What is the ESAT Test?
The Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT) was established in 2024 by the UAT- UK as a replacement for the ENGAA and NSAA required for applicants looking to study engineering or science degrees at the University of Cambridge. It is delivered by Pearson Vue. More ESAT information can be found on the official ESAT website.
Which universities require the ESAT?
For 2026 entry, applicants wishing to take the following subjects at Imperial College London, the University of Cambridge or University College London (UCL) will need to take the ESAT exam:
Imperial College London:
- Aeronautics, Chemical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Design Engineering and Mechanical Engineering
- Physics
University of Cambridge:
- Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Natural Sciences or Veterinary Medicine
- Engineering
University College London (UCL):
- Electronic and Electrical Engineering BEng
ESAT vs NSAA and ENGAA
The ESAT admissions test replaced the NSAA and ENGAA in 2024 for 2025 entry. While there are many overlaps in both content and usage, there are some differences between the three tests that students will need to be aware of when using practice resources from the outdated tests. Here is an overview of the NSAA and ENGAA vs ESAT.
| Aspect | ESAT | NSAA | ENGAA |
| Usage | Used by multiple universities beyond Cambridge, including Imperial College London and UCL | Exclusively used by Cambridge | Exclusively used by Cambridge |
| Format | Fully computer-based test with modern interface and navigation | Primarily paper-based with manual navigation | Primarily paper-based with manual navigation |
| Specification | Emphasises core scientific knowledge and advanced mathematics, removes advanced science sections | Includes sections for advanced sciences, mathematics, and specific engineering concepts | Focuses on mathematics and physics, with specific sections for each |
| Presentation | Digital platform with selectable checkboxes, timers, and progress tracking | Traditional paper-based format with answer sheets | Traditional paper-based format with answer sheets |
ESAT Format, Dates and Registration
What is the ESAT format?
The ESAT test is divided into four sections:
- Mathematics I
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Mathematics II
All candidates sitting the ESAT and applying to an engineering or sciences course at the above three universities are required to take the Mathematics I sub-test. This section comprises of 27 multiple-choice questions and candidates are given 40 minutes to complete the test.
Candidates are also required to take a maximum of two other sub-tests from the list above. It is important to check the university websites to see if these are pre-prescribed for the course you are applying to or if you are able to choose. This is especially important if you are applying to two or more of the listed universities.
What are the ESAT test dates?
There are two ESAT test sittings for 2026 entry, each with two possible dates to choose from:
- 9th and 10th October 2025
- 6th and 7th January 2026
It is important to note that students applying for courses at the University of Cambridge will need to choose the October ESAT date, whereas applicants for Imperial College London and UCL can choose whether to take the test in October or January.
For international students, there will only be one ESAT test date per sitting, 10th October or 7th January. This is due to reports of previous candidates trying to sell test information to others.
Candidates will take the ESAT at given ESAT test centres, usually within 40 miles of their home.
What is the ESAT application process?
Students registering to sit the ESAT will need to create an account on the UAT-UK website and receive an ESAT login. They can then register for a date and will be given a test centre. Below are the dates that students must be aware of:
October ESAT Application Dates
- ESAT registration opens: Monday 2nd June 2025 3pm BST
- Test booking opens: Thursday 31st July 2025 3pm BST
- Test booking deadline for access arrangements: Monday 8th September 2025 6pm BST
- ESAT deadline: Monday 29th September 2025 6pm BST
- ESAT test dates: 9th and 10th October 2025
- ESAT results: Friday 14th November 2025
January ESAT Application Dates
- ESAT registration opens: Wednesday 1st October 2025 3pm BST
- Test booking opens: Monday 27th October 2025 3pm BST
- Test booking deadline for access arrangements: Monday 1st December 2025 6pm BST
- ESAT deadline: Friday 19th December 2025 6pm BST
- ESAT test dates: 6th and 7th January 2026
- ESAT results: February 2026
ESAT Subject Overview
The ESAT exam assesses candidates on their knowledge of mathematics, physics, biology or chemistry (depending on which ones you choose) and is based largely on the GCSE syllabus for each subject. This is with the exception of Mathematics II, which covers further topics that are also included in the A-Level syllabus.
