Test Prep
January 21
Oxford Admissions Tests: Everything You Need To Know
A guide to Oxford’s new testing framework & what applicants should plan for
Lucy B.
Former Oxford Admissions Officer
Summary
For 2027 entry, Oxford has consolidated its admissions testing framework around three shared assessments: ESAT, TMUA, and TARA, replacing its former subject-specific tests. UCAT and LNAT remain required only for Medicine and Law. Because applicants now sit the same tests across multiple universities, performance is more directly comparable, preparation timelines have shifted earlier, and small score differences play a larger role in interview shortlisting.
How Admissions Tests Are Used at Oxford
Oxford admissions tests are designed to assess academic readiness beyond school grades. Because the majority of applicants already meet or exceed academic entry requirements, these tests help admissions officers distinguish between candidates within a very narrow performance range.
Admissions Tests Are Used To
— Shortlist candidates for interview
— Compare applicants across different education systems
— Assess subject-relevant reasoning and problem-solving ability
While Oxford considers applications holistically, admissions test performance often plays a decisive role in interview shortlisting, particularly in courses with a high volume of academically strong applicants.
Admissions tests are just one part of Oxford’s broader evaluation process. For a full breakdown of how academic performance, interviews, subject fit, and course choice are assessed together, see our guide on how to get into Oxford.
Oxford Admissions Tests for 2027 Entry: An Overview
For 2027 entry, Oxford uses three shared UAT-UK admissions tests, depending on course requirements:
— Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT)
— Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA)
— Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions (TARA)
These replace Oxford's former internally managed subject-specific tests.
Each test is taken once per cycle at a Pearson VUE test centre, with results automatically shared with participating universities listed in the applicant’s UCAS application.
In addition, two long-standing external tests remain unchanged:
— UCAT for Medicine and Graduate-Entry Medicine
— LNAT for Law
These tests are long-standing, externally administered requirements and are unchanged by Oxford’s move to shared admissions testing.
Important Clarification
Oxford now uses three core admissions tests (ESAT, TMUA, & TARA) for the majority of undergraduate courses that require testing.
Medicine and Law are the only exceptions. These courses have always used externally administered tests and continue to do so.
Oxford has not reduced the importance of admissions tests. It has consolidated them, making performance more directly comparable and preparation timelines less flexible.
Core Oxford Admissions Tests (New Framework)
Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT)
The ESAT is required for science and engineering focused courses at Oxford, including Biomedical Sciences, Engineering Science, Physics, and Physics & Philosophy.
The test is designed to assess how effectively candidates apply their scientific and mathematical knowledge in unfamiliar contexts under time pressure. It draws on concepts students have already encountered at school, but places emphasis on problem-solving rather than routine recall.
Format and Structure
Candidates complete three sections, each lasting 40 minutes:
— Mathematics I (compulsory, based on GCSE-level maths)
— Two optional sections, selected from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Mathematics II, depending on course requirements
Each section contains multiple-choice questions. Calculators are not permitted.
How Oxford Uses ESAT
At Oxford, ESAT scores are used primarily for interview shortlisting. In courses where most applicants present strong academic records, ESAT performance provides a comparative measure of readiness for mathematically and scientifically intensive study.
Courses Requiring ESAT
— Biomedical Sciences
— Engineering Science
— Physics
— Physics and Philosophy
Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA)
The TMUA is required for mathematics-heavy courses such as Mathematics, Computer Science, and related joint degrees.
Rather than testing advanced syllabus content, the TMUA focuses on mathematical reasoning, logical structure, and the ability to apply familiar techniques to unfamiliar problems. It is designed to reveal how candidates think mathematically, not just what they know.
Format and Structure
The TMUA consists of two papers:
— Paper 1: Applications of Mathematical Knowledge
— Paper 2: Mathematical Reasoning
Both papers are multiple-choice, taken under timed conditions, and calculators are not allowed. Scores are reported on a 1.0–9.0 scale.
How Oxford Uses TMUA
TMUA performance is a key data point when differentiating between applicants with similar grades. In mathematics-intensive courses, it provides admissions tutors with a clearer signal of problem-solving fluency and reasoning under pressure.
Courses Requiring TMUA
— Computer Science
— Mathematics
— Mathematics and Statistics
— Mathematics and Computer Science
— Mathematics and Philosophy
— Computer Science and Philosophy
Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions (TARA)
The TARA is used for a range of social science and interdisciplinary courses, including Economics and Management, PPE, Human Sciences, and Experimental Psychology.
It assesses non-subject-specific academic skills that are central to success in Oxford’s tutorial system: critical thinking, problem solving, and effective written communication.
