CAT (Classics Admissions Test)

What is the CAT?
How do I register?
When do I take the test?
How do I get my results?
Practice materials

What is the CAT?

If you are applying for one of the following courses you will be required to sit the CAT: Classics, Classics and English, Classics and Modern Languages and Classics and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies.

The Classics Admissions Test consists of three separate papers:

the Latin Translation Test
the Greek Translation Test
and the Classics Language Aptitude Test (CLAT).

Each paper lasts 1 hour and is sat under timed exam conditions. Which of the papers you take depends on the course you are applying for, and whether you are studying Latin or Greek to A-level or equivalent.

Which papers do I need to take?

Classics Course I (Q800)

Classics I is for those who are studying Latin or Greek to A-level or equivalent. You must take the Translation Test(s) in whichever of those languages you are studying.

Classics Course II (Q810)

Classics II is for those who are studying neither Latin nor Greek to A-level or equivalent. You must take the third paper, the Classics Language Aptitude Test.

Classics and English (QQ38)

Classics (I) and English is for those who are studying Latin or Greek to A-level or equivalent. You must take Translation Test(s) in whichever of those languages you are studying. You must also sit the ELAT.

Classics II and English (QQH8)

Classics II and English is for those who are studying neither Latin nor Greek to A-level or equivalent. You must take the third paper, the Classics Language Aptitude Test. You must also sit the ELAT.

Classics and Modern Languages

Classics I: If you are studying Latin or Greek to A-level or equivalent, you must take the Translation Test(s) in whichever of those languages you are studying. You must also sit the MLAT.
Classics II: If you are studying neither Latin nor Greek to A-level or equivalent, you must take the third paper, the Classics Language Aptitude Test. You must also sit the MLAT.

Classics and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

All candidates for both Classics with Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (Q8T9) and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies with Classics (T9Q8) must take the third paper, the Classics Language Aptitude Test.
For both Q8T9 and T9Q8: if you are studying Latin or Greek to A-level or equivalent you must also take the Translation Test(s) in whichever of those languages you are studying.

Greek and Latin Translation Tests:

The two translation papers each consist of a short passage in the prose or verse of the classical language, to be translated into English. The passages are carefully chosen to be of a difficulty suitable to students at A-level or equivalent.

You are not allowed to take dictionaries, grammar books or notes into the test, so if you are not used to translating without these aids, you should get lots of practise doing so, and try to learn vocabulary before sitting the test.

Classics Language Aptitude Test:

The CLAT is designed to assess your ability to analyse how languages work, in a way which doesn't depend on your knowledge of any particular language. Instead we are looking to gauge your aptitude for learning a new language rapidly.

Why do I have to take a test?

Most applicants to Oxford University have great personal statements, excellent references, and are also predicted top grades. It can therefore be difficult for us to choose between so many well-qualified candidates, especially as applicants come from all over the world and take different qualifications.

Tests give us an extra piece of information for every student who has applied for a given course, wherever they are from. Considered together with the other elements of the application, this helps us to identify the very best candidates. However, there is no specific mark that will guarantee your application will be shortlisted. The tests vary each year, and your test score will be considered alongside the scores of other students who apply for your course.

Do I have to pay?

We do not charge candidates to take this test. However, please be aware that some independent test centres do charge an administration fee to candidates; you should contact your centre for details.

How are the tests designed and reviewed?

When a department wishes to introduce a new admissions test for their course, there is a substantial consultation process within the University, including a pilot testing phase, designed to ensure that the test is suitable. Where appropriate, subject departments are encouraged to share common tests, or elements of tests, to ease the process of application for the student and administration for the school or college. Use of the tests is carefully reviewed and we undertake substantial statistical evaluation of each test.

How do I register?

More information on how to register for this admissions test will be available here shortly. The deadline for registering will be 29 September.

Joint schools:

If you are applying for Classics and English and Classics and Modern Languages, you will need to sit more than one test and must therefore ask to be registered for both tests. You will receive two candidate numbers as confirmation that your registration has been successful.

Can I apply for access arrangements?

