Oxford has now given advance notice of changes to admissions tests for 2027 entry, with new tests coming into use from 2026 onward. This means that the AHCAAT, BMSAT, CAT, MAT, MLAT, PAT, PhilAT and TSA have all been scrapped.

This guide explains the changes clearly, what they mean for applicants, and how to prepare.

With admissions tests playing an increasingly important role in Oxford’s selection process, many candidates also look for expert guidance to avoid costly missteps.

That’s where we come in. At The Profs, the UK’s leading educational consultancy, we work with experienced Oxford Tutors who support applicants throughout the entire admissions process and enjoy a 70%* Oxbridge success rate – that’s more than 4x the national average.*

Read on to understand how to approach Oxford admissions tests with confidence.

*Based on respondents to The Profs Client Feedback Survey 2025

Contents:

*Source: Respondents to The Profs Client Feedback Survey 2025.

Oxford Admissions Tests From 2026 Onwards: What’s Changing?

From 2026, Oxford will begin using admissions tests owned and managed by UAT-UK for a range of undergraduate courses.

UAT-UK is a collaboration between Imperial College London and University of Cambridge. Its admissions tests are:

  • Computer-based.
  • Delivered online.
  • Sat at approved test centres.
  • Delivered globally via Pearson and its Pearson VUE network.

This marks a shift away from several Oxford-specific admissions tests previously used. One of the main benefits of the change is that applicants applying to other universities using UAT-UK tests may only need to take a single admissions test for their subject.

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Which UAT-UK Admissions Tests Will Oxford Use Instead?

From 2026 onward, Oxford will use the following UAT-UK tests where required:

  • ESAT – Engineering and Science Admissions Test.
  • TARA – Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions.
  • TMUA – Test of Mathematics for University Admission.

These tests form one part of Oxford’s admissions process and are used alongside grades, written work, interviews, and contextual data.

Oxford Courses Requiring a UAT-UK Admissions Test (2026 Onwards)

With the AHCAAT, BMSAT, CAT, MAT, MLAT, PAT, PhilAT and TSA having been scrapped, the full list of Oxford undergraduate courses requiring a UAT-UK admissions test is as follows:

ESAT

  • Biomedical Sciences.
  • Engineering Science.
  • Physics.
  • Physics and Philosophy.

TMUA

  • Computer Science.
  • Computer Science and Philosophy.
  • Mathematics/Mathematics and Statistics.
  • Mathematics and Computer Science.
  • Mathematics and Philosophy.

TARA

  • Economics and Management.
  • History and Economics.
  • History and Politics (TBC).
  • Human Sciences.
  • Politics, Philosophy and Economics.
  • Psychology (Experimental).
  • Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics.

No other Oxford undergraduate course will have an admissions test in 2026.

Applicants for these courses will need to sit the October sitting of the relevant test.

Worried about your ESAT, TMUA or TARA score? Our subject-specific Admissions Test Tutors help applicants understand what a competitive score looks like for their chosen course and how to reach it. Support focuses on building critical thinking skills, improving time management, and practising under exam conditions through realistic mock exams and personalised resources tailored to each test.

Medicine and Law: What Stays the Same for Oxford University?

Some Oxford admissions tests are not changing.

Medicine:

Oxford will continue to use the UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test), delivered by Pearson, for:

  • Medicine.
  • Graduate-entry Medicine.

Charges and arrangements remain as advertised by Pearson.

Law:

Applicants for Law will continue to sit Pearson’s LNAT, with arrangements and charges unchanged.

Which Oxford Courses Will Not Have an Admissions Test?

No other Oxford undergraduate course will require an admissions test in 2026 beyond those listed above.

Applicants should always check the course page for confirmation, as requirements can change.

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Oxford Test Dates, Registration and Booking

Further details for 2027-entry admissions tests, including:

  • Test dates.
  • Registration and booking.
  • Test preparation guidance.

will be published from April 2026 on the UAT-UK website.

