Many applicants need to take a written or verbal test as part of the University. below we use Cambridge as an example.

Your test will be relevant to the subject you’ve applied for. We take your performance into account alongside the other elements of your application.

If you need to take a test for your course, you will either take it:

• before we shortlist for interview. You need to be registered for this type of test in advance and you will take it at a test centre near you. 

• after you’re invited to interview, if you are shortlisted for interview. You don’t need to be registered for this type of assessment. The Cambridge College that interviews you will make arrangements for the test. They will provide you with details of when and how you will take your assessment. 

Your assessment will test:

• your skills (for example, your writing and language skills or mathematical problem-solving ability)

• your subject knowledge

• your understanding of topics related to your chosen course

Admission tests:

• UCAT(Clinical aptitude test)

• TMUA(Mathematics test)

• ESAT(Engineering and Science test)

• LNAT(Law test)

• College admission assessments

1. UCAT 

The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is an admissions test, used by a consortium of UK and partner Universities to help select applicants to their medical and dental degree programmes.

The test is used alongside other selection criteria such as your academic qualifications and interviews.

The UCAT is a computer-based test, delivered in Pearson VUE test centres throughout the UK and worldwide.

The UCAT assesses a range of mental abilities identified by university medical and dental schools as important.

The test consists of five separately timed subtests in multiple-choice format:

• Verbal Reasoning assesses your ability to critically evaluate information presented in a written form

• Decision Making assess your ability to make sound decisions and judgements using complex information

• Quantitative Reasoning assesses your ability to critically evaluate information presented in a numerical form

• Abstract Reasoning assesses your use of convergent and divergent thinking to infer relationships from information

• Situational Judgement measures your capacity to understand real world situations and to identify critical factors and appropriate behaviour in dealing with them

The standard test is 2 hours. Once the test has started it cannot be paused but each subtest is preceded by a 1 minute instruction section.

You need to take the UCAT if you are applying to:

• Medicine (Standard course A100)

• Graduate Medicine (A101)

You must be registered for the UCAT in advance.

2. TMUA

The TMUA tests your mathematical thinking and reasoning skills.

You need to take the TMUA if you are applying to:

• Computer Science

• Economics

The TMUA lasts 2 hours 30 minutes in total. It is divided into two parts.

You will not be able to use a calculator or dictionary. 

There is no pass or fail for TMUA. You should aim to do the best you can.

Your final scores are based on the number of correct answers you give. You do not lose marks for wrong answers, so it’s worth attempting all questions.

3. ESAT

You need to take the Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT) if you are applying for:

• Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology

• Engineering

• Natural Sciences

• Veterinary Medicine

The ESAT is a computer-based assessment. It is made up of individual multiple-choice assessments lasting 40 minutes each. You will sit these back-to-back on the day of the test.

Mathematics 1 is compulsory for all candidates.

The remaining assessments will depend on the Cambridge course you are applying to. In most cases, you will complete two additional multiple-choice assessments from the following list, making the test 120 minutes in total:

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Physics

• Mathematics 2

There is no pass or fail for ESAT. You should aim to do the best you can.

Your final scores are based on the number of correct answers you give. You do not lose marks for wrong answers, so it’s worth attempting all questions. 

4. LNAT

The LNAT helps universities make fairer choices from the many highly-qualified applicants who want to join their undergraduate law programmes. It is used in collaboration with other admissions processes such as UCAS application and academic qualifications.

The LNAT tests your verbal reasoning skills, your ability to interpret information, and your analytical abilities.

It is a two-part test: multiple choice questions based on passages of text, and an essay.

• Section A: The first part is a computer-based multiple choice exam. You’ll be asked to read passages of text and answer questions that test your comprehension of them. Your scores from the multiple choice section of the test are checked by computer, and a mark out of 42 is created This is known as your LNAT score.

• Section B: In the second part of the test you will be asked to write one essay from a list of three proposed subjects. This section is not marked by the test centre and does not contribute to your LNAT score, but it is your opportunity to show your ability to construct a compelling argument and reach a conclusion.

5. College Admission Assessments

Some courses involve an admissions assessment that is taken after we shortlist for interview. If you are shortlisted for interview, you will take the relevant assessment. The College that interviews you will let you know when and how you should take your assessment.