Understanding Oxbridge Entrance Exams
If you're considering applying to the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge (Oxbridge), understanding the admissions tests is crucial. These exams assess subject-specific aptitude and play a significant role in the selection process. However, navigating which test applies to your chosen course can be confusing—especially for U.S. applicants. This guide breaks it down for you.
Breakdown of Key Admissions Tests
University of Cambridge Admissions Assessments
BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT): For Medicine applicants.
College Admissions Assessment (English): The Cambridge College Admissions Assessment for English is a 90 minute exam that consists of a single essay question based on several passages that require comparing and contrasting. The text can be a combination of prose, poetry, and drama. No dictionaries or references are allowed for this exam. The Oxford equivalent (ELAT) was discontinued in 2024 and has not released a replacement test as of March of 2025.
Economics Admissions Assessment (TMUA): For Economics applicants at Cambridge, students must take a Test of Mathematics for University Admissions. Consisting of two sections for a total testing time of 2.5 hours, the TMUA has no guessing penalty and does not allow a calculator. Part one of the application is 20 multiple choice questions each with 5-8 possible answers. Part one assesses the ability to apply math to new situations and is 75 minutes. Part two is the mathematical reasoning section, with 20 multiple choice questions to assess the ability for the student to deal with math reasoning and logic. Most students struggle with the advanced math in the TMUA assessment, even students who are in BC Calculus or IB Math HL.
Sixth Term Examination Papers (STEP): For Cambridge math applicants, the STEP entrance exam is a three hour long exam consisting of 12 long form questions. On this exam, students cannot use calculators. Similar to the Oxford MAT, students might struggle with advanced math concepts, even if they are in AP or IB courses.
Engineering and Science Admissions Assessment (ESAT): For Engineering applicants at Cambridge, the ESAT is a one hour exam made up of 2 sections: a 20 multiple choice section about math and physics and a 20 multiple choice question on advanced math and physics. The ESAT is also accepted by Cambridge and Imperial Natural and Veterinary Sciences courses.
Modern and Medieval Languages (MML): The Cambridge entrance exam for Modern and Medieval Languages is the MML, which is a one hour exam that consists of two essay questions. The first essay has to be written in the student’s foreign language and the second can be written in English.
Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment (NSAA): For Natural Sciences applicants.
College Admission Assessment (History): The Cambridge CAA History exam is a 60 minute single essay assessment that requires comparing and contrasting one text as a primary source. This test is paper based with a 8 page booklet being provided.
University of Oxford Admissions Tests
Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT): For Medicine and Biomedical Sciences applicants.
Classics Admissions Test (CAT): For Classics applicants submitting to Oxford, students can choose between one or more tests: a Latin translation test, a Greek translation test, and a classics language aptitude test.
English Literature Admissions Test (ELAT): For English Language and Literature applicants.
History Aptitude Test (HAT): For History and related joint courses, the HAT is a one hour assessment that is digital, unlike the Cambridge CAA equivalent. This single essay question is based on a primary source essay that examines a student’s ability to think critically, read with care, analyze and question, use evidence, and demonstrate concise and independent thinking.
Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT): For Mathematics, Computer Science, and joint degrees, the MAT is 150 minutes. Students choose five from the seven questions that can have similar material to the SAT ACT, while also covering differentiation and integration. Some of the advanced math concepts will be difficult for Calculus BC and IB Math HL students.
Modern Languages Admissions Tests (MLAT): For Modern Languages courses at Oxford, students must take the MLAT. The test is about 2 hours long, focusing on specific language testing translation questions, logic language aptitude, and philosophy.
Physics Aptitude Test (PAT): For Physics, Engineering, and Materials Science courses, the PAT is a two hour test with 26 multiple choice questions. Students have access to a digital calculator on the platform, but outside calculators are not permitted. Students should memorize key equations because no formula sheet is provided.
Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA): For courses like Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE), Economics and Management, and Human Sciences. The Oxford TSA is a 120 minute test comprising two sections. The first section is 50 multiple choice questions, each with 5 possible answers, clocking in at 90 minutes. The second section 30 minute single written task where students select one out of the four prompts to respond to. Most US students struggle with the time pressure and the second section of constructing a persuasive argument in 30 minutes. The difference between the Oxford TSA and the Cambridge TMUA exam is the TSA tests problem solving and critical thinking, whereas the TMUA exam assesses hard math skills.
Oxbridge Entrance Exams
University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT): The UCAT Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial exam is a 2 hour test consisting of five sections: verbal reasoning, decision making, quantitative reasoning, abstract reasoning, situational judgement. The test does not test prior subject knowledge, but instead focuses on abstract reasoning and decision making, as well as situational judgement. Students should familiarize themselves with medical ethics and professional behavior.
National Admissions Test for Law (LNAT): The LNAT is a 2 hour and 15 minute exam consisting of 2 sections: a multiple choice question and an essay. The first section is a 95 minute, 42 total multiple choice section with 12 argumentative passages. The purpose of this section is to evaluate the student’s reading comprehension and logical and critical thinking analysis. The essay portion is 40 minutes long where students are asked to write a “reasoned and substantiated argument” between three prompts based on current issues.
Registration & Deadlines for U.S. Applicants
Test Registration: Opens in early September, closes in early October.
Test Dates: Late October or early November.
UCAS Deadline: October 15 for all Oxbridge applications.
Where to Register: U.S. applicants must register through authorized test centers listed on the Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing or the Oxford Admissions Test website.
Final Thoughts
Understanding which test applies to your course and preparing accordingly is key to a strong Oxbridge application. While you can only apply to either Oxbridge or Cambridge, understanding and practicing entrance exams the summer before your senior year can help strengthen your chances. Additionally, signing up to work with a test prep coach or an educational consultant to strengthen your Oxbridge application can help manage stressful timelines.
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