the person is a Virginia domiciliary.
b. Fulfillment and documentation of state licensing requirements in order to be certified to practice a profession in Virginia (e.g., attorney, clinical psychologist, nursing), is evidence of domiciliary intent; however, it is not determinative. Enrollment in but noncompletion of an educational program designed specifically for employment in Virginia is not sufficient evidence that domicile has been established.

7. Ownership of real property.
8. Sources of financial support.
9. Military records.
10. Accepting a written offer of employment with a Virginia employer.
11. Social and economic relationships.

I explained that I had 7 out of the 11 on my side, however the woman at the enrollment office told me that there was an inital level of checking in-state status and I would not pass, she said there are also second and third level, and maybe they would approve me. I think I need to start getting some documents together.

Foreign Medical Schools that qualify for Title IV Student Loans

********UPDATE December 2010. The U.S. Department of Education began to review foreign medical schools for U.S. student loan eligibility and Fatima was determined to be out of compliance. Fatima does still have Sallie Mae Private loans available, however Federal Stafford loans are not.

It really wouldn't make sense to create a list of all Title IV medical schools. A better list would be all Title IV schools that have medical school instruction in the English Language. As far as an incomplete list:

1. UNIBE, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
2. American University of the Caribbean, St. Martin, Netherland Antilles
3. Fatima College of Medicine, Manila, Philippines   *** temporarily suspended in 12/10 by DOE
5. Ross University School of Medicine, Roseau, Dominica
6. St. George's University School of Medicine, St. George's, Grenada

There are other schools that accept Title IV student loans, however in terms of cost, liklihood of admission, and instruction in English, I have limited my personal possibilities to these schools. Each school is different and all have their pluses and minuses. With the exception of UNIBE, the other schools have affiliations with U.S. mainland hospitals for clerkships in the 3rd and 4th year of medical school.

While looking up various regulations, it appears that all foreign medical schools are ineligible for the Pell Grant, but will allow federal student loans. I was reading the GAO report on foreign medical schools and it would appear that there are approximately 30,000 U.S. foreign medical students, ~8,000 in each year. Considering that there are 18,000 U.S. slots, there are over 1/3 additional slots for students that are willing to travel abroad for school.

Post-Bac Pre-med programs are expensive

So, I am still unsure how exactly I will get my science prerequisites of biology, chemistry and physics for medical school. The UVA and UNCG programs are great in that they can be completed in one year, but both will cost me $20-$25,000 for tuition alone. The advantage is that I can qualify for student loans, but I anticipate it would only cost $5-$6,000 to take the identical classes if I was able to qualify for in-state status at the local community college. Tidewater Community College in Virginia has chemistry I and II in the summer in intensive 5 week sessions, which is that same sequence as UVA's post-bac and UNCG's. I have heard that many college admission officers do not look highly on community college credits, however $25,000 is still $25,000. For someone who already has undergraduate student loans, making payments on those loans and paying the community college tuition may be too much. So far I have sent my transcripts (from 5 schools) to their "missing documents" department at UNCG admissions. Hopefully I will be accepted shortly.

Called Dr. Cannon of the UNCG Post Bac Pre Med Program

I had actually already submitted my application as a 2nd degree seeking student for the May 2011 post bac class. Once I submitted the application, I felt a sense that this is really happening. I am on my way to medical school. I called Dr. Cannon to let him know that I had applied, and to ask a few questions on the admissions process. He was extremely helpful explaining a number of thing about becoming a doctor. He stressed that in addition to a high GPA and MCAT scores, there needs to be evidence that the applicant is interested in helping others. Shadowing, volunteering, hands on medical experience are preferred. He sent a health careers "puzzle" that showed the blocks that admission officers look at when assesing medical school applicants. I read on a medical school student forum that Dr. Cannon's wife is an admission officer at UNC Chapel Hill, so he probably knows extremely well what colleges are looking for. He provided me with a number of books that I should read about information on becoming a doctor.

I was informed the the summer session consisted of General Chemistry parts 1& 2 with labs. The course uses the book Chemistry: the Central Science. From the reviews on Amazon, it sounds as if the solutions to exercises books are good choices as well. The main textbook is quite expensive new, however Amazon has 400+ used copies starting as low as $32.00.

Can you get into medical school without a science degree?

When I made the decision to switch careers and become a doctor, many people asked me if it was even possible getting into medical school without a science degree. A co-worker was telling me yesterday that the only way that I could be successful in medical school was to really want to be a doctor. I do really want to be a doctor, and I would really like to help people in need. In addition to helping people is the fact that doctors make a lot of money. Granted there are high malpractice insurance fees, some as high as $30,000 per year, and high student loans. One thing that actually had me excited to become a doctor was the fact that many states will actually provide student loan incentives for doctors that agree to work in underserved areas. Because that would be my desire regardless of the pay, this is an added bonus.

As for a bit of my background, I have a degree in government from a highly ranked university and a relatively low GPA. For medical school anything below a 3.5 is a low GPA. I have taken statistics which I took pass/fail and received a B. I have taken chemistry and physics in high school however I never took anything but Geology in undergrad. I did have a slightly higher GPA in graduate school where I have an advanced degree. So now 13 years after undergrad, is it possible getting into medical school, even without having taken any science classes?

Recently I discovered that many universities have programs designed to have students complete their entire science med school prerequisites in one year. Or actually the summer, fall and spring. for a total of 12 months. I was interested in the University of Virginia Pre-Med Post-Bac program and also the Post-Bac program at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Since I am out of state for North Carolina, I would be paying out of state tutition with a cost of $21,000 for tuition and approximately $8,000 for living expenses. When I read the linkage information for UVA's post-bac (GW school of medicine, and Univ. of Pitt school of medicine), I don't think that everyone qualifies for the linkage and it would depend on the applicant's GPA. Since my GPA is not extremely high, I don't think that I would qualify even if I were admitted, so I am leaning on UNCG at the moment.