Engineering and Sciences Admissions Test (ESAT) Guide

How to register for the ESAT

WHEN IS THE ESAT IN 2024?

The test dates for the ESAT in 2024 is the 15th and 16th 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 ESAT, like many UK university Admissions Tests, requires applicants to register in advance of sitting the test. 2024 applicants will have to register between the 1st and 29th of September to be able to sit the test (although the deadline for many access arrangements is around the 15th September, so be sure to register early if you’re likely to need special arrangements of any kind!).

An applicant cannot register themselves for the test, but must be registered through an official test centre. For most candidates this will be their school or college, but if not it can be done through an open test centre. We recommend reading the Cambridge University ESAT webpage for more details on how to register.

Make sure that you have submitted all your details to the test centre and have received your candidate entry number as proof of entry by midnight on the 29th of September. If you have extenuating circumstances (i.e. a situation beyond your control) that prevented you from registering on time, get in touch with the University or college you applied to immediately and alert them of your situation.

If you’re struggling to keep on top of dates and deadlines, head to our website to download our free University Application Calendar, which features registration deadlines and test dates for all major UK admissions tests, as well as other key dates such as UCAS deadlines, interview dates, open days, and more.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO TAKE THE ESAT?

The ESAT costs £75 for applicants within the UK or Republic of Ireland, and £130 if taken anywhere else. UK candidates in need are able to apply for a bursary voucher and register for the ESAT free of charge; more information on this process will be published in spring 2024.

Tips from a Successful Cambridge Natural Sciences Student

HOW CAN I PREPARE FOR THE ESAT?

1. Review Core Scientific Concepts: Thoroughly revise fundamental scientific concepts, focusing on topics typically covered in the ESAT.
2. Practice Problem-Solving: Regularly work on scientific problems and scenarios that require analytical thinking and application of scientific principles.
3. Time Management: Practise answering questions under timed conditions to improve your ability to manage time effectively during the ESAT. Use specimen papers or other science tests to practise under exam conditions. Cambridge will publish practice materials from May 2024 to help with this!
4. Seek Guidance: Consider seeking guidance from teachers or mentors experienced in ESAT preparation to receive valuable feedback and insights. Previous Cambridge Science 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 Cambridge Scientist. Draw on their knowledge through our Admissions Test Courses.
5. Stay Confident and Calm: Approach the ESAT with confidence in your scientific knowledge and problem-solving abilities, knowing that your preparation has equipped you for success.

ESAT PREPARATION MATERIALS

In addition to official ESAT specifications, we publish a series of additional mock papers. Our students have 33% more questions to practise with. Our mock ESAT papers are included with our ESAT Tuition course. All of our ESAT tutors are highly-trained Cambridge natural sciences, engineering, vet medicine, or biotechnology graduates.

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.

WHAT IS THE BEST STUDY GUIDE FOR THE ESAT? 

At Oxbridge Applications, we pride ourselves in providing up-to-date advice and unrivalled expertise. As well as collating information from publicly available sources, we also conduct our own research into the application process; for example, by surveying the thousands of students we support each year. Speak to an Oxbridge Applications expert today for advice on your specific situation!

How to Pass the ESAT?

The best advice we can offer to succeed in the ESAT is to begin exam preparation early and practise often.

Most students who don’t get through tests like the ESAT 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 ESAT 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 ESAT, 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 ESAT papers, you should then look wider at similar materials. For example, 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 ESAT tutors who can work with you one-to-one to refine your test technique.