THE MSA NMAT REVIEWER

According to Allan Paul I. Carreon (MSA NMAT Reviewer, 2001), The National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) is carefully designed. It does not seek to test the amount of knowledge the examinee can recall in various fields of Science, Math and English. More importantly, the test is constructed so as to also be able to determine how well the examinee can synthesize information and make use of his or her reasoning skills in analyzing and solving various problems.

As such, I have designed this reviewer to meet that demand of the actual NMAT. More often as I could, I made the questions as challenging and perhaps even more hard so than the actual NMAT in order to give you the chance to adequately prepare for the actual test.

The first part of the NMAT consists of four tests that deal with subjects outside of the sciences.

Test A (Verbal) has two sections. The first is on analogies. Most of the analogies I have constructed are general in nature. However, a few do deal with scientific concepts, while others consist of more specific aesthetic areas such as music, art, literature and even pop culture. The second section is on reading comprehension; it consists of five selections followed by five questions each. I have sought to make the selections as diverse as possible not only to cater to different tastes but also in keeping with the diverse nature of the selections used in the actual NMAT. Thus, the five selections I have chosen have forms that range from songs to poetry (both English and Filipino) to humorous essays to scientific articles to news items.         

Test B (Inductive Reasoning) is designed to assess your intuitive reasoning skills; it consists of three sections. The first section is on figure series; your ability to determine what comes next in a series of related figures is tested here. The second section deals with figure grouping; in it, you are required to decipher what figure among a given group does not belong. The last section of Test B is on number and letter series; your skills in identifying number and letter patterns and applying them are tested here.

Test C (Quantitative) focuses on mathematical ability. It has three sections. The first section is on fundamental operations; these questions are structured in basic form and designed to test your direct solving skills. Although currently the NMAT does not include Calculus, I have included three simple Calculus problems in this section as a review of your basic college math; also, it is a good review in case the NMAT includes this important aspect of the mathematics in the future. The second section deals with word problems. In this section, your ability not only to do mathematical operations but also to apply them in various areas of everyday life is tested. Most of them require a great degree of skill in translating sentences into mathematical equations; a couple, however, do deal with more objective questions such as equations of slopes and factoring methods. The last section of Test C is on data interpretation. In it, various data in the form of graphs, charts and tables are given, and questions regarding the said data are asked. This section will enhance your skill in understanding and analyzing sets of data.

Test D (Perceptual Acuity) is a relatively unique feature of the NMAT; in it, your visual sharpness is tested in the belief that good doctors must have good eye sights in order to practice the profession competently. Test D has three sections. The first consist of hidden figures, wherein a figure is given and you must decide which among a given group of choices contains that figure; your ability to spot concealed figures is tested here. The second section is about determining which figure is the exact mirror image of a given one; this exercises your skills not only to spot differences but also to spot similarities. The final section consists of written information; the job to identify which among the given choices gives exactly the same information will test not only your visual skills in spotting differences but may also serve to enhance your editing skills.   The second part of the NMAT consists of four tests that deal with the natural and social sciences.         

Test A (Biology) is designed to determine your knowledge in the biological sciences. It deals with everything from General Biology to specific fields such as Zoology, Botany, Taxonomy and Physiology.

Test B (Physics) focuses on the physical sciences. Areas covered include Mechanics, Heat, Electromagnetics and Optics. Although currently the NMAT does not really include the Theory of Relativity, I have included some questions on this subject because of its importance in modern Physics as well as in anticipation of any possible future inclusion in the NMAT.

Test C (Social Science) is all about the social sciences. The two main sciences dealt with are Psychology and Sociology. Most of the questions here are taken from General Psychology and General Sociology courses. However, some questions are designed to ensure that your ability to synthesize and apply basic concepts is well-tested.

Test D (Chemistry) is on the chemical sciences. The major areas included are General Chemistry, Quantitative and Qualitative Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry and Nuclear Chemistry.

What follows is a topic outline of the subject areas under each science that I have used in this reviewer and which is also used in the NMAT. It can also serve as a good topic outline for review in MCAT (Medical College Admission Test), the NMAT equivalent in the United States of America and Canada.

Biology

I. General Biology Concepts
II. Plant Morpho-Anatomy, Histology and Physiology
III. Animal Morpho-Anatomy, Histology and Physiology
IV. Taxonomy, Systematics and Evolution
V. Developmental Biology
VI. Genetics
VII. Cell Biology and Biochemistry
VIII. Ecology

Physics

I. General Physics Concept
II. Vectors
III. Mechanics: Kinematics and Dynamics
IV. Electromagnetics
V. Waves
VI. Optics
VII. Heat and Energy
VIII. Relativity

Social Sciences

A. Psychology

I. General Psychology Concepts
II. Biological Background
III. Sensation, Perception and States of Consciousness
IV. Learning, Memory, Thought, Language and Intelligence
V. Development, Motivation, Emotion and Personality
VI. Psychopathology and Therapies
VII. Social Psychology
VIII. Applied Psychology

B. Sociology

I. General Sociology Concepts
II. Culture, Social Structures, Organization and Stratification
III. Socialization, Interaction, Deviance and Social Control
IV. Race, Ethnicity and Gender
V. Marriage, Family and Education
VI. Politics, Economy and Religion
VII. Science and Technology
VIII. Population, Urbanization and Collective Behavior

Chemistry

I. General Chemistry Concepts
II. Qualitative Chemistry
III. Analytic and Quantitative Chemistry
IV. Organic Chemistry
V. Biochemistry
VI. Physical Chemistry
VII. Thermochemistry
VIII. Nuclearchemistry