Preparing for the medical entrance examination. Entrance exam. Medicine in Belgium

Preparing for the medical entrance examination on 25 August 2023

From 2023, the entrance examination for medicine and dentistry will become an entrance examination for both Belgian and non-resident students. Preparing for the medical entrance exam is a must. The level of requirements will be high, as this will now be a competitive examination rather than a simple entrance exam. If you want to be among the best, it makes sense to prepare thoroughly for the medical entrance exam.

First of all, what exactly are we talking about? With the latest reforms, it's a bit confusing!

The competition

The competition consists of two parts. The first part covers the four scientific subjects, two of which are given in the morning of the examination day and the other two in the afternoon. The second part also covers four subjects, two of which are given in the morning of the examination day and the other two in the afternoon.

Two parts

The first part of the exam, which covers scientific subjects, is divided into four questionnaires. Each paper contains 15 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), making a total of 60 MCQs for the first part. These questionnaires cover the following four scientific subjects:

• Chemistry
• Biology
• Physics
• Mathematics

The second part of the exam is also divided into four questionnaires. Each paper consists of 15 MCQs, making a total of 60 MCQs for this part. These questionnaires cover the following topics:

• Analytical and reasoning skills
• Ability to communicate and perceive conflict situations
• Ability to perceive ethics and take into account its consequences on the individual and society
• Ability to show empathy, compassion, fairness and respect

Practical and strategic advice that can be applied now

How do I prepare for the medical entrance exam?

1/ Start preparing early. The medical entrance exam is a very competitive process, so it is important to start preparing early in the year to allow enough time for study and preparation.

2/ Take a preparatory course for the competition, without neglecting the working method. There are many preparatory courses for the medical entrance exam which help you to understand the requirements of the exam and to train for the tests. However, does a global and collective preparation, in all branches, make sense? Wouldn't it be better to first identify the subjects to be strengthened, and then to treat them by subject, in an intensive and individual way? Indeed, if many students have deficiencies, they do not necessarily have them in all the subjects on which the medical entrance exam is based. It would therefore seem preferable to concentrate preparation on those subjects in which there are objective deficiencies. Opt for the most individualised training possible. Request for assistance

3/ Master the subjects, not just the annals. The medical entrance exam is based on knowledge of medical sciences (biology, chemistry, physics) and mathematics. It is important to master and practice these subjects on a daily basis to have a chance of succeeding. Repeating exercises that you have already done, for example, is a good strategy. This is how you achieve a kind of virtuosity and confidence.

Importance of practice

4/ Practice regularly. It is important to practise regularly to get used to the types of tests offered and to become familiar with the different methodologies used to solve the problems.

5/ Use exam papers to practice.

6/ Manage your stress. The medical entrance exam is stressful, so it is important to know how to manage your stress to avoid being upset on the day of the exam.

7/ Look after your health. Make sure you eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly and get enough sleep to maintain your physical and mental health.

8/ Be persistent. The medical entrance exam is a difficult process, so it is important not to get discouraged if you don't get in at the first attempt. Keep practising and preparing for the next opportunity.

Examinations from previous years to prepare for the medical entrance examination

The Wallonia-Brussels Federation publishes all previous editions. Here are all the previous editions of the scientific part:

Test your knowledge, as if you were there! (2017)
Biology (2018)
Biology (2019)
Biology (2020)
Biology (2021)
Biology (2022)
Chemistry (2018)
Chemistry (2019)
Chemistry (2020)
Chemistry(2021)
Chemistry (2022)
Mathematics (2018)
Mathematics (2019)
Mathematics (2020)
Mathematics (2021)
Mathematics (2022)
Physics (2018)
Physics (2019)
Physics (2020)
Physics (2021)
Physics (2022)

The Cogito guarantee

At Cogito, you will be accompanied by a team of doctors, civil engineers, chemists, physicists and trainers specialised in reasoning. For example, it is always a doctor, trained by Cogito for this purpose, who will help you map your current state of knowledge. Then, a chemist will help you, if necessary, to bring you up to speed in chemistry. A civil engineer will do the same for mathematics. We strictly adhere to the principle of specialisation. It is never students who teach at Cogito.

In conclusion

In conclusion, the principle is (1) to take stock of the student's knowledge in the subject in question, (2) to fill in the gaps in theory, (3) to "drill" him/her in exercises that are close to the conditions of the real exam until he/she is in a position to succeed in the next edition of the entrance exam. Even if it is difficult, the exam is within the reach of any student prepared with seriousness and determination. We should not underestimate the 'challenge', while remaining aware that it is within our reach! How to succeed in the medical entrance exam? By approaching the objective in a strategic, individual and reasoned way.

Register for the competition

Request for information on how to pass the competition

For information: success statistics of the previous edition

These figures should not frighten you. Their analysis helps you to identify the subjects that are the most difficult for students who attempt the competition. These statistics are official data from theARES:

Average and share of candidates obtaining at least 8/20 per subject