UPDATE: Please note that CAAT has announced that they will be discontinuing the NSAA and will no longer administer the test from 2024. Candidates looking to apply for Natural Sciences or Veterinary Medicine at the University of Cambridge for 2025 entry and beyond will be required to take the ESAT.
Prospective students wishing to read Engineering at Cambridge must sit the Engineering Admissions Assessment, as a first barrier to an acceptance offer. The test itself is split into two sections, as outlined in our introductory article, ‘What is the ENGAA?‘. This article breaks the first section of the ENGAA down into its fundamental components. It gives Oxbridge Mind ENGAA Experts’ best tips for Section 1 of the final exam.
Components of Section 1
Section 1 of the ENGAA consists of 40 multiple choice questions. Each has answer options of A to E and being worth a single mark. Examinees have a question paper and a separate answer sheet.
The syllabus from Cambridge outlines that the section is split into two distinct parts. Part A consists of 20 questions on Mathematics and Physics and Part B consists of 20 questions on Advanced Mathematics and Advanced Physics. The syllabus recommends students spend half of the allotted 60 minutes on each section. It also states that no calculators are allowed.
Exam Technique
Aside from having an understanding of everything on the syllabus, students should ensure their written mathematics are both fast and accurate. They should also have fast recall of necessary equations, perhaps using spaced repetition software such as Anki as outlined in our previous article, ‘10 Top Tips for the ENGAA‘.
With an allocation of a minute and a half per mark, the ENGAA examines applicants’ speed and exam technique in addition to their intelligence. With six possible options to each question, one strategy to increase efficiency would be to eliminate clearly incorrect answers immediately after reading the question. In some cases, this may also lead to the correct answer being more obvious to the examinee.
Once a prospective student practises many ENGAA past papers, they may begin to notice patterns in the question patterning. Perhaps drawing diagrams for force balances makes a question clearer. Or that conservation of kinetic and potential energies is the most time-efficient way to approach a question. With enough practise, question strategies can also be formalised and sped up. This technique also provides familiarity with the style of ENGAA questions, and should decrease nerves in the final exam hall.
Conclusion
Engineering Admissions Assessment Section 1 is the more time-pressured half of the two component sections. Oxbridge Mind recommends consistent practise over the months prior to the exam. This means prospective applicants can perfect their examination technique. Formalising their approach to questions is one of the best ways to increase efficiency in the exam.
For more information on the ENGAA itself consider our top tips here. For a breakdown of Section 2, see our article entitled ENGAA Section 2.
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