UK Admissions Tests

General UK Testing Information

In the UK tests are generally requirements for Law and a variety of Medicine related fields, as well as for many programs in Oxbridge.  

The best overview of this is the UCAS page on Assessments in the UK.

Different programs in the UK accept different exams.  So you need to check out the University programs on UCAS and on the specific website.   As an example this is the most common Law exam: 

• LNAT – National Admissions Test for Law

IMPORTANT for International Applications

As an International Applicant for some highly competitive programs like Medicine, these exams are the KEY!  You have to have the strong grades, experiences, and personal statement, but it is a strong exam score that will get you an interview.  To get an interview in the UK for Medicine it is VERY VERY competitive and you will need to be in the top percentiles on the exam to be considered. For more information about other options please see your School Counselor and or check out the related page on this website. 

The ESAT and TMUA : Imperial, Cambridge, Durham, UCL Warwick & TARA FOR UCL AND SPACFIC PROGRAMS

NEW for the class of 2025

The ESAT and TUMA are tests for Engineering and Math.  YOU need to check the Unviersities and programs to see what the requriments are for these programs! 

Frequently Asked Questions: 

Should candidates provide their UCAS Personal ID (PID) to UAT-UK?

No, UAT-UK does not require candidates to provide their PID when registering for a UAT-UK account or booking their test.

UAT-UK and Pearson VUE will work closely with UCAS to match scores for the ESAT and TMUA to the relevant UCAS application using other data points provided at the point of test booking. This method is more accurate. Candidates can be assured that their test scores will be automatically passed to the relevant institutions without further action needed.

Do candidates need to submit their UCAS application before they sit their test?

No, UAT-UK matches data with UCAS multiple times throughout the year. 

Are candidates provided with paper for rough work during the test?

Candidates are given an erasable A4-size whiteboard in the test centre.

Where can candidates access their results?

Candidates will be able to view their results approximately six weeks after the test. They will be notified by email when their results are ready, and they will be able to access them via their UAT-UK account.

How can we interpret the results?

Scores are reported on a 1.0-9.0 scale. Raw scores will not be provided. Candidates will have access to an explanation of results document, produced by UAT-UK, which contextualises their score. This will be available on the UAT-UK website once the results are released. Each university will decide how to use the test scores to assess an applicant, in combination with other factors such as their predicted or achieved school qualifications and UCAS personal statement.  Each university may publish information on score requirements, so please refer to the relevant institutional webpages for this information. UAT-UK does not set standard score requirements

Can a student, who’s missed the deadline to register, still take the test?

UAT-UK offers two sittings of the ESAT and the TMUA each year.  Applicants to Imperial College London, LSE, Durham or Warwick can still sit the test in January 2025. There is no advantage to these candidates in sitting in the test in October or January. Test bookings for January open online on 24 October 2024.  Candidates who need access arrangements for the January sitting should request them as early as possible via the UAT-UK website. The deadline for candidates requesting access arrangements is 21 November. Candidates will need to supply documentary evidence as part of their application and may require your support with this.

How can I support my students to prepare for the test?

Both the ESAT and the TMUA will cover topics that your students will likely have encountered during their school studies. The test specification documents provide an overview of the test structure and a detailed list of topics that questions can cover. You can access these specifications and other preparatory materials on the UAT-UK website.

All Candidates should attempt the practice tests before their scheduled test booking.

UAT UK

TARA. (Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions)-- For some programs at UCL including Computer Science, International Social and Political Studies, Robotics and Artificial Intelligence  and more...