On the way to Magdeburg to study medicine
The HAM-Nat selection test for medical studies has once again attracted numerous prospective students to Magdeburg.
For the second time this year, prospective students had the opportunity to increase their chances of gaining a place to study medicine at Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg by taking the HAM-Nat science test. On 7 September 2024, 225 applicants took part at the test location in Magdeburg. More than 600 applicants took part in the selection process in March 2024.
The HAM-Nat, short for ‘Hamburg Selection Procedure for Medical Degree Programmes’, has been used at Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg since 2012. By offsetting a good test result against the A-level grade, applicants without an A-level have a realistic chance of being admitted to a medical degree programme in Magdeburg. In addition to Magdeburg, the HAM-Nat is also used at other universities such as Hamburg and Greifswald, sometimes in combination with other test procedures.
The test assesses knowledge in the basic scientific subjects of biology, chemistry and physics as well as skills in the areas of ‘figural matrices’ and ‘arithmetic problem solving’. After the evaluation, participants receive a certificate that can be used to apply to the Foundation for University Admission and is valid for two application phases. Participants in the HAM-Nat selection test on 7 September 2024 can apply for the first time for the winter semester 2025/26 with their test certificate for medical studies, as can participants in the HAM-Nat selection test next March 2025.
Photo: Over 200 prospective students took part in the HAM-Nat selection test for medical studies on the campus of Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg on 7 September 2024.
Photographer: Melitta Schubert/University Medicine Magdeburg
Background
The allocation of study places for human medicine is based on a quota model in which the selection test is taken into account as part of the ‘university selection procedure’ (AdH) and as a selection criterion in the ‘additional aptitude quota’ (ZEQ, formerly waiting time quota). This quota exclusively utilises aptitude criteria independent of school grades. In Saxony-Anhalt, study places are also awarded via a ‘rural doctor quota’ and, since 2022, via an ‘official doctor quota’ to applicants who commit to working as a doctor in Saxony-Anhalt for ten years after completing their studies and further training. A total of 196 study places are available at the Faculty of Medicine Magdeburg for the winter semester 2024/25. Further information can be found here.