Top UK university admissions tests
Get ready for the ESAT, TMUA and TARA – 100% online, at your own pace
Applying to Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, UCL, LSE or another leading UK university? Many of their top courses ask you to sit one of these admissions tests. Our self-study course teaches you every topic, then lets you practise until the real test feels familiar.
- ✓Study notes, activities and quizzes for every topic in the official specifications
- ✓Official specimen and sample tests, plus past paper archives with answers
- ✓Learn from anywhere, on your own timetable – start today
Which test do I need?
It depends on your course, not your university. All three tests are computer-based, run by UAT-UK, and sat at Pearson VUE test centres. None of them allows a calculator, and there's no negative marking – so it pays to attempt every question.
ESAT
Engineering and Science Admissions Test
For engineering, physics, natural sciences and related courses at universities such as Cambridge, Imperial, Oxford and UCL.
Your course decides your modules – e.g. Cambridge Engineering needs Maths 1, Maths 2 and Physics.
TMUA
Test of Mathematics for University Admission
For mathematics, computer science and economics courses at universities including Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial and LSE. At Oxford it replaced the MAT.
Everyone sits both papers. Content is mostly GCSE Higher and AS Maths, plus a few A Level topics.
TARA
Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions
Used by UCL and Oxford for selected courses, mostly in the social sciences. It tests how you think and write – no subject knowledge needed.
Your essay isn't scored by UAT-UK – it's sent straight to your universities to read.
Always check your exact course on the official UAT-UK course list – requirements can change from year to year.
What's inside the course
Every course follows the official UAT-UK content specification, so you only revise what the test can actually ask – and nothing is left out.
ESAT course
- ✓Mathematics 1: 7 topics – units, number, ratio, algebra, geometry, statistics, probability
- ✓Mathematics 2: 8 topics – from algebra and functions to calculus and graphs
- ✓Physics: 7 topics – electricity to radioactivity
- ✓Chemistry: 17 topics – atomic structure to organic chemistry
- ✓Biology: 11 topics – cells to plant transport
- ✓Activity sheet for every topic, plus quizzes
- ✓Sample and specimen tests for each module
- ✓ENGAA & NSAA past papers, 2016–2023
TMUA course
- ✓Paper 1: 8 study units – algebra, sequences, coordinate geometry, trigonometry, logs, differentiation, integration, graphs
- ✓Paper 2: 7 study units plus Notes on Logic and Proof
- ✓Student activity for every unit, with quizzes
- ✓Specimen test, sample exam and early specimen tests
- ✓Past papers with answer keys and worked solutions
TARA course
- ✓Critical Thinking: 8 topics – from argument structure and assumptions to parallel reasoning
- ✓Problem Solving: 6 topics – number, measures, spatial reasoning, graphs, logic puzzles
- ✓Writing Task: how to plan, structure and argue in 750 words
- ✓Question guide and content specification
- ✓Specimen papers for all three modules
- ✓Alternative practice exams
How self-paced learning works
No timetable, no waiting for a class to start. You decide when and how fast you study – the course guides you step by step.
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Enrol online
Sign up and get instant access to your course on our online learning platform.
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Learn topic by topic
Read clear study notes, then try the activity sheet to check you've understood.
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Practise under pressure
Take quizzes, then timed specimen tests and past papers – without a calculator, just like the real thing.
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Sit your test
Book through your UAT-UK account. Choose our High Wycombe centre or any Pearson VUE centre worldwide.
Why preparation makes the difference
Top grades alone don't guarantee an interview. These tests are designed to separate very able students – so the questions are tough and the clock is tight.
On the ESAT you have about 90 seconds per question. Students who already know the question styles work faster, make fewer mistakes and stay calm on the day. That's what our course is built to give you.
An official Pearson VUE test centre
Oxford College of Education is authorised to host the ESAT, TMUA and TARA. Prepare online, then sit your test somewhere you know.
Bridge House, 56 Bridge Street, High Wycombe, HP11 2EL
Everything you need in one course
Choose your ESAT, TMUA or TARA course and get:
- ✓Full course access from day one
- ✓All study notes, activities and quizzes
- ✓Specimen tests and past paper archive
- ✓Support from our admissions team
Frequently asked questions
Is the course really 100% online?
Yes. There are no live classes or fixed times. You log in to our learning platform whenever suits you and work through the materials at your own pace.
Can I join from outside the UK?
Yes. You can study from any country, and the tests themselves are offered at Pearson VUE centres around the world.
Does the course book my test for me?
No – you book your test yourself through a UAT-UK account. You're welcome to choose our High Wycombe centre, but you don't have to.
When should I sit the test?
There are two sittings a year, in October and January. Oxford and Cambridge applicants normally have to sit in October. Other universities usually accept either.
Can I use a calculator?
No. Calculators and dictionaries aren't allowed in any of the three tests, which is why our practice is done the same way.
How are the tests scored?
Scores run from 1.0 to 9.0. There's no pass mark and no negative marking. Results come about four weeks later and go automatically to the universities on your UCAS application that need them.
Do I need subject knowledge for the TARA?
No. TARA tests reasoning and writing, not a school subject. You only need basic maths for Problem Solving – fractions, percentages, averages, measures and reading graphs.
Your place at a top university starts with the right preparation
Enrol today and start your first topic in minutes. Questions? Our admissions team is happy to help you choose the right course.