ESAT
Engineering and Science Admissions Test
The computer-based engineering and science admissions test — compulsory Maths 1 plus two course-specified modules, each 40 minutes and 27 questions.
- Format
- Computer-based (Pearson VUE)
- Modules
- Maths 1 + 2 set modules
- Per module
- 40 min, 27 questions
- History
- Replaced NSAA/ENGAA in 2024
The ESAT (Engineering and Science Admissions Test) is run by UAT-UK and delivered worldwide by Pearson VUE. It replaced the NSAA and ENGAA in 2024 and is used for undergraduate admissions by the University of Cambridge (Engineering, Natural Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology), Imperial College London (eight departments: Aeronautics, Chemical, Civil and Environmental, Design Engineering, Electrical and Electronic, Mechanical, Life Sciences and Physics), the University of Oxford (replacing the PAT from 2027 entry: Engineering Science, Physics, Physics and Philosophy, Biomedical Sciences and more) and UCL (Electronic and Electrical Engineering). The test is computer-based: Mathematics 1 (compulsory) plus two further modules for most candidates — usually specified by the course you apply to, drawn from Mathematics 2 / Physics / Chemistry / Biology — each lasting 40 minutes with 27 multiple-choice questions. Choosing the right module combination for your target course is essential.
SCHEDULE
Test dates
October sitting
- Registration opens
- Late July
- Registration closes
- Late September
- Test date
- October
- Results
- ~4–5 weeks after the test
January sitting
- Registration opens
- Late October
- Registration closes
- Late December
- Test date
- Early January
- Results
- ~4–5 weeks after the test
Register now
The ESAT runs twice per application cycle — October and January (registration for October roughly late July to late September). Cambridge and Oxford applicants must normally take the October sitting (only routes with January deadlines, such as Cambridge mature colleges, may use January); the January sitting suits Imperial, UCL and others — always check the requirements for your exact course. Sittings, platforms and dates are confirmed each year on the official website.
STRUCTURE
Paper structure
01Mathematics 1
Compulsory — core mathematics
27 multiple-choice questions40 minutes
**Compulsory for all candidates**, covering algebra, functions, geometry, trigonometry and probability/statistics — the shared mathematical foundation for engineering and science.
02Mathematics 2
Optional — further mathematics
27 multiple-choice questions40 minutes
For engineering and mathematics-heavy courses needing a stronger mathematical background — further algebra, calculus and Further Maths topics.
03Physics
Optional — physics
27 multiple-choice questions40 minutes
Mechanics, electricity and magnetism, waves, matter and energy — the usual choice for engineering and most physical-science routes.
04Chemistry
Optional — chemistry
27 multiple-choice questions40 minutes
Foundations of physical, inorganic and organic chemistry — a common pick for Chemical Engineering, Natural Sciences (chemistry routes) and veterinary applications.
05Biology
Optional — biology
27 multiple-choice questions40 minutes
Cells, physiology, genetics and ecology — the matching choice for Natural Sciences (biology routes), Veterinary Medicine and similar courses.
SCORING
Scoring
- 01Each module is scored separately (on a continuous scale similar to 1.0–9.0); the scores are not combined into a single total.
- 02Mathematics 1 is compulsory; most courses specify two further modules (drawn from Maths 2 / Physics / Chemistry / Biology — a few courses require only two modules in total).
- 03Universities look at the scores for the modules your course requires — choosing the right combination directly determines whether your application qualifies.
- 04Results are released a few weeks after the test and passed automatically to your nominated universities.
