Cambridge Assessment Admissions Tests - Official Information

STEP is a well-established Mathematics university admissions test. You will need to take STEP if you are applying to study Mathematics courses (and for some Engineering and Computer Science courses) at the University of Cambridge. The University of Warwick also includes STEP in its undergraduate offers for Mathematics. The University of Oxford, Imperial College London, the University of Bath and the University of Bristol all encourage applicants to take STEP. Please check the relevant university’s website for the most up-to-date information regarding use of STEP.

Standard entry closing date 29th April 2011
Late entry closing date 27th May 2011
Standard and late entry fees apply.

Visit www.stepmathematics.org.uk for more information including how to register for the test, past papers and links to other useful websites.

You will need to take the BMAT if you are applying to study medicine or biomedical sciences at the University of Oxford or Imperial College London; medicine at University College London; medicine or veterinary medicine at the University of Cambridge and veterinary medicine at the Royal Veterinary College. Please note: The University of Bristol's Veterinary Science (D100) course will have access to candidates' BMAT scores for research purposes only in 2011-12. The BMAT will not form part of the course entry requirements. For those candidates who are applying to the University of Bristol Veterinary Science (D100) course only, but not to any of the other BMAT-using institutions and courses, the BMAT will not be compulsory.

The test lasts two hours, and is a pen-and-paper test in three sections:

Section 1: Aptitude and Skills (35 multiple choice questions in 60 minutes)
Section 2: Scientific Knowledge and Applications (27 multiple choice questions in 30 minutes)
Section 3: Writing Task (one essay question from a choice of four, in 30 minutes)

Standard entry closing date 30th September 2011
Late entry closing date 14th October 2011
Standard and late entry fees apply.

See www.bmat.org.uk for more information including how to register for the test, test fees and free practice materials.

You will need to take the ELAT if you are applying to study English Language & Literature, combined English & Modern Languages courses, or Classics & English courses at the University of Oxford. The ELAT is a 90 minute pen-and-paper test. You are asked to write an essay comparing two or three passages of prose or poetry from a choice of six passages. There is no test entry fee for ELAT. Results will only be released to candidates who have applied to one of the courses requiring ELAT at the University of Oxford.

Entry closing date: 14th October 2011. See www.elat.org.uk for more information and free practice materials.

The TSA Cambridge test consists of 90 minutes of multiple choice questions which measure problem solving and critical thinking skills. The TSA is taken when you come to Cambridge at the interview stage of your application, generally in December every year. Other than the formal TSA sessions administered by Cambridge representatives in some overseas countries during the autumn, TSA Cambridge papers are not taken outside of the University. If you need to take TSA Cambridge, you will be notified by the Cambridge College you have applied to. The University will arrange your test sitting. All registrations for TSA Cambridge will be made by the College to which you have applied. Visit www.tsacambridge.org.uk for more information.

TSA Oxford is used by the University of Oxford for applicants to PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics), Economics and Management, Psychology and Philosophy, and Experimental Psychology. It is a two hour pen-and-paper test in two sections: Section 1 is equivalent to the TSA Cambridge above and Section 2 consists of a 30 minute Writing Task (answer one from a choice of essay questions). There is no test entry fee for TSA Oxford. Results will only be released to candidates who have applied to one of the courses requiring TSA Oxford at the University of Oxford.

Entry closing date: 14th October 2011. See www.tsaoxford.org.uk for more information and free practice materials.

The TSA is currently being used by UCL for entry to its undergraduate course in European Social and Political Studies (ESPS). If you are applying for ESPS, UCL will arrange your test sitting for when you come for interview. See www.tsaucl.org.uk for more information.

The University of Oxford in partnership with Cambridge Assessment

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. Cambridge Assessment is working in partnership with the University of Oxford to administer the HAT from the 2nd November 2011 test sitting.

Entry closing date: 14th October 2011. See www.hatoxford.org.uk for more information.

The University of Oxford in partnership with Cambridge Assessment

The Physics Aptitude Test (PAT) is a two-hour subject-specific admissions test, which is taken by applicants to all University of Oxford Physics and Engineering undergraduate degree courses. Cambridge Assessment is working in partnership with the University of Oxford to administer the PAT from the 2nd November 2011 test sitting.

Entry closing date: 14th October 2011. See www.patoxford.org.uk for more information.

STEP takes place on three dates in June.The BMAT, ELAT, HAT, PAT and TSA Oxford tests take place on the first Wednesday in November. The TSA Cambridge test takes place predominantly at interview in December. TSA UCL takes place during the UCL interview period, which runs from December – March. Visit the Cambridge Assessment admissions tests website www.atsts.org.uk for all 2011 test dates.

For more information on: the format and content of the above tests, how to locate a test centre if you don’t currently attend a school or college, and much more, please visit www.atsts.org.uk

Good luck with your university application!