ESAT: Engineering and Science Admissions Test
The ESAT is the admissions test for engineering and science courses at Cambridge, Imperial, Oxford and UCL. For 2027 entry, Oxford uses it for the first time.
What it is and who sets it
The ESAT is a computer-based, multiple-choice admissions test for engineering and science degrees. Candidates take Mathematics 1 plus (usually) two further subject modules chosen to match their course. It is sat at Pearson VUE test centres in the UK and worldwide.
Set by: UAT-UK (a collaboration between Imperial College London and the University of Cambridge); delivered on computer at Pearson VUE test centres.
Which universities and courses use it
University of Cambridge
- Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology (Maths 1 + two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths 2)
- Engineering (Maths 1, Maths 2, Physics)
- Natural Sciences (Maths 1 + two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths 2)
- Veterinary Medicine (Maths 1 + two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths 2)
Imperial College London
- Aeronautics (Maths 1, Maths 2, Physics)
- Chemical Engineering (Maths 1, Maths 2, Chemistry)
- Civil and Environmental Engineering (Maths 1, Maths 2, Physics)
- Dyson School of Design Engineering (Maths 1, Maths 2)
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Maths 1, Maths 2, Physics)
- Life Sciences (Maths 1, Chemistry, Biology)
- Mechanical Engineering (Maths 1, Maths 2, Physics)
- Physics (Maths 1, Maths 2, Physics)
University of Oxford
- Biomedical Sciences (Maths 1 + any two further modules)
- Engineering Science (Maths 1, Maths 2, Physics)
- Physics (Maths 1, Maths 2, Physics)
- Physics and Philosophy (Maths 1, Maths 2, Physics)
- Foundation Year in Chemistry, Engineering and Materials Science — Astrophoria (ESAT for Engineering only)
UCL
- Electronic and Electrical Engineering BEng
- Electronic and Electrical Engineering MEng
Always confirm on the course page of each university you apply to.
Format, timing and scoring
- Computer-based, multiple choice, sat at Pearson VUE test centres.
- Five modules available: Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2, Physics, Chemistry, Biology.
- Each module: 27 multiple-choice questions in 40 minutes.
- Mathematics 1 is compulsory for all candidates; most courses require Mathematics 1 plus two further modules (120 minutes in total), taken back-to-back.
- Modules are chosen when booking and cannot be changed on test day.
- No calculator or dictionary allowed.
- No penalty for wrong answers.
Scoring: Each module is scored separately on a scale from 1 (low) to 9 (high), reported to one decimal place. Scores are based on the number of correct answers; there is no pass or fail.
Practising for the ESAT
- About 89 seconds per question: 27 questions in 40 minutes per module.
- No calculator, so fluent mental arithmetic and estimation matter.
- Practise each module you will sit, then full back-to-back timed sets.
Start with the official format and practice material: the test owner's page (opens in a new tab). Then work through timed sections, full mock papers, and a review of every mistake.
Booking, test centres and changes
Where you sit it: Pearson VUE test centres in the UK and worldwide, on computer.
Register and book your date as early as you can.
- Create your UAT-UK account as soon as accounts open: 1 June 2026 for the October sitting.
- Book your test as soon as booking opens: 20 July 2026 for October, 26 October 2026 for January. Booking closes 28 September 2026 (October) and 21 December 2026 (January).
- Apply for access arrangements or a bursary before their earlier deadlines (see Key dates).
- Find your nearest test centre with the official locator, then contact the centre to check it is open and has appointments during your test window.
- Some schools and colleges are registered Pearson VUE test centres, but most are not. Ask your school as early as possible.
Find a UAT-UK test centre (Pearson VUE) (opens in a new tab)
Changing your date: You can reschedule or cancel free of charge up to 48 hours before your test, subject to test centre availability. ESAT modules cannot be changed once booked: you would need to cancel and rebook.
Which sitting: There are two sittings: October 2026 and January 2027. Oxford and Cambridge applicants must sit in October. Imperial counts only your first score, so you get one attempt. Our advice is to sit in October unless there is a clear reason to wait, so your result is known before most decisions are made.
How Quantum Pathways prepares students for the ESAT
Every student is taught by a mentor who scored in the top 10% in the test they teach.
Preparation starts with a diagnostic, so we know where your student stands. From there it is built around how they learn: introductory sessions on the paper, plenty of timed practice and mock papers, and extra resources matched to what they need.
An early start helps, but it has to fit the school curriculum: some topics in the test may not have been taught at school yet. We plan the preparation so each topic is covered before it is practised under time pressure.
Sources
Last checked 8 October 2026.
- UAT-UK home page (ESAT, TMUA, TARA overview)(opens in a new tab)
- UAT-UK Key Dates(opens in a new tab)
- UAT-UK Test Scores(opens in a new tab)
- University of Oxford — Admissions tests (NEW for entry in 2027)(opens in a new tab)
- UAT-UK — ESAT test page(opens in a new tab)
- Cambridge — Admission tests and assessments(opens in a new tab)
- Cambridge — Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT)(opens in a new tab)
- Imperial — ESAT(opens in a new tab)
- Oxford — Engineering Science course page(opens in a new tab)
- Oxford — Biomedical Sciences course page(opens in a new tab)
- Oxford Physics — Admissions procedures for physics courses(opens in a new tab)
- UCL — Tests, tasks and interviews (2027 cycle)(opens in a new tab)
- Find a UAT-UK test centre (Pearson VUE)(opens in a new tab)
- UAT-UK: Rescheduling and cancelling(opens in a new tab)
