BMAT Background & Research

Why use BMAT?

Universities face a range of challenges throughout their applications and admissions processes. One of the main challenges they face is the selection of the correct applicants to accept. Almost all applicants to medicine and veterinary science achieve an equally high academic level. Universities need additional information on which to base their admissions decisions.

BMAT Background

BMAT was developed by Cambridge Assessment in response to a request by academics from some of the top medical and veterinary schools in the UK for an assessment that would:

• Enable them to differentiate between applicants who appear to be equally well qualified and suited to the course
• Provide a way of assessing the potential of students who have a range of qualifications

Research

Cambridge Assessment has conducted research on data from previous years’ BMAT sessions. The research shows that:

• The BMAT is a good predictor of performance at year one undergraduate level
• The BMAT enables admissions tutors to screen out those candidates unlikely to take advantage of the best of higher education
• The BMAT demonstrates that those without the best A level grades, or those with alternative qualifications have the potential to succeed