Test Prep
January 22
UK University Admissions Tests: What You May Need to Take for 2027 Entry
How ESAT, TMUA, TARA, UCAT, LNAT, and STEP shape competitive UK admissions
Summary
UK university admissions tests play a growing role in competitive courses where most applicants already meet academic requirements. This guide explains the main admissions tests used across top UK universities for 2027 entry, including ESAT, TMUA, TARA, UCAT, LNAT, and STEP, how different universities use them, and what students need to plan for earlier than before.
University admissions tests are used by many of the UK’s most competitive courses to assess academic readiness beyond grades. In most applicant pools, strong predicted or achieved grades are common.
Tests help universities compare candidates within a narrow performance band and make interview and offer decisions with more confidence.
In recent years, the landscape has consolidated, with universities moving away from internally run subject-specific exams toward a smaller set of shared admissions tests. Instead of each university running its own subject-specific test, many competitive courses now rely on a smaller set of shared tests delivered through Pearson VUE test centres.
How Admissions Tests are Used
Admissions tests are typically used to:
— Shortlist candidates for interview (especially at Oxford and Cambridge)
— Compare applicants across different education systems and grading standards
— Assess course-relevant reasoning and problem-solving under time pressure
— Provide an additional signal when academic profiles look similar
Even in holistic admissions models, tests can carry meaningful weight because they generate comparable data across large cohorts.
The Main UK Admissions Tests You Should Know
Most students who need an admissions test will fall into one of these buckets:
Shared academic admissions tests
These are increasingly the “default” tests for competitive STEM and social science courses at top universities.
— Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT)
— Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA)
— Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions (TARA)
Long-standing external aptitude tests (course-specific)
These remain stable and sit outside the shared academic tests framework.
— UCAT for Medicine and Dentistry
— LNAT for Law
Post-offer advanced subject papers (specialist)
— STEP for Mathematics (primarily for Cambridge and Imperial, and sometimes used elsewhere)
List of Admissions Tests Used by UK Universities
Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT)
ESAT is an admissions test for applicants to selected science and engineering courses. It assesses how well students apply scientific and mathematical knowledge in unfamiliar contexts under timed conditions. It draws on school-level content, but tests problem-solving rather than routine recall.
Who uses ESAT
ESAT is required for selected courses at:
University of Cambridge
Selected engineering, natural sciences, and veterinary medicine pathways
Imperial College London
Selected engineering and physics-related degrees
University College London
Selected courses depending on cycle, for example Electronic and Electrical Engineering in some years
University of Oxford
From 2027 entry, selected science and engineering courses, where ESAT replaces Oxford’s former subject-specific admissions tests
Where and how it is taken
— Computer-based at a Pearson VUE test centre
— One sitting per year (attempting to sit more than once is treated as misconduct)
— Students use an erasable notebook provided at the centre
— Photo ID required
ESAT format and structure
Students complete three sections:
— Mathematics 1 (compulsory)
— Two additional sections chosen from: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics 2
Each section:
— 40 minutes
— 27 multiple-choice questions
— no calculator
Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA)
TMUA tests mathematical thinking and reasoning used in maths-heavy degrees, including Mathematics, Computer Science and Economics. It emphasises reasoning, structure, and applying familiar techniques in unfamiliar contexts.
TMUA is now delivered by Pearson in a computer-based format, while maintaining the core style of the assessment.
Who uses TMUA
TMUA is used across several universities, with requirements varying by course:
Common “required” or strongly expected universities include:
University of Cambridge
Computer Science and Economics are frequent examples, sometimes with additional college- or course-specific requirements
Imperial College London
Mathematics and many related quantitative degrees
London School of Economics and Political Science
Economics and closely related quantitative degrees
University of Warwick
Mathematics, Computer Science, Economics, Statistics, and joint pathways
University College London
Used for some quantitative pathways such as Economics, depending on the application cycle
University of Oxford
From 2027 entry, used for selected mathematics-heavy courses, replacing Oxford’s internally set Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT)
In places where TMUA is optional, a strong score can still be valuable and may be used for reduced offers or improved competitiveness, depending on the course and university.
Timing Implications
TMUA can have a second round with a registration deadline later in the year. If a course expects TMUA and a student applies after the relevant TMUA registration deadline, they may no longer be eligible to sit the test. In these cases, universities such as Imperial may rely on alternative conditions like STEP or view the application as less competitive.
