If you're applying for a place on a particularly competitive university course, you might have to take an admissions test.
These tests (which can also be called university entry tests) are another way for universities to choose between applicants for their courses.
If you need to take an admissions test, you'll normally do this at the same time as making your overall application. Your results will then form part of your application, alongside other things such as your personal statement.
However, admissions tests can sometimes take place after you've submitted your application and have received a conditional offer from a university.
For example, most offer holders for maths courses at Cambridge will have to take the Sixth Term Examination Paper (Step) in maths alongside their A-level exams.
Either way, it's important to know which university admissions tests you'll need to take, so you don't miss the deadline. Most admissions tests are only available to take once a year; you'll have to wait another 12 months if you miss them.
On this page, we've got a summary of common university admissions tests, what they involve and which universities use them. Scroll down to find out more about admissions tests for subjects including medicine, law and maths, as well as the tests set for applicants to Oxford and Cambridge.
Ucat: for medicine applicants
Lots of universities use the University Clinical Aptitude Test (Ucat) as part of their application process for medicine and dentistry courses. It tests verbal, quantitative and abstract reasoning, as well as decision analysis and situational judgement.
Universities using Ucat | | |
|---|
University of Aberdeen | Anglia Ruskin University | Aston University |
Bangor University | University of Birmingham | Brighton and Sussex Medical School |
University of Bristol | Brunel University London | University of Cambridge |
Cardiff University | University of Central Lancashire | University of Chester |
City St George's | University of Dundee | University of East Anglia |
Edge Hill University | University of Edinburgh | University of Exeter |
University of Glasgow | Hull York Medical School | Imperial College London |
Keele University | Kent and Medway Medical School | King's College London |
Lancaster University | University of Leeds | University of Leicester |
University of Liverpool | University of Manchester | University of Newcastle |
University of Nottingham | University of Oxford | Plymouth University |
Queen Mary University of London | Queen's University Belfast | University College London (UCL) |
University of Sheffield | University of Southampton | University of St Andrews |
University of Sunderland | University of Surrey | Swansea University |
University College London | University of Warwick | University of Worcester |
- Key dates (for 2026 entry): 17 June 2025: booking opens; 7 July 2025: testing begins; 19 September 2025 (12pm): final booking deadline; 26 September 2025: last test day
- How long does it last? Just under two hours
- How much does it cost? £70
Learn more on the Ucat website.
Gamsat: for medicine applicants
The Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (Gamsat) is used by some UK medical schools as part of the admissions process for graduate entry into medicine.
It's split into three sections, which are tested in two sittings. These sections are:
- Written communication
- Reasoning in humanities and social sciences
- Reasoning in biological and physical sciences
Universities using Gamsat | | |
|---|
Brunel University | University of Chester | City St George's |
University of Exeter | Imperial College London | Keele University |
University of Liverpool | University of Nottingham | University of Plymouth |
St Andrews University | University of Sunderland | University of Surrey |
Swansea University | Ulster University | University of Worcester |
- Key dates: Gamsat is taken twice a year, with test dates in March (registration from November until January) and August/September (registration from May until July). It is split across two testing days
- How long does it last? Across all three sections, test time lasts for 5 hours 15 minutes
- How much does it cost? £292
Check all the information on Gamsat on its website.
Lnat: for law applicants
Some universities require law applicants to take the Law National Aptitude Test (Lnat).
The Lnat is used to assess your aptitude for the skills required to study law, such as your ability to understand and interpret information. You do not need to have any legal knowledge for the test.
The test is made up of a 42-question, multiple choice section and an essay on a related subject.
