Oxford-only admissions tests
Who needs to take them?
The University of Oxford have a range of their own tests that are specific for entry to a wide range of their courses.
Key dates
Summer 2025 (date TBC): Registration opens.
Late September/Early October (date TBC): Registration closes.
21 to 27 October 2025: All test dates.
Format
The tests will all be run in partnership with Pearson VUE at test centres in the UK and worldwide.
Each test will have a different format as described below.
Cost
In 2024 the tests were provided at no charge.
There has been no announcement whether this will continue for 2025.
What are the specific tests?
AHCAAT (Ancient History and Classical Archaeology Admissions Test (AHCAAT)
For entry to:
Classical Archaeology & Ancient History
Date:
24 October 2025
Format:
90 minutes; 2 essay questions (based on a text and an image).
BMSAT (Biomedical Sciences Admissions Test)
For entry to:
Biomedical Sciences
Dates:
21, 22, 23, 24 & 27 October 2025
Format:
80 multiple choice questions (20 for each of Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics)
CAT (Classics Admissions Test)
For entry to:
Classics
Classics and English
Classics and Modern Languages
Classics and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies.
Dates:
22, 23 & 24 October 2025
Format:
Three separate tests in Latin Translation, Greek Translation and the Classics Language Aptitude Test.
One hour per test.
Which tests you take will depend on what you are applying for, and whether you are studying Latin or Greek to A-level or equivalent.
MAT (Mathematics Admissions Test)
For entry to:
Computer Science
Computer Science & Philosophy
Mathematics/Mathematics & Statistics
Mathematics & Computer Science
Mathematics & Philosophy
Dates:
22 & 23 October
Format:
Two hours & 30 minutes; 25 multiple choice questions plus two longer questions with typed responses.
MLAT (Modern Languages Admissions Test)
For entry to:
European & Middle Eastern Languages
Classics & Modern Languages
English & Modern Languages
History & Modern Languages
Modern Languages
Modern Languages & Linguistics
Philosophy & Modern Languages
Date:
24 October 2025
Format:
10 sections available (8 languages, a language aptitude test, and a philosophy test).
30 minutes; 20 multiple choice questions per section.
You will take a maximum of two sections (which depend on the course applied for).
PAT (Physics Admissions Test)
For entry to:
Engineering Science
Materials Science
Physics
Physics & Philosophy
Dates:
23 & 24 October 2025
Format:
2 hours, multiple choice
PhilAT (Philosophy Admissions Test)
For entry to:
Philosophy & Theology
Dates:
23 & 24 October 2025
Format:
2 hours; multiple choice
TSA (Thinking Skills Assessment)
For entry to:
Philosophy, Politics & Economics (PPE)
Economics & Management
Experimental Psychology
History & Economics
Human Sciences
Philosophy & Linguistics
Psychology & Linguistics
Psychology & Philosophy
Dates:
21, 22, 23, 24 & 27 October 2025
Format:
Section 1: 90 mins; 50 multiple choice questions (all applicants).
Section 2: 30 minutes; written task (PPE applicants only).
Preparation
There is extensive preparation material, including past papers, test solutions and other suggested resources, already available for the TSA (Thinking Skills Assessment), the CAT (Classics Admissions Test), the MAT (Maths Admissions Test), the MLAT (Modern Languages Admissions Test), the PAT (Physics Admissions Test), and the PhilAT (Philosophy Admissions Test).
For the AHCAAT (Ancient History and Classical Archaeology Admissions Test), there is a short video and further guidance coming soon.
For the BMSAT (Biomedical Sciences Admissions Test), a video and practice test are coming soon.
Further information
You can find out everything you need to know about the Oxford-specific admissions tests at:
