2025 G5 Admissions Tests: Dates, Requirements & Preparation Timeline

Independent Teacher

Table of Contents

2025 G5 Admissions Tests: Dates, Requirements & Preparation Timeline

Table of Contents

I. Admissions Test Reforms: Navigating Your Choices

The landscape of admissions tests for Oxbridge and other G5 universities has been constantly evolving. Recently, several tests have been discontinued, while new ones like ESAT, UCAT, and TARA have emerged. Adding to the complexity, different universities often have varying test requirements even for similar courses, creating significant hurdles for applicants.

Strong performance in these admissions tests is vital for receiving an offer from a G5 university. For students and their parents, keeping up with the latest requirements, selecting the appropriate exams, and preparing efficiently pose considerable challenges.

This guide breaks down the 2025 admissions test schedule and specific course requirements for Oxbridge and G5 universities. Our goal is to assist applicants and their families in defining clear application targets, mapping out a practical preparation timeline, and focusing their efforts strategically to boost their chances of success.

II. Overview of 2025 Oxbridge & G5 Admissions Tests

As soon as universities officially released their 2025 admissions test details, we carefully compiled the following tables. They summarise the name, date, subjects/content covered, and applicable courses for each exam, aiming to provide a clear and quick understanding of this year’s Oxbridge and G5 test arrangements.

Tests for Cambridge, Imperial College, UCL & LSE

Test Name Test Date(s) Subjects/Content Applicable Universities Applicable Courses
STEP STEP 2: 11 June 2025 STEP 3: 16 June 2025 2026 dates TBC Mathematics, Further Mathematics Cambridge University Mathematics, Mathematics and Physics
ESAT 9 Oct 2025 (Not for mainland China, HK, Macau candidates) 10 Oct 2025 6-7 Jan 2026 (Not for Cambridge candidates) Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2, Physics, Chemistry,Biology Cambridge University Engineering, Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology, Natural Sciences, Veterinary Medicine
Imperial College Aeronautics, Chemical Eng, Civil & Environmental Eng, Dyson Design Eng, Elec & Electronic Eng, Mechanical Eng, Physics
UCL Electronic & Electrical Engineering
TMUA 13 Oct 2025 (Not for mainland China, HK, Macau candidates) 14 Oct 2025 8-9 Jan 2026 (Not for Cambridge candidates) Mathematics Cambridge University Computer Science, Economics
Imperial College Computing courses, Maths courses, Economics, Finance & Data Science
LSE Economics (Required), Econometrics & Mathematical Economics (Required), Maths & Economics (Recommended)
UCL Economics
TARA 15-16 Oct 2025 12-13 Jan 2026 Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Effective Communication UCL Computer Science, Mathematical Computation, Robotics & AI, European Social & Political Studies, Int’l Social & Political Studies, Management Science, Social Sciences, Sociology & Data Science, Sociology
UCAT 7 July to 26 Sept 2025 Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning Cambridge University Medicine
Oxford University Medicine
UCL Medicine
LNAT 1 Sept to 15 Oct 2025 Reading Comprehension, Essay Writing Cambridge University Law
Oxford University Law, Law with European Law
LSE Law
UCL Law

Oxford University's Specific Admissions Tests

Test Name Test Date(s) Subjects/Content Applicable Courses
MAT 22-23 Oct 2025 Mathematics Mathematics, Mathematics & Philosophy, Mathematics & Computer Science, Computer Science, Computer Science & Philosophy
PAT 22-23 Oct 2025 Mathematics, Physics Physics, Physics & Philosophy, Engineering, Materials Science
TSA 21-24, 27 Oct 2025 Critical Thinking, Problem Solving Section 1 only: Economics & Management, Experimental Psychology, History & Economics, Human Sciences, PPL (Psychology, Philosophy & Linguistics) Sections 1 & 2: PPE (Philosophy, Politics & Economics)
AHCAAT 24 Oct 2025 Critical Academic Writing, Analysis of Ancient History Materials Classical Archaeology and Ancient History
BMSAT 21-24, 27 Oct 2025 Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology Biomedical Sciences
CAT 22-24 Oct 2025 Latin Translation, Greek Translation, Classical Languages Aptitude Classics, Classics & English, Classics & Modern Languages, Classics & Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
MLAT 24 Oct 2025 8 Languages including French, Language Aptitude, Philosophy European & Middle Eastern Languages, Classics & Modern Languages, English & Modern Languages, History & Modern Languages, Modern Languages, Modern Languages & Linguistics, Philosophy & Modern Languages
PhilAT 24 Oct 2025 Philosophical Reasoning Philosophy and Theology

Tests Cancelled in 2024 and 2025 and Their Replacements:

  • Oxford’s HAT (History Aptitude Test) – No replacement
  • Cambridge’s ENGAA (Engineering Admissions Assessment) & NSAA (Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment) – Both replaced by ESAT
  • BMAT (BioMedical Admissions Test) – Replaced by UCAT or BMSAT (depending on course/university)

Test Format

With the exception of Cambridge’s STEP exams, all the tests mentioned above are delivered online as computer-based exams. They are administered by Pearson VUE at their global test centres.

III. Comparative Analysis of Oxbridge & G5 Test Requirements by Course

This section provides a side-by-side comparison of admissions test requirements for five major subject categories: Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering, Natural Sciences (Physics), and Economics.

We will focus specifically on:

  • Required Tests: Which admissions tests does each university require for the same course?
  • Test Difficulty: What is the approximate difficulty level of each test?
  • Target Scores (Reference): Apart from Cambridge’s STEP, which has defined grade requirements, other tests do not have official ‘cut-off scores’. The reference scores provided in the tables below are not official data and do not necessarily represent the minimum scores achieved by admitted students.

