What tests will you need to take to apply to university?

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Depending on the course you apply for, you may need to take an entrance test to secure your place at university. There are a number of different tests out there, so read on to find out more about what you might be asked to sit.

CONTENTS:

Sixth Term Examination Paper (STEP)
University Clinical Aptitude Tests (UCAT or UKCAT)
BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT)
Maths Admissions Test (MAT)
Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA)
The Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT)

Sixth Term Examination Paper (STEP)

To study Maths at the University of Cambridge, the University of Warwick or Imperial College London it’s likely you’ll have to take a STEP paper.

This exam is three hours long and aims to test your ability to study at undergraduate level. You can expect questions based on A-level maths and further maths, so you should be familiar with a lot of the topics.

You’ll be awarded a grade ranging from Unclassified to Outstanding. Your offer letter will state what grade you’ll need to be accepted onto your chosen course.

Read our full STEP exam guide.

University Clinical Aptitude Tests (UCAT or UKCAT)

The UCAT tests are used for admission into medical and dental degrees. They cover verbal, quantitative and abstract reasoning and decision making.

The test takes two hours and is multiple choice. The aim is for universities to be sure that prospective students are capable of handling the intensity of medical undergraduate studies.

Each course will have a different score threshold you need to meet to be accepted.

Read our full guide on what what students need to know about UCAT in 2023.

BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT)

The BMAT was a test for a number of medicine, dentistry and biomedical science courses. As of October 2023, the BMAT has been withdrawn and will not be used for admissions in the future.

Read Whatuni’s ultimate guide to the BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT).

Maths Admissions Test (MAT)

A number of unis, including the University of Oxford and Imperial College London, will ask you to sit the MAT if you apply there to study maths or computer science. The MAT doesn’t test speed or memorisation, but focuses on mathematical understanding. It helps assess how a potential student might handle mathematics at university-level.

The test is 2.5 hours long and marked out of 100. The score needed for acceptance changes year by year, but to give you an idea of what to aim for, the average mark for successful applicants in 2022 was 71.5.

Take a look at our ultimate guide to the Maths Admissions Test (MAT).

Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA)

University College London and Oxford and Cambridge Universities use the TSA to assess applicants’ thinking skills, problem solving, critical thinking and written communication. It’s used as a way to find out whether you have the abilities needed for the course you’re applying for.

The full TSA is 120 minutes long and made up of multiple choice questions and a written task. It’s marked with a mixture of scores and tutor assessment, and will be considered along with the rest of your application.

The Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT)

There are nine universities that require an LNAT test if you’re applying to study law. The LNAT doesn’t test your knowledge of the law, but instead assesses things like your verbal reasoning skills, inductive and deductive reasoning abilities, and your ability to interpret information and draw conclusions.

The test is 135 minutes long with a number of multiple choice questions and one essay question. You’ll get a score out of 42 for the multiple choice section, however your essay isn’t scored but assessed as part of your wider application. If you’re hoping to get into one of the more prestigious UK universities then you’ll be aiming for a score of around 27.

Take a look at our guide to law entry requirements.

For more information about applying for undergraduate study, check out our guide on applying to university.