📚 Overview of Key Undergraduate Admissions Tests for UK Universities | 英国本科申请主要入学笔试概览
Applying to UK universities, particularly for competitive courses at Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London and other Russell Group institutions, often means sitting one or more additional admissions tests. These assessments help universities distinguish between high-achieving applicants by measuring subject-specific aptitude, critical thinking, problem-solving and written communication skills. This guide provides a detailed overview of the main entrance exams required for medicine, law, mathematics, engineering, sciences and the humanities.
英国大学申请，尤其是竞争激烈的牛津、剑桥、帝国理工等罗素集团院校，通常需要参加一门或多门额外的入学笔试。这些考试通过评估学科相关的素质、批判性思维、问题解决能力和书面沟通技巧，帮助大学在众多高分申请者中做出区分。本文将为医学、法律、数学、工程、科学以及人文学科的主要入学考试提供详细概览。
1. UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) | 大学临床能力倾向测试
The UCAT is now the dominant admissions test for undergraduate medicine and dentistry in the UK, required by the majority of medical schools including Bristol, Edinburgh, King’s College London and Newcastle. It is a computer-based exam lasting 2 hours, consisting of five separately timed sections: Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning and Situational Judgement. Scores for the cognitive sections range from 300 to 900, while Situational Judgement is reported in bands. Registration opens in May and testing runs from July to early October. (Previously, some universities used the BMAT, which was discontinued for 2024 entry onwards, with affected institutions switching to UCAT or their own tests.)
UCAT是目前英国本科医学和牙医学最主要的入学考试，被布里斯托、爱丁堡、伦敦国王学院、纽卡斯尔等大多数医学院所要求。它是时长为2小时的机考，包含五个独立计时的部分：言语推理、决策、定量推理、抽象推理和情境判断。认知部分的分数范围为300至900分，情境判断以等级划分。报名于5月开放，考试在7月至10月初进行。（此前部分大学曾要求BMAT，但该考试自2024年入学起停用，相关院校已转向UCAT或自设考试。）
2. LNAT (National Admissions Test for Law) | 国家法律入学考试
The LNAT is used by leading law schools such as Oxford, Cambridge, London School of Economics, UCL, King’s College London and Durham. It assesses aptitude for legal study rather than legal knowledge. The 2-hour 15-minute test is divided into a computer-based multiple-choice section (42 questions based on 12 argumentative passages) and a 40-minute essay. The essay is not automatically scored but is sent to universities alongside the multiple-choice result. LNAT registration opens in August and testing takes place between September and January, with Oxford applicants required to sit it by mid-October.
LNAT被牛津、剑桥、伦敦政经学院、伦敦大学学院、国王学院和杜伦等顶尖法学院采用。它评估的是法律学习的潜力，而非法律知识。整个考试时长2小时15分钟，分为机考选择题（基于12篇议论文的42道题）和一篇40分钟的作文。作文不自动评分，但与选择题成绩一并发送给大学。LNAT报名于8月开放，考试期从9月持续至次年1月，但牛津申请者需在10月中旬前完成。
3. TSA (Thinking Skills Assessment) | 思维技能评估
The TSA is primarily required by the University of Oxford for courses such as Experimental Psychology, Geography, PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics), Human Sciences and Linguistics. Some Cambridge courses (e.g. Land Economy) require only TSA Section 1. The Oxford TSA consists of a 90-minute multiple-choice section (50 questions) testing problem-solving and critical thinking, followed by a 30-minute writing task. Scores for Section 1 are scaled, while the essay is unmarked but considered by admissions tutors. The test is sat in early November at authorised centres, with registration by mid-October.
TSA主要由牛津大学多个专业要求，包括实验心理学、地理学、PPE（哲学、政治学与经济学）、人文科学和语言学等。剑桥部分课程（如土地经济）只要求TSA第一部分。牛津TSA包含90分钟的选择题部分（50道题）考查问题解决与批判性思维，以及30分钟的写作任务。第一部分的分数经过标准化，写作部分不打分但供招生导师参考。考试于11月初在授权中心进行，需在10月中旬前报名。
4. MAT (Mathematics Admissions Test) | 数学入学考试
The MAT is used by the University of Oxford for Mathematics, Mathematics and Computer Science, Mathematics and Philosophy, and Computer Science. Imperial College London also uses MAT for all its undergraduate mathematics courses. The 2-hour 30-minute paper-based test comprises a combination of multiple-choice and longer questions based on AS-level mathematics and some A2 topics. Candidates select a set of questions depending on the course applied for. Registration typically closes in mid-October, and the test is held in early November. Scores are widely considered alongside interview performance and predicted grades.
