University admissions tests are a key differentiator for competitive courses at Oxford, Cambridge, and leading UK universities. Our specialist tutors have first-hand experience with each test and provide structured, targeted preparation to help your child achieve a top score. Select your test below to get started.
Law & Humanities
LNAT
Law National Aptitude Test for Oxford, UCL, Durham and other top law schools.
Prepare now →HAT (discontinued)
History Aptitude Test required for History at Oxford.
Prepare now →ELAT (discontinued)
English Literature Admissions Test for English at Oxford.
Prepare now →MLAT (discontinued)
Modern Languages Aptitude Test for language courses at Oxford.
Prepare now →Philosophy Test
Admissions test for Philosophy, PPE and joint degrees at Oxford.
Prepare now →TSA (discontinued — replaced by TARA)
Thinking Skills Assessment for PPE, Economics, Geography and more at Oxford and Cambridge.
Prepare now →Maths & Science
MAT (discontinued — replaced by TMUA)
Mathematics Admissions Test for Maths and Computer Science at Oxford.
Prepare now →STEP
Sixth Term Examination Paper — required for Maths at Cambridge and Warwick.
Prepare now →TMUA
Test of Mathematics for University Admission — used by Cambridge and other universities.
Prepare now →PAT (discontinued — replaced by ESAT)
Physics Aptitude Test for Physics and Engineering courses at Oxford.
Prepare now →ESAT
Engineering and Science Admissions Test — new test for Cambridge Engineering and Natural Sciences.
Prepare now →BMAT History
A guide to the history of the UCAT and how to apply those insights to current medical admissions.
Read more →Related Services
Ready to Start Preparing?
Our specialist tutors have sat — and scored highly in — the very tests they teach. Book a free consultation to discuss a personalised preparation plan.
Book a Free ConsultationWhich Admissions Tests Are Used for Oxford and Cambridge in 2025–26?
The landscape of UK university admissions tests has changed significantly since 2024. Oxford and Cambridge have both moved to newer, computer-delivered tests, and several long-standing tests have been withdrawn. Knowing which test applies to your course — and in which cycle — is the essential first step.
For 2026 entry (applications submitted in autumn 2025), the current tests are:
| Test | Subject(s) | Universities | Format | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESAT | Engineering, Natural Sciences, Physics | Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial | Computer-based, 80–110 min | Active |
| TMUA | Maths, CS, Economics | Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, Bath | Computer-based, 2 papers 75 min each | Active |
| LNAT | Law | Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, Durham, KCL, others | 80 min MCQ + 40 min essay | Active |
| UCAT | Medicine, Dentistry | All UK medical schools | Computer-based, 4 sections, 2 hrs | Active |
| STEP | Mathematics | Cambridge, Warwick | Written, 3 hrs per paper | Active |
| TARA | PPE, Geography, Economics, Human Sciences | Oxford | Computer-based (replaced TSA) | Active |
| MAT | Maths, CS | Oxford (2026 entry: replaced by TMUA) | Written | Discontinued |
| PAT | Physics, Engineering | Oxford (2026 entry: replaced by ESAT) | Written | Discontinued |
Sources: Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing, Oxford and Cambridge undergraduate admissions pages (verified July 2026).
How Are Admissions Tests Scored, and What Score Do You Need?
Scoring varies substantially between tests, and understanding the scale and what a competitive score looks like is essential for setting preparation targets. Our specialist tutors use published data and interview shortlisting statistics to benchmark each student’s progress throughout preparation.
LNAT: scored out of 42 on the multiple-choice section. Oxford typically interviews candidates scoring 27 or above, though competition varies by college and year. The essay is not scored but is read by tutors at interview stage. UCL and other universities use the multiple-choice score as a filter, with most successful candidates scoring above 24.
TMUA: reported on a scale of 1.0 to 9.0. A score of 6.5 or above is generally considered competitive at Cambridge Maths or Economics. Oxford uses TMUA for Maths and Computer Science, with median scores for shortlisted candidates typically between 6.0 and 7.5.
ESAT: scores are reported per section. As a newer test introduced from 2024 entry, competitive score benchmarks are still being established, but our tutors closely track published admissions data to advise on realistic targets for each subject and college.
UCAT: scored on a total scale of 1200 to 3600 across three scored sections, plus a separate Situational Judgement band (1 to 4). Most successful UK medicine applicants score above 2700 total. In a competitive cycle, applicants to the top medical schools typically target 2800 or above and Band 1 or 2 for SJT.
STEP: graded S, 1, 2, 3, or U. Cambridge Maths typically requires Grade 1 in both STEP II and STEP III, or Grade 2 in STEP III with a Grade 1 in STEP II, depending on the college offer. Warwick requires a Grade 2 in STEP II for its standard conditional offer.
Preparing for Admissions Tests in London?
Our specialist tutors have personal experience with every major test — ESAT, TMUA, LNAT, UCAT, STEP and TARA — and build structured programmes using official past papers and targeted topic work. We tutor in London and fully online.
Rated 4.8/5 on Trustpilot. Students placed at Oxford, Cambridge, UCL and leading medical schools.
Book a Free Consultation Message us on WhatsAppWhen Should You Start Admissions Test Preparation?
Timing is one of the most consistent factors separating successful candidates. Most admissions tests sit in October or November of Year 13, which means students who begin preparing only in September face a very compressed timeline. Our tutors recommend a structured start by at least the summer before Year 13, and for the most demanding tests — STEP, ESAT and TMUA — starting in Year 12 gives a significant advantage.
