Which university admissions tests do you need to take?
Depending on where and what you're applying to, you might need to take a university admissions test. But which one(s)?
It's worth knowing which university admissions tests you'll be required to take, so you don't miss the deadline. Some admissions tests are only available to take once a year – and you'll have to wait 12 months if you miss them.
Let's help you figure out which university admissions exams you might need to take and what they involve.
Which university admissions tests do you need to take?
- Applying to a law course
- Applying to a mathematics course
- Applying to a medical course
- Applying to Oxford
- Applying to Cambridge
Applying to a law course
- Some universities will require you to take the Law National Aptitude Test (Lnat).
Applying to a mathematics course
- Applying to an Oxford mathematics course? You’ll have to take the Mathematics Admissions Test (Mat).
- Some other universities (including Cambridge) will require you to take the Sixth Term Examination Paper (Step).
Applying to a medical course
The admissions test you'll need to take will depend on the university you’re applying to and what their medical or dental school asks for. The options are the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (Gamsat) or the University Clinical Aptitude Test (Ucat). Applying to Oxford
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Applying to a medical course? You'll have take the Ucat.
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Applying to a law course? You'll have to take the Lnat.
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Applying to a mathematics course? You'll have to take the Mat.
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Applying to a classics course? You'll have to take the Classics Admissions Test (Cat).
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Applying to a modern languages course? You'll have to take the Modern Languages Admissions Test (Mlat).
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Applying to an engineering, materials science or physics course? You'll have to take the Physics Admissions Test (Pat).
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Depending on the course you're applying to, you may have to take the Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) Oxford.
Applying to Cambridge
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Applying to a mathematics course? You'll have to take the Step.
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Applying to a medical course? You'll have to take the Ucat.
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Applying to a law course? You'll have to take the Law National Aptitude Test (Lnat).
- You may have to take a subject-specific test.
- Applicants to English at Cambridge have to sit a written assessment if they are shortlisted for interview.
Is your university asking for a specific admissions test?
Check Ucas' website for more details about what admissions exam your university is asking for.University admissions tests – in detail
Gamsat
The Graduate Medical School Admissions test, originally developed in Australia, is used by some medical schools in the UK (as well as around the world). It's used as part of the admissions process for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
It's split into three sections: reasoning in humanities, written communication and reasoning in biological and physical sciences.
- Who uses it? Brunel University London, University of Chester, University of Exeter, Imperial College London, Keele University, University of Liverpool, University of Nottingham, University of Plymouth, University of St Andrews, St George's, University of London, University of Sunderland, University of Surrey, Swansea University, Ulster University and University of Worcester.
- Key dates: The Gamsat is taken twice a year, in March (registration from early November to end of January) and September (registration from mid May to late July).
- How long does it last? There are 5.25 hours of test time, which includes 21 minutes of reading time plus one hour of recess time.
- How much does it cost? £286.
Ucat
The University Clinical Aptitude Test is a university admissions exam used by a number of university medical and dental schools to distinguish you from other applicants to these competitive courses. It tests verbal, quantitative and abstract reasoning, as well as decision analysis and situational judgement – all skills which students should possess should they get on to those courses.
- Who uses it? 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, 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, Pears Cumbria School of Medicine, Plymouth University, Queen Mary University of London, Queen's University Belfast, University of Sheffield, University of Southampton, University of St Andrews, St George's, University of London, University of Sunderland, University of Surrey, Swansea University, University College London, University of Warwick and University of Worcester.
- Key dates (for 2025 entry): 18 June 2024 – booking opens; 8 July 2024 – testing begins; 19 September 2024 – final booking deadline; 26 September 2024 – deadline to take test.
- How long does it last? 120 mins approximately (including reading time).
- How much does it cost? £70.
Lnat
The Law National Aptitude test is a university admissions test used by several universities to assess your aptitude for the skills required to study law, such as your ability to understand and interpret information.
The test is made up of a 42-question, multiple choice exam and an essay on a related subject. You do not need to possess any legal knowledge for the test.
- Who uses it? University of Bristol, University of Cambridge, Durham University, University of Glasgow, King’s College London, LSE, University of Oxford, SOAS and University College London.
- Key dates (for 2025 entry): 1 August 2024: Lnat registration opens; 1 September 2024: Lnat testing begins.
- Deadlines for Oxford applicants in 2023/24: 15 September 2024 – deadline to register and book your Lnat; 16 October 2024 – deadline to take the Lnat.
