What you need to know
Who should sit the test?
If you are applying for Engineering or Science subject at one of the UAT-UK institutions, check if the ESAT is required. Failure to register for a required test may invalidate your application.
You should refer to the course pages of the institution to which you are applying.
Which modules should I sit?
Be careful to select the modules required for your course. These cannot be changed without cancelling and re-booking your test.
All candidates need to sit Maths 1. Most other candidates need to sit two further modules.
If you are applying to two courses that require the ESAT, and one has a free choice of module, you must sit the compulsory module for your other course.
If your courses have conflicting compulsory requirements, contact UAT-UK to seek advice. You can do this via your online account. Please do so before booking a test.
How is the ESAT scored?
For the ESAT you will receive a score per module taken.
Results for each module are reported on a scale from 1 (low) to 9 (high) to one decimal place. This allows us to share scores from various test versions and sittings on a unified scale.
There is no pass/fail score for the ESAT. Scores are typically used alongside other information provided as part of your university application.
Test Format
There are five ESAT modules. Most courses will require candidates to answer Mathematics 1 and two further modules.
Each module lasts 40 minutes and contains 27 multiple choice questions. The ESAT will be 120 minutes long for most candidates.
| Module | Who takes this module? | Content | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Mathematics 1 |
All candidates take this module. |
27 multiple-choice questions |
40 minutes |
|
Biology |
Most candidates will take two of these modules. Some courses will specify which modules you must take, so you should carefully check the university webpages for your chosen course(s). |
27 multiple-choice questions in each module. |
40 minutes for each module. |
Good to know
You will not be able to use a calculator or dictionary.
There is no pass or fail for the ESAT. You should aim to do the best you can.
Your final scores are based on the number of correct answers you give. You do not lose marks for incorrect answers, so it’s worth attempting all questions.
How to Prepare
The focus of the ESAT is on your ability to use and apply your science and mathematics knowledge. It uses science and mathematics that you are likely to have already learned in your school studies, so the best way to prepare is to familiarise yourself with the test format and style of questions. We recommend that you read the test specification to see if there are any topics that you need to revise, and answer the specimen test under timed conditions.
How to prepareCandidate Support
Bursary Scheme
Our bursaries are available to UK candidates. To be eligible you, or your parent/guardian, must meet certain criteria and be able to provide the required documentation. Bursaries, where granted, will cover the full cost of your test. Make sure you apply for this before you book your test. We will not be able to reimburse you after you have paid for a test.
Access Arrangements
You should let us know if you require any access arrangements for your test and provide appropriate documentary evidence. Make sure you apply for this before you book your test. We will not be able to make adjustments to the test when you arrive at the test centre.
Preparation Materials
Our tests are based on the science and mathematics that you are likely to have already learned in your school studies, and we provide free preparation materials so that all candidates can familiarise themselves with the style of questions and identify topics where revision might be needed.
ESAT for Universities
Imperial College London, the University of Cambridge, and UCL all use the ESAT. If you are applying to one of these institutions for an engineering, physics, natural sciences, and/or veterinary medicine subject, please check whether you need to sit the test.
You must refer to the relevant course pages of each institution’s website to find out if the courses you are applying to require the ESAT.
Different courses will require you to register for a different combination of modules. You can’t change this at the Test Centre, so it’s up to you to make sure you’re correctly registered.
Not registering for the ESAT when it’s required might make your application invalid.
If you are applying to Cambridge and are required to sit the ESAT you must sit it in the October test sitting. All other candidates can choose whether to sit the test in October or January.
Booking and Sitting the ESAT
You must register in advance to sit the ESAT in one of our two sittings per year. Applicants to the University of Cambridge must sit in the October sitting. Ensure you are familiar with the relevant deadlines as we are unable to make exceptions to these.
When you book your test, you will select an available Pearson VUE Test Centre. The earlier you book, the more likely it is there will be appointments at your preferred Test Centre.
The ESAT costs £75 for candidates in the UK and Republic of Ireland. For those sitting elsewhere, it costs £130.
Before the test
Before you can register for a test, you need to make a UAT-UK account and enter your personal details.
From your dashboard, you can apply for a bursary or request access arrangements if needed. Make sure you do this before you book a test.
Then, follow our instructions on how to book your test.
Free practice materials are available to help you prepare for your test.
After the test
We will notify you when your test results are available via your UAT-UK account. This will be approximately four weeks after your test sitting. Results will be sent automatically to the institutions where you applied for a course that requires the ESAT.