Our latest education related articles

Super-curricular learning is where a student explores their subject beyond what is required by the school or by the exam specification. It is therefore inherently self-motivated, allowing you to explore what you find most interesting, on your own terms. It is most impressive when evidencing a genuine passion for the subject, rather than being just a hasty means of plumping out a UCAS personal statement or preparing for interview.

Philosophy is an active subject. The balance is more towards doing it than knowing it, and its very business is unresolved questions. That means the best super-curricular activities for Philosophy get you encountering and reflecting on ideas for yourself. They should leave you thinking throughout the rest of your day, long after you read or listened to or watched the material recommended below.

When it comes to writing a Modern Languages personal statement for Oxbridge, anxiety tends to run quite high. What is a personal statement, anyway? What on earth to make of the new format for 2026 entry? What are Modern Languages Admissions tutors looking for and how do I tackle the complexity of a dual subject focus in my statement? In this article, Keystone’s Modern Languages tutor Florence, breaks down everything you need to know about writing a Modern Languages personal statement for Oxbridge, including her tips for the updated 2026 format.

In the article below, Oxford alumnus and Keystone Tutor Florence outlines the best approach to take when applying to study English at Oxford. Florence is an experienced tutor who has worked across the age range, helping over 170 Keystone clients. While first completing a DPhil and then working as a research fellow at Oxford, Florence held several teaching and lecturing roles.

Securing a place to study, or ‘read’ English at Cambridge University is a challenging task. Extremely able candidates from around the world compete for a limited number of places, and it is essential to prepare for this competitive process effectively.

In the article below, Keystone Tutors provide an overview of the best approach to take, some top tips, and even an inside view on the application process from a tutor who read English at Cambridge.

Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE) is one of the best-known undergraduate courses that you can read at Oxford.

It has been offered since 1921, and it’s rooted in the view that it’s helpful to approach problems in society from the perspectives of several complementary disciplines and frameworks. In Oxford terms it is a relatively young course at only 100 years old(!), so PPE is known as ‘Modern Greats’ where Classics is the original ‘Greats’.

For many families applying to UK independent schools, the ISEB Common Pre-Test is one of the first academic hurdles in the admissions test process. Yet, many parents are unsure how the test is scored, what constitutes a good score, or if there is even a set pass mark. In this article, we break down the key information you need to know about ISEB Pre-Test scores and how they are used by senior schools.

The undergraduate Law course at Oxford University is called ‘Jurisprudence’, which signals its historically broader approach to include Law’s underlying philosophical principles. Unlike other universities, the final award is a BA (Bachelor of Arts) rather than an LLB (Bachelor of Laws). It nonetheless has the same official status as a qualifying law degree for those wishing to become a solicitor or barrister in England and Wales.

Students interested in continental law or European languages should note Oxford’s option of a four-year course (‘Law with European Studies’) which includes an extra year abroad at a partner university in France, Germany, Italy, Spain or The Netherlands. This option should be chosen at the application stage. The language requirements and UCAS codes for each option are fully explained on Oxford’s admissions page here: Law (Jurisprudence) | University of Oxford

While this blog focuses on undergraduate Law, note that Oxford also offers a range of full- and part-time postgraduate taught courses. These include the prestigious Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) with its famous alumni including the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Undergraduate entry is not your only route to a Law degree from the world’s best university.

When it comes to writing an English Literature personal statement for Oxbridge, anxiety tends to run quite high. What is a personal statement, anyway? What on earth to make of the new format for 2026 entry? Won’t English admissions tutors be looking for a talent for writing, along with the usual clarity of expression and subject-specific content required by other disciplines?

In this article, Keystone’s English tutor Florence, breaks down everything you need to know about writing an English personal statement for Oxbridge, including her tips for the updated 2026 format.

Eton College is one of the United Kingdom’s best known and most prestigious independent schools, founded in 1440 AD by King Henry VI, and famous for having educated many British politicians, scientists, and creative talents. As such, the process of securing a place is highly competitive. Entry at 13+ requires students to pass several stages, including the Eton List Test, the ISEB Common Pre-Test, and an interview. 

This guide provides an in-depth look at the test format, interview process and preparation tips, including some first hand insights from Josh Pull, a Keystone Director and former Old Etonian.

This guide is for anyone applying to a university programme where applicants must first complete the Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA). In the sections below you can find out if you need to sit the test and how you go about doing that. There is also some advice on how best to prepare for the test and how important the test will be to your application to study mathematics at university.

The National Admissions Test for Law, or LNAT, can seem like a formidable hurdle for many students applying to read law at university; this is particularly the case when one considers the historically low average scores (usually around 50%) and the fact that many students do not know what to expect. However, like most admission tests, the LNAT is simply examining one’s ‘aptitude’ for law and is a test of skills you should have been cultivating in many subjects over the past few years; no prior knowledge is required.

