UK University Admissions Tests Demystified: A Comprehensive Guide for Aspiring Students
Summary
University admissions tests play a pivotal role in shaping the educational landscape in the United Kingdom. These tests serve as a crucial benchmark for students aspiring to pursue higher education at prestigious UK universities. Depending on the course and university, there might be multiple tests you have to take.
With a wide range of exams to choose from, each with its own unique structure and significance, understanding the intricacies of UK University admissions tests is vital for students and parents alike. In this guide, we provide a comprehensive overview of the various tests in the UK, key features, and their impact on university admissions.
Entrance exams aren’t just hurdles—they’re opportunities to showcase your strengths to top universities!
Why Entrance Exams Matter
Top UK universities like Oxford and Cambridge are extremely competitive, receiving countless applications from students every year.
To distinguish stand-out candidates, these universities use different entrance exams tailored for specific majors. In most cases, these exams are used to shortlist candidates for interviews; they’re not just an add-on but often a prerequisite for admission.
For instance, in medicine programmes, most UK medical schools have UCAT cut-offs, meaning that students are automatically rejected if they don’t meet the minimum requirement—even if the rest of their application is strong.
Note that for some programmes, the interview and the admission test occur on the same day, so the score isn’t always used solely for shortlisting.
Key Dates & Deadlines
Most admissions tests happen between August and November the year before you’re due to start your studies – some even earlier, before you’ve sent your UCAS application!
Many courses that require you to sit a test have a 15 October UCAS application deadline. However, your course may differ, so it’s important to check key dates and deadlines.
Always verify the specific dates for your course to ensure you don’t miss any critical deadlines.
Overview of UK Entrance Exams
Below is a comprehensive table listing the various UK entrance exams, the associated majors, and the universities that require them:
| Exam | Majors | Universities |
|---|---|---|
| AHCAAT | Classical Archaeology and Ancient History | Oxford |
| BMSAT | Biomedical Sciences | Oxford |
| CAT | Classics; Classics & English; Classics & Modern Languages (with MLAT); Classics & Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (AMES) | Oxford |
| ESAT | Cambridge: Engineering, Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology, Natural Sciences, Veterinary Medicine Imperial: Aeronautical Engineering, Aeronautics with Spacecraft Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Electronic and Information Engineering, Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Physics with Theoretical Physics | Cambridge, Imperial |
| HAT | History; History (Ancient and Modern); History & Politics; History & Economics; History & English; History & Modern Languages | Oxford |
| LNAT | Law and Law Joint Honours Courses | Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, UCL, KCL, SOAS, Bristol, Durham, Glasgow |
| MAT | Oxford: Mathematics, Computer Science, Mathematics and Computer Science, Mathematics and Statistics, Mathematics and Philosophy, Computer Science and Philosophy Bath, Durham, Nottingham, Southampton: Mathematics Courses & Joint Honours | Oxford, Bath, Durham, Nottingham, Southampton |
| MLAT | Modern Languages; Modern Languages and Linguistics; European and Middle Eastern Languages; English and Modern Languages; History and Modern Languages; Classics and Modern Languages; Philosophy and Modern Languages | Oxford |
| PAT | Engineering Science; Materials Science; Physics; Physics & Philosophy | Oxford |
| PHILAT | Philosophy & Theology; Philosophy & Modern Languages | Oxford |
| TMUA | Cambridge: Computer Science; Economics Imperial: Mathematics (and all joint courses); Computing; Economics, Finance & Data Science LSE: Economics; Econometrics and Mathematical Economics Warwick: Mathematics; Computer Science; Economics; Statistics (and joint honours) (Optional for LSE, Nottingham, Sheffield, Durham, Southampton: Mathematics Courses & Joint Honours) | Cambridge, Imperial, LSE, Warwick, Nottingham, Sheffield, Durham, Southampton |
| STEP | Mathematics and Joint Honours Required: Cambridge, Imperial Optional: UCL, Bath, Birmingham, Bristol, Durham, KCL, Newcastle, Nottingham, Southampton | Cambridge, Imperial, UCL, Bath, Birmingham, Bristol, Durham, KCL, Newcastle, Nottingham, Southampton |
| TSA | Oxford: Sections 1 & 2 for PPE; Section 1 only for Experimental Psychology, Psychology, Philosophy, and Linguistics (PPL), Human Sciences, Economics & Management, History and Economics UCL: European Social and Political Studies, International Social and Political Studies | Oxford, UCL |
| UCAT | Medicine; Dentistry | All Medical Programmes |
Detailed Test Profiles
AHCAAT
The Ancient History and Classical Archaeology Admissions Test is used by Oxford for Classical Archaeology and Ancient History admissions. It assesses:
- The ability to engage with and critique academic arguments.
- The ability to describe and analyze material evidence from the ancient world.
BMSAT
The Biomedical Sciences Admissions Test (BMSAT) is required for all biomedical sciences applicants at Oxford. You must complete 90 questions in 1 hour and 20 minutes covering Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics.
CAT
The Classics Admissions Test is designed for candidates applying to Classics programs. It consists of three computer-based tests:
- Latin Translation Test
- Greek Translation Test
- Classics Language Aptitude Test (CLAT)
MAT
The Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT) is a paper-based exam assessing your mathematical skills, required for various undergraduate and graduate courses in mathematics and computer science.
STEP
The Sixth Term Examination Paper (STEP) tests your ability to solve problems similar to those you’d encounter on a degree course. There are two STEP exams (Step 2 and Step 3, each 3 hours long); note that STEP 1 was scrapped after 2021.
TMUA
The Test of Mathematics for University Admissions (TMUA) measures mathematical reasoning, demonstrating essential skills needed for demanding Mathematics or related courses (e.g., Computer Science, Economics).
LNAT
The National Admissions Test for Law (LNAT) assesses your aptitude for the skills needed to study law rather than your knowledge of law. It comprises two parts:
- Multiple-choice questions based on text passages
- An essay
Note: Cambridge started using the LNAT instead of its own law test from 2022 onward.
UCAT
The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is required for all UK medical programmes. It evaluates verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, decision analysis, and situational judgment.
Preparation Strategies & Our Expert Tips
Why Start Preparing Early?
Starting your preparations in your penultimate year gives you the best chance of success. Here’s why:
- Distribute the Final Year’s Workload
Beginning your entrance exam preparation early eases the pressure of your final year, which is already academically intense and filled with other admissions activities. - Explore Your Options
Early preparation allows you to research and decide on the best major for you—and the corresponding exam to focus on. - Find the Right Tutor
While preparing alone is doable, working with an expert tutor can significantly boost your performance.
Students who work with experienced tutors are statistically more likely to secure a spot at their dream university.
FAQs
When should I start preparing for my admissions tests?
deally, begin in your penultimate year to effectively distribute your workload.
How do I choose the right test for my course?
Research your chosen course’s specific requirements and refer to the detailed test profiles above for guidance.
Can tutoring improve my chances?
Yes, expert tutors can offer insights and strategies that substantially improve your performance.
How Aabha Got Into Oxford
Final Thoughts & Next Steps
If you're preparing for these exams, diligent research, effective study strategies, and careful planning are crucial.
Familiarize yourself with the requirements and expectations of each exam, choose the right subject combinations, and utilize quality study resources.
Remember, preparing last minute is not enough when it comes to UK entrance exams.
Start your preparation early and consider working with expert tutors. Some of the best tutors work with Crimson, and students who collaborate with our experts are seven times more likely to gain admission to their dream university.
