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Information for schools, colleges and other test centres

Important notice:
We are very aware of the difficulty and disappointment some of our UK applicants will have experienced through technical problems with their online tests this year. Candidates and test centres should have received our apology directly but if you haven't yet seen this, please do read it. Any statements from subject departments about the use of their admissions tests this year can be found on the individual test pages. Where relevant, please also see our information on requesting special consideration.  

Test delivery
Authorised test centres will use the Oxford/TCS test centre portal to manage the delivery of  Oxford's own admissions tests to their registered candidates on Thursday, 19 October and Friday, 20 October. Full guidance on test management is given via the tabs on this webpage. The test centre dashboard on the portal is now live and we recommend that test centre administrators familiarise themselves with this in advance of test days.

Below you will find a test centre preparation checklist which we hope you will find particularly useful for quick reference and is available to download and print. This covers test centre activities before, during and after tests as well as guidance on managing certain scenarios. 

2023 dates for Oxford's own admissions tests run by TCS are as follows:

Detailed guidance on candidate preparation for each test is available on the individual test webpages (see links above). Each test page includes for quick reference, an Admissions test candidate preparation checklist which you can download and share. 

For the final time in 2023, Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing (CAAT) will deliver paper-based TSA and BMAT tests for candidates on Wednesday, 18 October. 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. 

Test centre preparation checklist

In addition to reading the information below you may find it useful to download and print:
1.  Oxford Admissions test centre preparation checklist (a copy of the information here)
2.  Admissions test candidate preparation checklist
3. Written guidance on using the test dashboard.

Detailed guidelines for invigilators are available under the 'Managing test days' tab.

BEFORE TEST DAY

Review and check details with candidates

  • Go to the ‘Registered candidates’ section of the test centre portal and review entries with candidates. Check that their test registration details are correct - that they have been entered for the correct test/s and any access arrangements have been requested.

  • Confirm candidates have received their test login details and weblink to the candidate’s test portal as they will need these on the day to access their test. Candidates should be informed that they are permitted to write these login details on a piece of otherwise blank paper, and to bring this with them into the exam room.

  • Share our candidate preparation checklist and make sure candidates are clear what time and where they should arrive and that they know to bring photographic ID, login details as well as any writing equipment, water bottles etc.

  • Most tests have an online notepad but please make sure candidates are aware that they are also allowed rough paper and that this will be available to them. This should be collected and destroyed at the end of tests by test administrators.

Bringing your own device

  • If you have any candidates bringing their own device on test day, check that they have followed the instructions to check the device's compatibility in advance. If you or your candidate have any difficulties with completing these checks, get in touch with TCS as soon as possible to avoid issues on test day.

Create additional centre administrators

  • Depending on how many candidates you have, and how many tests you are delivering, you may want to add more administrators to your centre’s portal login. There is no limit to how many administrators are created and this avoids having to share centre login details and passwords. To do this, log in to the centre portal and you should see a drop-down menu top right below your centre’s name. Select ‘Create admin’ and follow the instructions.  

Planning for candidates’ arrival

  • Plan for the start of test days - how you will manage checking candidates' IDs and marking them as ‘present’ - so they can access their test at the time it is scheduled to begin. Depending on the size of the centre and number of test administrators, you may want to stagger candidates' arrival.
  • Note that if candidates are sitting two consecutive tests, you can mark them as present for both tests, before they sit their first one. This may save time between tests and ensure candidates have a rest. 

Timetabling of tests

  • Given that these admissions tests are computer-based, to maintain test security and ensure the integrity of this assessment process, it is essential that centres abide by their designated local start time and follow the suggested timetable.
  • Tests can be started up to 30 minutes after their designated start time. Any further adjustments to test time due to exceptional circumstances would need to be discussed directly with TCS.

Explore your centre’s test dashboard and the candidates’ test platform

  • It is strongly recommended to log in to your centre’s test dashboard via the centre’s portal in advance of test day, so you can see what this looks like. (You can also read our written guidance and watch instruction videos on using this.)
  •  You might want to explore the candidate’s test portal so you know what this will look like for them on test day. (You can also watch our ‘preparing for your test’ videos available at ox.ac.uk/tests.)

Check for the arrival of any required answer booklets for MAT or PAT

  • Answer booklets for the MAT and PAT should arrive by Tuesday, 17 October. If you don’t receive them, please follow our contingency process and download and print these yourself from the test dashboard.

