Oxbridge and University Admissions Tests Explained

Why some courses use admissions tests

For certain highly competitive courses, some UK universities — including the most selective ones — ask applicants to sit a subject admissions test in addition to the standard UCAS application. These tests are intended to help distinguish between strong candidates by assessing subject aptitude and problem-solving.

Not every course or university uses such a test, and the requirement depends entirely on the specific course you apply to. Always check each course's official admissions pages to learn whether a test applies.

The kinds of tests you may encounter

Depending on the subject, you might come across tests aimed at mathematics and the sciences — for example admissions tests such as the TMUA and the ESAT, which are administered through external partners — as well as reasoning assessments such as the TARA used for certain courses. Some subjects have their own specialist written assessments.

This area is genuinely changeable: tests are introduced, renamed, retired, or moved between administrators from year to year (for instance, some universities have recently moved from their own in-house tests to shared external ones). So treat any list of names as indicative only, and rely on the current official information for your specific course and year.

• Maths/science aptitude tests (e.g. TMUA, ESAT) via external partners
• Reasoning assessments (e.g. TARA) for certain courses
• Subject-specific written assessments for some courses

Always confirm the current test for your course

Because admissions tests change frequently, the most important step is to verify — on each university's official admissions pages and the official admissions-testing body for the current cycle — exactly which test (if any) your course requires, how to register, and the deadlines. We deliberately do not state specific dates, fees, or score thresholds here, as those change.

Note too that the BMAT, previously used for some medicine applications, has been discontinued, which is a clear example of how this landscape shifts. For medicine and dentistry, the UCAT is the standard admissions test used by UK universities — but always confirm the current requirements for your chosen course officially.

Registration, deadlines and logistics

Where a test is required, registration usually happens within a set window that can fall earlier than you expect, sometimes before or around the UCAS deadline, and may involve a separate booking process and test centre. Missing the registration window can affect your application.

The exact steps, windows, any fees, and any fee-assistance arrangements are set officially and vary by test and cycle. Check the official testing body and your universities' pages early, and verify on the official source before you plan.

Preparing the right way

The appropriate way to prepare is to use the official practice materials for the specific, current test and to strengthen genuine subject understanding and problem-solving. Honest preparation builds the skills the test is actually measuring.

No admissions test score, and no preparation, guarantees an offer — these tests are one part of a wider assessment that also includes grades, your personal statement, reference, and sometimes interviews. Focus on real skill-building and confirm each requirement officially.