UNIVERSITIES
Universities & requirements
| Requirement | University | Courses | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | University of Cambridge | Engineering, Natural Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, Chemical Engineering and more | Module combinations follow the course requirements (e.g. Engineering usually takes Maths 1 + Maths 2 + Physics; Natural Sciences picks Physics/Chemistry/Biology by route). Always check the modules specified for your exact course. |
| Required | Imperial College London | Engineering departments plus Physics and Life Sciences (8 departments) | ESAT required since 2024. Aeronautics / Civil and Environmental / EEE / Mechanical / Physics commonly take Maths 1 + Maths 2 + Physics; Chemical Engineering takes Maths 1 + Maths 2 + Chemistry; Life Sciences takes Maths 1 + Chemistry + Biology; Design Engineering (Dyson) takes Maths 1 + Maths 2 only — check each department’s admissions page for the current year. |
| Required | University of Oxford | Engineering Science, Physics, Physics and Philosophy, Biomedical Sciences and more (from 2027 entry) | Replaces the PAT from the 2027 entry cycle; the October sitting is required. Engineering Science specifies Maths 1 + Maths 2 + Physics; check each Oxford course page for the rest. |
| Required | UCL | Electronic and Electrical Engineering BEng/MEng | Required from the 2026 entry cycle (H600/H601); the requirement is Maths 1 + any two further modules. |
COMPETITIVENESS
How scores compare
- Cambridge / Imperial engineering: the higher your scores in the relevant modules, the stronger your position — aim high in your course’s core subjects (such as Physics / Maths 2).
- The ESAT is scored module by module with no overall cut-off; competitiveness rests on the modules your course cares about, not on your average.
- Exact score expectations and weighting are set by each university and may shift slightly year to year — check the latest official course pages.
ANALYSIS
Exam analysis
- The ESAT replaced the NSAA/ENGAA in 2024 and is still a young computer-based test — get familiar with the question style and on-screen interface early to avoid surprises on the day.
- Choosing the right module combination comes first: fix your target course, then take the modules it specifies from Maths 2 / Physics / Chemistry / Biology — the wrong combination can rule your application out.
- Each module is 27 questions in 40 minutes (about 1.5 minutes per question) — a brisk, computer-based, strictly timed pace that rewards quick question-type recognition and decisive triage.
- Modules are scored separately, so allocate preparation effort by your course’s core subjects and chase consistently high scores where they matter most.
Score distribution
Share of candidates by ESAT module score band (each module 1.0–9.0) — top bands are scarce
Indicative distribution — refer to official statistics. The x-axis shows ESAT score bands for a single module (each module is scored independently from 1.0 to 9.0) and the y-axis the share of candidates; the gold line marks the level typically competitive for Cambridge and Imperial (around ≥6.5).
ESAT preparation starts with fixing your target course and module combination, then training systematically for Mathematics 1 and your two chosen modules. Prioritise the computer-based interface and its time pressure: drill timed practice with past papers and mock exams to build speed and triage instincts. For a structured pathway, see our prep guides.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How does the ESAT relate to the old NSAA / ENGAA?
The ESAT replaced the NSAA and ENGAA in 2024. Run by UAT-UK and delivered by Pearson VUE, it is fully computer-based and used by Cambridge and Imperial for engineering and science admissions; from the 2027 entry cycle Oxford also uses it (Engineering Science, Physics and more, replacing the PAT), as does UCL (Electronic and Electrical Engineering, from 2026).
Which modules do I need to take?
Mathematics 1 is compulsory, and most candidates take two further modules (three in total, about 120 minutes). The modules are usually specified by your course rather than a free choice — for example, Cambridge/Imperial engineering takes Maths 2 + Physics, while Imperial Design Engineering needs only Maths 1 + Maths 2.
How long is each module, and how many questions?
Each module is 40 minutes with 27 multiple-choice questions — roughly 1.5 minutes per question, so quick recognition and decisive triage matter.
How is the ESAT scored? Is there a total score?
Each module is scored separately (on a scale similar to 1.0–9.0); there is no combined total. Universities look at the modules your course requires, so choosing the right subjects matters more than your average.
How should I prepare for a computer-based test?
First fix your course and module combination, then train systematically for Maths 1 and your two chosen modules — with particular focus on the on-screen interface and timed mock practice. See our prep guides and practice modules.
FrontierVUE is an independent practice platform. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by UAT-UK, Pearson, OCR, the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, or any official admissions-test owner.
FrontierVUE 是独立的备考练习平台，与 UAT-UK、Pearson、OCR、剑桥大学、 帝国理工学院或任何官方入学考试主办方均无隶属或背书关系。
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