Independent Teacher
ESAT (Engineering and Science Admissions Test) is carried out by the University of Cambridge and the Imperial College London, to test those who are applying for engineering or natural sciences related courses. It is designed to determine a candidate’s potential to achieve in an academically demanding undergraduate degree course, and tests a candidate’s ability to use and apply their scientific and mathematical knowledge.
The first ESAT test is delivered by UAT-UK (University Admissions Tests – UK), who is a not-for-profit organisation that owns and delivers two computer-based undergraduate admissions tests: the Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT) and the Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA).
UAT-UK, established in 2023 as a joint venture between Imperial College London and the University of Cambridge, aims to improve the experience of students applying for highly competitive undergraduate courses while helping universities fairly assess the skills of the highest achieving applicants.
UAT-UK tests are delivered by Pearson VUE through their global network of more than 5,500 locations in more than 180 countries. Pearson VUE is the certification and licensure arm of Pearson, one of the world’s leading learning companies, providing assessment services to many institutions in the academic and admissions space.
August 1st, 2024
Registration for test sitting 1 begins
September 16th, 2024
Registration deadline for test sitting 1
October 15th and 16th, 2024
ESAT test sitting 1 takes place
October 24th, 2024
Registration for test sitting 2 begins
(Not applicable to Cambridge applicants)
December 9th, 2024
Registration deadline for test sitting 2
January 7th and 8th, 2025
ESAT test sitting 2 takes place
6 weeks after the test day
Results release*
*You will receive your results via your UAT-UK account – a reminder Email will be sent to let you know your results are available. You will also receive an explanation of results document so that you can learn more about how to interpret your scores.
Courses require you to sit the ESAT test:
Courses
UCAS Code
H100
D100
Courses require you to sit the ESAT test:
The organiser of the first ESAT test will be UAT-UK (University Admissions Tests – UK) in 2024, who is a not-for-profit organisation that owns and delivers two computer-based undergraduate admissions tests: the Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT) and the Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA).
And UAT-UK tests are delivered by Pearson VUE through their global network of more than 5,500 locations in more than 180 countries. Pearson VUE is the certification and licensure arm of Pearson, one of the world’s leading learning companies, providing assessment services to many institutions in the academic and admissions space.
For more information on ESAT registration, access arrangements, and other details, please refer to our blog ‘How to Register for ESAT’.
The ESAT consists of five parts:
Each part lasts 40 minutes and contains 27 multiple-choice questions. Each part is separately timed. If a candidate finishes a part early, the time will not be carried over to the next part, so candidates should be careful to manage their time accordingly.
Most courses require candidates to complete Mathematics 1 and two further parts. However, the Engineering course at Cambridge requires the candidates to attempt three parts: Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Physics.
Delivery method
Online computer-based test
(Erasable booklets are provided for working)
Duration
Each part contains 27 multiple choice questions
Each correct answer will score 1 mark. No marks are deducted for incorrect answers.
Each part has 27 multiple-choice questions, with a raw score of 27 points, but the results for each part are reported on a scale that runs from 1 (low) to 9 (high). The scores for each part will be reported separately.
The ESAT test is designed to be challenging to differentiate effectively between able applicants, including those who might have achieved the highest possible grades in school examinations.
You may download the ESAT specification from the official link: ESAT Specification
It takes time for us to analyse the ESAT sample questions as well as its specification. By far, one thing for sure is that the test will be very challenging based on the description from the specification.
Please read the blog “How to prepare for ESAT” for more details about some useful strategies for the ESAT test prep.
