19 Tips for Structuring and Writing a Strong Response for BMAT Essay Exam
It is not uncommon for students to freeze up and feel overwhelmed when they sit down to write the BMAT essay.
The BMAT is an important exam for students wishing to study medicine or veterinary medicine at a UK university, and a strong essay can often be the difference between getting an offer and being rejected.
So how can you make sure that you write a strong BMAT essay that will impress the examiners and help you to get the offer you want? Here are 19 top tips:
1. Plan your essay before you start writing.
This may seem like a obvious tip, but it is important to spend a few minutes planning your essay before you start writing. This will help you to organise your thoughts and make sure that you include all the relevant points.
2. Make sure you understand the question.
This sounds obvious, but it is important that you make sure that you understand the question that you are being asked. If you are unsure about anything, ask your teacher or tutor for clarification.
3. Answer the question that is being asked.
It is important that you answer the question that is being asked, and not the question that you wish was being asked. Many students make the mistake of writing an essay that is off-topic, and this will not impress the examiners.
4. Be concise.
The BMAT essay is not a long essay, and you should aim to write between 250 and 350 words. This means that you need to be concise in your writing and make sure that every word counts.
5. Make sure your essay is well structured.
A well-structured essay is easy to follow and will make a good impression on the examiners. Start by writing a brief introduction, followed by a main body and a conclusion.
6. Use appropriate language.
The BMAT essay is a formal essay, and you should therefore use formal language throughout. Avoid using abbreviations, contractions and slang.
7. Use examples to illustrate your points.
Where appropriate, use examples to illustrate the points that you are making. This will make your essay more interesting and easier to follow.
8. Use a range of sentence types.
A variety of sentence types will make your writing more interesting and easier to read. Use simple, compound and complex sentences as appropriate.
9. Be aware of your tone.
The tone of your essay should be appropriate for the subject matter. Avoid sounding too negative or too positive.
10. Avoid generalisations.
Avoid making generalisations in your essay. It is better to focus on specific points and examples.
11. Use quotations sparingly.
Quotations can be useful to support your points, but use them sparingly. If you use too many quotations, your essay will sound like a series of other people’s ideas and you will not be demonstrating your own understanding.
12. Cite your sources.
If you use any sources in your essay (such as books, articles or websites), make sure that you cite them correctly. This shows that you have researched your topic and helps to support your argument.
13. Edit and proofread your essay.
Editing and proofreading are important steps in the writing process. They will help you to spot any errors or mistakes and make sure that your essay is as strong as it can be.
14. Practice, practice, practice.
The more you practice writing essays, the easier it will become. Write practice essays on a range of topics to ensure that you are well prepared for the real thing.
15. Get feedback on your practice essays.
It is not enough to just practice writing essays. You also need to get feedback on your work so that you can improve. Ask a teacher or tutor to read your practice essays and give you feedback.
16. Take your time.
The BMAT essay is not a timed exam, so you should not feel rushed. Take your time to plan and write your essay, and make sure that you are happy with it before you submit it.
17. Start early.
The earlier you start working on your essay, the better. This will give you more time to plan, write and edit your essay, and you will be less likely to feel rushed or stressed.
18. Read the instructions carefully.
Make sure that you read and understand the instructions before you start writing your essay. This will help you to avoid making any mistakes.
19. Remember that the essay is only one part of the exam.
The BMAT essay is only one part of the exam, and it is important not to obsess over it. Focus on preparing for the whole exam and try not to put too much pressure on yourself.
We hope these tips have been helpful. Leave a comment if you have a question.