Changes to Oxbridge Entrance Tests in 2024

There are some significant changes to the admissions test process this year. Here are the details.

You can find details of the Oxford university subjects which use admissions tests here and the Cambridge requirements here.

Admissions tests will no longer be taken in schools but must be taken at a Pearson VUE test centre – candidates may need to travel some distance for this, and if they book very close to the deadlines, may find that there is no space in their nearest centre.

Candidates must book these tests themselves (some candidates with Access Arrangements can get support from the universities with booking).

On arrival at the test centre, you will need to provide two forms of ID, one of which must be government-approved photo ID.

For Cambridge-specific tests (ESAT and TMUA), candidates must register to take these by September 16th.

For Oxford-specific tests, candidates must register by October 4th.

Note that these dates are much earlier than the date on which the UCAS form must be submitted.

Candidates who typically have Access Arrangements in place for exams must be even more organised as they will need to submit medical/educational evidence of their needs well in advance of the test date. For the main Cambridge tests (eg ESAT and TMUA), the deadline for applying for Access arrangements is August 29th. For most of the Oxford tests, the deadline for applying for Access Arrangements is September 20th.

Many of the Oxford test dates are scheduled over the October half term; test dates range from October 22nd to October 31st. The TSA – required for PPE and E&M and History & Economics, amongst others – is scheduled for October 24th.

Candidates will need to think carefully about where they are likely to be over the half term in order to book their test at an appropriate test centre.

The Cambridge-specific test dates are 15th to 17th October.

You can often get cheaper travel tickets for trains if you book in advance.

The LNAT (for law admissions) and UCAT (for medicine admissions) are also used by other universities. The admissions process for these has not changed as much. Candidates must register for the LNAT (£75 in the UK) by September 15th and take the test before October 15th.

Candidates must register for the UCAT (£70) as soon as possible and take the test by September 26th.

Financial bursaries for the test fees are available for the ESAT and TMUA for candidates in genuine financial need. Details are available here.

Thanks to Ruth Tarrant for providing these important details