Coronavirus threat creates exam uncertainty

Students applying for postgraduate places in medical schools have been warned a key exam may be cancelled due to the coronavirus.

The coronavirus may cause medical schools to cancel postgrad exams.

Thousands of students applying for postgraduate places in medical schools around Australia have been warned that a key exam they sit, the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT), may be cancelled at the “last minute” before its scheduled March 21 date due to the coronavirus.

In an email sent to registered students, the Australian Council for Educational Research, which runs the test, said the situation was “evolving”.

“It is possible that a pandemic will be declared and that the Australian government will require that large gatherings are cancelled,” the email said.

“Candidates should be aware that decisions to cancel a test may be ‘last minute’, so we recommend that candidates check the relevant ACER test website page on a regular basis.”

The GAMSAT is only offered twice a year, in March and September, and for many students the March 21 sitting is their last opportunity to do the test if they wish to begin a medical course next year. Renowned for its difficulty, the six-hour exam is designed to help select participants in graduate-entry medical programs in Australia, testing students in humanities and social sciences, written communication, biology and physical sciences.

Several contingency plans have been considered for the test scheduled for March 21. These include holding the test in smaller venues to limit the spread of any infection, or refunding students the $510 fee. Cancellation would leave the alternative September 9 date as the sole examination for the year.

However, the much-smaller September examination is only run in the four largest Australian cities (compared with the 12 locations in March), excluding cities such as Adelaide, Dubbo, Hobart and Townsville.

About 5000 students sit the exam in Australia each year, with most choosing the March date.

It is believed ACER has received a significant volume of inquiries from concerned students.

In a statement, a spokeswoman for the Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand said: “We are very aware that the constantly changing situation is very difficult and uncertain for everyone. At this stage the plans are that the exam will go ahead on March 21. Should this change, then candidates will be immediately informed and further advice provided at that time.”

Also under consideration is what will happen to students who are sick or have visited COVID-19 affected countries. The email sent to students recommended that students “reconsider attending a test centre until they have self-quarantined for 14 days”.

While postgraduate medical schools consider student’s weighted-average-mark (WAM), interview offers are reliant on a good GAMSAT result.

In a statement, ACER said: “We will continue to monitor the global situation and take appropriate management steps within each country where the GAMSAT March 2020 will run.”