TMUA vs ESAT vs TARA: Which UAT-UK Test Do You Need?

What the TMUA, ESAT and TARA are

All three tests are run by UAT-UK, which the University of Cambridge and Imperial College London set up in 2023. They are taken on a computer at Pearson VUE test centres, and seven UK universities use one or more of them.

• TMUA (Test of Mathematics for University Admission): for maths and maths-related degrees such as economics and computer science. It is based on Higher GCSE and AS-level maths and tests mathematical thinking and reasoning.
• ESAT (Engineering and Science Admissions Test): for engineering, physics, natural sciences, veterinary medicine and some life sciences courses. It tests how you apply science and maths you are likely to have learned at school.
• TARA (Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions): a non-subject-specific test of critical thinking, problem solving and writing. You do not need subject knowledge.

If you prepared for an older Oxford test, note the changes. Oxford's Mathematical Institute says the MAT will not take place for the 2026 admissions round and applicants take the TMUA instead (see our MAT overview for background). Oxford Physics now uses the ESAT and says its syllabus and difficulty differ from the old PAT.

Format compared

The format details come from UAT-UK's TMUA, ESAT and TARA pages. None of the tests has negative marking, and none has a pass or fail mark.

Which universities and courses use which test

The definitive source is the UAT-UK course list for 2027 entry, together with each university's own course pages. This summary covers all seven universities:

• Cambridge: its admission tests page lists the TMUA and ESAT courses above. Computer Science applicants to Peterhouse or Trinity also take the CSAT.
• Imperial: its admissions tests page lists which departments use each test. Bioengineering, Chemistry, Earth Science and Engineering, and Materials use no test.
• LSE: the TMUA is mandatory for BSc Economics and BSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics and recommended for courses such as Mathematics and Economics, Data Science and Actuarial Science.
• Warwick: the TMUA is required for Computer Science and Mathematics unless you are eligible for a contextual offer; Mathematics also accepts STEP as an alternative.
• Durham: applicants to Mathematics and Mathematics and Statistics are strongly encouraged to sit the TMUA or STEP.

Same subject, different test: watch out

The biggest trap is assuming a subject always uses the same test. According to the 2027 entry course list:

• Computer science: TMUA at Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial and Warwick, but TARA at UCL.
• Economics: TMUA at Cambridge, LSE and UCL, but TARA for Oxford's Economics and Management and History and Economics.
• Mechanical engineering: ESAT at Imperial and Oxford, but TARA at UCL.
• Electrical and electronic engineering: ESAT at Imperial, Oxford and UCL.

So a student applying for computer science at Cambridge and UCL would need both the TMUA and the TARA.

How to work out your test, and taking more than one

1. List every course you plan to put on your UCAS application, with its UCAS code.
2. Find each course in the UAT-UK course list and note the test and any required ESAT modules.
3. Confirm on each university's own course page, which UAT-UK asks every candidate to do before booking.
4. Note whether the test is compulsory, recommended or optional for that course.
5. Check whether any of your courses is at Cambridge or Oxford, which means sitting in October.
6. Apply for a bursary or access arrangements first if you need them, because they cannot be added to an existing booking. Then book.

You can book more than one UAT-UK test. When you register, you select the test or tests you need and a separate test card appears for each, which you book and pay for individually. You can only take each test once in an application cycle, and it counts for all your universities.

For the ESAT, pick modules that satisfy every course. If one course allows a free choice, sit the compulsory modules for your other course. If two courses have clashing compulsory modules, UAT-UK says you may need to sit four modules and will review your selection.

Fees, dates and which sitting to choose

Each test costs £78 for candidates in the UK and Republic of Ireland and £133 elsewhere. The fee depends on the test centre location, not your nationality. For comparison, the 2026 entry fee was £75 and £130. UK candidates in financial need can apply for a bursary that covers the full fee.

Cambridge and Oxford applicants must sit in October, except Cambridge mature applicants to a college with a January deadline and Oxford Astrophoria Foundation Year applicants. For everyone else, UAT-UK says there is no advantage to either sitting. Full deadlines, bursary and access arrangement dates are in our UAT-UK test dates 2026–27 guide.

How the scores compare

All three tests report scores from 1.0 to 9.0, with the October median set at 4.5 and the 90th percentile at 7.0. Each test, and each ESAT and TARA module, is scaled separately, so scores are not comparable between them. In 2025–26, 16,092 people sat the TMUA, 14,193 the ESAT and 2,626 the TARA. For real score distributions, read TMUA scores explained and ESAT scores explained.

How to prepare for each test

UAT-UK provides free preparation materials for all three tests and recommends reading the test specification and practising under timed conditions. Then practise in the same format you will meet on the day:

• TMUA: try a free TMUA practice test with two 75-minute papers.
• ESAT: start with Maths 1 in a free ESAT practice test, then add your other modules.
• TARA: practise critical thinking, problem solving and a timed essay with a TARA practice test.

Applying from outside the UK? Read our guide to UK admissions tests for international students.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

Every source below was accessed on the listed date. Pages — especially department admissions pages — change without notice; the links go to the live versions.

1. TMUA – The Test of Mathematics for University Admission — UAT-UK. Accessed 2026-10-01.
2. ESAT – The Engineering and Science Admissions Test — UAT-UK. Accessed 2026-10-01.
3. TARA – The Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions — UAT-UK. Accessed 2026-10-01.
4. Key Dates — UAT-UK. Accessed 2026-10-01.
5. Test Results — UAT-UK. Accessed 2026-10-01.
6. Registering for a Test — UAT-UK. Accessed 2026-10-01.
7. FAQs — UAT-UK. Accessed 2026-10-01.
8. Bursary Scheme — UAT-UK. Accessed 2026-10-01.
9. Course List 2027 Entry — UAT-UK. Accessed 2026-10-01.
10. UAT-UK Annual Report 2025-26 Candidate Data — UAT-UK. Accessed 2026-10-01.
11. Admission tests and assessments — University of Cambridge. Accessed 2026-10-01.
12. Admissions tests — Imperial College London. Accessed 2026-10-01.
13. Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA) — London School of Economics and Political Science. Accessed 2026-10-01.
14. Admissions Tests (TMUA) — University of Warwick. Accessed 2026-10-01.
15. Mathematics entry requirements — Durham University. Accessed 2026-10-01.
16. TMUA — Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford. Accessed 2026-10-01.
17. Admissions procedures for physics courses — Department of Physics, University of Oxford. Accessed 2026-10-01.

Related guides

• TMUA Score Explained: Scale, Averages and Good Scores
• ESAT Score Explained: Conversion, Averages and Good Scores
• UCAT Format 2026: Sections, Timing and Question Counts
• UCAT Scores 2026: Averages, Percentiles and What's Good