The Secret to Killer GAMSAT Section 2 Essays (It's Not What You Think) - Wheel of GAMSAT Essays
A student recently asked me for my best advice on writing killer Section 2 GAMSAT essays. It's a question I get all the time, especially from students with science or healthcare backgrounds who feel intimidated by the essay section.
Many believe you need to be an economics or politics genius to excel in S2. After scoring in the top 0.01% of Section 2 and coaching over 800 GAMSAT students, I can confidently say: this couldn't be further from the truth.
Why Section 2 Isn't About Being a Political Expert
Section 2, as a test of communication, has a very deliberate role in ACER's exam: to assess how suitable you'd be for medical or dental school.
Here's the thing - you don't need a PhD in Politics to be a good doctor, right?
So why would ACER require one?
That's why I developed the Wheel of GAMSAT—to show what actually matters in Section 2 essays.
The Wheel of GAMSAT Essays
Part 1: Ideation - What You Say
The biggest separator between an average essay and a top-tier one is what you actually say. There are many parts to mastering ideation, but here's the most important insight:
Most students fall into what I call the "agree/disagree trap." They see a prompt like "Meritocracy is fair" or "Technology isolates us," and instantly decide, "I agree" or "I disagree."
The result? Predictable, surface-level ideas that anyone could write.
ACER isn't testing whether you agree with the quote—they're testing whether you can see through it.
Your job is to:
Unpack why something appears true
Unpack when it stops being true
Unpack what deeper forces shape that truth
Use these approaches to make your ideas sharper, deeper, and more original.
The 5 Key Questions to Arrive at Killer S2 Insights
When analysing any GAMSAT prompt, ask yourself:
Does this idea actually take place in practice or is it just theoretical?
If it does, what are some important consequences we often overlook?
What elements are crucial to this idea taking place? What causes it?
How do aspects of modern society affect this issue?
Think AI, social media, capitalism, loneliness—how do they shape it?
Assuming this idea is true—who wins and who loses?
Consider individuals, governments, businesses, etc.
Write to Reveal, Not to Win
Remember: You're not writing to win an argument; you're writing to reveal a mechanism about the world. Including answers to these questions helps you reach ideas that feel intelligent, thoughtful, and original.
When you start with mechanisms and critical thinking instead of moral positions, your essay instantly feels more analytical, less emotional, and far more sophisticated.
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Next week, I'll show you how to turn those sharp ideas into essays that feel effortless to write and impossible to mark down - through Organisation, the second pillar of the Wheel of GAMSAT.
Ready to Level Up Your GAMSAT Prep?
If you want personalised feedback on your essays or prep strategy, I'm opening a few free strategy call slots this week.
Book a Free GAMSAT Gameplan Call
On the call, we'll:
Review your current preparation approach
Pinpoint your weakest areas
Build a tailored roadmap to boost your S1 or S2 scores