MAT被牛津大学用于数学、数学与计算机科学、数学与哲学以及计算机科学专业，帝国理工学院的所有本科数学课程也使用MAT。这一纸笔考试时长2小时30分钟，包含选择题和较长的简答题，基于AS数学及部分A2内容。考生需根据所申专业选择不同题目组合。报名通常在10月中旬截止，考试于11月初举行。成绩与面试表现和预估成绩一起综合考量。
5. PAT (Physics Aptitude Test) | 物理能力测试
The PAT is required by Oxford for Physics, Engineering Science, Materials Science and Physics and Philosophy. It is a 2-hour paper-based test blending multiple-choice and structured questions, covering mathematics and physics at the level of GCSE and A-level. Topics include mechanics, waves, electricity, and mathematical reasoning. As with other Oxford tests, registration takes place by mid-October and the exam is sat in early November. A strong PAT performance can significantly strengthen an application and help secure an interview invitation.
PAT是牛津大学物理、工程科学、材料科学以及物理与哲学专业的入学必考。考试为2小时的纸笔测试，混合了选择题和结构化题目，覆盖GCSE和A-level级别的数学与物理知识，包括力学、波、电学和数学推理等。与其他牛津考试一样，报名截止于10月中旬，考试在11月初进行。优秀的PAT成绩能极大增强申请的竞争力，有助于获得面试邀请。
6. ENGAA (Engineering Admissions Assessment) | 工程入学评估
The ENGAA is used by the University of Cambridge for its undergraduate Engineering course. It is a 2-hour paper‑based test split into two sections. Section 1 consists of multiple‑choice questions on mathematics and physics (about 40 questions in 80 minutes). Section 2 presents more advanced multiple‑choice questions on physics (about 20 questions in 40 minutes). No calculator is allowed. Registration is handled through Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing, with a mid‑October deadline for the early November sitting. Scores are reported to colleges after the test and influence interview shortlisting.
ENGAA是剑桥大学本科工程专业的入学考试。这一纸笔考试时长2小时，分为两部分。第一部分为数学和物理的选择题（约40题，80分钟），第二部分是更进阶的物理选择题（约20题，40分钟）。考试不允许使用计算器。通过剑桥评估入学考试中心报名，10月中旬截止，11月初开考。成绩会在考试后传送给各学院，并影响面试入围名单。
7. NSAA (Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment) | 自然科学入学评估
Cambridge uses the NSAA for Natural Sciences, Veterinary Medicine and Chemical Engineering (via Natural Sciences). The test is 2 hours long and consists of two multiple‑choice sections. Section 1 includes 60 minutes with questions on mathematics plus one chosen science (Biology, Chemistry or Physics); Section 2 is 60 minutes of more specialised questions in one chosen science. Like ENGAA, it is paper‑based and calculators are not permitted. Registration and exam dates align with those of other Cambridge assessments (mid‑October registration, early November test).
剑桥大学在自然科学、兽医学以及通过自然科学途径入学的化学工程专业中使用NSAA。考试时长2小时，包含两个选择题部分。第一部分60分钟，涵盖数学外加一门自选科学（生物、化学或物理）；第二部分60分钟，针对所选科学提出更专业的问题。与ENGAA类似，NSAA为纸笔考试，不允许使用计算器。报名及考试时间与剑桥其他评估一致（10月中旬报名，11月初考试）。
8. TMUA (Test of Mathematics for University Admission) | 大学入学数学测试
The TMUA is required or recommended by several leading universities for courses with a strong mathematical component. For example, Cambridge uses TMUA for Economics and Computer Science, Imperial College London for Mathematics and Computing, and the London School of Economics for several quantitative degrees. The test lasts 2 hours 30 minutes and is divided into two 75‑minute papers, each containing 20 multiple‑choice questions. Paper 1 assesses mathematical thinking, while Paper 2 examines mathematical reasoning. It is usually taken in October, with registration closing in September. Scores are reported on a scale from 1.0 to 9.0.