Format and Structure
The TARA comprises:
— Critical Thinking (multiple-choice)
— Problem Solving (multiple-choice, using basic mathematical concepts)
— A Writing Task, where candidates respond to one of several prompts in a structured essay
The multiple-choice sections are scored on a 1.0–9.0 scale. The writing task is not centrally scored but is sent directly to universities for evaluation.
How Oxford Uses TARA
Oxford uses TARA to compare applicants from diverse academic backgrounds, particularly in courses where school-level subject content varies widely. Strong performance can signal readiness for Oxford-style academic discussion, analysis, and argumentation.
Courses Requiring TARA
— Economics and Management
— History and Economics
— History and Politics (TBC)
— Human Sciences
— Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)
— Experimental Psychology
— Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics
Course-Specific Admissions Tests (Medicine and Law)
While most Oxford courses that require testing now use one of the three shared UAT-UK admissions tests, Medicine and Law retain long-standing external testing requirements. These tests operate independently of Oxford’s consolidated admissions testing framework and are unchanged for 2027 entry.
University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) – Medicine
Applicants to Medicine and Graduate-Entry Medicine at Oxford must sit the UCAT.
The UCAT is a high-pressure, computer-based aptitude test used by a consortium of UK medical schools. It assesses cognitive skills rather than subject knowledge, focusing on how candidates reason, make decisions, interpret data, and respond to professional scenarios under time constraints.
What UCAT assesses
— Verbal Reasoning
— Decision Making
— Quantitative Reasoning
— Situational Judgement
The test is designed to differentiate between academically strong candidates by evaluating sustained focus, processing speed, and judgement in time-limited conditions.
How Oxford uses UCAT
At Oxford, UCAT scores are used alongside academic performance and the application as a whole to inform shortlisting and interview decisions. Because most Medicine applicants present exceptional grades, UCAT performance can become a decisive factor, particularly when distinguishing between closely matched candidates.
UCAT results are available immediately after the test, allowing applicants to make informed decisions about medical school choices based on historical score thresholds.
Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT) – Law
Applicants to Law at Oxford must sit the LNAT.
The LNAT evaluates skills essential for legal study, including reading comprehension, logical reasoning, critical analysis, and written argument. It does not test prior knowledge of law.
LNAT structure
— Section A: Multiple-choice questions based on argumentative passages
— Section B: An essay responding to one of several prompts, assessing clarity of thought, structure, and argumentation
How Oxford uses LNAT
Oxford uses LNAT performance to assess how applicants engage with complex arguments and construct reasoned positions under time pressure. The multiple-choice section provides a comparative benchmark, while the essay offers insight into analytical depth and written reasoning. In competitive cases, LNAT performance can strongly influence interview shortlisting and final decisions.
Discontinued Tests
For 2027 entry, Oxford no longer uses the following internally managed admissions tests:
— AHCAAT
— BMSAT
— CAT
— MAT
— MLAT
— PAT
— PhilAT
— TSA
These applied only to earlier admissions cycles and should not be used for current planning.
Why Admissions Tests Matter More Under the New System
Consolidation does not reduce the importance of admissions tests. It increases it.
When all applicants sit the same assessments, differences in performance become more visible. Small score gaps can carry greater weight in interview shortlisting, particularly in courses where demand is high and academic profiles are similar.
Crimson’s internal outcomes data consistently shows a strong relationship between admissions test performance and interview invites, and in many cases, final offers. In borderline academic cases, test results often determine who progresses.
The Preparation Timeline Has Shifted Earlier
Under the new system, admissions tests can no longer be treated as a late-stage requirement.
Because ESAT, TMUA, and TARA are shared across institutions, students benefit from beginning preparation earlier, ideally in the year before application. Early preparation allows skills to develop gradually alongside academic study, rather than being compressed into a short, high-pressure window.
Public preparation materials for these tests remain limited. Familiarity with test format, question style, and timing is therefore likely to play an increasingly important role in outcomes.
How Crimson Supports Students
Crimson provides structured preparation and specialist tutoring for all Oxford admissions tests, including ESAT, TMUA, TARA, LNAT, and UCAT.
Our UK admissions support begins well before application year, integrating test preparation with academic planning and extracurricular development. Because these tests are shared across multiple top universities, our approach is designed to preserve optionality while building the skills that matter most for competitive admissions.
What Students Should Do Next
Students targeting Oxford courses with admissions tests should treat this framework as a planning signal.
Early clarity on course direction, early test preparation, and informed guidance are now baseline requirements rather than advantages. Waiting until official guidance is released compresses preparation into an already competitive window.
Oxford has not lowered its standards. It has aligned its testing with a faster, more competitive admissions environment. Students who adapt early will be best positioned to succeed.
For families aiming for Oxford or other top UK universities, the safest next step is to get clarity early. You can book a free consultation with a Crimson strategist to understand how these changes affect your specific course plans and what a competitive preparation timeline should look like.