MLAT

MLAT Tutors – Modern Languages Admissions Test

You will be required to sit the MLAT if you are applying to study any of the following courses at Oxford:

• European and Middle Eastern Languages
• Classics and Modern Languages
• English and Modern Languages
• History and Modern Languages
• Modern Languages
• Modern Languages and Linguistics
• Philosophy and Modern Languages

 

The MLAT is a written test in the language you wish to study. It is made up of 10 sections, 8 of which target the following languages: Czech, French, German, Italian, Modern Greek, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. You will be asked to take a maximum of two sections depending on the languages you are applying for. The additional sections you may need to take are the Language Aptitude Test (LAT) if you are applying to study a language as a beginner or applying to study Russian on its own; and the Philosophy section (60 minutes) if you are applying to study Philosophy and Modern Languages. Apart from the Philosophy section, every section is 30 minutes long. Please note there is no longer a Linguistics section in the MLAT. To find out more about how many sections you will need to take, please visit https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/guide/admissions-tests/tests-students-applying-study-modern-languages-or-linguistics .

 

The mark scheme is organised according to the number of marks each question offers, which will be indicated in the test paper. The first 8 sections are comprised of small fill-in-the-blank and translation exercises.

 

The Language Aptitude Test makes use of an imaginary language and asks you to identify and apply its patterns and rules. You could be given some sample sentences at the start of the test so that you can familiarise yourself with the demands of the task. You will then need to translate sentences from the imaginary language into English, and then some sentences from English into the imaginary language. Admissions tutors are looking to see how you respond to unfamiliar vocabulary and grammatical rules, and whether you are able to apply these rules. Mainly, the purpose of this section is to see if you understand how grammatical concepts shape words, are aware of the patterns of languages, recognise distinctions between parts of speech, and notice the key features that help distinguish between elements in various sentences.

 

The Philosophy section looks to test your reasoning skills rather than your philosophical knowledge. Generally, you will be asked to undertake a comprehension exercise and write a short essay. Admissions tutors want to see whether you effectively and precisely respond to the question, demonstrating strong reasoning and good use of evidence to back your argument. For examples of the kinds of questions you may encounter, please visit https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/guide/admissions-tests/mlat .

 

Registration for the MLAT:

You will need to register yourself for the MLAT through an authorised test centre. This could be your school/college or an open test centre. It is worth inquiring into whether your school/college is already registered as a test centre. If it is not, members of staff could arrange to register it any time before the 30^th September. Some advice for how to do so is here: https://www.admissionstesting.org/administering-our-tests/. You can find your nearest test centre via Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing at https://www.admissionstesting.org/find-a-centre/ . You will take the MLAT in this test centre in November. A shortlist for interviews will be announced later in November. Results for the MLAT are not automatically published but can be requested as part of the feedback process.

 

When you register, you will be asked to provide:

• Your name, date of birth, and gender
• Your UCAS number
• The name of the university, course, and course code you are applying to
• Details of any access arrangements

 

Further Information & MLAT Tutors:

This assessment will be in addition to your submission of pieces of writing in English/foreign languages, interviews, and potential additional tests if you are applying for a Joint Scholars degree. There is no specific mark you need to achieve to guarantee shortlisting of your application, since your test score will be considered alongside the scores of other candidates. This means that the MLAT is your opportunity to demonstrate your skills and have fun challenging yourself. Your application will be considered holistically, so your entire application does not depend on this assessment only.

How Mayfair Consultants can assist you:

 

Courses and MLAT Tuition are delivered 1-1 by our MLAT tutors, with past paper practice and expert advice from past Modern Languages Degree Graduates from Oxford and Cambridge Colleges. Many of our tutors hold PhDs and other postgraduate qualifications in teaching Modern Languages both as teachers and tutors, indicative both of their passion for, and expertise in, the subject.

If you’d like arrange private lessons or have any questions about our MLAT tuition services in London, Oxford and Cambridge please call us on Tel: +44 (0) 207 665 6606 or you can send us an email via our contact form.

 

Resources for MLAT Tutors & Students:

 

What is the MLAT? Assessment outline and practice materials: https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/guide/admissions-tests/mlat

 

Modern and Medieval Languages faculty website: https://www.mod-langs.ox.ac.uk

 

Application Process: https://www.mod-langs.ox.ac.uk/how-apply

 

Admissions tests information: https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/guide/admissions-tests

 

Difference between the Oxford and Cambridge admissions assessments:

Cambridge: https://www.keystonetutors.com/news/the-modern-and-medieval-languages-admissions-assessment-mmlaa-cambridge

Oxford: https://www.keystonetutors.com/news/the-modern-languages-aptitude-test-mlat-oxford

 

Outline of the MLAT and how to prepare for it: https://www.keystonetutors.com/news/the-modern-languages-aptitude-test-mlat-oxford

 

 

Different MLAT outlines (depending on the course you are applying to): https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/guide/admissions-tests/tests-students-applying-study-modern-languages-or-linguistics