The Oxford Physics Aptitude Test (PAT) is a written test that all Physics, Engineering, and Materials Science applicants to Oxford University must sit. It consists of physics, maths, and problem-solving questions based on A-level Maths and Physics course content.
With an average score of 50-60% each year and only a minority of applicants achieving a place in the Oxford Physics course, you may wonder how to prepare to do as well as possible. Read on for our top 10 tips for acing the Oxford PAT from those who have won the numbers game.
Tips for the PAT #1. Start Preparations Early
The Oxford PAT involves content from A-level Maths and Physics courses, some of which you probably won’t have learnt before. From PAT past papers to virtual university admissions counselling such as Oxbridge Mind, there are plenty of resources to work through.
Therefore what you should do is start preparing early; you’ll have lots to do shortly before the Oxford PAT exam, so don’t make extra work for yourself at this time. Prepare in advance.
Just think of it this way, would you rather do 1 hour a day for 100 days, or 5 hours a day for 20 days? Either way you do 100 hours, but if you start early you can be more relaxed and really take everything in instead of cramming it.
When to prepare for the Oxford PAT
We recommend starting well in advance, pacing yourself at first. Make sure you know the PAT syllabus and where to find past papers several months before. Roughly 12 weeks before, we recommend you start PAT past paper questions, working on them for at least four dedicated hours per week. In the final two months, you should complete a fully timed physics aptitude test past paper every week along with your dedicated revision of the Oxford Physics Aptitude Test material.
If you need other questions, as there are only a limited number of PAT past papers, consider the other resources recommended below.
2. Practice Questions
You can prepare all you want by learning the topics but the Oxford PAT exam consists of application-style questions. You will need to prepare for those questions. That’s why if we could only pick one most important tip from this list it would be to practice exam-style questions. Fortunately, the Oxford University Physics department has released annual PAT past papers since 2006.
There are also many other physics aptitude test preparation resources such as Isaac Physics and British Maths and Physics olympiads which have questions in a similar format. You can even look at the Cambridge admissions tests for engineering and natural sciences, the ENGAA and the NSAA, if you need more questions – and you can never have too many. We recommend looking at Oxford PAT test solutions online and comparing yours to make sure you have the correct answers and techniques.
3. Read Ahead in A-level Physics and Maths courses
Because applicants from a variety of backgrounds take the PAT, not everyone will have studied the same A-Level Physics and Maths course content, and no one will have studied all of it.
Therefore, a good way to get ahead is to learn any A-level Physics and Maths course topics you haven’t done before. Don’t worry about knowing everything – the PAT tests your intelligence, not your knowledge. It’s definitely important to discuss this with your teachers; they will offer help, and better still consider a personal PAT tutor – more on this later.
4. Time Yourself
The PAT takes 2 hours for 100 marks, working out to just over 1 minute per mark. Some will undoubtedly take less time and some, more. Speed is one of the things that people struggle with the most, but it comes with practice.
Before you take the PAT, you need to be practicing timed physics aptitude test past papers in exam conditions to know that you’re really ready. You don’t need to do this right away, some students start by going through individual questions slowly, before building up to full PAT papers and finally, introducing exam conditions.
You don’t need to be able to complete a full PAT paper in 2 hours at first, so start by practicing individual PAT past paper questions without worrying about timing, then try a full PAT past paper taking as long as you need. After that move on to timed papers. We recommend doing this around two months before the PAT.
5. Know the Syllabus
The PAT syllabus, along with PAT past papers and other useful resources, can be found on the Oxford University Physics Department website. It changes year on year, and it’s been held online before due to the pandemic that shall not be named, so be sure to check the most up-to-date PAT syllabus to focus your work efficiently.
Tips for the PAT #6. Consider a tutor
All of these tips will be easier if you have someone to help you who’s been through the system and knows what works. According to Oxford University, only 35% of students do all the work themselves with no help, and very few schools offer Oxbridge-specific PAT tutoring. Oxbridge Mind can connect students with tutors, who are current Oxford Physics students themselves!
Oxford University doesn’t release official PAT past paper solutions, as they say there are multiple valid ways to solve the question, so being able to talk through questions and solutions with a PAT tutor is invaluable.
A PAT exam Oxford tutor is the perfect way to get the most useful advice. As the adage goes, “Work smarter, not harder!” Check out Oxbridge Mind’s PAT tutors.
7. Get into a routine
Getting everything done in time and staying motivated can be tricky, especially in the face of other commitments and difficulties. You should do what works for you, but we recommend having a routine and working little and often. The momentum will help you to keep on track and to set realistic targets. This will be particularly helpful once you clinch your admission and are on your way to being an Oxbridge graduate.
Tips for the PAT #8. Make sure you have the correct equipment
Similar to knowing the syllabus, know what equipment you’re allowed. In previous years the PAT has been moved online because of the pandemic which shall not be named. Certain types of calculators aren’t allowed. Additionally, we recommend having a spare pen and pencil for every eventuality. These are simple things, but it’s just one less thing you have to worry about so you can focus on getting your best possible PAT score.
9. Revise your weak topics, not your strong ones
It’s tempting to make life easier for yourself and just practice Oxford PAT past paper questions you know you will get right, but you won’t learn that way. Keep track of what questions you get wrong and practice those topics. This is another area where it can be very helpful to have a PAT tutor, or talk to your school teachers. Your PAT tutor/teacher can help you with any topics you’re having trouble with. Counterintuitively, it may be in your best interest not to learn everything and spend time on topics that come up more often, or ones you will be able to gain the most marks from. It is often the case that enough context is given in the question to solve it even if it’s a new topic – a skill you will need if you are invited to an interview.
Tips for the PAT #10. Don’t worry about your score
Fewer than 1% of applicants get more than 90% in the PAT. There is no predefined pass mark. The PAT is used as a tool to select the best applicants as there are a limited number of places on the Oxford University Physics course. You can find the number of successful applicants and the minimum mark to achieve an interview, an offer, and entry into Oxford for Physics for each year in the exam reports.
If you follow all these tips and do plenty of practice, you’re sure to do as well as you possibly can. All that’s left from us is to wish you the best of luck with your journey!