Universities using Lnat | | |
|---|
University of Bristol | University of Cambridge | Durham University |
University of Glasgow | King's College London | LSE |
University of Oxford | Soas | University College London (UCL) |
- Key dates (for 2026 entry): 1 August 2025: Lnat registration opens; 1 September 2024: Lnat testing begins
- Deadlines for Oxford and Cambridge applicants (2026 entry): 15 September 2025 – deadline to register and book your Lnat; 15 October 2025 – deadline to take the Lnat
- Deadlines for KCL, UCL & LSE applicants (2026 entry): 31 December 2026 – deadline to take the Lnat
- Deadlines for University of Bristol and University of Durham applicants (2026 entry): 14 January 2026 – deadline to register and book your Lnat; 14 January 2026 – deadline to take the Lnat
- Deadlines for applicants to all other Lnat universities (2026 entry): 20 January 2026 – deadline to register and book your Lnat; 25 January 2026 – deadline to sit the Lnat
- How long does it last? 2 hours and 15 minutes
- How much does it cost? £75
Visit the Lnat website to learn more.
Step: for mathematics applicants
For certain universities, you'll have to take the Sixth Term Examination Paper (Step) in maths as part of a conditional offer for maths courses. Step tests your ability to answer similar questions to those you should expect on a degree course.
There are two Step examinations: Step 2 and Step 3. (There used to be a Step 1 exam as well, but it was scrapped a few years ago.)
Students take either one or two examinations; the university will decide which ones applicants take.
Universities using Step | | |
|---|
University of Cambridge | University of Warwick | Imperial College London |
(These are the main ones, but other universities may also ask applicants to take Step as part of their offer.)
- Key dates (for 2026 entry): March - May: Step registration open; June: Step tests take place; 13 August 2026: Step results published
- How long does it last? Each Step exam is three hours long. Candidates answer six questions in each
- How much does it cost? Fees for 2025 entry were £98.50 per Step paper. At time of writing, 2026 fees have not yet been published
Learn more about Step on its website.
Esat: for engineering or science applicants
Cambridge, Imperial and UCL use the Engineering and Science Admissions Test (Esat) for certain engineering and science courses.
The test consists of five modules: Mathematics 1; Biology; Chemistry; Physics: and Mathematics 2. Each has 27 multiple choice questions. For most courses, you'll take Mathematics 1 and then two of the other modules.
Universities using Esat | | |
|---|
University of Cambridge | Imperial College London | University College London (UCL) |
- Key dates (for 2026 entry): 31 July 2025 - 29 September 2025: register for October test; 9 & 10 October 2025: test dates; 27 October 2025 - 19 December 2025: register for January test; 6 & 7 January 2026: test dates
- How long does it last? 40 minutes for each module (so, two hours in total for most applicants)
- How much does it cost? £75
Learn more about Esat on its website.
TMUA: for applicants to maths (and related) courses
The Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA) is taken by applicants to various maths courses, as well as maths-adjacent courses such as computer science and economics.
The test is made up of two papers, covering mathematical knowledge and reasoning.
Universities using TMUA | | |
|---|
University of Cambridge | Durham University | Imperial College London |
LSE | University College London (UCL) | University of Warwick |
- Key dates (for 2026 entry): 31 July 2025 - 29 September 2025: register for October test; 13 & 14 October 2025: test dates; 27 October 2025 - 19 December 2025: register for January test; 8 & 9 January 2026: test dates
- How long does it last? 2 hours and 30 minutes
- How much does it cost? £75
Learn more about TMUA on its website.
Further admissions tests for courses at Oxford
The University of Oxford uses admissions tests to check your academic ability and suitability for the course. Law applicants take Lnat and medicine applicants take Ucat. Scroll back up this article for more information on those.
Other admissions tests are specific to Oxford; these are listed below. There is no fee to take any of these tests (although test centres may apply an admin charge).
For 2026 entry, applicants could register for these tests between 18 June 2025 - 19 September 2025, and then make their test booking between 18 August 2025 - 26 September 2025.
Ahcaat
You'll take the Ancient History and Classical Archaeology Admissions Test (Ahcaat) if you're applying to study Classical Archaeology and Ancient History at Oxford.
