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Engineering & Science Admissions Test

One test, three modules,
a score that travels.

The ESAT is the entry test for engineering and science courses at Cambridge, Imperial, Oxford and UCL. No calculators, no pass mark — just a precise read on what you already know.

Register for the ESATSee the test format
120 mintypical total time
3 of 5modules per candidate
£78UK & Ireland fee
7.2sample scaled score, out of 9.0
1.09.0
What is the ESAT

A test built on what you already know

The ESAT (Engineering and Science Admissions Test) checks how confidently you can use maths and science under exam conditions — no extra syllabus, no calculator, no surprises about format. It's one of three tests run by UAT-UK, alongside the TMUA and TARA.

Replaced the NSAA and ENGAA from 2024 onward. If you used old NSAA/ENGAA past papers to prepare, check the current specification first — content and structure have shifted.
Who sits itApplicants to engineering, physics, natural sciences, or veterinary medicine courses at Cambridge, Imperial, Oxford or UCL — only where the specific course requires it.
Run byUAT-UK (University Admissions Testing UK), delivered on computer at Pearson VUE test centres worldwide.
What it testsYour ability to apply maths and science you've already studied at school — not new syllabus content.
OutcomeNo pass or fail. You get a scaled score per module, sent automatically to every university on your UCAS application that requires it.
Test format

120 minutes, multiple-choice, no calculator

Most candidates sit Mathematics 1 plus two further modules, back-to-back, on the day of their test. Each module is scored independently — there is no single combined ESAT score.

5
modules exist in total
3
modules most candidates sit
27
questions per module
40 min
per module, back-to-back
Module answer sheet · 27 questions each120 min total for most candidates
Maths 1Compulsory
Maths 2Optional
PhysicsOptional
ChemistryOptional
BiologyOptional
Filled dots = compulsory for everyone (Maths 1). Faint dots = sat only if your course requires that module.

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Key dates

Two sittings a year, no resits

You register for one sitting only. Cambridge applicants must use the October window — there is no January alternative for them.

Sitting 1
12–16 October 2026

Required for all Cambridge and Oxford applicants, 2027 entry.

Sitting 2
4–8 January 2027

Open to Imperial and UCL applicants. Not available to Cambridge or Oxford applicants, except mature Cambridge colleges or Oxford's Foundation Year with a January deadline.

Booking windows, bursary deadlines and access-arrangement cut-offs all differ — always check the official Key Dates and Deadlines page before you plan around these dates.
Who uses it

Four universities, one test

Always confirm against your specific course page — requirements vary by department and can change between admissions cycles.

University of Cambridge
Engineering, Natural Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, Chemical Engineering
Imperial College London
Engineering, Physics, Chemistry departments
University of Oxford
Engineering Science, from 2026/27 entry — replacing the PAT/BMSAT route
UCL
Selected Engineering and Physical Sciences courses
Scoring

A scale, not a hurdle

Scores are reported on a fixed scale so results stay comparable across different test versions and sittings.

1No pass or fail threshold — your score is one input among several in a holistic application review.
2Every module gets its own scaled score, from 1.0 to 9.0. There is no combined ESAT total.
3Scoring is based purely on correct answers — there's no penalty for guessing, so attempt every question.
4Results land in your UAT-UK account roughly four weeks after your sitting, then pass automatically to the universities that need them.
Sample module scores
1.09.0
Maths 1
7.4
Maths 2
6.8
Physics
7.9
Myth vs reality

Tap a myth to see the reality

Six things candidates regularly get wrong about the ESAT — straight from the official FAQ.

How to prepare

Practise the format, not new content

The ESAT draws on maths and science you've already studied. The highest-leverage prep is familiarising yourself with question style and timing.

What does the ESAT actually assess?
Your ability to apply science and maths you've already studied at school — not new content. The official guidance is to check the specification for any gaps, then practise under timed conditions.
Are there free official practice materials?
Yes. UAT-UK provides specimen tests free of charge, including one version with full worked solutions for revision and one offered under exam-like timed conditions.
Does guessing cost me marks?
No. Scoring is based purely on correct answers — there's no penalty for a wrong answer, so it is always worth attempting every question.
What can I bring into the test room?
Only approved ID and any pre-approved access-arrangement items. You'll be given an erasable whiteboard and pen for rough working; no personal calculators, paper, or water bottles are allowed.

Free specimen tests, with worked solutions, are available directly from UAT-UK.

Get practice materials →