CAT (Classics Admissions Test)

Important notice for current applicants for Classics, Classics and English, Classics and Modern Languages and Classics and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies: decision on use of the Classics Admissions Test (CAT)  

Thank you for your patience while we gathered data about the Classics Admissions Test (CAT) that took place on Thursday, 19 October. In our initial statement on Tuesday, 24 October, we committed to ensuring that no candidate would be disadvantaged as a result of the technical difficulties they suffered while taking the test. We are also aware that some candidates who did not experience technical difficulties themselves will have been affected by the difficulties encountered by other candidates who were sitting tests in the same room.

We have now carefully considered the data and the options available to us, and we have decided that that the problems were so extensive that the Classics Admissions Test will not play any part in our assessments this year, and will not be marked. In its place, for those candidates invited for interview, applicants for Course I should expect a linguistic task in the classical language(s) they are studying to A-level (or equivalent) as part of their interview process; applicants for Course II should expect a task enabling them to demonstrate their linguistic aptitude as part of their interview process. Further details will be provided to candidates in the coming weeks.

We recognise that candidates will have spent considerable time and effort preparing for and sitting the test and this effort remains useful for the alternative tasks that will be used to assess these skills. The decision to exclude the test from the admissions process this year was not taken lightly, but we believe that the approach we are now taking is the only way to ensure that our admissions process remains fair for all candidates.

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 computer-based tests:

• 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 tests 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 test, 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 test, 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 test, 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 test, 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 tests 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.