Cambridge requires applicants for some of the courses to complete an admissions test. 

This page sets out the details as part of our additional application support for those applying from outside the UK.

Third Court doorway
Third Court, T staircase

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 the relevant deadline before you apply.
  • courses that have an test that is organised for you automatically if you are selected for interview.

The information below is for Christ's applicants 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.

The list of courses that require a test is confirmed each year by July. The courses that we are expecting to require a test are Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology (ESAT required); Computer Science (TMUA required); Economics (TMUA required); Engineering (ESAT required); Law (LNAT required); Mathematics (TMUA required); Medicine (UCAT required); Natural Sciences (ESAT required)

For the courses that require a test, 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 September registration deadline (see detail below). After you have taken the test, your results will be automatically 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 test website for the centre or centres in your country.

LNATSee page on LNAT test centres including the live test centre locator.
TMUAFind a test centre for the TMUA (test centre locator available once you've made an account)
ESATFind a test centre for the ESAT (test centre locator available once you've made an account)
UCATSee page on booking the UCAT, which includes a link to the live UCAT test centre locator.
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 relevant deadline, please be aware that it will not be possible to consider your application. 
 

Test booking opensTest booking DeadlineCourseExam Board websiteCambridge websiteTest date(s)
TBC for 2026TBC for 2026. Normally 15 Sept Law
(LNAT)
LNAT websiteLNAT pageTBC for 2026 (dates were 1 Sept - 15 Oct in 2025)
20 July 2026 
(15:00 UK time)
28 September 2026 
(18:00 UK time)
 
Computer Science
(TMUA)
ESAT-TMUA websiteTMUA page12-16 Oct 2026
20 July 2026 
(15:00 UK time)
28 September 2026 
(18:00 UK time)
 
Economics
(TMUA)
ESAT-TMUA websiteTMUA page12-16 Oct 2026
20 July 2026 
(15:00 UK time)
28 September 2026 
(18:00 UK time)
 
Engineering
(ESAT)
ESAT-TMUA websiteESAT page12-16 Oct 2026
20 July 2026 
(15:00 UK time)
28 September 2026 
(18:00 UK time)
 
Mathematics
(TMUA)
ESAT-TMUA websiteTMUA page12-16 Oct 2026
20 July 2026 
(15:00 UK time)
28 September 2026 
(18:00 UK time)
 
Natural Sciences
(ESAT)
ESAT-TMUA websiteESAT page12-16 Oct 2026
20 July 2026 
(15:00 UK time)
28 September 2026 
(18:00 UK time)
 
Chemical Engineering
(ESAT)
ESAT-TMUA websiteESAT page12-16 Oct 2026
23 June 2026
(14:00 UK time)
16 September 2026
(15:00 UK time)
Medicine
(UCAT)
UCAT websiteUCAT page13 July - 24 Sept 2026
TBCTBCThere could be other subjectsTBCTBCTBC

 

We recommend that you register as early as possible for your test once registration opens as this increases the chances that you will be able to sit the test at your preferred test centre.

How do I register and what is the cost?
Buttery bar
Buttery bar/cafe in First Court


Once available, you will need to set up an online account 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 Cambridge admissions website / exam board websites at 08/05/2025 but please double-check before you apply:

TestCost to sit the test in the Republic of IrelandCost to sit test in EU countries outside the Republic of IrelandCost to sit test
outside the EU
LNAT

TBC for 2026 (£75 for 2025)

TBC for 2026 (£75 for 2025)

TBC for 2026 (£120 for 2025)

UCAT

£115

£115

£115

TMUA

TBC for 2026 (£75 for 2025)

TBC for 2026 (£130 for 2025)

TBC for 2026 (£130 for 2025)

ESAT

TBC for 2026 (£75 for 2025)

TBC for 2026 (£130  for 2025)

TBC for 2026 (£130 for 2025)


 

How should I prepare?


You should read the relevant test websites thoroughly - there is both a summary page for each test on the Cambridge Admissions website and the exam board website to read. You'll find both links in the registration and test dates section above and we encourage you to read every page of the websites about the test you are taking to ensure that you are fully informed. 

Look out for the following things in particular:

Information about the format of the testHow many parts? How long for each part? How many questions in each part? Are there any choices? Make sure that you have thoroughly understood the structure and timings of the test you will sit. 
Information about the content of the testIs there anything that you've not covered? Could you have a look at a textbook for that topic? Is there anything you've forgotten and want to revise?
Practice questionsAlways work through these in timed conditions - it is as important to understand how quickly you need to work through the questions as it is to see what they are like.
How is the test marked?Is it worth attempting a question if you're not completely sure of the answer? Understanding how the test is scored will help with your test strategy.

 

We also point you to information and the exam board practice materials on the relevant subject page (see the test info and helpful resources section).

 

Disability, Neurodiversity, Mental Health and long-term health conditions


If you have a disability, neurodiverse condition, mental health condition or long-term health condition and normally have access arrangements when you sit exams, you will also be able to apply to have access arrangements in your Admissions Test. 

If this is relevant to you, please be aware that you will need to apply for your access arrangements before booking your test, and that you will need to provide supporting evidence.

Supporting evidence must be written in English.  If the original version of the supporting evidence is not written in English, please arrange for a signed translation.

TestDeadline to apply for Access arrangementsInfo
LNATWell before you book (register but do not book online until you've organised the access arrangements).Access arrangements
UCAT10 working days before you book the test, and by 10 September at the latest. Access arrangements
TMUARequest access arrangements between 1 June (15:00 UK time) and 14 Sept 2026 (18:00 UK time), wait for approval and then book your test by 28 Sept 2026 (18:00 UK time).Access arrangements
ESAT Request access arrangements between 1 June (15:00 UK time) and 14 Sept 2026 (18:00 UK time), wait for approval and then book your test by 28 Sept 2026 (18:00 UK time).Access arrangements

 

Please also see the Disability, Specific Learning Difficulty or long-term illness page for further information about applying with a disability, Specific Learning Difficulty or long-term illness.

Further information


See Cambridge Admissions page on Admissions Tests.

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 advise you to book a place on the Christ's International Webinars.

For international candidates it's particularly important to make your test booking as soon as possible once registration opens so that you can sit it at your chosen test centre. You may need to travel further if you leave booking to the last minute. 

Kristy (Christ's Admissions)