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Changes to Oxford Admissions Tests in 2026

Editorial Team30th January 2026February 6th, 2026
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 Applying to Oxford in 2026?

Read on for an important update! 

OXFORD ADMISSIONS TESTS

Oxford University have recently announced that they are changing their Admissions Test requirements for the 2026 application round (2027 Entry).

Oxford will be retiring the following tests for applicants: MAT, PAT, TSA, BMSAT, CAT, MLAT, PhilAT.

Instead, Oxford will be using the UK-UAT tests used already by Cambridge University and Imperial College, which comprises the following tests:

  • ESAT (Engineering and Science Admissions Test)

  • TARA (Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions)

  • TMUA (Test of Mathematics for University Admission)

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.  

How do you book a test?

  • Tests are taken at a local Pearson VUE test centre, rather than schools or college.

  • Students self-register for the test via the Pearson Vue website.

  • Tests cost £75 when taken in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Outside of the UK, they cost £130.

Preparation is key

We take great pride in the support we provide for students sitting University Admissions Tests here at Oxford and Cambridge Tutors. We can offer a range of different packages to suit the needs of different students, including flexible one-to-one Admissions Test tuition packages, an intensive Admissions Test Weekend including small-group tuition and a mock exam, as well unique up-to-date mock Admissions Tests to help students to prepare. Each test is written by one of our expert tutors and brings new questions, complete with mark scheme, worked solutions, and video walk-throughs of each question.

New for 2026! Our tests are now all online and mimic the Pearson Vue portal with timers, navigation and automatic marking for multiple choice questions. They are the perfect way to consolidate and practise your test-taking skills.

To ensure that we always offer the highest quality tuition possible, we are constantly monitoring for any further announcements, briefing our tutors and adapting our materials.

If you have any questions about these Admissions Test changes or anything else University-related, please do not hesitate to contact our Universities Team or give them a call on +44 (0)1865 655660. We are always happy to help!

— The Oxbridge Team

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