BMAT Netherlands

About the BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT)

The following information is for BMAT Netherlands applicants only.*

The test takes place on 20 February 2021.

For the latest information, including key dates and details about registration and how you will take the test, please visit the website of your chosen institution(s). If you are applying to more than one BMAT-using institution, you must let the institutions know.

BMAT tests your ability to apply scientific and mathematical knowledge, as well as problem solving, critical thinking and written communication skills that are essential to university-level study.

BMAT Netherlands is taken in English. It is a 2-hour 10 minute, computer-based test, which consists of three sections. Sections 1 and 2 are multiple choice, and Section 3 is a writing task.

You will take the test on your own computer at home or at another suitable location. The test will be monitored by a remote Proctor. You will receive detailed guidance about this before the test date.

If you're applying for the following courses, you will need to take BMAT:

Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC)
Medicine, Biomedical Sciences

University of Twente
Technical Medicine

* Please note: The test date and registration process for BMAT Netherlands differ to other BMAT test sessions.

Test format

Section 1: Thinking Skills

What does it test?	Questions	Timing
Generic skills in problem solving and critical thinking.	32 multiple-choice questions	60 minutes

Please note: Section 1 has been updated and will no longer include questions that test data analysis and inference.

Section 2: Scientific Knowledge and Applications

What does it test?	Questions	Timing
The ability to apply scientific knowledge typically covered in school Science and Mathematics by the age of 16 (for example, GCSE in the UK and IGCSE internationally).	27 multiple-choice questions	40 minutes

Section 3: Writing Task

What does it test?	Questions	Timing
The ability to select, develop and organise ideas, and to communicate them in writing, concisely and effectively.	One writing task from a choice of three questions	30 minutes

Scoring and results

How is BMAT scored?

Questions in Sections 1 and 2 are worth 1 mark each. Total raw marks for each section are converted to BMAT's scale, which runs from 1 (low) to 9 (high). Typical BMAT candidates will score around 5.0, roughly half marks. The best candidates will score around 6.0, and a few exceptional candidates will score higher than 7.0.

Writing Tasks in Section 3 are marked by two examiners. Each examiner gives two scores – one for quality of content (on a scale of 0–5), and one for quality of written English (on the scale A, C, E).

Combining the scores for Section 3: If the two marks for content are the same or no more than one mark apart, the candidate gets the average of the two marks. If the two marks for written English are the same or no more than one mark apart, the scores are combined like this: AA = A, AC = B, CC = C, CE = D and EE = E.

For example, a writing task given a 4C by one examiner and 4A by the other will get a final score of 4B. A writing task given 3C by one examiner and 2C by the other will receive a mark of 2.5C.

If there is a larger discrepancy in the marks, the writing tasks are marked for a third time, and the final mark is checked by the Senior Assessment Manager.

Section 3 marking criteria

BMAT results

You can access your results from 9 March 2021 via our online results system. Depending on how you booked, you will either already have a login, or you will be given a login.