New this year for Oxford University’s admissions tests
For the first time Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) will deliver Oxford University’s own undergraduate admissions tests.
Admission tests affected by the changes
- CAT (Classics Admissions Test)
- ELAT (English Literature Admissions Test)
- GAT (Geography Admissions Test) – new this year
- HAT (History Admissions Test)
- MAT (Mathematics Admissions Test)
- MLAT (Modern Languages Admissions Test)
- PAT (Physics Admissions Test for Physics, Engineering and Materials Science)
- Philosophy test (for Philosophy and Theology only)
The content and structure of Oxford’s own tests have not changed, so all existing online resources and past papers will still be valuable preparation for applicants.
The tests will be taken online - with the exception of the MAT and PAT tests which will be hybrid – with the question paper online and a printed answer booklet. Test centres will be required to scan, upload and return completed answer booklets.
Registered candidates taking online or hybrid tests will be invited to practise taking their test online using the 2022 past paper (or equivalent) in advance of their test day.
Find out more information on the new online test for geography applicants in 2023.
Registering as an Oxford/TCS test centre
Tests used in Oxford undergraduate admissions will require applicants’ schools and colleges to follow a new process to apply for authorisation to become TCS test centres (except for the TSA and BMAT which will be managed by Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing for one final year).
Schools and colleges are strongly advised to apply for authorisation as soon as possible so they are ready to begin registering their Oxford applicants as soon as the registration window opens on 1 September.
An instruction video is available to demonstrate how schools and colleges can apply for authorisation using Oxford’s test centre portal developed by TCS. The centre authorisation process should be relatively quick and straightforward.
The TSA and BMAT taken by Oxford applicants will continue to be administered by Cambridge Assessment Admissions Tests for one final year.
Arrangements for law applicants required to take the Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT) remain unchanged.
Timeline for 2023
- 1 – 29 September: candidate registration window
- 19 October: test day for CAT, ELAT, GAT and MAT
- 20 October: test day for HAT, MLAT, PAT and Philosophy test.
Visit Oxford’s Undergraduate Admissions website for more information.
Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing (CAAT)
Tests run by CAAT in 2023:
- BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT)
- Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA)
- Engineering Admissions Assessment (ENGAA) for the University of Cambridge
- Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment (NSAA) for the University of Cambridge
- Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) for the University of Oxford
Timeline
1 – 29 September: The registration period for Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing’s tests this year runs with no late registration period.
18 October: The date for all tests.
Visit the Admissions Testing website for more information.
Useful links
- University of Oxford’s admissions tests
- University of Oxford’s registration portal
- Become a test centre for the University of Oxford
- How to apply to be a test centre for Oxford’s own 2023 admissions tests.
- Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing
- Full list of admissions tests
- UCAS’ overview of all admissions test for 2023