A typical preparation timeline with Leading Tuition looks like this: Year 12 spring term for diagnostic assessment and gap identification; Year 12 summer term for foundational topic work; summer before Year 13 for intensive timed practice; September to October Year 13 for final mock preparation and strategy refinement. This approach leaves students arriving at the test day having sat multiple full mocks under timed, exam-condition pressure rather than attempting the real thing cold.
For students applying to medicine, the UCAT window opens in July and closes in September — meaning summer preparation is not optional but essential. Our UCAT specialists typically run 8 to 12 week programmes starting in July of Year 12.
What Makes Admissions Tests Different from A-Level Exams?
Admissions tests are designed to differentiate the very top students — those who already achieve near-perfect A-level grades. They do this in two ways: by testing reasoning and problem-solving under conditions where syllabus knowledge alone is not enough, and by compressing time so that candidates cannot simply work methodically through every question.
LNAT, for example, rewards the ability to identify the logical structure of a passage and evaluate arguments quickly — skills that are not tested at A-level. TMUA and ESAT are explicitly harder than A-level Mathematics and Further Mathematics in some areas, requiring students to combine concepts in unfamiliar ways. UCAT is almost entirely speed and accuracy: a student who reads slowly or hesitates on decision-making questions will score poorly regardless of their scientific knowledge.
This is why generic revision — reading a textbook, doing homework problems — does not prepare students adequately for these tests. Effective preparation requires targeted practice with the specific question types and formats that appear in each test, timed to reflect real conditions. Our tutors build familiarity with each test’s logic and question traps, not just its content.
Are Admissions Tests Available for International Students?
Yes. All major UK admissions tests can be sat at approved international test centres. UCAT has over 500 test centres worldwide; LNAT centres cover more than 150 countries; ESAT and TMUA are delivered through Pearson VUE, which has an extensive global network. Our specialist tutors have prepared international students from across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America for Oxford, Cambridge and UK medical school admissions.
International students sometimes face additional complexity — unfamiliar curriculum gaps in ESAT or TMUA content that does not feature in their national syllabus, or LNAT essay conventions that differ from their home country’s academic writing norms. Our tutors are experienced in identifying and bridging these gaps. See our dedicated admissions tests guide for international students for country-specific advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which university admissions tests are most important for 2025 and 2026 entry?
For 2026 entry, the most important tests are: ESAT (for Oxford Physics/Engineering and Cambridge Engineering/Natural Sciences), TMUA (for Oxford Maths/CS and Cambridge Maths/Economics), LNAT (for Law at Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, Durham and others), UCAT (for all UK medicine applicants, 4 sections), STEP (for Cambridge Maths and Warwick), and TARA (replacing TSA for Oxford PPE, Geography, Economics and Human Sciences). BMAT, MAT, PAT and ELAT have been withdrawn and should not be confused with the current active tests.
When should my child start preparing for admissions tests in London?
Most admissions tests take place in October or November of Year 13, so preparation ideally begins in Year 12 or over the summer before Year 13. For mathematically demanding tests like ESAT, TMUA and STEP, our specialist tutors recommend starting at least four to six months before the test date. For UCAT, a structured 8 to 12 week programme in summer of Year 12 is the most common approach. Early preparation gives students time to identify weak topics and practise with past papers under timed conditions.
What is the difference between ESAT and TMUA?
ESAT (Engineering and Science Admissions Test) is used by Cambridge for Engineering and Natural Sciences, and by Oxford for Physics and Engineering. It replaced both the PAT and NSAA. TMUA (Test of Mathematics for University Admission) is used by Oxford for Maths and Computer Science, Cambridge for Maths and Economics, and several other universities. ESAT covers Maths 1 (compulsory) plus a subject-specific section; TMUA tests mathematical reasoning and application across two papers. Both are computer-based tests delivered through Pearson VUE test centres.
Do admissions tests tutors in London tutor online as well?
Yes. Our specialist tutors deliver sessions both in London (including home visits and sessions at our tutoring hub) and fully online via video call. Many of our admissions test students are based outside London or are international students — online tuition works very well for structured, paper-based tests where the tutor and student share a digital whiteboard and practise past papers together in real time. We have successfully prepared students in over 20 countries for ESAT, TMUA, LNAT, UCAT and STEP.
How does UCAT preparation differ from preparation for written tests like LNAT?
UCAT is a computer-based psychometric test with four sections — Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning, and Situational Judgement — and is entirely multiple choice. Speed and accuracy under time pressure are the key skills to build. LNAT is an 80-minute multiple-choice comprehension test followed by a 40-minute essay. Our tutors tailor preparation accordingly: UCAT sessions focus on timed drills and strategy; LNAT sessions include critical reading, argument analysis, and structured essay practice with detailed feedback.
What score is needed to be competitive in admissions tests for Oxford and Cambridge?
Score thresholds vary by test and college. For LNAT, Oxford typically looks for scores above 27 out of 42 in the multiple-choice section, though the essay is also read. For TMUA, a score of 6.5 or above on the 1 to 9 scale is generally considered competitive at Cambridge Maths. For ESAT, competitive benchmarks are still being established as the test is relatively new, but our tutors track published data and interview shortlisting patterns closely. For UCAT, competitive medicine applicants typically score 2700 or above in total. We help students benchmark against realistic cut-offs throughout their preparation.
How can Leading Tuition help with admissions tests tutoring in London?
Leading Tuition provides specialist one-to-one tutoring for every major UK university admissions test, including ESAT, TMUA, LNAT, UCAT, STEP and TARA. Our tutors have personal experience sitting these tests and achieving high scores, and they use structured programmes with official past papers, targeted topic work, and timed mock practice. We are rated 4.8/5 on Trustpilot and have helped students gain places at Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, Imperial and leading medical schools. Book a free consultation to discuss a personalised preparation plan.