University of CambridgeUCAS G400
Cambridge Computer Science (G400): TMUA Requirements and Prep
For 2027 entry, the University of Cambridge requires every applicant to BA/MEng Computer Science (UCAS code G400) to sit the TMUA, a maths admissions test run by UAT-UK and delivered by Pearson VUE. It is a compulsory pre-interview test: Colleges first use the result to help decide interview shortlisting, then consider it alongside the rest of the application when deciding offers. This page collects the official Cambridge policy, the key dates (including the fixed test days for candidates in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau), and a practical preparation route.
- 28
- Papers
- 827
- Questions
- 2
- Free to try
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01 The Official Cambridge Requirement: TMUA Is Compulsory for G400
According to the maths admission test page on the official Cambridge undergraduate admissions site (2027 entry), every Computer Science applicant must take the TMUA before interview, and the university states plainly that you must register in advance for the test. Colleges use the result to help decide interview shortlisting, then weigh it alongside the rest of the application when deciding offers.
| Course | UCAS code | Test requirement | How the score is used (official position) |
|---|---|---|---|
| BA/MEng Computer Science | G400 | TMUA compulsory, taken pre-interview, advance registration required | Colleges use the result to help decide interview shortlisting, then consider it alongside the rest of the application when deciding offers (cam.ac.uk, 2027 entry) |
Two things to keep in mind. First, because the TMUA sits before interview, missing registration or the test itself directly affects your application; there is no workaround. Second, the official position summarised here includes no TMUA cut-off or average score, so check any specific number claimed as "the score Cambridge CS needs" against the official site.
02
02 Key Dates and Registration (2027 Entry)
The TMUA is run by UAT-UK and delivered by Pearson VUE, with registration handled through the UAT-UK / Pearson VUE system. There are two sittings in the 2027 entry cycle, October and January, but for Cambridge G400 applicants the choice is constrained:
- October sitting, test window 12-16 October 2026: applicants applying to Cambridge by the October deadline must take this sitting, and booking closes on 28 September 2026.
- Candidates in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau: the test days are fixed; you must sit on 15 or 16 October 2026.
- January sitting (4-8 January 2027): under the official Cambridge policy this applies only to mature applicants in the January round. Standard October-deadline applicants cannot use it as a substitute.
For completeness, across the whole 2027 entry cycle the fixed TMUA dates for candidates in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau are 15-16 October 2026 or 8 January 2027; as above, the standard Cambridge route only works with the October sitting, so do not treat January as a fallback. Put the 28 September booking deadline and your test day in your calendar now.
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03 How to Prepare with FrontierVUE
Start by fixing the format in your head: the TMUA has two papers of 20 multiple-choice questions each, 75 minutes per paper, 150 minutes in total. Paper 1 tests applications of mathematical knowledge; Paper 2 tests mathematical reasoning and logic. Results are reported on a 1.0-9.0 scale. Cambridge uses the score at the shortlisting stage, so plan backwards from the mid-October test day.
FrontierVUE offers 18 sets of TMUA past papers (2015-2023, including the official specimen) and 10 mock papers, 971 questions in total, each with a detailed explanation and a Chinese translation; the two most recent past papers are free to try. Start practising at the TMUA practice hub, and see the TMUA exam overview for the full picture.
A route you can follow directly:
- Diagnose and patch gaps: read the Paper 1 guide and Paper 2 guide, check yourself against the syllabus guide, and work through the logic and proof guide, which deserves dedicated time of its own.
- Timed full papers: schedule with the revision plan, sit full past papers and mocks under timed conditions, and correct habits with the time management guide and the common mistakes guide.
- Final week: read the scoring guide and the test day guide so nothing procedural surprises you.
04
04 Special Notes for Cambridge CS Applicants
- Peterhouse and Trinity set an extra test: under the official Cambridge policy, G400 applicants to these two Colleges also take the Computer Sciences Aptitude Test (CSAT) in addition to the TMUA. Before choosing a College, decide whether you have the capacity to prepare for a second test.
- The TMUA shapes the interview shortlist: this is not a score used only after you get an interview; Colleges use it when deciding whom to shortlist. Plan your preparation backwards from the test day in mid-October 2026, not from interview or offer dates.
- Sources and independence: FrontierVUE is not affiliated with or endorsed by UAT-UK, Pearson VUE or the University of Cambridge. Registration arrangements and admissions policy are governed by the official UAT-UK and Cambridge sites; this page reflects the official 2027 entry position.
SAME UNIVERSITY
Other University of Cambridge pages for the TMUA
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to take the TMUA for Cambridge Computer Science (G400)?
Yes. For 2027 entry, Cambridge requires every G400 applicant to sit the TMUA before interview, and you must register in advance. Colleges use the result to help decide interview shortlisting, then consider it alongside the rest of the application when deciding offers.
I am in mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau. Which TMUA sitting should I take for Cambridge G400?
If you apply to Cambridge by the October deadline you must take the sitting on 12-16 October 2026; for candidates in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau the test days are fixed at 15 or 16 October, and booking closes on 28 September 2026. The 4-8 January 2027 sitting is only for mature applicants in the January round and cannot substitute for the standard route.
What extra test do Peterhouse and Trinity require for Computer Science?
Under the official Cambridge policy, G400 applicants to Peterhouse or Trinity also take the Computer Sciences Aptitude Test (CSAT) in addition to the TMUA. Factor this extra preparation load into your College choice.
What does the TMUA cover, how long is it, and how is it scored?
The TMUA has two papers of 20 multiple-choice questions each, 75 minutes per paper and 150 minutes in total. Paper 1 tests applications of mathematical knowledge, Paper 2 tests mathematical reasoning and logic, and results are reported on a 1.0-9.0 scale.
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。
Start preparing for the TMUA for Computer Science
28 TMUA papers and 827 questions on FrontierVUE, every one with a worked solution. The 2 most recent papers are free to try.