ESAT Mathematics I
The ESAT Mathematics 1 syllabus contains the following topics:
- Units
- Number
- Ratio & Proportion
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Statistics
- Probability
ESAT Biology
The ESAT Biology syllabus contains the following topics:
- Cells
- Movement Across Membranes
- Cell Division and Sex Determination
- Inheritance
- DNA
- Gene Technologies
- Variation
- Enzymes
- Animal Physiology
- Ecosystems
- Plant Physiology
ESAT Chemistry
The ESAT Chemistry syllabus contains the following topics:
- Atomic Structure
- The Periodic Table
- Chemical Reactions, Formulae and Equations
- Quantitative Chemistry
- Oxidation, Reduction and Redox
- Chemical Bonding, Structures and Properties
- Group Chemistry
- Separation Techniques
- Acids, Bases and Salts
- Rates of Reaction
- Energetics
- Electrolysis
- Carbon/Organic Chemistry
- Metals
- Kinetic/Particle Theory
- Chemical Tests
- Air and Water
ESAT Physics
The ESAT Physics syllabus contains the following topics:
- Electricity
- Magnetism
- Mechanics
- Thermal Physics
- Matter
- Waves
- Radioactivity
ESAT Mathematics II
The ESAT Maths 2 syllabus contains the following topics (noting that some of these are A-Level concepts):
- Algebra and Functions
- Sequences and Series
- Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y)-plane
- Trigonometry
- Exponentials and Logarithms
- Differentiation
- Integration
- Graphs of Functions
The full ESAT syllabus can be found on the official website.
How Is the ESAT Scored?
The ESAT is scored on a scale from 1.0 to 9.0 (with 1.0 being the lowest score). This has been done to ensure fairness across the two sittings of the exam (which have different questions). The score has been designed so that most candidates will score 4.5 with only around 10% scoring above 7.0.
The UAT-UK does not set ESAT score boundaries and this is not a pass/fail test. It is the decision of the university to use the scores along with other UCAS application material to allocate interviews/places to students. Each section is scored separately and universities may use these scores differently, favouring one over the other for certain courses. This should be outlined in the entry requirements on their websites.
What Is an ESAT Good Score?
A good score on the ESAT would be anything above 4.5, which is the typical score. If you are aiming to be competitive, aim for above average scores to stand out in your application.
ESAT 2024 Results
The UAT-UK have published the scores for the previous year, where you can see the most students scoring between 4.0 and 5.0 for each subject. The tables are below and have been taken from the ESAT website.
Past Papers and Practice Resources
As the ESAT is still a relatively new admissions test, there are limited ESAT past papers and practice resources available. If you are looking for an ESAT book, they are still few and far between, but the UAT-UK have sample questions and timed questions for students to practice and they suggest still using the old ENGAA and NSAA past papers. These past papers can also be found on Oxbridge Mind. Furthermore, our ESAT online course has been developed to give students all the content they need to revise in one single platform.
Preparation Tips from Tutors
If you’re looking for advice on how to prepare for ESAT, our expert tutors have compiled a list of five ESAT tips to support your revision. These are intended to help you focus on the important details before ESAT test day.
Understand the ESAT Test Format
This is probably the most important ESAT tip. By acquainting yourself with the ESAT specification, you can hone your revision to hit the specification points and understand where you need to improve. While a lot of the content is based on GCSE content (with the exception of Mathematics 2), it may have been a while since you have revisited the concepts.
Create a Study Plan
Using the ESAT specification, we advise students to make a study plan that allows them to space out their revision and allows for time to revisit trickier concepts. We suggest splitting the time throughout the week between different subjects to give you time to test your retention of the concepts. Repeat each concept at least twice to test your knowledge and make sure that you take plenty of breaks. Do not try to pack in all your revision on one day or a couple of weeks as your brain will find it hard to retain information after a few hours.
Pick Your Resources Carefully
While there are limited resources for the ESAT, there are still plenty of resources to revisit GCSE and A-Level content. Whether you prefer listening to podcasts, watching videos or reading books – pick a couple of resources that you find helpful. Remember that buying 5 books on Biology is not going to make you retain more information but you may get swamped with the amount of information available.
Practise Under Timed Conditions
It is always a good idea to practise taking the test as you would on test day. While you have 40 minutes for each subject and 27 multiple-choice questions, this still requires you to choose or eliminate the answers. You will also need to give yourself enough time to read the question properly. The official ESAT website has timed tests for you to practise.
Focus on Your Weak Areas
Focusing on your strengths will give you confidence. But when you think you have mastered and remembered a concept, move on to the next topic. Spending more time on areas where you are less confident will boost your understanding and give you more chance of answering the questions correctly.
ESAT FAQs
Can I use ESAT past papers for exam preparation?
Practice questions are valuable and practising under timed conditions is recommended. However, comprehensive preparation involves more. Understanding the syllabus is also important to ensure that you have covered all the topics that could be included in the exam.
Is GCSE knowledge sufficient for ESAT, or should I revise A-Level content?
ESAT aligns with GCSE knowledge, but variations exist among exam boards. Mathematics 2 also covers some AS level knowledge so it is worth looking at the ESAT specification so you know what to revise.
Can I use calculators during the ESAT exam?
No, calculators are not permitted in the ESAT exam. Practise mental calculations and enhance your ability to solve mathematical problems without external aids.
How can I manage time effectively during the ESAT exam?
Prioritise sections strategically. Understand the compulsory and optional components. Timed practise, especially with previous papers, helps refine your approach and ensures you’re well-prepared for the tight time constraints.
