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About the ESAT
What the Engineering and Science Admissions Test is, how it's structured and scored, and what preparation actually looks like for applicants to Imperial, Cambridge, Oxford and UCL.
The Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT) is a computer-based admissions test used by Imperial College London, the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford and UCL to help select applicants for their engineering and science courses. It was introduced for 2024 entry and replaced the older NSAA and ENGAA tests. From 2027 entry it also replaced Oxford's PAT and BMSAT.
The test is entirely multiple-choice and is sat at Pearson VUE test centres. Questions apply familiar maths and science to unfamiliar contexts under strict time pressure. With 27 questions in 40 minutes, pace matters as much as understanding.
Exam format
3
papers: Mathematics 1 plus two subject papers
40 min
per paper, each timed independently
27
multiple-choice questions per paper
1.0–9.0
scaled score per paper, no negative marking
The modules
Mathematics 1 is compulsory for all candidates. You then sit two further papers from the four optional modules, chosen to match the requirements of your course.
The paper every candidate sits: algebra, geometry, statistics and problem-solving, all under tight time pressure.
Advanced mathematics for the most maths-heavy courses, building on Mathematics 1 with harder, faster problems.
Mechanics, electricity, waves and more, applying key principles to solve unfamiliar problems under time pressure.
Atomic structure, bonding, quantitative chemistry, organic chemistry and analysis, all non-calculator.
Cells, genetics, physiology, ecosystems and more, requiring solid factual knowledge applied to novel scenarios.
Each paper is converted to a scaled score from 1.0 to 9.0 rather than a raw mark or percentage. There is no negative marking, so attempt every question, including ones you're unsure of.
There is no published pass mark. Admissions tutors read your scores in the context of your whole application and the current applicant pool.
To get a sense of what scores successful applicants receive, try searching “[your course] [university] ESAT score freedom of information request”; many universities have released this data via FOI and it can give you a useful benchmark to aim for.
You register and book a test-centre slot through your UAT-UK account, then sit the test at a Pearson VUE centre, separately from your UCAS application. Booking opens in summer and closes in late September for the October sitting.
A test costs £78 in the UK and Republic of Ireland, and £133 elsewhere. Cambridge and Oxford applicants must sit in October; everyone else can choose either sitting but can only sit once per cycle. See the full timeline below.
Costs shown are for the 2027 entry cycle and may change in future years. Always check the official ESAT website for the latest fees.
Key dates
The ESAT runs in two sittings for the 2027 admissions cycle, each spanning a test window you book a slot within. Cambridge and Oxford applicants must sit in October (with narrow exceptions); everyone else can choose either sitting, but can only sit once per cycle.
Required for Cambridge & Oxford applicants
Test window
12–16 October 2026
Not open to most Cambridge & Oxford applicants
Test window
4–8 January 2027
The ESAT runs on every day of the test window for candidates in most countries; in China, Hong Kong and Macau it's sat on fixed days only (12–13 October and 6 January). Times are UK local (BST/GMT) and booking deadlines are 6pm. Dates shown are for 2027 entry and may change; always confirm on the official UAT-UK website before booking. Access-arrangement and bursary requests take time to review, so apply well ahead of the deadline.
FAQ
Imperial College London, the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford and UCL all use the ESAT. It's typically required for engineering, physics, natural sciences and veterinary medicine courses, for example Cambridge Engineering, Natural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, and many of Imperial's science and engineering degrees. Requirements differ by course and change between cycles, and failing to sit a required test can invalidate your application, so always confirm on the relevant course's admissions page before registering.
Every candidate sits Mathematics 1; most then sit two further modules chosen from Mathematics 2, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. The combination is typically set by your course, not by preference, so sit the modules your course requires, because they can't be changed without cancelling and re-booking the test. If you're applying to two courses that both require the ESAT and one allows a free choice of module, sit the compulsory module for the other course. If two courses have conflicting compulsory modules, contact UAT-UK through your online account for advice before booking.
No. The ESAT is non-calculator across every module, including quantitative chemistry and physics questions. You're given a non-erasable note board and pen for working. Written arithmetic needs to be fast and reliable; it's not a trivial part of the preparation.
No. There's no periodic table provided in the Chemistry module. Any data a question depends on, such as relative atomic masses or physical constants, is given within the question itself, so you work from the information in front of you rather than a reference sheet you have to memorise.
Most students find the questions themselves easier, but the style and pacing harder. Questions require you to apply familiar concepts to unfamiliar problems quickly, and the time pressure is genuine: 27 questions in 40 minutes gives you under 90 seconds per question. Pace and accuracy matter as much as underlying knowledge.
Start by deciding which modules you'll sit. If your course doesn't require two specific modules, try sitting at least three timed papers, covering all the modules you're considering, to see where you score highest before committing. The free Trivial diagnostic, NSAA/ENGAA past papers, or additional Trivial mocks (on a paid plan) all work well for this.
Once you've chosen your modules, map the ESAT syllabus against what you actually know and fill the gaps. Practise under timed conditions and leave enough time between sittings to review mistakes and shore up weaker areas before your next attempt. If specific topics are holding you back, Trivial's practice mode lets you drill by topic.
The time pressure is where most candidates drop marks, and you don't adapt to it by reading notes. Trivial provides full syllabus material, original practice questions, and full timed mocks in a computer-based emulator that mirrors the real test format.
The summer between Year 12 and Year 13 is a good time to start. You have more free time, and getting familiar with the format early takes the pressure off September. That said, the best time to start is as early as you can. Even a few weeks of focused practice can make a significant difference, but more time means more mocks and a clearer picture of where to improve.