The test consists of two short-essay questions. In the first you'll provide a critique of a passage of academic writing; in the second you will describe the historical significance of a specific artefact.
- Test date (for 2026 entry): 24 October 2025
- How long does it take? 90 minutes
Learn more about the Ahcaat on the University of Oxford's website.
BMSat
You'll take the Biomedical Sciences Admissions Test (BMSat) if you are applying to study Biomedical Sciences at Oxford.
The paper consists of 80 multiple choice questions. "Questions are based on material commonly covered in higher tier GCSE (or equivalent) science and mathematics courses," Oxford Uni states on its website.
- Test dates (for 2026 entry): 21, 22, 23, 24 & 27 October 2025
- How long does it take? 90 minutes
Learn more about the BMSat on the University of Oxford's website.
Cat
You'll take the Classics Admissions Test (Cat) if you are applying to study one of Oxford's classics courses.
There are three papers: the Latin Translation Test, the Greek Translation Test and the Classics Language Aptitude Test (Clat). Which you take will depend on the course you have applied for.
- Test dates (for 2026 entry): 22, 23 & 24 October 2025
- How long does it take? Each paper is an hour
Learn more about the Cat on the University of Oxford's website.
Mat
You'll take the Mathematics Admissions Test (Mat) if you're applying to study computer science and/or mathematics at Oxford.
The paper is intended to test the depth of your mathematical understanding. It consists of 25 multiple choice questions and two longer questions.
- Test dates (for 2026 entry): 22 & 23 October 2025
- How long does it take? 2 hours and 30 minutes
Learn more about the Mat on its website here.
MLat
You'll take the Modern Languages Admissions Test (MLat) if you're applying to study a modern languages course at Oxford.
It is made up of 10 sections. You'll need to complete one or two of these sections, depending on your choice of course.
- Test date (for 2026 entry): 24 October 2025
- How long does it take? 30, 60 or 90 minutes, depending on your choice of course
Learn more about the MLat on the University of Oxford website here.
Pat
You'll take the Physics Admissions Test (Pat) if you're applying to study Engineering Science, Materials Science, Physics or Physics and Philosophy at Oxford.
It's a multiple-choice test. It covers topics related to those from maths and physics at GCSE and A-level.
- Test dates (for 2026 entry): 22 & 23 October 2025
- How long does it take? 2 hours
Learn more about the Pat on the University of Oxford's website here.
PhilAt
You'll take the Philosophy Admissions Test (PhilAt) if you're applying to study Philosophy and Theology at Oxford.
The paper consists of two questions, each with equal weighting.
- Test dates (for 2026 entry): 24 October 2025
- How long does it take? 60 minutes
Learn more about the PhilAt on the University of Oxford's website here.
TSA
You'll take the Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) if you're applying to study certain social science courses at Oxford. It is split into two sections: a 90-minute multiple-choice test and a 30-minute writing task.
Most applicants will only be asked to take the multiple choice section.
If you're applying to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE), you'll need to complete both sections.
- Test dates (for 2026 entry): 21, 22, 23, 24 & 27 October 2025
- How long does it take? 90 or 120 minutes
Learn more about the TSA on the University of Oxford's website
Admissions tests for Cambridge applicants
The University of Cambridge uses various admissions tests as part of its application process.
Law applicants take Lnat and medicine applicants take Ucat. Most mathematics applicants need to take Step if they are made a conditional offer.
Applicants to certain engineering and science courses will take Esat, while TMUA is taken by applicants to Economics or Computer Science.
Scroll back up this article for more information on each of those.
If you're shortlisted for interview, you may have to take a subject-specific test. For example, applicants to English at Cambridge have to sit a written assessment if they are shortlisted for interview.
Find out more on the Cambridge website here.
Which university admissions tests do you need to take?
This article covers the most commonly taken admissions tests. Be sure to check the entry requirements for each course on your Ucas application, to see if you need to sit an admissions test for any of them.
You can see entry requirements for your courses by using our course search feature.
