ELAT (English Literature Admissions Test)

New arrangements for this test for 2025-entry will be communicated by the start of the new admissions cycle in Spring. In the meantime, you are welcome to explore the test preparation and practice materials which you may find helpful. 

What is the ELAT?

If you are applying for one of the following courses you will be required to sit the ELAT: English Language and LiteratureClassics and EnglishEnglish and Modern LanguagesHistory and English.  

How do I register? 

New arrangements for 2025-entry will be communicated by the start of the new admissions cycle in Spring. 

Test preparation and practice materials

New arrangements for this test for 2025-entry will be communicated by the start of the new admissions cycle in Spring. In the meantime, you are welcome to explore the test preparation and practice materials which you may find helpful. 

Past papers

Changes to the ELAT in 2018: Please note, prior to the 2018 test, candidates could compare two or three passages for ELAT. From the 2018 test onwards, they must compare two passages. Please note, the marking criteria were also updated in 2018. 

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

Sample paper

  • ELAT marking criteria (please note that the bands used in shortlisting by Oxford are set after marking is complete, when the distribution of candidates’ marks is available, and may not correspond precisely to the bands used in assigning the original mark.)
  • ELAT sample paper (please note that this sample paper was created before the ELAT became a typed test, so any references to colour of ink can be ignored)
  • ELAT sample answer booklet

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

Sample essays with examiners comments

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

Explanation of results

The maximum mark for the paper is 60. Each script is marked by two examiners. Each examiner gives a mark out of 30, and the two marks are combined to give an overall mark out of 60. The full range of marks will be used.

Results fall into four bands:

  • Band 1 (top): candidates are highly likely to be called for interview (unless other factors in the application outweigh the evidence of the test)
  • Band 2: candidates are likely to be invited to interview (unless other factors in the application outweigh the evidence of the test)
  • Band 3: candidates may be called to interview (in conjunction with strong factors elsewhere in the application)
  • Band 4: candidates are less likely to be invited to interview (unless other factors in the application outweigh the evidence of the test).

Exam scripts are marked by external examiners, NOT by the University of Oxford. However, the final grading will be decided by an invited panel of awarders including members of the Oxford English Faculty and selected representatives from schools and colleges.

A full breakdown of marks for each candidate is given to University of Oxford admissions tutors.

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

When do I take the test?

New arrangements for 2025-entry will be communicated by the start of the new admissions cycle in Spring.