Admission Tests

An admissions test is an unseen, written test taken as part of the application process. It helps universities to determine if you have the right skills and knowledge to be able to successfully complete a course. They are generally used by universities such as Oxford or Cambridge and/or for certain subjects like medicine or law. They can involve anything from essay writing to problem solving and critical thinking assessments. They are generally taken in the previous academic year from course the start date.

Below are some of the most popular admissions tests:

BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT)
A 2 hour test used for entry to medicine, veterinary medicine and biomedical science courses.

Classics Admissions Tests (CATS)
Used by the University of Oxford for entry to any course including Classics.

English Literature Admissions Test (ELAT)
A 90 minute test used by the University of Oxford for entry to English courses.

Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT)
A 5 ½ hour test used for graduate entry into medicine and dentistry courses.

History Aptitude Test (HAT)
A 2 hour test used by the University of Oxford for entry to all degrees involving history.

Health Professions Admissions Test (HPAT)
A 3 hour test used by the University of Ulster for entry to certain medical courses.

The National Admissions Test for Law (LNAT)
A 2 hour 15 minute test used for entry to certain law courses.

Mathematics Aptitude Test (MAT)
A 2 ½ hour test used by the University of Oxford for entry to mathematics or computer science, or a joint honours degree involving mathematics.

Modern and Medieval Languages Test (MML)
A 45 minute test used by the University of Cambridge for entry to modern and medieval languages.

Modern Languages and Linguistics Aptitude Tests (MLLAT)
Used by the University of Oxford for entry to any course including a modern language.

Physics Aptitude Test (PAT)
A 2 hour test used by the University of oxford for entry to physics, or a joint degree involving physics.

Sixth Term Examination Papers (STEP)
Used by the University of Cambridge and University of Warwick for entry to mathematics.

Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA Cambridge)
A 90 minute test used for entry to computer science, natural sciences, engineering, economics, land economy and politics, psychology and sociology (PPS) at a number of University of Cambridge colleges.

Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA Oxford)
A 2 hour test used by the University of Oxford for entry to philosophy, politics and economics (PPE), economics and management (E&M), experimental psychology (EP) or psychology and philosophy.

Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA UCL)
A 90 minute test used at University College London (UCL) for entry to European social and political studies.

UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT)
A 2 hour test used for entry to medical and dental schools.