Oxford ESAT requirements
Yes. University of Oxford requires the ESAT for Physics, Engineering Science, Physics and Philosophy. From 2027 entry (applications in autumn 2026), the ESAT replaces the Physics Aptitude Test (PAT). Oxford applicants sit in October. Materials Science no longer requires an admissions test. There is no fixed pass mark, so your score is read alongside the rest of your application.
How Oxford uses the ESAT
From 2027 entry, Oxford replaces the Physics Aptitude Test (PAT) with the ESAT for Physics, Engineering Science, and Physics and Philosophy. This is a major change: Oxford applicants now sit the same UAT-UK test already used by Cambridge and Imperial, so ESAT preparation counts across all three. Materials Science no longer requires an admissions test at all. Oxford applicants sit the ESAT in the October window.
Which Oxford courses requires the ESAT?
- PhysicsMaths 1, Maths 2, Physics
- Engineering ScienceMaths 1, Maths 2, Physics
- Physics and PhilosophyMaths 1, Maths 2, Physics
Requirements change from year to year. Confirm your exact course on the official Oxford admissions page.
The ESAT format
You sit 2 to 3 modules: Mathematics 1 is required, and you choose the rest to match your course. Each module is multiple choice with no calculator and no negative marking.
- Mathematics 1required27 questions, 40 min
- Mathematics 227 questions, 40 min
- Biology27 questions, 40 min
- Chemistry27 questions, 40 min
- Physics27 questions, 40 min
Key ESAT dates for 2027 entry
- Registration opens: 20 July 2026
- Registration deadline: 28 September 2026 (you must register yourself, through UAT-UK via Pearson VUE)
- Test sitting: 12 October 2026 (October). From 2027 entry (applications in autumn 2026), the ESAT replaces the Physics Aptitude Test (PAT). Oxford applicants sit in October. Materials Science no longer requires an admissions test.
- Results: November 2026
Dates are for the current cycle and can change. Confirm them on the official UAT-UK site.
What score do you need for Oxford?
Each ESAT module is marked on the UAT-UK scale from 1.0 to 9.0, and there is no fixed pass mark. Oxford reads your score alongside your predicted grades, personal statement and, where it interviews, your interview. Competitive scores vary by course and year, so treat any target you see quoted online as a rough guide rather than a cutoff.
How to prepare for the ESAT for Oxford
The most reliable preparation is the real thing: work through past papers under exam timing, then check every question against a full worked solution so you learn the method, not just the answer. Because the ESAT is new, the NSAA and ENGAA papers it replaced are the closest practice available, and Cambridge itself points applicants to them.
Prepare for the ESAT for Oxford
Sit full ESAT past papers with worked solutions, then practise the topics you find hardest.
Oxford ESAT: frequently asked questions
- Do I need the ESAT for Oxford?
- Yes. University of Oxford requires the ESAT for Physics, Engineering Science, Physics and Philosophy.
- Which Oxford courses use the ESAT?
- Physics, Engineering Science, Physics and Philosophy. Always confirm the current requirement on the official Oxford course page before you register.
- When do I sit the ESAT for Oxford?
- From 2027 entry (applications in autumn 2026), the ESAT replaces the Physics Aptitude Test (PAT). Oxford applicants sit in October. Materials Science no longer requires an admissions test.
- How do I register for the ESAT?
- Registration is through UAT-UK (via Pearson VUE). For 2027 entry it opens on 20 July 2026 and closes on 28 September 2026. You must register yourself before the deadline, so do not leave it to your school.
- What ESAT score do I need for Oxford?
- Each ESAT module is marked on the UAT-UK scale from 1.0 to 9.0, and there is no fixed pass mark. Oxford reads your score alongside your predicted grades, personal statement and, where it interviews, your interview. Competitive scores vary by course and year, so treat any target you see quoted online as a rough guide rather than a cutoff.
- Is the ESAT hard?
- Most students find the ESAT harder than A-level maths: it rewards speed and problem solving under time pressure rather than recall. That is exactly why practice moves the needle. Working through past papers under timing, then studying full worked solutions, is the most reliable way to raise your score.
- Can I use NSAA and ENGAA past papers to prepare for the ESAT?
- Yes. The ESAT replaced the NSAA and ENGAA, and Cambridge recommends their past papers as the closest available practice: the same style, format and difficulty. Every one is free on this site with worked solutions.