Do I need to sit an entrance test for Psychological and Behavioural Sciences at Cambridge? 

The admissions process for those wishing to study PBS at Cambridge has changed for 2025/6 entry. Candidates will no longer required to sit the PBSAA (Psychological and Behavioural Sciences Admissions Assessment) which is no longer in use.  

Some Cambridge Colleges will however require you to sit what is called an at-college assessment. This means that you will be required to sit some sort of written test on the day of your interview – if you are called. Students will not need to register in advance and details are provided with interview information. 

The colleges that ask you to take an assessment for the PBS are: 

• Gonville & Caius
• Homerton
• Newnham
• Selwyn
• St Edmund’s

Note: Students applying for Classical Archaeology and Ancient History (AHCAAT) at the University of Oxford are no longer required to take a written test for 2026/2027 admissions. Oxford University has discontinued the AHCAAT admissions test.

What is the AHCAAT? 

The AHCAAT (Ancient History and Classical Archaeology Admissions Test) was an online test, first introduced in 2024, that all candidates applying for Classical Archaeology and Ancient History at Oxford University must sit. It is now discontinued.  

It may be worth saying that, for the first two years of its running, it has been stated by Oxford that the test will be considered as a pilot. It will be used only to supply ‘extra information’ on a candidate's application. This sounds cryptic but seems to mean that, while your performance will be noted, the primary function of the test for the 2024 and 2025 admissions round is to verify the functionality and validity of the test. 

In reality this means that test performance will not make or break your application. (Candidates will instead be shortlisted or otherwise on the basis of past and predicted examination results, their UCAS personal statement, an academic reference, submitted written work – and performance at interview.) What this does not mean is that you should not take the test seriously, regardless of the year in which you sit the exam.

As with other Oxford tests there is no charge for candidates to register. 

Note: As of the 2026/27 admissions cycle, Oxford University has discontinued the Philosophy Test (PhilAT) for applicants to Philosophy and Theology and the TSA for applicants of Philosophy, Psychology and Linguistics (PPL) or Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE). Instead, applicants must take the new TARA (Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions) or TMUA (Test of Mathematics for University Admission), depending on the course.   

What is the PhilAT (Philosophy Test)?

The PhilAT was a 60-minute online test for those applying to study Philosophy and Theology at Oxford University. As of 2026/27 the PhilAT has been discontinued. 

The Physics Aptitude Test (PAT) at the University of Oxford has been discontinued. If you are applying for Physics, Engineering Science, or Physics and Philosophy, you will now sit the ESAT (Engineering and Science Admissions Test). Read more in our Guide to the ESAT.

The Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) at the University of Oxford has been discontinued and has been permanently replaced by the new TARA (Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions). Read more in our Guide to the TARA.

What is the TSA?

When sitting the TSA you will need to rapidly evaluate and interpret information, and come to logical conclusions. This test is a reliable indicator that you are able to think quickly and accurately, and are adept in multiple disciplines. This exam tests a variety of skills, which helps prepare you for higher learning. 

At Oxford, the test was divided into two sections. (Those looking to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics are required to sit only Section 2.)

• Section 1 consists of 50 multiple-choice questions, and aims to assess problem-solving skills and numerical reasoning. You will also be tested on your critical thinking skills, incorporating the understanding of argument and basic reasoning, using language of the everyday.
• Section 2 evaluates your ability to communicate effectively in writing, and to organise concepts in a clear and precise manner. Candidates choose one question from four and questions are non subject-specific.

Types of questions in the TSA include:

• Verbal reasoning
• Numeric reasoning
• Spatial reasoning
• Deductive reasoning

The format is usually multiple choice, although there are instances where an essay is also required. Please double check this before you sit the exam relating to your course/institution.

Note: The Biomedical Sciences Admissions Test (BMSAT) at the University of Oxford has been discontinued. If you are applying for Biomedical Sciences at Oxford University, you will now sit the ESAT (Engineering and Science Admissions Test). Read more in our Guide to the ESAT.

What is the Biomedical Sciences Admissions Test (BMSAT)? 

The BMSATwas a 90-minute assessment designed to evaluate scientific knowledge and its application. It was taken by those applying to study Biomedical Sciences course at Oxford University. The test is now discontinued.

The test consisted of 80 multiple-choice questions, divided evenly across four subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics (20 questions each). It was a non-calculator exam, and answers were marked automatically in a quiz-style format. 

Preparing for the 13 Plus Common Entrance (CE) Maths Exam can be a crucial step in securing a place at a top UK independent school. This guide walks you through what to expect, how to prepare, and which resources can support your child’s success in the Maths part of the admissions test.