Cambridge Law Test

The Cambridge Law Test is a paper and pen test used to measure your aptitude for law by assessing your comprehension and exposition skills. You do not have to possess prior knowledge of the law to sit the test, which lasts for one hour and is sat on the day of your interview. The Cambridge Law Test is being phased out from 2022 onwards, to be replaced by the LNAT.

LNAT

The Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT) is a pre-interview admissions assessment. It tests an applicant’s abilities in reading comprehension, inductive and deductive reasoning, verbal reasoning, as well as analysis (but it does test an applicant’s intelligence or knowledge of the law). Comprised of two sections, the first consists of 42 multiple choice questions and the second is essay-based.

MAT

The Mathematics Admission’s Test is mandatory for those applying to various courses at Oxford (such as Computer Science and Mathematics). It is a subject-specific test that aims to gage the depth of an applicant’s mathematical understanding rather than the breadth of their knowledge. The MAT is designed to be approachable for all students, including those without Further Mathematics A-level or equivalent.

STEP

Achievement in the Sixth Term Examination Papers (STEP) forms a part of a conditional offer to read mathematics at Cambridge (it also used in the admissions process for mathematics at Warwick and Imperial College London). STEP has two papers (entitled STEP 2 and STEP 3): the former based on A Level Mathematics and AS Level Further Mathematics), while the latter is based on A Level Mathematics and A Level Further Mathematics. Of note, STEP questions are less standard and less structured than their A Level equivalents, which is designed to distinguish between ability (or potential) and good teaching.

BMAT

The BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) is used by universities around the world to help select applicants for medical, dental, biomedical, and veterinary degree programmes. The BMAT tests an applicant’s ability to apply scientific and mathematical knowledge, as well as problem solving, critical thinking and written communication skills that are essential to university-level study. There are several BMAT sessions throughout the year and different universities accept different sessions, depending on their admissions cycle.

GAMSAT

The Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) is a day-long assessment required by several universities in the UK for graduate entry medicine programmes. The test’s length distinguishes it from the UCAT and BMAT, and it can be taken as many times as one likes. The GAMSAT covers basic science, as well as general problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and writing abilities.

UCAT

The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is a computer-based admissions test used by many UK and non-UK universities (in collaboration with the UCAS application system and the use of academic qualifications) for entry into medical and dental schools. The UCAT assess for verbal reasoning, decision making, quantitate reasoning, abstract reasonings, and situational judgement.

CAT

Sitting the Classics Aptitude Test (CAT) is required for all those applying to study Classics at the University of Oxford. The CAT is a paper-based test, divided into three sections: the Latin Translation Test, the Greek Translation Test and the Classics Language Aptitude Test (CLAT). Each section lasts 1 hour and is sat under timed exam conditions. Which of the sections you take depends on whether you are applying for Classics I or Classics II.

ELAT

Oxford University’s English Literature Admissions Test (ELAT) is a paper-based assessment, lasting 90 minutes and sat under timed exam conditions. The ELAT is designed to test a candidate’s close reading skills, and their ability to shape and articulate an informed response to unfamiliar literary material. Applicants will be asked to write one essay comparing two provided passages, focusing on elements such as language, imagery, syntax, form, and structure.

HAT

The History Aptitude Test (HAT) is a written assessment sat by those applying for a History degree at Oxford University. Candidates are asked to offer thoughtful interpretations of a source without knowing anything about its context. The HAT is a test of skills, not substantive historical knowledge. It is designed so that candidates should find it equally challenging, regardless of what they have studied or what school examinations they are taking.

PAT

The Physics Aptitude Test (PAT) is a part of the admissions process at the University of Oxford for courses such as Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, and Physics and Philosophy. The PAT is subject-specific and lasts 2 hours, which is sat under timed conditions. It is designed for candidates who have studied the first year of A-level (or equivalent) Maths and Physics and covers similar material to that of the GCSE and A-level syllabus.

MLAT

The Modern Languages Admissions Test (MLAT) is required for those applying to read any modern languages-based course at the University of Oxford. The MLAT is a paper-based test which consists of 10 sections. Which sections are taken depends on the course you are applying for. There are eight individual sections for each of the following languages: Czech, French, German, Italian, Modern Greek, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. The other two sections are: the Language Aptitude Test (LAT: for those applying for new languages as beginners and for Russian on its own), and the Philosophy test (for those applying for Philosophy and Modern Languages). The Philosophy section lasts 60 minutes while each other section is 30 minutes. Candidates are to take a maximum of two sections.

CAT

Sitting the Classics Aptitude Test (CAT) is required for all those applying to study Classics at the University of Oxford. The CAT is a paper-based test, divided into three sections: the Latin Translation Test, the Greek Translation Test and the Classics Language Aptitude Test (CLAT). Each section lasts 1 hour and is sat under timed exam conditions. Which of the sections you take depends on whether you are applying for Classics I or Classics II.

MML

All Cambridge Colleges (unless otherwise stated) requires applicants for the Modern and Medieval Languages course to sit an at-interview written assessment. This test it is designed to test your skills rather than your knowledge. The written test lasts one hour and is based on a short text in English. It will be marked by the subject experts in the College that are interviewing you according to an agreed set of criteria.

OLAT

Sitting the Oriental Languages Aptitude Test (OLAT) is required for all those applying for either Oriental Studies, Classics and Oriental Studies, European and Middle Eastern Languages, or Religion and Oriental Studies at the University of Oxford. The OLAT is a paper-based test, lasting 30 minutes and sat under timed exam conditions. The OLAT is designed to assess your ability to analyse how languages work, in a way which doesn’t depend on your knowledge of any particular language, but instead looks to gauge one’s aptitude for learning a new language rapidly.

TSA

The Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) is a two-part test, divided into a 90-minute multiple choice component (focussing on problem-solving and critical thinking skills), and a 30-minute writing task (focussing on organising ideas in a clear and concise manner). The TSA is required for those applying to study courses such as PPE at Oxford.

Oxford Philosophy Test

The Oxford Philosophy Test is required for all candidates applying to study Philosophy and Theology at the University of Oxford. It is a paper-based test, lasting 60 minutes and sat under timed exam conditions. The Philosophy Test is designed to test a candidate’s philosophical reasoning skills. There is no expectation that you will have undertaken any formal study of philosophy, and it is not a test of philosophical knowledge.