1. Admissions Test Requirements for Mathematics Courses

University Test Difficulty Target Score (Reference)
Cambridge University STEP Hard Grade 1 or above
Oxford University MAT Relatively Hard 75+
Imperial College TMUA Medium 6.5+
LSE TMUA Medium 7.0+

Common Test Combinations for Oxbridge & G5 Mathematics Applicants

University Combination Tests Suggested Preparation Time
Cambridge + Other G5/Universities STEP+TMUA STEP: 6+ months + TMUA: 2-3 months OR STEP: 3-6 months + TMUA: 3-4 months
Oxford + Other G5/Universities MAT+TMUA (STEP optional) 3-5 months (up to 10 months max)
Imperial / LSE / UCL + Other Universities TMUA 4-6 months (up to 10 months max)

2. Admissions Test Requirements for Computer Science Courses

University Test Difficulty Target Score (Reference)
Cambridge University TMUA Medium 7.5+
Oxford University MAT Relatively Hard 80+
Imperial College TMUA Medium 7.0+
UCL TARA Medium Unknown (New for 2025 entry)

Common Test Combinations for Oxbridge & G5 Computer Science Applicants

University Combination Tests Suggested Preparation Time
Cambridge + Other G5/Universities TMUA 3-5 months (up to 10 months max)
Oxford + Other G5/Universities MAT+TMUA (STEP optional) 3-5 months (up to 10 months max)
Imperial + Other Universities TMUA 4-6 months (up to 10 months max)
Imperial / UCL + Other Universities TMUA+TARA 4-6 months (up to 10 months max)

3. Admissions Test Requirements for Engineering Courses

University Test Difficulty Target Score (Reference)
Cambridge University ESAT Medium Average 7.0+ across 3 modules
Oxford University PAT Relatively Hard 75+
Imperial College ESAT Medium Average 6.5+ across 3 modules
UCL ESAT Medium Unknown (New for 2025 entry)

Common Test Combinations for Oxbridge & G5 Engineering Applicants

University Combination Tests Suggested Preparation Time
Cambridge + Imperial / UCL ESAT 3-5 months (up to 10 months max)
Oxford + Imperial / UCL ESAT+PAT 3-5 months (up to 10 months max)
Imperial / UCL ESAT 4-6 months (up to 10 months max)

4. Admissions Test Requirements for Natural Sciences (Physics) Courses

University Test Difficulty Target Score (Reference)
Cambridge University ESAT Medium Average 7.0+ across 3 modules
Oxford University PAT Relatively Hard 75+
Imperial College ESAT Medium Average 6.5+ across 3 modules

Common Test Combinations for Oxbridge & G5 Natural Sciences (Physics) Applicants

University Combination Tests Suggested Preparation Time
Cambridge + Imperial ESAT 3-5 months (up to 10 months max)
Oxford + Imperial ESAT+PAT 3-5 months (up to 10 months max)
Oxford PAT 3-5 months (up to 10 months max)
Imperial ESAT 4-6 months (up to 10 months max)

5. Admissions Test Requirements for Economics Courses

University Test Difficulty Target Score (Reference)
Cambridge University TMUA Medium 7.0+
Oxford University TSA Medium PPE & E&M: 85+; Others: 70+
Imperial College TMUA Medium 6.5+
LSE TMUA Medium 7.0+
UCL TMUA Medium 6.5+

Common Test Combinations for Oxbridge & G5 Economics Applicants

University Combination Tests Suggested Preparation Time
Cambridge + G5 + Others TMUA
4-6 months (up to 10 months max)
Oxford TSA
4-6 months (up to 10 months max)
Imperial / LSE / UCL + Others TMUA 4-6 months (up to 10 months max)

IV. Admissions Test & Interview Preparation Timeline

This section offers a general timeline for preparing for admissions tests and interviews, designed to help candidates plan effectively. Please note this is just a suggested timeline; your specific schedule should be adjusted based on your individual circumstances and the requirements of your target universities.

Time Period Main Tasks Key Focus Areas
Feb – Jun Research, Skills Training 1. Read the latest admissions requirements on the Oxbridge/G5 university websites carefully. 2. Decide on target courses and the required tests. 3. Gather official materials: syllabuses, sample questions, past papers. 4. Understand test formats, question types, difficulty levels. 5. Create a detailed preparation plan or choose suitable prep courses/materials. 6. Strengthen maths and critical thinking skills for tests and interviews.
Jun – Sep Systematic Revision, Build Foundation 1. Review foundational knowledge for each test subject based on the syllabus. 2. Use structured courses or materials for topic-specific practice. 3. Complete examples and exercises to consolidate knowledge. 4. Start attempting past papers (if available) to understand question styles and difficulty.
October Final Push, Mock Exams 1. Take mock exams to familiarise yourself with timings and procedures. 2. Focus on weak areas identified in mocks. 3. Improve speed and accuracy in answering questions. 4. Get into optimal condition before sitting the actual tests.
Oct – Dec Interview Preparation 1. Analyse test results (if released) to assess strengths and weaknesses. 2. Adjust application strategy if necessary (e.g., change target school/course – not applicable if UCAS submitted). 3. Intensify mock interview practice if you receive invitations.
Jan – Jun (Following Year) Await Results, STEP Prep (if needed) 1. Wait for admission decisions. 2. If required, prepare for STEP exams (refer to STEP preparation guides).