Applying to a competitive UK university for 2026 entry? Whether you’re aiming for Oxford, Cambridge, Medical School, Law or Maths, you’ll likely need to sit an admissions test or two — and each one has its own deadline.
Let’s break down the most important university admissions tests, what they’re for, and the key dates to mark in your calendar.
And if you’re ready to maximise your test score, work with our Admissions Test Tutors. At The Profs, we helped thousands of students secure life-changing offers. Join the 95% who got into their first or second-choice university with personalised sessions.
See related article:
UCAS Applications: Key Dates & Deadlines for 2026 Entry
Contents:
- Medicine & Dentistry Tests for 2026 Entry
- Law Tests for 2026 Entry
- Oxford Admissions Test Dates for 2026 Entry
- Cambridge Admissions Test Dates for 2026 Entry
- ESAT Dates & Deadlines for Other Universities
- TMUA Dates & Deadlines for Other Universities
- Maths & Related Degrees
- TARA (Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions)
- Get Expert, 1-to-1 Support with Your Admissions Test
- FAQ about University Admissions Tests
Medicine & Dentistry Tests for 2026 Entry
UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test)
Required by most UK medical and dental schools. For more information, find the list of UCAT Universities.
- Account Creation Opens: 13 May 2025 (9:30 BST)
- Booking Opens: 17 June 2025 (06:00 BST)
- Booking Deadline: 19 September 2025 (12:00 BST)
- Testing Period: 7 July – 26 September 2025
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Law Tests for 2026 Entry
LNAT (National Admissions Test for Law)
Registration Opens:
1 August 2025
Test Dates Begin:
1 September 2025
Deadline for Oxbridge Applicants:
Before 15 October 2025
Final Deadline for Other Universities:
January 2026 (exact date TBC)
Universities that require the LNAT:
- University of Bristol
- University of Cambridge
- Durham University
- University of Glasgow
- King’s College London
- London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
- University of Oxford
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Oxford Admissions Test Dates for 2026 Entry
University of Oxford admissions tests are now computer-based and taken at Pearson VUE centres.
Test Window:
21–27 October 2025 (Exact date varies by subject)
Registration and booking details are to be confirmed.
Note: For Law (LNAT) and Medicine (UCAT), you must sit the test before 15 October 2025 as part of your application.
Key tests include:
- TSA (Thinking Skills Assessment): 21–24 & 27 October 2025
- BMSAT (Biomedical Sciences Admissions Test): 21–24 & 27 October 2025
- MAT (Maths Admissions Test): 22 & 23 October 2025
- PAT (Physics Admissions Test): 22 & 23 October 2025
- CAT (Classics): 22–24 October 2025
- MLAT (Modern Languages Admissions Test): 24 October 2025
- PhilAT (Philosophy Admissions Test): 24 October 2025
- AHCAAT (Ancient History and Classical Archaeology Admissions Test): 24 October 2025
- HAT (History Admissions Tests): In 2025, candidates applying for History or joint History courses are no longer required to take the HAT.
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Cambridge Admissions Test Dates for 2026 Entry
Cambridge has replaced many subject-specific tests with a new, centralised assessment:
ESAT (Engineering and Science Admissions Test)
- Registration Opens: 31 July 2025
- Test Dates: 9 or 10 October 2025
- Registration Deadline: 29 September 2025
- Applicants from China, Hong Kong, and Macau must take the test on 10 October
You are required to take the ESAT if you’re applying for:
- Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
- Engineering
- Natural Sciences
- Veterinary Medicine
TMUA (Test of Mathematics for University Admission)
- Registration Opens: 31 July 2025
- Test Dates: 13 or 14 October 2025
Applicants in China, Hong Kong, and Macau must take the test on 14 October - Booking Deadline: 29 September 2025
- Deadline for access arrangements: 8 September 2025
You must take the TMUA if you’re applying to:
- Computer Science
- Economics
For more information on the ESAT and TMUA admissions tests, visit the UAT-UK website.