- Deadlines for KCL, UCL & LSE applicants in 2023/24: 31 December 2024 – deadline to take the Lnat.
- Deadlines for University of Bristol and University of Durham in 2023/24: 20 January 2025 – deadline to register and book your Lnat; 31 January 2025 – deadline to take the Lnat.
- Deadlines for all other applicants in 2023/24: 20 January 2025 – deadline to register and book your LNAT; 25 January 2025 – deadline to sit the Lnat.
- How long does it last? Two-and-a-quarter hours.
- How much does it cost? £75.
Step
If you're applying to a maths course at certain universities, you'll have to take the Sixth Term Examination Paper. This admissions exam 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.
- Who uses it? University of Cambridge, University of Warwick and Imperial College London, though other universities may ask applicants to take it as part of their offer.
- Key dates (for 2025 entry): 1 March 2024 – Step entries open; 4 May 2024 – Step registration closes; 5 June 2024 – Step paper 2 takes place; 24 June 2024 – Step paper 3 takes place; 15 August 2024 – 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? £93 per Step paper.
Mat
You'll have to take the Mathematics Admissions Test if you're applying to one of a handful of computer science and mathematics courses at Oxford. It's a paper-based admissions exam.
- Who uses it? University of Oxford, Imperial College London and the University of Warwick.
- Key dates (for 2025 entry): to be announced
- How long does it take? Two-and-a-half hours.
- How much does it cost? No fee (though some test centres charge a small admin fee).
Cat
The Classics Admissions Test is a paper-based university admissions exam you'll have to take if you're applying to one of Oxford's classics courses.
You must take either one or two of three possible papers: a Latin Translation Test, a Greek Translation Test and a Classics Language Aptitude Test.
- Who uses it? University of Oxford.
- Key dates (for 2025 entry): to be announced
- How long does it take? Each paper is an hour.
- How much does it cost? No fee (though some test centres charge a small admin fee).
Learn more about the Cat on the University of Oxford's website.
Elat
The English Literature Admissions Test is a paper-based university admissions test you'll have to take if applying to an English course at Oxford.
The exam is taken prior to your interview and tests your close reading skills. You'll be required to write one essay comparing two passages, focusing on elements such as language, imagery and structure.
- Who uses it? University of Oxford.
- Key dates (for 2025 entry): to be announced
- How long does it take? One-and-a-half hours.
- How much does it cost? No fee (though some test centres charge a small admin fee).
Mlat
You'll have to take the Modern Languages Admissions Test when applying to a modern languages course at Oxford.
It is a paper-based admissions test involving a booklet containing several papers (you'll take no more than two papers).
- Who uses it? University of Oxford.
- Key dates (for 2025 entry): to be announced
- How much does it cost? No fee (though some test centres charge a small admin fee).
Learn more about the Mlat on the University of Oxford website here.
Pat
The Physics Aptitude Test is a university admissions test you'll take if you're applying to one of a handful of engineering, materials science and physics courses at Oxford.
- Who uses it? University of Oxford
- Key dates (for 2025 entry): to be announced
- How long does it take? Two hours.
- How much does it cost? No fee (though some test centres charge a small admin fee).
Learn more about the Pat on the University of Oxford's website here.
Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA)
The TSA is a test used by Oxford and UCL to identify whether you have the critical thinking skills to study with them and succeed. Each have their own version of the TSA.
TSA Oxford
A two-hour test you'll take before your admissions interviews when applying to the following courses:
- Experimental Psychology
- Human Sciences
- Philosophy
- Politics and Economics
- Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics
- Economics and Management (only required to take Section 1)
- History and Economics (only required to take Section 1).
Key dates (for 2025 entry): to be announced
Learn more about the Thinking Skills Assessment Oxford on its website.
TSA UCL
The TSA UCL is a 90-minute multiple-choice test for appplicants to European Social and Political Studies (ESPS) and International Social and Political Studies (ISPS).
Candidates take the test online, in either January or March. There is no cost to sit the TSA at UCL.
Learn more about the TSA UCL on its website.
Subject-specific Cambridge tests
Applicants must take a subject-specific test either before or at their interview.
These tests are designed to "assess your writing and language skills, and your levels of knowledge and understanding relevant to your course," the University of Cambridge says.
Find out more on the Cambridge website here.
Have a course in mind already? See what requirements you'll need to meet by searching for a course or subject.
- Read more: what are university entry requirements?
