Exams Ninja Guides
Oxford Admissions Tests – 2026 Changes
Written by: Nick Morfidis
From 2026, the University of Oxford will introduce a new set of admissions tests developed by UAT-UK, replacing several long-established assessments. These changes align Oxford’s admissions more closely with the admissions of the University of Cambridge and other Russell Group universities that have already adopted the UAT-UK framework.
The Biomedical Sciences Admissions Test (BMSAT), Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT), Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA), and Physics Aptitude Test (PAT) will be discontinued. From 2026 onwards, applicants to relevant Oxford courses that previously required one of these tests will instead be required to sit one of the following assessments:
- Test of Mathematics for University Admissions (TMUA)
- Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions (TARA)
- Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT)
In addition, Oxford will remove several subject-specific admissions tests entirely from its admissions processes, including the Ancient History and Classical Archaeology Admissions Test (AHCAAT), Classics Admissions Test (CAT), Modern Languages Admissions Test (MLAT), and Philosophy Admissions Test (PhiLAT).
In this article, we explain which Oxford courses are affected by these changes and how they may influence your application strategy.
1/2
WHICH OXFORD COURSES WILL BE IMPACTED
According to the official notice from the University of Oxford, some admissions tests will be replaced by UAT-UK assessments, while others will remain unchanged. In addition, several courses that previously required an admissions test will no longer require one. These changes will apply from 2026 for 2027 entry onwards.
Oxford Courses with Admissions Tests Replaced by UAT-UK Assessments
The following courses, which required the BMSAT, MAT, TSA, or PAT in 2025, will require new UAT-UK assessments from 2026 onwards. An exception is Materials Science, which required the PAT in 2025 but will no longer require an admissions test from 2026.
As shown above, History and Politics, which previously did not require an admissions test, is likely to require the Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions (TARA) from 2026 onwards, although this has not yet been officially confirmed by the University.
Oxford Courses That No Longer Require an Admissions Test
The courses listed below will not require an admissions test as part of their application process. Some of these courses did require an admissions test for 2026 entry; as a result, the removal of the test may alter how applicants are assessed from now on.
Get access to true difficulty UCAT questions.
The UCAT Preparation Platform is the most effective way to boost you understanding of critical thinking! With hundreds of questions, each with a worked solution, as well as a collection of full exam papers at your disposal, you’ll become an expert thinker in no time! Click below to create your free account!
2/2
HOW WILL OXFORD APPLICANTS BE AFFECTED?
The 2026 changes to Oxford’s admissions tests are generally expected to have positive implications for Oxford applicants.
Streamlined Testing Process
For applicants applying to both Oxford and other universities that already use UAT-UK assessments, the 2026 changes mean preparation can now be focused on fewer standardised tests.
Example:
In 2025, a student applying to Mathematics at both Oxford and Imperial would have needed to prepare for two separate admissions tests: Oxford’s MAT and Imperial’s TMUA. From 2026, they would only need to prepare for one test: the TMUA.
However, not all universities use UAT-UK assessments, and even when they do, the specific test may differ. For instance:
- Mathematics applicants to UCL and Oxford would still need to prepare for two tests: the STEP (UCL) and the TMUA (Oxford).
- Computer Science applicants at Oxford and UCL would still need to prepare for two tests: the TMUA (Oxford) and the TARA (UCL)
- Economics applicants to Oxford and UCL, LSE, or Imperial would still need to prepare for two assessments: the TARA (Oxford) and the TMUA (Imperial, UCL, LSE)
While the changes simplify test preparation for some applicants, it remains important to check the requirements of each university carefully to ensure no assessments are overlooked.
Get access to true difficulty TMUA questions.
The TMUA Preparation Platform is the most effective way to boost you understanding of critical thinking! With hundreds of questions, each with a worked solution, as well as a collection of full exam papers at your disposal, you’ll become an expert thinker in no time! Click below to create your free account!
Greater Transparency and Consistency
With Oxford adopting UAT-UK assessments, applicants can benefit from a clearer understanding of what each test evaluates. The UAT-UK framework standardises assessment of reasoning, problem-solving, and subject-specific skills, which can make preparation more predictable compared with the previous range of bespoke tests.
Example:
Previously, the TSA assessed critical thinking and problem-solving, while the MAT focused on mathematical reasoning. From 2026, applicants taking the TARA or TMUA will encounter a more consistent format across different subjects and universities, reducing the need to adapt to entirely different testing styles for each application.
This transparency can help applicants plan their study more effectively, and it may also make it easier to compare test performance across universities that use UAT-UK assessments.
Potentially Broader Access
Some courses that previously required an admissions test will no longer have this requirement, which may make these courses more accessible to a wider range of applicants. Removing a test can reduce barriers for students who may have been disadvantaged by specific test formats or time constraints.
Example:
Materials Science previously required the PAT. From 2026, applicants will not need to sit this test, meaning that candidates can focus more on their academic record, personal statement, and other aspects of their application. Similarly, courses in Ancient History or Classics that previously required AHCAAT or CAT will now assess applicants without a separate test.
While removing tests may open opportunities for some students, applicants should remember that Oxford admissions remain highly competitive, and strong academic performance and overall potential as demonstrated through the personal statement and interviews continue to be crucial.
Should You Use Resources From Cancelled Tests?
With the large number of past papers available for cancelled admissions tests, applicants may wonder whether these resources are still useful for preparing for the new UAT-UK assessments.
The UAT-UK tests follow different formats and exam conditions, so past papers from discontinued tests are generally not recommended for preparation. An exception is the TSA, whose question style is broadly similar to the TARA; however, applicants should still be mindful of the differences in format and timing.
For preparation, Exams Ninja offers a range of dedicated resources for the TMUA, TARA, UCAT, LNAT, and ESAT, providing a strong starting point for focused and effective study.
When Should You Sit the New Admissions Tests?
Although the TMUA, TARA, and ESAT are typically offered in two sittings each year – October and January – applicants to Oxford and Cambridge courses that require these assessments should sit the October sitting only.
The January sitting is not accepted for Oxford or Cambridge entry and is intended for applicants to other universities that use UAT-UK assessments.
The TARA is a critical part of your application, let us help you get it right!
With our TARA Preparation Platform, you’ll get access to guides, tutorials and practice questions for every section of the TARA. Create your free account today and find out how Exams.Ninja can boost your score!
It’s time to start thinking about your university application, including your revision for the TMUA, TARA and ESAT!
Exams.Ninja’s Preparation Platform will help you prepare for the big day. You’ll have access to tons of amaing resources, including:
Training Temple- Access expert tutorials alongside our tips, tricks and revision guides to build up you thinking abilities.
Practice Dojo- Hundreds practice questions, complete with expertly crafted worked solutions, all available for you to attempt at any time.
Exam Arena- Try out our collection of papers in realistic exam conditions. Boost your confidence in time for the real thing!
Start your admissions test prep today and maximise your chances of success.