TMUA被多所顶尖大学用于数学要求较高的课程。例如，剑桥大学的经济学和计算机科学、帝国理工学院的数学和计算专业以及伦敦政经学院的多数量化学位均要求或推荐TMUA。考试时长2小时30分钟，分为两个75分钟的卷子，各含20道选择题。卷1评估数学思维，卷2考查数学推理。一般于10月考试，9月截止报名，成绩按1.0至9.0等级报告。
9. STEP (Sixth Term Examination Paper) | 第六学期考试
STEP is a deeply demanding mathematics test essential for applicants to Mathematics at the University of Cambridge, and often required or encouraged by the University of Warwick, Imperial College London and other mathematics departments. There are two 3‑hour papers: STEP 2 and STEP 3, each offering 12 questions from which candidates choose 6. The syllabus covers A‑level Mathematics and Further Mathematics, with an emphasis on problem‑solving, proof and mathematical intuition. Registration is via schools or test centres by late April, and papers are taken in June (alongside A‑level exams). Grades range from S (Outstanding) to 1, 2, 3 and U.
STEP是对数学要求极高的考试，是剑桥大学数学专业申请者的必考项，华威大学、帝国理工学院等数学系也常要求或鼓励提供STEP成绩。考试包含STEP 2和STEP 3两份各3小时的卷子，每卷提供12道题，考生自选6题解答。考纲涵盖A-level数学和进阶数学，着重考查问题解决、证明能力和数学直觉。由学校或考试中心在4月底前报名，6月（与A-level考试同期）进行。等级分为S（卓越）、1、2、3和U。
10. HAT (History Aptitude Test) | 历史能力测试
Oxford uses the HAT for all its History and joint‑history courses (e.g. History and English, History and Politics). The 1‑hour exam presents candidates with a piece of historical source material, followed by a single question that requires careful analysis, interpretation and argument. It is designed to assess skills of close reading, critical thinking and historical reasoning rather than factual recall. Registration follows the standard Oxford timetable (mid‑October deadline) and the test is held in early November. The HAT script is marked by Oxford tutors and plays a key role in shortlisting for interview.
牛津大学所有历史及历史联合专业（如历史与英语、历史与政治）都要求HAT。这一小时的考试给出一段历史原始文献，随后是一个需要细致分析、解读和论证的问题。它旨在评估精读、批判性思维和历史推理能力，而非考查史实记忆。报名按照牛津标准时间表（10月中旬截止），11月初考试。HAT答卷由牛津导师批阅，在筛选面试名单时起关键作用。
11. ELAT (English Literature Admissions Test) | 英语文学入学测试
The ELAT is required by the University of Oxford for English Language and Literature, Classics and English, and English and Modern Languages. Candidates are given a booklet containing six thematically linked passages of poetry and/or prose, and must write a single comparative essay focusing on two of the passages within 90 minutes. The test evaluates skills of close reading, literary analysis and argument construction. There are no set texts to prepare. Registration closes in mid‑October and the test is taken in early November. Performance on the ELAT is considered alongside personal statements, written work and interview performance.
ELAT是牛津大学英语语言与文学、古典学与英语、英语与现代语言等专业要求的入学考试。考生会拿到一本包含六篇主题相关的诗歌或散文选段的小册子，需在90分钟内选择其中两篇进行比较分析，撰写一篇论文。考试评估精读能力、文学分析和论证构建能力，无需准备指定篇目。报名于10月中旬截止，考试在11月初进行。ELAT成绩会与个人陈述、书面作业和面试表现综合评估。
12. Other Notable Tests and Summary Table | 其他值得注意的测试与总结表
Beyond the tests already covered, several other course‑specific admissions assessments exist for Oxford and Cambridge. The Modern Languages Admissions Test (MLAT) is required for modern language courses and includes grammar, translation and a target‑language essay. The Oriental Languages Aptitude Test (OLAT) assesses aptitude for languages such as Arabic, Japanese and Turkish, focusing on language‑learning ability rather than prior knowledge. The Philosophy Test is used by Oxford for Philosophy and Theology, involving a 1‑hour essay on a philosophical prompt. These tests typically follow the same registration and November sitting schedule.
除上述测试外，牛津和剑桥还有其他针对特定课程的入学评估。现代语言入学测试（MLAT）是各现代语言专业的要求，包含语法、翻译和目标语言的作文。东方语言能力测试（OLAT）评估阿拉伯语、日语、土耳其语等语言的习得潜力，而非既有的语言知识。哲学测试用于牛津哲学与神学专业，考生需就一道哲学命题在1小时内撰写一篇论文。这些测试通常遵循相同的报名时间表，并于11月进行。
The table below summarises the key admissions tests discussed in this guide, providing a quick reference for their purpose, main universities, format and typical test
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