# University admissions tests in the United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom there are various standardized tests for admission to university. Most applicants to universities in the UK take national examinations such as A-levels or Scottish Highers. Separate admissions tests are used by a small number of universities for specific subjects (particularly law, mathematics and medicine, and courses at Oxford and Cambridge), many of these administered by Cambridge University's Admissions Testing Service.

## English Literature Admissions Test

The English Literature Admissions Test (ELAT) was a subject-specific admissions test, used as part of the admissions process for undergraduate courses in English language and literature, combined English and modern languages and classics and English at the University of Oxford. As of 2016, ELAT had also been used by the University of Cambridge for admission to its undergraduate English course.

## History Aptitude Test

The History Aptitude Test (HAT) is a standardized test used as part of the admissions process to Oxford University for undergraduates applying to read history, or a subject including history, for example English with history.
The one-hour test is currently only employed by Oxford University, though other universities are considering adopting a similar examination as part of admissions.

## Modern and Medieval Languages Test

The Modern and Medieval Languages Test (MML) is a university admissions test used in the United Kingdom. It is currently used by the University of Cambridge.

## Sixth Term Examination Paper

The Sixth Term Examination Papers in Mathematics, often referred to as STEP, is currently a university admissions test for undergraduate courses with significant mathematical content - most notably for Mathematics at the University of Cambridge. Starting from 2024, STEP will be administered by OCR, replacing CAAT, who was responsible for administering STEP in previous years.
Being after the reply date for universities in the UK, STEP is typically taken as part of a conditional offer for an undergraduate place. There are also a small number of candidates who sit STEP as a challenge. The papers are designed to test ability to answer questions similar in style to undergraduate Mathematics.
The official users of STEP in Mathematics at present are the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, and the University of Warwick. Since the 2025 entry application cycle, the STEP exams have been superseded by the TMUA exam at Imperial College London and the University of Warwick.

## Mathematics Admissions Test

The Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT) is a 2-hour 30-minute subject-specific admissions test for applicants to the University of Oxford, and until the 2024-2025 school year, also both the University of Warwick and Imperial College London for undergraduate degree courses in mathematics, computer science and their joint degrees. It is set with the aim of being approachable by all students, including those without further mathematics A Level.
The MAT is held pre-interview stage at the beginning of November. Test results are not published automatically, but for the University of Oxford, candidates may request their test score as part of the usual University of Oxford feedback process.

## Physics Aptitude Test

The Physics Aptitude Test (PAT) is a 2-hour subject-specific admissions test for applicants to the University of Oxford for undergraduate degree courses in engineering, materials science and physics undergraduate degree courses.
The PAT is held pre-interview stage at the beginning of November. Test results are not published automatically, but candidates may request their test score as part of the usual University of Oxford feedback process.