This is one of the biggest “planning traps” in UK admissions testing right now.
TMUA format and structure
Two papers, both multiple-choice:
— Paper 1: Applications of Mathematical Knowledge (20 questions, 75 minutes)
— Paper 2: Mathematical Reasoning (20 questions, 75 minutes)
No calculators.
Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions (TARA)
TARA is designed to assess non-subject-specific skills aligned with success in academically intensive courses:
— critical thinking
— problem solving
— effective written communication
In practice, it closely resembles the style of the Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA).
Who uses TARA
TARA is used for selected social science and interdisciplinary courses, with requirements varying by university and cycle:
University College London
Selected courses spanning social sciences, data, management, and some computing-adjacent pathways, depending on cycle
University of Oxford
From 2027 entry, replacing the TSA for relevant courses such as PPE, Economics and Management, Human Sciences, and related degrees
Students should always confirm course-specific testing requirements, as adoption may expand.
TARA format and structure
Three modules:
— Critical Thinking: 22 multiple-choice questions (40 minutes)
— Problem Solving: 22 multiple-choice questions (40 minutes)
— Writing Task: choose 1 prompt out of 3 (40 minutes), up to 750 words
No calculators or dictionaries.
Course-specific external admissions tests
University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)
UCAT is a computer-based aptitude test used by a consortium of UK medical and dental schools. It is designed to assess cognitive skills and professional judgement rather than subject knowledge.
Who uses UCAT
— The majority of UK Medicine and Dentistry programmes
— It is effectively the standard medical admissions test across the UK
Students should not assume interchangeability between UK and ANZ UCAT variants.
UCAT format
UCAT assesses:
— Verbal Reasoning
— Decision Making
— Quantitative Reasoning
— Situational Judgement
Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT)
LNAT assesses reading comprehension, verbal reasoning, critical analysis, and written argument. It does not test legal knowledge.
Who uses LNAT
LNAT is used for Law by:
— Oxford
— Cambridge
— LSE
— UCL
— KCL
And several other UK universities including Durham, Bristol, SOAS and others
LNAT format
Two sections:
— Section A: multiple-choice questions based on argumentative passages (42 questions, 95 minutes)
— Section B: one essay chosen from three prompts (40 minutes)
The essay is evaluated by universities rather than through a centralised scoring method.
STEP Mathematics (specialist, post-offer)
STEP is designed to test mathematics in a style closer to undergraduate problem-solving. It is significantly more challenging than most admissions tests because it expects sustained reasoning, multi-step derivations, and proof-like structure.
Who uses STEP
Common patterns:
— Cambridge Mathematics frequently uses STEP as a core offer condition
— Imperial Mathematics can use STEP, particularly in cases where TMUA is not taken by relevant deadlines or where the offer structure requires it
— Other universities may accept STEP as an optional route for reduced offers or as an alternative condition in some maths pathways
— Oxford does NOT use STEP for undergraduate admissions
Timing implication
STEP is usually taken after offers are made, often in June. That changes preparation planning because it can overlap with final school exams depending on the student’s curriculum.
STEP format
— STEP 2 and STEP 3 are each three hours.
— Students answer 6 questions from a choice of 12.
The marking rewards good progress and correct reasoning, not just final answers.
Discontinued Tests
Many older Oxford and Cambridge tests are no longer used in the new framework. Students should not prepare for these for current planning unless their course explicitly states otherwise for their specific cycle:
These include:
— TSA
— MAT
— PAT
— ENGAA
— NSAA
— BMSAT
— AHCAAT
— PhilAT
— MLAT
— CAT
Final Thoughts
Crimson supports students across UK admissions testing through structured planning and specialist tutoring for ESAT, TMUA, TARA, UCAT, LNAT, and STEP.
The strategic advantage is integration. Test prep works best when it is coordinated with course selection, academic choices, and the overall application timeline, especially when a student is applying to multiple competitive universities that share the same test.
For families aiming for Oxford, Cambridge, or other highly competitive UK universities, the safest next step is to get clarity early. Admissions tests now shape timelines, course strategy, and offer conditions in ways that are difficult to correct later. A free consultation with a Crimson strategist can help you understand which tests apply to your specific course choices, how different universities use them, and what a realistic preparation timeline should look like.