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ESAT Dates & Deadlines for Other Universities
Apart from Cambridge (which we covered above), the ESAT is also accepted by Imperial College London and University College London (UCL) for engineering and sciences degrees. If you’re applying to these two universities and not including Cambridge in your UCAS choices, you don’t need to sit the test in October. You can opt for the second sitting instead:
- 6 or 7 January 2025
You’ll need to sit the ESAT if you want to study courses in:
Imperial College London
- Aeronautics
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Dyson School of Design Engineering
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Physics
University College London:
- Electronic and Electrical Engineering
TMUA Dates & Deadlines for Other Universities
We’ve already covered key dates and deadlines for Cambridge applications. But the TMUA is used by several universities, too:
- Imperial College London
- University College London (UCL)
- London School of Economics (LSE)
- University of Warwick
- University of Durham
Test dates:
You can take the TMUA in either sitting:
13 or 14 October 2025 or 8 or 9 January 2026
October Test Sitting:
- Booking Opens: 31 July 2025 (3pm BST)
- Booking Deadline: 29 September 2025 (6pm BST)
January Test Sitting:
- Booking Opens: 27 October 2025 (3pm BST)
- Booking Deadline: 19 December 2025 (6pm BST)
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Maths & Related Degrees
STEP (Sixth Term Examination Paper)
- Registration Opens: 1 March 2025
- Registration Closes: 4 May 2025
Test Dates:
- STEP Paper 2: 11 June 2025
- STEP Paper 3: 16 June 2025
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Several UK universities use the STEP as part of their admissions process for Mathematics and related degrees. Some require it as part of a standard offer, while others may recommend it or include it as part of a reduced offer. Check the university’s course page for the most up-to-date information.
TARA (Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions)
TARA is a new test being introduced for 2025 entry and beyond. It is used by UCL as part of the admissions process for certain academic degree courses, including Arts and Sciences (BASc), European and International Social and Political Studies (EISPS), and Social Sciences.
Test Sitting 1
15 and 16 October 2025
Test Sitting 2
12 and 13 January 2026
October Test Sitting
- Registration Opens: 31 July 2025 (3pm BST)
- Deadline to Register: 29 September 2025 (6pm BST)
January Test Sitting
- Registration Opens: 27 October 2025 (3pm BST)
- Deadline to Register: 19 December 2025 (6pm BST)
UCL courses that require TARA:
- Computer Science (BSc/MEng)
- European Social and Political Studies (BA)
- European Social and Political Studies: Dual Degree (BA)
- International Social and Political Studies (BA)
- Computer Science and Mathematics (previously Mathematical Computation) (MEng)
- Management Science (BSc)
- Robotics and Artificial Intelligence MEng
- Social Sciences (BSc)
- Social Sciences with Data Science (BSc)
- Sociology (BSc)
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FAQ about University Admissions Tests
When do test bookings open for university admissions exams?
Exact dates vary by test. Most test bookings open in summer from 31 July 2025 or 1 August 2025.
Which UK universities have admissions tests?
Many top institutions in the United Kingdom use university admissions tests as part of their selection process, particularly for competitive courses. These include:
- University of Oxford
- University of Cambridge
- Imperial College London
- UCL (University College London)
- London School of Economics (LSE)
- University of Warwick
- King’s College London
- Durham University
Which universities require the PAT?
The Physics Admissions Test (PAT) is required by the University of Oxford for applicants to:
- Engineering Science
- Materials Science
- Physics
- Physics and Philosophy
You must take the PAT as part of your application during the Oxford test window, which for 2026 entry is 22 & 23 October 2025.
Which courses require the UCAT?
The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is used by nearly all UK medical school and dental school programmes. This includes degrees like:
- Medicine (MBBS, MBChB)
- Dentistry (BDS)
- Some courses within biomedical sciences
Check the admissions pages for your target universities to confirm whether the UCAT or another test is required.
Which courses require the TSA?
The Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) is required for a range of Oxford courses that assess aptitude and critical thinking. These include:
- Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)
- Human Sciences
- Economics and Management
- History and Economics
- Experimental Psychology
- Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics
You’ll take the TSA at a Pearson VUE test centre in October if applying to Oxford.
Can I sit the TMUA or ESAT in January instead of October?
Yes, as long as you’re not applying to Cambridge, you may be eligible for the January sitting.
Do I need to take a test for engineering or science courses?
For top universities like Cambridge, Imperial, and UCL, the ESAT is often required.
What if I need access arrangements?
Bookings requiring access arrangements must usually be completed by early September. For example, 8 September 2025 for TMUA.
How long is the test window for Oxford admissions?
The main test window is 21–27 October 2025, but dates vary by subject.
Where do applicants take the Oxford tests?
Tests are sat at Pearson VUE test centres.
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We offer expert tutoring for every major test, including TMUA, ESAT, LNAT, STEP, biomedical admissions tests, and more. We help with aptitude, time management, and critical thinking.
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