Admission Tests You Need To Take For Oxford And Cambridge

Oxford University and Cambridge University are amongst the most prestigious academic institutions in the world. This is adequately reflected in their admissions processes as they require all high school students to undertake certain admission tests to qualify for undergraduate admissions. This distinguishes them from all other universities in the UK, which only take admission tests for entry into medical and law courses. This article explores the different admission tests required for entry into these universities.

Registration for these tests is not automatic upon selecting specific universities and courses in UCAS, and students must register themselves through the Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing by September 30 in their final year of high school.

Common Admission Tests

Whilst most admission tests required for entry into Oxford University and Cambridge University are specific to them, there are certain admission tests that students can take for qualification for both universities.

Also Read | Important Application Deadlines For Studying Abroad

BMAT

Oxford and Cambridge use the BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) to choose applicants for medical, dentistry, biomedical, and veterinary degree programmes. It tests students’ ability to apply scientific and mathematical knowledge and their proficiencies in problem-solving, critical thinking and written communication skills. Whilst the test is administered multiple times in a year, Oxford University only considers scores from the October sitting to be valid. Students must register for the BMAT between September 1 and September 30, and the test is administered physically in different test centres across the world. Even though the BMAT is administered multiple times in a year, a student is eligible to take the test only once every year.

LNAT

The National Admissions Test for Law (LNAT) is required for admissions into Law or Legal Studies undergraduate programmes by a wide range of universities across Europe, including Oxford and Cambridge. LNAT is a 2-hour 15-minute test divided into two sections: an objective section consisting of 42 questions and an essay. Whilst the LNAT isn’t designed to test students’ knowledge of Law or any other subject (legal material is not a part of the test syllabus), it helps universities assess students’ general aptitude for studying Law. The LNAT is administered by an independent company and the charge for taking the test in a centre outside the UK or EU (which applies to most Indian students) is £120 (Rs 11,200).

Tests For Oxford University

Which are the specific tests required for admission to undergraduate programmes at Oxford University? Let us take a look:-

Classic Admissions Test

Classic Admissions Test (CAT) is required to be taken by students who are applying for Classics, Classics and English, Classics and Modern Languages and Classics and Oriental Studies undergraduate courses at Oxford University. This Classics Admissions Test is a paper-based test, divided into three sections of one hour each: the Latin Translation Test, Greek Translation Test and Classics Language Aptitude Test.

Also Read | UK Scale-Up Visa: Eligibility, When To Apply, Costs, Benefits, And More

Oxford ELAT

English Literature Admissions Test (ELAT) is required by students who seek to study English Language and Literature, Classics and English, English and Modern Languages, History and English courses at Oxford. Through the course of a 90-minute test, students’ close reading skills, and their ability to shape and articulate an informed response to unfamiliar literary material is tested.

Whilst most admission tests required for entry into Oxford University and Cambridge University are specific to them, there are certain admission tests that students can take for qualification for both universities.

History Aptitude Test

Students who are applying to History, History (Ancient and Modern), History and Economics, History and English, History and Modern Languages, and History and Politics courses at Oxford are required to take the History Aptitude Test (HAT). The HAT is not a test of historical knowledge (given how it varies across different education systems across the world) but is a test of skills. Students are asked to offer thoughtful interpretations of the source without knowing anything about its context.

Mathematics Aptitude Test

Mathematics Aptitude Test (MAT) is required for admission into some of the most prestigious courses at Oxford including Computer Science, Philosophy, Mathematics and Statistics. As a 2 hour 30 minute-long test, it aims to test the depth of mathematical understanding of a student rather than a breadth of knowledge.

Also Read | Exams You Need To Take To Study Abroad After Class 12

Modern Languages Admissions Test

Modern Languages Admissions Test (MLAT) is required to be taken by students who wish to study the modern languages courses at Oxford including European and Middle Eastern Languages, Classics and Modern Languages, History and Modern Languages, or Philosophy and Modern Languages. Whilst the test consists of 10 sections, students are required to attempt only those sections that are relevant to their desired course of study.

Physics Aptitude Test

Similar in prestige to the MAT, the Physics Aptitude Test (PAT) is required to be taken by students aspiring to study Engineering, Materials Science, Physics and Physics and Philosophy. It is a subject-specific admissions test lasting for 2 hours and tests students’ proficiency and knowledge in physics and engineering.

Thinking Skills Assessment

The Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) is required for admission into a wide range of liberal arts courses offered by Oxford University including Experimental Psychology, Geography, Human Sciences, Philosophy, Politics and Economics, and Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics. It consists of 2 sections: an objective multiple choice section that tests problem-solving and critical reasoning skills, and an essay section (not required for Economics and Management or History and Economics courses).

Also Read | Jobs You Can Take Up As A Student in all countries

Philosophy Test

Students who aspire to study Philosophy or Theology at Oxford are required to take this test. Unlike the MAT or the PAT, no prior knowledge or experience in Philosophy is required by applicants and this test only seeks to assess a candidate’s philosophical reasoning skills. It consists of a comprehension exercise and an essay.

Oriental Languages Aptitude Test

Oriental Languages Aptitude Test (OLAT) is required to be taken by applicants for Oriental Studies, Classics and Oriental Studies (Oriental Studies with Classics), European and Middle Eastern Languages, Religion and Oriental Studies courses who seek to study Hebrew, Persian, Turkish, Arabic or Jewish Studies. This test is designed to assess candidates’ ability to analyse how languages work, in a way which doesn't depend on their knowledge of any particular language.

Oxford and Cambridge University require all high school students to undertake certain admission tests to qualify for undergraduate admissions unlike other universities in the UK, which only take admission tests for entry into medical and law courses.

Tests For Cambridge University

Some of the tests you may need to take if you wish to study at Cambridge University are as follows.

Engineering Admissions Assessment

The Engineering Admissions Assessment Test (EAAT) is required to be taken by applicants for all engineering undergraduate courses at Cambridge University. This test consists of 2 sections (Mathematics and Physics, and Advanced Physics) of 60 minutes each. Students are not allowed to use calculators for this admissions test.

Also Read | Summer School Programmes In The UK: How They Help

Test Of Mathematics For University Admission

Test Of Mathematics For University Admission (TMUA) is required to be taken by all students aspiring to study Mathematics and Mathematics-related courses, such as Economics and Computer Science, at Cambridge University. The TMUA is also accepted for admission by other reputed universities in the UK including the University of Warwick and the London School of Economics and Political Science. It consists of 2 sections (Mathematical Applications and Mathematical Reasoning) of 75 minutes each. Students must register for this test by September 30 of their final year in high school and can attempt this test only once for each admissions cycle.

Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment

The Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment (NSAA) test is required to be taken by all students who seek to study natural sciences (Physics, Chemistry, etc.) at Cambridge University. It consists of 4 sections- Mathematics, Biology, Physics, and Chemistry. Students are required to answer Section A (Mathematics) and any one of the other sections (depending on their intended majors). Each section consists of 4 parts with 20 questions each, which must be completed by students in 60 minutes.

Vijeeth Srinivas is a development consultant with more than extensive experience in the foreign education industry. With the Centre for Career Development and Essai Education he has helped hundreds of students secure positions in leading universities abroad. He is keen to make novel developments in education and skill development more accessible to students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.