Many applicants need to take a written or verbal test as part of their Cambridge application. Your test will be relevant to the subject you’ve applied for. We take your performance into account alongside the other elements of your application.
If you need to take a test for your course, you will either take it:
- before we shortlist for interview. You need to be registered for this type of test in advance and you will take it at a test centre near you.
- after you’re invited to interview, if you are shortlisted for interview. You don’t need to be registered for this type of assessment. The Cambridge College that interviews you will make arrangements for the test. They will provide you with details of when and how you will take your assessment. Find out more about College assessments.
Your assessment will test:
- your skills (for example, your writing and language skills or mathematical problem-solving ability)
- your subject knowledge
- your understanding of topics related to your chosen course
You don’t need to get every question right
We don’t expect that you will answer every question correctly. The assessments are designed to challenge you.
Some strong applicants may not even complete the paper in the time given. Almost no one gets full marks.
Find out which assessment you need to take
The table below will shows what type of assessment is required:
- for each course for 2024 entry
- for 2025 entry, where details have been confirmed. Details of College admissions assessments for 2025 entry will be confirmed in April 2024.
Click on the link in the table to find out more about your assessment and whether it is required at all Cambridge Colleges.
Course | Admission test |
---|---|
Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic |
2024 entry: No admission assessment. |
Archaeology |
2024 entry: College admission assessment. You don't need to register in advance. |
Architecture |
2024 entry: College admission assessment. You don't need to register in advance. |
Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (AMES) |
2024 entry: College admission assessment, if you are combining a Middle Eastern language with a European language. You don't need to register in advance. |
Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology |
2024 entry: Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment (NSAA) - testing for 2024 entry now complete 2025 entry: Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT) You must register in advance for this test. |
Classics (3-year and 4-year) |
2024 entry: College admission assessment. You don't need to register in advance. |
Computer Science |
2024 entry: Test of Mathematics for University Admissions (TMUA), Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing - testing for 2024 entry now complete 2025 entry: Test of Mathematics for University Admissions (TMUA), Pearson VUE You must register in advance for this test. |
Design |
2024 entry: College admission assessment. You don't need to register in advance. |
Economics |
2024 entry: Test of Mathematics for University Admissions (TMUA), Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing - testing for 2024 entry now complete 2025 entry: Test of Mathematics for University Admissions (TMUA), Pearson VUE You must register in advance for this test. |
Education |
2024 entry: College admission assessment. You don't need to register in advance. |
Engineering |
2024 entry: Engineering Admissions Assessment (ENGAA) - testing for 2024 entry now complete 2025 entry: Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT) You must register in advance for this test. |
English |
2024 entry: College admission assessment. You don't need to register in advance. |
Geography |
2024 entry: College admission assessment. You don't need to register in advance. |
History |
2024 entry: College admission assessment. You don't need to register in advance. |
History and Modern Languages |
2024 entry: College admission assessment. You don't need to register in advance. |
History and Politics |
2024 entry: College admission assessment. You don't need to register in advance. |
History of Art |
2024 entry: College admission assessment. You don't need to register in advance. |
Human, Social and Political Sciences (HSPS) |
2024 entry: College admission assessment. You don't need to register in advance. |
Land Economy |
2024 entry: No admission assessment. |
Law |
2024 and 2025 entry: National Test for Law (LNAT) You must register in advance for this test. |
Linguistics |
2024 entry: College admission assessment. You don't need to register in advance. |
Mathematics |
2024 entry: College admission assessment. You don't need to register in advance. |
Medicine (Standard Course A100) |
2024 entry: BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) - testing for 2024 entry now complete 2025 entry: University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) You must register in advance for this test. |
Medicine (Graduate Course) |
2024 entry: No admission assessment. 2025 entry: University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) You must register in advance for this test. |
Modern and Medieval Languages (MML) |
2024 entry: College admission assessment. You don't need to register in advance. |
Music |
2024 entry: College admission assessment. You don't need to register in advance. |
Natural Sciences |
2024 entry: Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment (NSAA) - testing for 2024 entry now complete 2025 entry: Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT) You must register in advance for this test. |
Philosophy |
2024 entry: College admission assessment. You don't need to register in advance. |
Psychological and Behavioural Sciences |
2024 entry: College admission assessment. You don't need to register in advance. |
Theology, Religion and Philosophy of Religion |
2024 entry: No admission assessment. |
Veterinary Medicine |
2024 entry: Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment (NSAA) - testing for 2024 entry now complete 2025 entry: Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT) You must register in advance for this test. |
Further information
If you have any questions about our written assessments, please contact assessment@admin.cam.ac.uk.