Hello, college student! Tomorrow, Nov. 23, some of you will be taking the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT). This is one of the major requirements of medical schools in the Philippines; this exam will determine which school you can apply for (and hopefully get admitted, too).
The first time I took it, I was disappointed with my score. It was due to lack of preparation; I was then an incoming junior and didn’t know much about the subject matter. (Now only seniors are allowed to take the NMAT).
A year and a half later, I took it again, and landed among the top 6 percent of passers.
I will now give you some tips and advice on how to get a higher NMAT percentile.
1
Stop studying on the day of the exam.
Enjoy the day before the actual date. Do not stress yourself as it can affect your mood and how you take the test.
2
Pray.
A little divine intervention never hurt, so pray that you have the clarity of mind and the wisdom to answer the questions properly.
3
Bring food.
Come lunchtime, majority of the test takers would troop outside to eat. With only one hour allotted for lunch, and with the number of test takers, it’s wise to bring your own food.
4
Sleep early so you can wake up early.
A good night’s sleep will ensure that you are in tip-top condition for the exam. It will also allow you to wake up early and be at the venue on time. Remember that you are not the only one taking the exam! Expect heavy traffic when you go late.
5
Bring pencils—not one but several.
The exam will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and all test parts would require shading the correct answer. Bring extra pencils and a sharpener. If someone borrows from you, be nice and lend them a pencil. Who knows, you might gain a new friend (and some good karma).
6
Bring a jacket.
The venue would be air-conditioned. If you are the type who easily gets cold, a jacket would come in handy.
7
Go to the comfort room before the test starts.
It’s so inconvenient to take the test when you also have to answer the call of nature.
8
Don’t take too long on one part of the exam.
You can always return to the difficult questions later. Feel free to answer first whichever you find easy.
9
Turn off your phone.
Do not just put it on silent mode. This will help you concentrate, without your phone vibrating in the middle of your exam.
10
Relax.
Trust what you know. Trust God.
These things worked for me, and hopefully they will work for you, too. I wish you all the best, and I hope you get to the school of your dreams!