Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing

BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT)

The BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) is a subject-specific admissions test taken by applicants to Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and related courses at the following institutions:

• University of Cambridge
• Imperial College London
• University of Oxford 
• Royal Veterinary College
• University College London
• Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine
• Brighton and Sussex Medical School
• University of Leeds

The BMAT is a two hour pen-and-paper test divided into three sections. The BMAT does not require a great amount of extra study as it relies on skills and knowledge that candidates should already have. The test consists of the following three sections:

Section 1: Aptitude and Skills - 60 minutes

There are 35 multiple choice or short answer questions.

Section 2: Scientific Knowledge and Applications - 30 minutes

There are 27 multiple choice or short answer questions.

Section 3: Writing Task - 30 minutes

Candidates need to answer one essay question from a choice of four questions.

Official BMAT Guide - Preparing for the BMAT

Limited copies of the official BMAT Guide Preparing for the BMAT are on sale at our Napier Road office. This is the only BMAT preparation book approved by the Admissions Testing Service, and contains specimen questions and answers designed to help you prepare and practise for the BMAT.

Important information for BMAT test-takers

BMAT test-takers are encouraged to access free materials available on the BMAT website, especially the BMAT Section 2: Assumed Subject Knowledge guide, which contains an outline of the scientific and mathematical knowledge which BMAT Section 2 questions can draw upon. 

Classics Admissions Test (CAT)

The Classics Admissions Test (CAT) is a subject-specific admissions test for applicants to all University of Oxford Classics and joint schools undergraduate degree courses.

The paper-based test is divided into three papers: the Latin Translation Test, the Greek Translation Test, the Classics Language Aptitude Test (CLAT).

The English Literature Admissions Test (ELAT)

The English Literature Admissions Test (ELAT) is a pre-interview admissions test for applicants to English undergraduate courses at the University of Oxford.

The 90 minute test is designed to enable applicants to show their ability in the key skills of close reading. Candidates write one essay comparing two or three passages set for comment, focusing on elements such as:

• language
• imagery
• allusion
• syntax
• form and structure.

History Aptitude Test (HAT)

The History Aptitude Test (HAT) is a two hour subject-specific admissions test, which is taken by applicants to the University of Oxford’s undergraduate degree courses in History and its joint schools.

Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT)

The Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT) is taken by applicants to the University of Oxford’s undergraduate degree courses in Mathematics, Computer Science and their joint degrees.

The paper-based test is 2 hours and 30 minutes long. 

As of 2013, Imperial College London will be using the MAT for all of its undergraduate Mathematics course applicants. 

Modern Languages Admissions Test (MLAT)

The Modern Languages Admissions Tests (MLAT) are for applicants to certain undergraduate degrees in Modern Languages, Linguistics and their joint schools at the University of Oxford.

The MLAT are paper-based tests which consists of several parts for different papers for different language and linguistics courses. Candidates will need to take a maximum of two papers. Each paper lasts 30 minutes.

Oriental Languages Aptitude Test (OLAT)

The OLAT is a 30 minute admissions test taken by applicants to certain degree courses in Oriental Studies and its joint schools at the University of Oxford. 

It is designed to assess a candidate’s ability to analyse how languages work, in a way which doesn’t depend on their knowledge of any particular language.

Physics Aptitude Test (PAT)

The Physics Aptitude Test (PAT) is a two hour subject-specific admissions test, which is taken by applicants to all University of Oxford Engineering, Material Science and Physics undergraduate degree courses.

University of Oxford Philosophy Test (PHIL)

The Philosophy Test is a paper-based test. It is a 60-minute admissions test for applicants to the joint course of Philosophy and Theology at the University of Oxford.

The Philosophy Test, for Philosophy and Theology candidates, is a test of philosophical reasoning skills. There is no expectation that candidates will have undertaken any formal study of philosophy, and it is not a test of philosophical knowledge.

Sixth Term Examination Paper (STEP)

Sixth Term Examination Paper (STEP) is a well-established mathematics examination designed to test candidates on questions that are similar in style to undergraduate mathematics.

The STEP is used by University of Cambridge as the basis for conditional offers. Other universities sometimes ask candidates to take the STEP as part of their offer - in such cases, the university can advise on which papers to take.

The registration for STEP 2020 session is open.

Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) Oxford

The Oxford Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA Oxford) is a two hour pre-interview test for applications to the following undergraduate courses at the University of Oxford:

• Economics and Management
• Experimental Psychology
• Geography
• Philosophy and Linguistics
• Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)
• Psychology and Linguistics
• Psychology and Philosophy

University of Cambridge Pre-interview Assessments

For certain undergraduate courses at the University of Cambridge, you need to take a pre-interview assessment as part of your application.

Check the University of Cambridge website for the latest information about which assessment your course requires. The pre-interview assessment is only one part of the overall application process. Assessment arrangements for mature applicants vary – please check the University of Cambridge website above for details