Physics Aptitude Test (PAT) Guide

How to register for the PAT

WHEN IS THE PAT IN 2024?

The test date for the PAT in 2024 is the 28th of October, meaning that all applicants will have to sit the test on this exact day. This may be during half term, but with plenty of advanced notice this hopefully shouldn’t prevent your school or college from holding the test. Be aware that if you miss this date for whatever reason you will not be able to take the test on another day and your application will not be considered.

WHEN IS THE DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION?

The PAT, like many Oxford Admissions Tests, requires applicants to register in advance of sitting the test. 2023 applicants will have to register between the 15th of August and the 4th of October to be able to sit the test.

Candidates can register for themselves via the online registration portal. We recommend reading the Oxford University PAT page for more details on how to register; the university will be releasing further information in due course. Once registered, applicants will then be able to book their place at a Pearson VUE test centre. We recommend booking as soon as possible so that you can secure a place at the most convenient test centre for you.

Once registered, make sure that you have received an email stating your test centre location, and the date, time, and duration of the test. Make sure that this is done well in advance of the deadline. If you have extenuating circumstances (i.e. a situation beyond your control) that prevented you from registering on time, get in touch with the Oxford college you applied to immediately and alert them of your situation.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO TAKE THE PAT?

Oxford University does not charge applicants a registration fee. However, independent test centres do sometimes charge an administration fee for candidates to cover costs such as room hire and invigilation. Get in touch with your chosen test centre to clarify if this cost will apply to you.

Tips from a Successful Oxford Physics Student

HOW CAN I PREPARE FOR THE PAT?

1. Review Core Physics Concepts: Thoroughly revise fundamental physics concepts, focusing on topics typically covered in the PAT.
2. Practice Problem-Solving: Regularly work on physics problems that require analytical thinking and application of scientific principles.
3. Mathematical Proficiency: Strengthen your mathematical skills, as they are essential for solving physics problems accurately and efficiently.
4. Time Management: Practise answering questions under timed conditions to improve your ability to manage time effectively during the PAT. For access to bespoke, true-to-life mock papers with which to practise your timing skills, head to our Admissions Test Resources hub and browse our exclusive collections.
5. Seek Guidance: Consider seeking guidance from teachers or mentors experienced in PAT preparation to receive valuable feedback and insights. Previous Oxford physics graduates, such as our mentors here at Oxbridge Applications, are also a great source of knowledge to draw on, as they can give you an accurate picture of what it means to perform like a real Oxford physicist.

PAT PREPARATION MATERIALS

In addition to official PAT past papers on the Oxford Website, we at Oxbridge Applications have written a series of additional mock papers. Our students have 33% more questions to practise with. Our mock PAT papers can be found here and are included with our admissions test tuition. All of our PAT tutors are highly-trained Oxford Physics graduates who can share their personally insights of having sat the test. You can contact our Oxbridge-graduate Consultants on +44 (0) 20 7499 2394 or email [email protected] to discuss which of our test training would suit you best. We also have an online testing portal for students who want to sit the exam in timed, test conditions.

How to Pass the PAT?

The best advice we can offer to pass the PAT exam is to begin exam preparation early and practise often.

Most students who don’t get through the PAT to be invited to interview tell us that they didn’t spend enough time familiarising themselves with the type of questions that can arise. They typically say that they were caught off guard by a particular question and it put their timings off for the rest of the test.

START EARLY

Although you may require scientific or mathematical concepts studied later on in your school studies, challenge yourself to get ahead of the syllabus so you can begin practising PAT questions, especially the skills-based questions. Some students find it important to build up their arithmetic skills, since calculators are not allowed on any part of the paper.

REFLECTION

Reflect on your personal strengths and weaknesses. No two students should have the same revision strategy for the PAT, since you all have varying abilities. Try to identify which part of the syllabus you find easiest or more difficult in order to target your revision strategically.

DON'T RESTRICT YOUR PRACTICE MATERIALS

Don’t restrict your practice materials: Once you have tried all of the real past papers, and have moved on to additional materials like our bespoke PAT papers, you should then look wider at similar materials. For example, take a look at science papers from other exam boards or qualification systems for an idea of where questions could go.

COLLABORATION 

Work with a friend or teacher to discuss questions and identify your own personal revision goals. Working with others can be a huge motivation and keep you on track in the weeks and months leading up to the test. We have specialist PAT tutors who can work with you one-to-one to refine your test technique.