Admission tests for the UK (LATEST UPDATE)
Some universities require you to sit an admissions test as part of the application process – discover the different types of assessment here:
Some universities require you to sit an admissions test as part of the application process.
Students plan their own testing calendar, and it is the students themselves need to register for the tests, attend the tests and report scores to colleges/universities/organisations. If it appear than any testing agency has made some error, we strongly recommend you contact the representatives of that organisation immediately and make them aware of the mistake.
Students are responsible for sending testing scores directly from the testing agency. VIS will not send these materials as part of the supporting documents.
For some of these tests, students might be asked to provide their UCAS ID number when registering so that the testing agencies can send the results to UCAS and/or the universities. Students must find out how each university and testing agency operates.
VIS is not a test centre for all entrance exams, students are responsible for finding a test centre, finding out deadlines and registering for the exams.
If you apply for a course that requires an admissions test, you’ll need to check the registration deadline for the test, when you will sit it, and what it includes, as well as the deadline for your university application.
Many admissions tests in the UK happen between August and November the year before you're due to start your studies – some even earlier, before you’ve sent your UCAS application!
Remember to check the date of your admissions test – some take place before the application deadlines.
Some of the most common course-related admissions tests (these might be outdated)
Please click on the names of the exams to learn more about them. The list below is not exhaustive and these could have changed - please double-check.
Law
Mathematics (might also be required for different courses)
Medical courses
Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) (more than one country)
University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) (UK): You can find interesting resources here
Medical schools in Italy might require the IMAT.
Many medical schools in different countries might require applicants to sit for entrance exams (research is required)
Thinking Skills Assessment (several courses)
Thinking Skills Assessment (some universities in the UK / more than one country)
Other exams
The list below is not exhaustive.
Numerus Fixus programmes in the Netherlands (several courses)- entrance exams
Most Numerus Fixus programmes in the Netherlands will have entrance exams as an element of their selection process.
Deficiency exams for applications to courses in the Netherlands (several courses)
When you do not meet the subject requirements for the degree programme in the Netherlands, your previous education has deficiencies. Some universities might allow you to eliminate these deficiencies by passing the relevant subject tests at VWO pre-university school-leaving examination level. You need to carry out research to find out which exams (and exam sessions) your specific universities will accept.
Deficiency exams / Credit recovery for applications to courses in Canada (several courses)
When you do not meet the subject requirements for the degree programme in Canada, your previous education has deficiencies. Some universities might allow you to eliminate these deficiencies by taking certain exams (or carrying out a credit recovery programme). You need to carry out research to find out which exams (and exam sessions) your specific universities will accept.
University admissions tests for the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford
University of Cambridge
If you're considering a course at the University of Cambridge, you will need to check whether you need to sit an admissions test.
It may be that you have to sit an assessment before your interview, or at the interview stage of the application process. To do this, you'll need to register separately to your UCAS application – the deadlines for these vary, so make sure you check the university’s website. (some deadlines might be earlier in test centres in different countries-please check in advance):
In addition to your UCAS application, you will also need to complete a Supplementary Application Questionnaire (SAQ).
Applicants are also required to complete a My Cambridge Application.
Admission tests for the University of Cambridge:
Please check relevant information by accessing the following links:
https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying/admission-assessments
https://www.admissionstesting.org/for-test-takers/cambridge-pre-interview-assessments/
University of Oxford
If you’re thinking of applying to the University of Oxford, there’s a very high chance you will need to sit an admissions test. The majority of courses require them, but check the course description in their website to be sure.
You will need to register separately to your UCAS application to sit the exam. The deadlines for registrations are as follows (some deadlines might be earlier in test centres in different countries - please check in advance):
Admission tests for Oxford University:
Please check relevant information by accessing the following link:
http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/guide/admissions-tests
Source: https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/admissions-tests (accessed on the 21 February 2020)