ESAT

The Engineering and Science Admissions Test is a pre-interview admissions test used by the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, UCL and the University of Oxford (From 2027 entry). It was introduced in 2024, replacing the previous ENGAA and NSAA tests, and is now a required part of the application process for a range of competitive science and engineering courses. The test is designed to assess scientific and mathematical reasoning beyond A-Level, and is sat by thousands of applicants competing for a limited number of places at the UK’s most selective universities.

The test is sat by students who require the ESAT for their undergraduate degree programme. Most candidates are studying A-Levels or equivalent qualifications in relevant subjects, though the test is open to international applicants as well. There is no minimum grade requirement to register, and all eligible applicants for the relevant courses are expected to sit it.

The ESAT consists of multiple-choice sections, each 40 minutes long and containing 27 questions. Mathematics 1 is compulsory for all candidates. You then sit one or two further subject modules depending on your course requirements. Each question has multiple answer options, and there is no penalty for incorrect answers, so every question should be attempted. The test is computer-based and sat at approved Pearson VUE test centres, with the sitting window in early October each year.

There are five modules in total. Mathematics 1 covers topics including algebra, functions, trigonometry, calculus, and statistics, and is required by all candidates. Mathematics 2 goes further into pure mathematics and is required for some Cambridge courses. Physics, Chemistry, and Biology each cover content broadly in line with A-Level, though the questions place a greater emphasis on applying that knowledge to unfamiliar problems. The combination you need depends on your target course, so preparation should be planned around your specific requirements from the outset.

Each correct answer receives one mark, and there is no negative marking. Scores are reported separately for each module, and universities use them alongside other elements of the application, including academic grades, personal statements, and interviews. There is no official pass mark, and score thresholds vary by course and year.

The ESAT is a demanding test. The questions are designed to go beyond straightforward recall of A-Level content, and time pressure is a significant factor. Many strong students find that their existing subject knowledge is not enough on its own, and that targeted preparation makes a meaningful difference to both confidence and performance.

There are two sittings each year: one in October and one in January. If you are applying to Cambridge or Oxford, you must sit the October test. The January sitting is available for applicants to Imperial, UCL, and certain other universities. Registration opens in late summer for the October sitting, and candidates must register through the Pearson VUE website. Missing the registration deadline means missing that sitting entirely, so it is important to check the relevant dates well in advance.