The one-paragraph version
If you're applying for maths, computer science or economics at a leading university, your test is almost certainly the TMUA — and for Cambridge Mathematics, STEP as well, inside the offer. For engineering or the sciences at Cambridge, Imperial, UCL, or (from 2027 entry) Oxford, it's the ESAT. For medicine or dentistry almost anywhere in the UK, it's the UCAT — the BMAT no longer exists. For law at most leading law schools, it's the LNAT. Everything below is detail; requirements are set per course, per year, so the university's own course page is always the final word.
By course
Mathematics
Current test picture- 1TMUA (Oct, Yr 13)
- 2Interview (Dec)
- 3STEP (June)
- Cambridge
- TMUASTEP
- TMUA in October, used for interview shortlisting; STEP 2 — sometimes STEP 3 — follows in June as a condition of the offer.
- Imperial, LSE, Warwick, Durham, UCL and others
- TMUA
- Required or accepted for maths and maths-heavy courses; Warwick uses STEP within some offers.
Computer Science
Current test picture- Oxford
- TMUA
- From 2027 entry.
- Cambridge
- TMUA
- TMUA.
- Imperial and others
- TMUA
- For several computing courses.
Economics
Current test picture- Cambridge
- TMUA
- TMUA.
- LSE
- TMUA
- For Economics and Econometrics courses; recommended for others.
Engineering
Current test picture- Cambridge (Engineering; Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology)
- ESAT
- For Engineering, modules are Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Physics. ENGAA & NSAA
- Imperial (most engineering departments)
- ESAT
- ESAT.
- Oxford (Engineering Science)
- ESAT
- ESAT from 2027 entry.
- UCL (selected courses)
- ESAT
- ESAT.
Natural Sciences
Current test picture- Cambridge
- ESAT
- Natural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine use Maths 1 plus two subject modules matched to your intended direction. ENGAA & NSAA
- Imperial Physics
- ESAT
- ESAT.
- Oxford Physics, Physics & Philosophy, Biomedical Sciences
- ESAT
- ESAT from 2027 entry.
Medicine & Dentistry
Current test picture- Nearly all UK medical and dental schools
- UCAT
- Sat in the July–September window before you apply. The BMAT was discontinued — Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial and UCL medicine now use the UCAT like everyone else.
Law
Current test picture- Oxford, UCL, KCL, LSE, Durham, Bristol, Glasgow, SOAS and others
- LNAT
- LNAT.
Other
The picture for humanities admissions tests has churned repeatedly — several were scrapped and some later revived in new formats. Rather than print a table that goes stale, our honest advice: check your course page directly, this cycle. If you'd like, tell us your course in the matching survey and we'll confirm what applies.
The tests at a glance
| Test | For | Format | When | Scored |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TMUA | Maths, CS, Economics | 2 × 75 min, 20 MCQs each, no calculator | Oct (Oxbridge) / Jan | 1.0–9.0 |
| ESAT | Engineering, Sciences | 3 modules × 40 min × 27 MCQs, no calculator | Oct (Oxbridge) / Jan | 1.0–9.0 per module |
| STEP | Cambridge Maths offers | 3 hrs, ~12 long questions, attempt ≤6, full solutions | June, Year 13 | S, 1, 2, 3, U |
| UCAT | Medicine, Dentistry | 4 subtests, ~2 hrs, computer-based | Jul–Sep, before Year 13 | 900–2700 + SJT band |
| LNAT | Law | MCQ section + essay | From Sep; early for Oxbridge | Section A score; essay read by universities |
- For
- Maths, CS, Economics
- Format
- 2 × 75 min, 20 MCQs each, no calculator
- When
- Oct (Oxbridge) / Jan
- Scored
- 1.0–9.0
- For
- Engineering, Sciences
- Format
- 3 modules × 40 min × 27 MCQs, no calculator
- When
- Oct (Oxbridge) / Jan
- Scored
- 1.0–9.0 per module
- For
- Cambridge Maths offers
- Format
- 3 hrs, ~12 long questions, attempt ≤6, full solutions
- When
- June, Year 13
- Scored
- S, 1, 2, 3, U
- For
- Medicine, Dentistry
- Format
- 4 subtests, ~2 hrs, computer-based
- When
- Jul–Sep, before Year 13
- Scored
- 900–2700 + SJT band
- For
- Law
- Format
- MCQ section + essay
- When
- From Sep; early for Oxbridge
- Scored
- Section A score; essay read by universities
Three planning rules
- 01
The course page outranks everything
Requirements shift year to year; check yours for this cycle before registering, and register early: module choices lock, and centres fill.
- 02
Count your tests across your whole UCAS list
Cambridge Maths + LSE Economics = TMUA + STEP. Engineering at Cambridge + medicine elsewhere isn't a real combination, but Maths + CS spread across universities can still all resolve to one TMUA — the system rewards checking.
- 03
Registration is yours, not your school’s
These tests run through Pearson VUE accounts you create yourself. Missing registration can invalidate an application; bursaries covering full fees exist for UK candidates in financial need — apply before booking.
Common questions
Questions students and parents ask
My teacher mentioned the MAT / BMAT / NSAA — are they wrong?
Just out of date, understandably: all three were discontinued in the 2023–2026 restructuring. MAT → TMUA; NSAA and ENGAA → ESAT; BMAT → UCAT-only medicine admissions. Our short guides on each explain the transition.
Can I sit a test in January instead of October?
Only if none of your choices is Oxford or Cambridge — they accept the October sitting only (UCAT has its own summer window). And it's one attempt per cycle either way.
What if my two course choices need different tests?
Then you sit both — it's common (TMUA + STEP for Cambridge Maths is the classic case). Preparation overlaps more than you'd fear; that's exactly the kind of plan a free consultation can untangle in ten minutes.
Do all universities require a test?
No — many excellent courses have none. The tests cluster around the most oversubscribed courses at the most selective universities.
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