Cambridge requires applicants for some of the courses to complete an admissions test. The course you are applying for will fall into one of three categories:
courses that do not have a test
courses that have an test that you have to register for by mid-September before you apply.
courses that have an test that is organised for you automatically if you are selected for interview.
The current page is for students who are applying for a course with a test that requires registration before application, since these are the only courses for which you need to do something before you apply.
For the courses above, all applicants (without exception) must sit the relevant test. We cannot consider your application without it, and since it is not possible to register late, it is essential to meet the relevant mid-September registration deadline (see detail below). After you have taken the test, your results will automatically be shared with us. Our overall interview rate is high (70-80% in most subjects), but your chance of being invited for interview will nonetheless improve if you do well in your test.
Where will I sit my test?
You will need to sit your test at a test centre. There are between 150 and 180 test centres around the world and you will be able to do a search on the Pearson VUE website for the centre or centres in your country.
Find a test centre for the TMUA (available later in the year)
Find a test centre for the ESAT (available later in the year)
What are the registration and test dates?
In all cases, please be aware that the registration deadlines are in mid-September, which is before the 15 October deadline for your UCAS application. It is not possible to register late and these tests are required for application, so if you do not register by the relvant deadline, please be aware that it will not be possible to consider your application.
Once available, you will need to set up an online account with Pearson VUE and register yourself for your test by the relevant deadline.
There will be an entry fee to pay when you register. The fee is based on the location of the test centre where you sit your test, not on your place of residence or nationality. If you will be in the UK when you apply, please instead read the the UK application support section, which is for all students who will be in the UK at the time of application, regardless of nationality or fee status.
The following prices are from the Pearson VUE / Cambridge admissions website at 19/01/2024 but please double-check before you apply:
Test
Cost to sit the test in the Republic of Ireland
Cost to sit the test
outside the UK / Republic of Ireland
LNAT
£75
£120 outside the EU
£75 inside the EU (EU students please also read this page)
UCAT
£115
£115
TMUA
£75
£130
ESAT
£75
£130
How should I prepare?
We will point you to relevant practice materials on the relevant subject page, once available. For the ESAT and TMUA these are expected in late May 2024. The LNAT and UCAT already have materials available.
Disability, Specific Learning Difficulty and long-term illness
If you have a disability, Specific Learning Difficulty or long-term illness and normally have access arrangements when you sit exams, you will be able to apply for the same arrangements. You will need to submit an application and may need to provide supporting evidence in advance. Further information about this process will be available in Spring 2024. Please also see the Disability, Specific Learning Difficulty or long-term illness page.
We are also expecting there to be some webinars on the tests that require registration as the application period approaches, so keep an eye on this section for details of those. We also advise you to register interest for the Christ's International Webinar in July.
