Gaining entry to Cambridge University is a process that requires you to be curious and committed from day one. It is a multi-facetted process and you must be across all elements of your application. You may even want to choose your A Levels with your Cambridge course in mind! Cambridge requires you to apply earlier than you would if applying elsewhere, finesse your subject knowledge and think outside of the box. This all before you sit your exams - and achieve top grades.
Applying to Cambridge involves other elements that it is possible to get a head start on, such as preparing your UCAS application and personal statement, preparing for interview and finding out more about the university admission tests and assessments.
Because getting into Cambridge is so competitive - on average across all subjects, they typically receive six applications per place - most subjects require prospective students to sit an entrance test of one sort or another, either before or as a part of the interview process. Your result will form part of a suite of impressions and information that colleges will use to decide on the suitability of candidates.
What are the Cambridge University admissions tests and assessments?
Many applicants to Cambridge University need to take a written or verbal test as part of their application. This will be directly relevant to the subject you apply for. There are many elements to a successful application, but your performance in these exams is considered alongside the other parts of your application.
Some courses do not require you to take a test. But if you do need to sit an assessment, you will take it:
- before the colleges shortlist for interview. You must register in advance for this type of assessment and you will take it at a test centre local to you.
- after they invite to interview, if you are shortlisted for interview. You don’t need to register for this type of test. The Cambridge College that interviews you will make all of the arrangements.
What do the Cambridge University admissions tests look like?
These assessments are designed to differentiate between students. They are subject-specific and related to things that you have learned at A Level, testing:
- relevant skills (for example, your writing and language skills or mathematical problem-solving ability)
- subject knowledge
- understanding of themes, topics and ideas relevant to your chosen course
These tests are necessarily challenging – in applying to Cambridge you are applying to be among the very best students in your subject at your age group. As such you will not be expected to get every question right. The very strongest applicants might find it a challenge even to complete the paper in the time given, and it is very rare that a student gets full marks.
Which Cambridge University courses require you to sit a test before you are shortlisted for interview?
Certain courses (listed below) require students to sit an assessment before they are shortlisted. Students must register for this type of test in advance and will take it at a test centre local to them. ESAT and TMUA are administered through UAT-UK and delivered via Pearson VUE test centres.
It is important to be organised should you need to take one of these tests, as the process starts very early - often as early as May, the year before you plan to start your university course. The tests themselves take place September or October of the same year.
Specific details for each type of test – when to register, when to take the test, test format, preparation and test fees – can be found via the individual links below. Here you will also find links to a range of preparation advice and resources, as well as information on financial support should you require it.
| Course | Test |
|---|---|
| Medicine | UCAT |
| Law | LNAT |
| Economics | TMUA |
| Maths | TMUA |
| Computer Science | TMUA |
| Engineering | ESAT |
| Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology | ESAT |
| Natural Sciences | ESAT |
| Veterinary Medicine | ESAT |
Which Cambridge courses require you to sit a College admissions test?
Some Cambridge courses involve an admissions assessment that is taken after students have been shortlisted for interview. Only students who are shortlisted will sit the relevant assessment. The College that interviews you will let you know when and how to take your test. You do not need to register for College admission assessments.
When you apply to Cambridge you can choose a college in which to live and your supervisions (i.e. group teaching sessions): there are many options to choose from, and each college has its own history and character. You are not required to select a college and can instead make an open application.
Confusingly, not all colleges require you to sit an admissions test for all subjects. Or put another way, if you decide to study Geography at Hughes Hall or St Edmund's you will have to sit an entrance assessment, but not if you apply for Geography at other Cambridge colleges.
Full details of college admissions assessments, including assessment dates, formats, and often specimen and example papers – as well as whether your choice of college requires a test or not – can be found on the Cambridge University website.
How can I prepare for the Cambridge admissions exams?
Both pre- and post-interview tests are designed to test aptitude in areas such as comprehension and thinking skills, and, where appropriate, knowledge. Whereas A-levels often test factual recall, Cambridge University written exams look for analytical and critical abilities. We recommend candidates ensure that they:
- have strong course specific subject knowledge
- read – critically and beyond the syllabus requirements
- investigate the test format by doing practice papers, if possible
- appreciate that these tests are likely to stretch them in ways they may not have experienced at school
Our experienced Oxbridge tutors certainly tend to find that deeper subject knowledge and increased test practice can make the difference in these sorts of admissions assessments.
The TMUA test is based on material normally covered when you sit Higher Level GCSE Maths courses, or AS Maths. It covers mathematical reasoning rather than curriculum recall. The test specification includes precise details on material covered. Read more preparation tips in our Guide to the TMUA.
The ESAT requires candidates to select the modules required for their chosen course. Most Oxford applicants sit the compulsory Mathematics module alongside the science modules specified for their degree. Read more preparation tips in our Guide to the ESAT.
Where can I find past papers for the Cambridge admissions tests?
The pre-interview tests, which are centre assessed outside of colleges, are established assessments and information as regards format and preparation can be found via the links to the specific tests above.
For College admissions, Cambridge shares more information than you might think, with past papers available for almost every subject.
Most College admission assessments last between 30 and 90 minutes.
What is a good pass mark for the Cambridge Admissions Tests?
There is no one answer to this question given the breadth in admissions assessments. However, your performance in an admissions assessment will be reviewed alongside the other components of your application. For Pre-interview assessments, your performance may well be the deciding factor as to whether or not you are invited to interview.
How hard are the Cambridge entrance exams?
Admissions assessments, whether pre- or post-interview, are designed to stretch applicants and are challenging. However, to be a credible applicant to either Cambridge or Oxford you should be the type of student that welcomes such an academic challenge. This is not to say that you cannot prepare for such tests, and students who do well will have explored the full range of information available online including specifications, past papers and sample papers with mark schemes.
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