Your test centre will be able to apply for access arrangements for you if you have a permanent or long-term disability which might affect your performance such as a sight impairment, dyslexia or cerebral palsy. You may also be eligible for access arrangements if you have a short-term difficulty, such as a broken arm.

The access arrangements you are eligible for will depend on the exact nature of your condition and most often will be the same as those you would get while taking a public examination at your school. These could include modified materials (i.e. large print or braille exam papers), extra time, or the use of a laptop.

You should let your school or test centre know of any requirements you may have as early as you can and provide them with medical evidence to support your application. The deadlines for applying for modified papers and requesting access arrangements will be available soon.

When do I take the test?

Depending on which test is being taken, this will be on one of the two dates given below, so a few weeks after the test registration deadline of 29 September.

2023 test dates:
19 October: CAT, ELAT, GAT, MAT and AMELAT
20 October: HAT, MLAT, PAT and Philosophy Test

We are aware that sometimes tests fall during school half terms which vary by region reach year. Unfortunately, due to the tight timeframes for processing applications, it is not possible to avoid this but we hope by giving you considerable notice of test dates, schools will be able to make plans for their students to sit tests either at their school or at an alternative test centre, and candidates will make sure they are available to take the necessary test(s).

It is not possible to re-sit a test. If you feel you did badly due to extenuating circumstances, for example: if you were ill on the day of the test or if there was some form of disruption at your test centre, it will be possible for the centre or yourself to submit a form reporting these circumstances in order for you to be considered for special consideration. Further details on how to do this will be available here shortly.

Remember to ensure you register for the test by 29 September, even if you feel exceptional circumstances may mean there is a risk you will not able take it. Our admissions tests are an important part of our assessment process for candidates and in order to make sure your application is as competitive as possible, we strongly advise that you make every effort to sit the test. We are aware that there may be extra difficulties for some candidates this year but we do expect the vast majority of candidates to be able to sit tests as planned. If you experience exceptional circumstances beyond your control which prevent this, please alert the college you have applied to as soon as possible. If you have made an open application, please contact us using our contact form. In this case your application will be considered using the other information you give us as part of your UCAS form and alongside other candidates applying for your subject.

How do I get my results?

Admissions tutors will receive the results of all candidates' tests directly and in time to make their shortlisting decisions in November.

Test scores will be automatically distributed to all applicants shortly after college decision letters are sent in January. Applicants will still be able to write to their college to request feedback.

Practice materials

Taking any type of test or exam can be stressful, but you can help build your confidence by doing a bit of preparation ahead of time.

You may also do better in the real test if you've had a chance to practise some sample or past papers, and got used to the format and timings of the admissions test you have to take.

Here are our top tips for preparing for the CAT:

Watch our CAT Workshop video (if you're applying for Course I) or CLAT Workshop video (if you're applying for Course II).
Review the past papers for the CAT. This will help you to feel familiar with the test paper and know what to expect.
Sit at least one past paper in test conditions. This is really important as it will help you get used to how much time to allocate to each question.

Don't worry if you find the past or specimen papers very difficult - they're supposed to be! All our tests are designed to stretch you further than you have been stretched before – most candidates will find them really hard.

CAT and CLAT Workshop videos

Past papers

Review the sample papers below for the CAT.

The Classics Admissions Test consists of three separate papers:

the Latin Translation Test
the Greek Translation Test
and the Classics Language Aptitude Test (CLAT).

You are given 1 hour for each paper that you answer. Which of the papers you take depends on whether you are apply for Classics I or Classics II. If you are studying Latin or Greek to A-level or equivalent (and are applying for Course I), you must take the paper(s) in the language(s) you are studying. If you are studying neither Latin nor Greek to A-level or equivalent (and are applying for Course II), you must take the third paper, the Classics Language Aptitude Test.

The University does not endorse, or allow use of, its tests that are protected by copyright for commercial uses.

Classics Language Aptitude Test solutions

Below are the answers to the Language Aptitude Test, which you can use to mark your own answers, or ask your teacher to refer to them.

The University does not endorse, or allow use of, its tests that are protected by copyright for commercial use.

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