Taking the UMAT in year 11

DISCLAIMER: MSO does not condone taking the UMAT before year 12, nor any other kind of cheating. It is clearly written in ACERs rules that the UMAT must be taken in the final year of schooling or after, never before. Failure to adhere to these rules will result in serious consequences. The point of this thread is to have a discussion, not to give advice - discussion on how to cheat UMAT is not permitted. MSO will no take any responsibility for actions of it's members.

Originally Posted by miss_universe

Also you cannot do the UMAT in year 11, you must do it in year 12 at least.

Actually I think you can?? I know a few people that did it in Year 11 and again in Year 12? Or am I imagining this?

Originally Posted by SynGates21

Actually I think you can?? I know a few people that did it in Year 11 and again in Year 12? Or am I imagining this?

People do, but you're not supposed to. They strictly say that on the admissions page. If you're caught you can be banned from taking it for 5 years or something (I think). Idk, I don't think it's worth the risk, but it's their future..

Originally Posted by SynGates21

Actually I think you can?? I know a few people that did it in Year 11 and again in Year 12? Or am I imagining this?

Imagining for sure. I'm just trying to find a reference for it..

Who should sit UMAT?
Only candidates who have already completed or plan to
complete their final year of secondary schooling (Year 12
in Australia; Year 13 in New Zealand) in 2011 (or 2012 for next year) can register
for UMAT2011. Please note that at select institutions
international students may be exempt from taking UMAT
or may be required to sit a different test. For details
please refer to the websites of the universities to which
you intend to apply.

Ref: UMAT Quick Reference guide, ACER http://umat.acer.edu.au/files/UMAT_2011_brochure.pdf

Yea but as mighty said, you can find ways around that.

On your admissions ticket I'm fairly sure it doesn't say what school you go to, or what grade you're in or anything like that (I'm not sure if it requests this information when you sign up for it....?) so I'm not sure they could actually check at the venue. Mine was a pretty busy one and if you just flashed your ID and ticket they just waved you right through...
Anyway, wouldn't recommend it but do whatever

Originally Posted by SynGates21

Yea but as mighty said, you can find ways around that.

Is it worth it considering the risk? I think not.

Sure, why are you telling me that? The OP said he wanted to do it first in Year 11, and you said he couldn't. I merely pointed out that you can do it. Whether you should is a different matter. But that's up to the OP to decide, I just don't want him to think that it isn't possible.

Originally Posted by SynGates21

Sure, why are you telling me that? The OP said he wanted to do it first in Year 11, and you said he couldn't. I merely pointed out that you can do it. Whether you should is a different matter. But that's up to the OP to decide, I just don't want him to think that it isn't possible.

You're right, I'm sorry. I just wanted to add if you are going to give someone the information they can do that kinda thing, you need to let them know its against ACER's rules and has consequences. Also wouldn't the uni see your year of graduation and year the UMAT was taken? I'm just pondering, lets say you did the UMAT in 2011 and did well. You graduated in 2012 and used your 2011 marks. Surely the unis came make the connection? But then again, they are nor affiliated with ACER, nor will that explain the possibility of someone repeating year 12 because of failing. Anyway, doesn't really matter. You can follow the rules or not.

Originally Posted by SynGates21

Sure, why are you telling me that? The OP said he wanted to do it first in Year 11, and you said he couldn't. I merely pointed out that you can do it. Whether you should is a different matter. But that's up to the OP to decide, I just don't want him to think that it isn't possible.

I don't know if that's a stance we should take, though... I mean discussing stuff against the rules, making the point that it is technically possible, and giving examples of people having done so in the past, implies more condoning than we should...

Granted, whether people do stupid things is up to them, and they are solely responsible for their actions (and stupidity), but I don't know if inspiring such actions is something we should do... I mean, another example of a factually correct argument which we wouldn't use is "it is possible to obtain currency by threatening an individual with a sharp object," and as factual as it is, we definitely wouldn't want to take that stance, because as much as we can make it clear that it's not worth the consequences, there will be some desperate ones out there who sees that it's possible, and goes forth to doing it. Tell a health sci "you can cheat in exams, but your grades will be zeroed and you will be disciplined when caught", and there's bound to be some who will ignore that second part and cheat in exams.

As a forum which many depend on for advice, I don't believe emphasizing that "it's possible to do something against the rules" is quite what MSO should be about. As I've said some time ago to someone who wanted more emphasis on how UMAT can ruin one's chances at Otago Med (against our emphasis that not letting a non-astonishing UMAT result ruin the motivation with which it is possible to get high enough grades to offset the UMAT), I believe it's more important here to focus on the big picture of ensuring that people get the right kind of messages from this thread, rather than an uncensored and technically correct view of what is possible in this world.

Did he want advice? No. He had already decided that he wanted to do the UMAT next year. Muse said that it was not possible (i.e. she didn't say it wasn't advisable, she said it wasn't possible). I simply corrected her, and said that yes, it is possible to do the UMAT in Year 11. However, if and when he does ask for advice whether he should do the UMAT next year or not, then I will give my advice accordingly. He did not ask 'Should I do the UMAT in Year 11 and again in Year 12?', he said he wanted to do it twice, and his question was whether he could use his results from the first time for entry into med school. Technically the answer's yes. As I said before, whether he should do that is another matter entirely, but since he hasn't asked us advice about that yet, I haven't offered any. In saying that, I think Muse is correct in warning him of the dangers and risks of doing the UMAT in Year 11. I didn't think it was right to outright say it's not possible, hence I corrected her. In the end, all we can do is provide him with pros and cons and let him decide for himself.