Information for schools, colleges and other test centres
We are delighted to announce that from now, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) will manage the delivery of Oxford's own admissions tests. We are currently working with TCS on the development of a test centre registration portal and details on how to become an authorised test centre will be available here shortly. This will include guidance on test centre registration for UK students and those based elsewhere. Please continue to check this page for all the latest information. For digital tests there will be an opportunity for students to practise taking their tests online but in the meantime, as the overall structure and syllabi of Oxford's tests will not be changing, students will still find it helpful to look at the preparation materials and resources available on individual test pages. Details of the new GAT (Geography Admissions Test) will be confirmed shortly.
2023 timeline for Oxford's TCS admissions tests:
1-29 September: candidate registration window
19 October: test day for CAT, Oxford ELAT, GAT, MAT and AMELAT
20 October: test day for HAT, MLAT, PAT and Philosophy test
For the final time in 2023, Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing (CAAT) will deliver paper-based TSA and BMAT tests for candidates on 18 October. As for other admissions tests, the candidate registration window will be 1-29 September. Any questions regarding either of these tests should be directed to CAAT.
Arrangements for the LNAT (National Admissions Test for Law) will be the same as in previous years and details of the timeline will be found on the LNAT website.
Apply to be a test centre
Details on how to register to become an authorised test centre for Oxford's own 2023 admissions tests being run by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) will be available here shortly.
If you have candidates for the TSA and BMAT, please follow the guidance from Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing.
Candidates applying for Law should be directed to the LNAT.
Registering students for admissions tests
Details on how centres authorised to run Oxford's own admissions tests can register students and apply for access arrangements will be available here shortly.
If you have candidates for the TSA and BMAT, please follow the guidance from Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing.
Candidates applying for Law should be directed to the LNAT.
Preparing students for their admissions tests
Most of Oxford's own admissions tests will be computer-based in 2023 but the structure of tests and syllabi content will not be changing so the past papers and other resources available on individual test pages will still be valuable preparation. Students registered to take an Oxford admissions test will be given the opportunity to experience taking a practice test online (using the 2022 past test paper or similar) well in advance of their test date. Resources for the new GAT test for Geography will be available as soon as possible on the GAT webpage.
Candidates for the paper-based TSA and BMAT should be directed to Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing for support.
Candidates applying for Law should be directed to the LNAT.
Preparing your centre
Information on the steps which authorised centres will need to take in advance of running tests will be available here shortly.
Managing test days
Information on running Oxford's tests including scheduling, extenuating circumstances, malpractice reporting and script return will be available here shortly.
If you have candidates for the TSA and BMAT, please follow the guidance from Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing.
Candidates applying for Law should be directed to the LNAT.
Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: 11/04/23
Are all Oxford's admissions tests going to be digital/online in 2023?
Over the next three years, working with TCS, Oxford is planning to transfer its admissions tests to a digital format. This transition will begin in 2023 when Oxford’s own tests, apart from the MAT (for Mathematical subjects) and PAT (for Physics and related subjects) will be digital. The MAT and PAT will be hybrid with the question paper online but with a paper answer booklet. The TSA and BMAT will be paper-based and delivered by Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing service for a final year.
Do you have concerns about the security of your admissions tests particularly given the developments in AI?
Our digital admissions tests will be delivered via a secure platform which prohibits any online activity. If any such activity is suspected, this will be reported after the session. As in previous years, all tests will be sat under strict invigilation in schools and test centres which are already experienced in running public examinations and which meet our strict eligibility criteria.
What about accessibility? Will your digital tests take into account a candidate's particular requirements?
Oxford are working with TCS to ensure that the accessibility needs of students taking tests online via TCS’s secure platform are met in the same way as if they were taking a paper-based public examination. As usual, this will include the provision of alternative formats where necessary. We are currently consulting closely with the University’s Disability Advice Service and Centre for Teaching and Learning to ensure that their expertise and guidance is fully incorporated.
Will the digital test environment place a greater burden on schools and other test centres?
Initially and in this transition year, test centres will need to demonstrate their ability to meet various criteria and assessment protocols before being able to register as a centre. However, in subsequent years, once registered, the process for centres should become increasingly automated and rely less on their input and support, for example there will be no need for the collection and returning of exam scripts. Oxford is consulting with schools during the development of this new process to ensure that the test centre’s perspective is represented and their concerns about the move to digital assessment are taken into account.
What if a school doesn't have the right or enough technology for the number of candidates?
Most schools will have only a few candidates so this is unlikely to be an issue. In the rare instances where the number of available computers is insufficient for all candidates to sit a test at one time, TCS may arrange with centres for them to invigilate candidates during staggered test sittings. Affected centres are likely to have had experience of managing similar situations where there have been timetable clashes with paper-based exams and so are likely to be familiar with this adjustment. If a school is not able to meet TCS’s test centre eligibility criteria, then their candidates will be offered registration at another nearby centre.
How will TCS work with Oxford to ensure that the views of stakeholders are considered throughout the development phase?
Oxford is consulting with schools and other test centres during the development of this new admissions testing process to ensure that the test centre’s perspective, and that of their students is represented, and any concerns about the transition to digital assessment are considered. Furthermore, the test platform will be piloted with students to collect their feedback to inform the final design of these assessments.