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The Entrance Exam will be delivered at ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ using the Medicine School Council Assessment Alliance (MSCAA) platform. Candidates will undertake a multi-mini interview, followed by the exam.

The Entrance Exam will be mapped against the learning outcomes of Year 1 and will be standard set with faculty lecturers, with the addition of the most appropriate statistical method to set the pass mark as decided by the Standard-setting Group and psychometrician.

Who is the Entrance Exam for?

Applicants from graduates of degree programmes relevant to medical studies, including Dental graduates, who meet the specified admissions criteria and are successfully shortlisted will be invited to take the Entrance Exam and interview.

Please note the Entrance Exam does not apply to applicants coming from our recognised feeder streams.

Areas that the 2026 Entry GEM medicine examination will be based on:

1. Outline the structure/function of major biological molecules and cellular organelles. The Cell Part 1 and Part 2. Describe the cellular processes of a cell by outlining the structure and function of its organelles.
2. Explain the cellular processes of sending, receiving and processing messages.
3. Identify the cells in the four tissue types of the body and explain their function. Principles of microanatomy. Outline the basic principles of histology; how, why and interpretation.  
4. Describe the structure and function of the components of the musculoskeletal system.
5. Identify and describe the different components of musculoskeletal system.
6. Describe the microstructure of skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle and relate microstructure to the mechanisms of contraction in each type. Muscle contraction. Describe the mechanism of contraction in skeletal muscle and outline the similarities and differences between skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle.
7. Compare aerobic and anaerobic respiration, including metabolic changes in response to exercise. Releasing energy from food with and without oxygen. Describe the fundamental components of aerobic and anaerobic respiration.  
8. Describe the organisation of the central and peripheral nervous systems.
9. Identify and describe the different components of nervous system and their function.
10. Explain the factors influencing nerve conduction/ online resource. Action potentials along an axon; Resting and Action potentials. Explain the factors influencing ionic distribution across the cell membrane and how voltage-controlled ion channels regulate membrane conductance.
11. Describe the principles of body imaging, naming the main techniques. Principles of imaging. Describe the basic principles of medical imaging.
12. Outline the stages in the cell life-cycle.
13. Describe the structure and function of the circulatory system / respiratory system / digestive system. Microanatomy of human tubes. Describe the microanatomy of the different tubes in the human body.
14. Differentiate between the cellular constituents of blood based upon their structure and function. Haemostasis. Describe the structure of blood vessels and the composition of blood in relation to haemostasis.
15. Describe the structure and function of the circulatory system. Introduction to the Thorax.
16. Describe the structure and function of the circulatory system and its organisation in the thorax, relating this to surface anatomy and radiological imaging.
17. Describe the cardiac cycle and its control.
18. Explain the importance of sympathetic and parasympathetic control of heart rate.
19. Describe the structure and function of the respiratory system. Introduction to the Thorax.
20. Describe the structure and function of the respiratory system.
21. Explain the process of gas exchange in the lungs and peripheral tissues and the impact of pH on oxygen availability. Lung function: gas exchange (gradients, surfactant). Describe the diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide across the alveolar-capillary membrane (blood-gas barrier) and discuss the factors which influence the movement of gases between the internal and external environments.
22. Explain how homeostatic control of fluid and pH balance is achieved. Fluid compartments and pH Regulation.
23. Describe the structure and function of the gastrointestinal system and its organisation in the abdomen, relating this to surface anatomy and radiological imaging. Anatomy of the Abdomen.
24. State the function of a range of vitamins and minerals. Vitamins and minerals. Describe the function of vitamins and minerals.
25. Explain the regulation of appetite. Regulation of digestion (feedback mechanisms) and appetite. Explain the feedback mechanisms that regulate digestion and appetite.
26. Compare aerobic and anaerobic respiration, including metabolic changes in response to exercise (continued). Energy use during exercise. Measure the response to increased energy demand during exercise.
27. Describe the components of a balanced diet including the key micro- and macronutrients. Nutrition. Describe a balanced diet.
28. Describe the regulation of energy metabolism, applying this to the response to fasting. Mobilisation of energy stores. Describe the mobilisation of carbohydrate, protein and lipid during fasting.
29. Explain how homeostatic control of fluid and pH balance is achieved. Kidney - filtration, absorption and secretion. Discuss the formation of urine, including the forces controlling filtration, and the mechanisms controlling absorption and/or secretion of ions, osmolytes and water.
30. Describe the organisation of the pelvis and pelvic viscera.
31. Describe and compare the basic structure and function of the male and female genitourinary systems. Introduction to the Pelvis and Genitourinary System.
32. Identify and describe the structure and relations of the bladder and urethra in the male and female. Reproductive hormones. Describe the function of hormones associated with reproduction.
33. Describe the structure and function of the urinary tract. Anatomy of the Abdomen and Introduction to the Pelvis and Genitourinary Systems.
34. Describe the structure and function of the upper limb, relating this to surface anatomy and radiological imaging. Upper Limb.
35. Describe the structure and function of the upper limb, relating this to surface anatomy and radiological imaging.
36. Explain the action and inhibition of enzymes. Enzymes and Drug Kinetics. Describe the action and inhibition of enzymes.
37. Describe general mechanisms of drug action, relating to the principles of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. An introduction to pharmacology Mechanisms of action of drugs.
38. Explain host / microorganism relationships Principles of Immunity 1 – why we need it! Explain the principles of host-microorganism relationships.
39. Compare the innate and adaptive immune response. Principles of immunity 2- how it works. Outline the characteristics of the innate and adaptive immune responses.
40. Describe the organisation of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Structure and Function of the Brain. Describe the basic structure and function of the brain.
41. Contrast the somatic vs autonomic nervous systems. Autonomic nervous system: synaptic transmission. Describe the structure and function of the synapse and summarise the general sequence of events in synaptic transmission.
42. Contrast sympathetic vs. parasympathetic nervous systems. Autonomic nervous system: neurotransmitters and receptors. Describe the organisation of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system; compare and contrast autonomic responses.
43. Outline the nervous pathways that control voluntary movement. Nervous system: motor. Outline the nervous pathways which allow voluntary control of movement.
44. Outline the nervous pathways that control general sensation. ‘Nervous System - Motor and Sensory Control. Describe the pathways that control voluntary movement and general sensation.
45. Outline the nervous pathways that control special sensation.
46. Describe pharmacological effects on the human eye.
47. Explain the cellular processes of sending, receiving and processing messages.
48. Discuss the relevance of behavioural factors in medical practice. Physiology and Psychology of Stress. Develop an understanding of the importance of behavioural factors in medicine.