Applicants for courses requiring ESAT, TARA or TMUA must sit the October test sitting.

What About Applicants Who Took Oxford Tests in 2025?

Oxford has confirmed that all 2026-entry applicants who took any of the following tests in 2025 will receive their test scores via the Oxford Admissions Test Registration portal by the end of January 2026:

  • AHCAAT.
  • BMSAT.
  • CAT.
  • MAT.
  • MLAT.
  • PAT.
  • PhilAT.
  • TSA.

How Oxford Uses University Admissions Tests

Oxford admissions tests are not pass-fail exams.

They are used to:

  • Help assess academic reasoning.
  • Compare applicants from different educational backgrounds.
  • Support shortlisting for interview.
  • Contextualise predicted grades such as AAA.

Test scores are considered alongside the UCAS application, written work, interviews, and other admissions information.

How to Prepare for Oxford Admissions Tests in 2026 and Beyond

With the move to UAT-UK and computer-based testing, preparation matters.

Applicants should:

  • Familiarise themselves with the test format.
  • Use official practice tests.
  • Practise under timed, on-screen conditions.
  • Understand how tests are used in admissions decisions.

Connect with an Experienced Oxford Admissions Test Tutor

The changes to Oxford admissions tests from 2026 onward represent a significant shift in how applicants are assessed, especially for science, mathematics, economics, and psychology-related courses.

Understanding which test you need, when to take it, and how it fits into Oxford’s admissions process is crucial to your chances of getting in.

If you want expert guidance on Oxford admissions tests, interviews, or your wider Oxbridge application, The Profs can support you at every stage. Our Admissions Tutors take the stress out of applications and help with all elements: from course/college choice to personal statement drafting to subject-specific tests and interview preparation.

All our professionals have years, if not decades, of tutoring experience and as a result of their proven admissions success, we have been voted the #1 UK tutoring provider on Trustpilot since 2016 (4.9/5 stars based on +1,800 reviews).

Applying to Oxford? FAQ About Oxford Admissions Tests in 2026

Are Oxford admissions tests changing for 2026 entry?

Yes. From 2026, Oxford will use UAT-UK admissions tests for a range of courses. Here is the full list:

  • Biomedical Sciences – ESAT.
  • Computer Science – TMUA.
  • Computer Science and Philosophy – TMUA.
  • Economics and Management – TARA
  • Engineering Science – ESAT.
  • History and Economics – TARA.
  • History and Politics – TARA (still tbc).
  • Human Sciences – TARA.
  • Mathematics/Mathematics and Statistics – TMUA.
  • Mathematics and Computer Science – TMUA.
  • Mathematics and Philosophy – TMUA.
  • Physics – ESAT.
  • Physics and Philosophy – ESAT.
  • Politics, Philosophy and Economics – TARA.
  • Psychology (Experimental) – TARA.
  • Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics – TARA.

Will all Oxford admissions tests be online?

Yes. All UAT-UK tests are computer-based and delivered at Pearson VUE test centres.

Do I need to take the test more than once if applying elsewhere?

No. UAT-UK manages a set of university admissions tests already used by a range of UK universities. If another university also uses the same UAT-UK test, you only need to take it once.

When will registration open?

Full details will be available from April 2026 via the UAT-UK website.

Are Medicine and Law affected?

No. Medicine continues to use UCAT and Law continues to use LNAT.

Are admissions tests still important if I have strong grades?

Yes. Even with strong predicted grades, admissions tests remain an important part of Oxbridge admissions. Tests are designed to assess academic reasoning and potential beyond exam performance, particularly for highly competitive courses.

What happens after I take an Oxford admissions test?

After you take an Oxford admissions test, your results are sent directly to the University of Oxford. Test scores are then used during shortlisting and interview decisions and are considered alongside the rest of your application.

Can international students take Oxford admissions tests?

Yes. Admissions tests are delivered via a global network of test centres, allowing international students to sit their test locally. This applies to students applying from outside the United Kingdom as well as those based in the UK.

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