Download and print any answer booklets needed for MLAT

  • If you have candidates taking the Russian or Modern Greek sections of the MLAT, you will be emailed answer booklets to download and print out in advance.
  • Download and print our any useful documents such as this preparation checklist, the test dashboard guidance and the test timetable.

Check your IT support know about the tests and the requirement for internet connection

  • Internet connection is required to mark candidates as ‘present’, for candidates to launch their test and for the automatic submission of test responses at the end. However, once the test is launched, no internet is needed for the duration of the test.
  • If the connection is lost at the time of test submission, a contingency process will ensue and a ZIP file of responses will be automatically generated in the Downloads folder of a candidate’s device. This can be transferred (using a USB drive or similar) to the test administrator’s device and uploaded via the centre’s test dashboard. Internet connection is also required for uploading answer booklets from hybrid tests.

  • Centres have until 4pm UK time, Tuesday, 24 October to return any files of completed tests.

Check for potential disruptions

  • To minimise the likelihood of disruption, check whether fire alarms, building works, IT maintenance or other activities are scheduled during test times and if at all possible arrange for these to be delayed or rescheduled. See below for instructions on what to do in the event of a large-scale disruption. 

ON TEST DAY

Getting help 

  • In addition to email and live chat, phone support will be available on both test days. Details for the phone line will be available shortly. 
  • Tata Consultancy Services (TCS): email: oxford.testcentresupport@tcs.com
  • Oxford undergraduate admissions and outreach: email: study@ox.ac.uk

Log in to the centre portal

  • On arrival, log in to your centre portal and access the test dashboard where you will see a list of the tests and numbers of candidates (Read our test dashboard guidance or watch our instruction videos for how to manage tests via your centre’s test dashboard.)

Set up candidates’ computers and bookmark the test portal

  • To save time, before candidates arrive, switch on all devices and using either Google Chrome or Firefox browsers only - search for and bookmark the candidate test portal. Note the test portal will not work properly on other browsers. If already arranged as an exception and candidates are using MacBooks or Chromebooks, they must log in only via Google Chrome.

Checking photographic IDs and test login details

  • On arrival, a candidate’s identity must be verified using valid photographic identification, for example a passport, driving licence, provisional driving licence or student ID. We recommend that you use this time also to check that students have remembered to bring their login details (and that nothing else is on the piece of paper).
  •  If a candidate has forgotten their login details, test administrators can recover these details from the 'Registered candidates' section of the test centre portal - but this will take up time, so is best avoided.

Extra time

  • Check that any extra time allowed has been requested for the candidate and this time allowance is correctly registered BEFORE marking them as present. Note: it is not possible to adjust the test time AFTER a candidate has been marked as present or launched their test.  

Marking candidates as ‘present’

  • No candidate will be able to access their test unless their centre has marked them as ‘present’ via the centre’s test dashboard. This means, even using their login details, they will not be able to access their test anywhere other than at their test centre.

 Equipment for hybrid tests (MAT, PAT and MLAT (Russian and Modern Greek only)

  • Candidates for hybrid tests will be using a printed answer booklet and will need the necessary writing equipment, including a black pen. Please note that no calculators are allowed for the MAT. There is an online calculator available for the PAT. NO other calculator is allowed, unless approved for a candidate with special requirements.

Invigilator guidelines

  • Details on what to say to candidates and other test regulations can be found under Detailed guidelines on managing test days (which centres were asked to read and confirm compliance with when applying for authorisation to become test centres).

DURING THE TEST

‘In progress’

  • During tests, the centre dashboard will show candidates tests as ‘in progress’.  Internet access is needed for candidates to launch their test but not during it. Once a candidate begins, their responses will be saved every minute or so and this will not be affected by any loss of internet connection.

Managing scheduled or emergency breaks 

  • Your test dashboard allows you to lock and unlock a candidate’s test. This ensures that the timer is stopped and a candidate doesn’t lose any of their test time during their break. For security reasons, the test may also lock if a candidate accidentally or intentionally attempts to navigate away from the test. The first time this happens, they will just receive a warning which they can override by pressing ‘ok’ within 10 seconds. If this happens twice or more, their test will lock and a pop-up will tell them to contact their test administrator to have their test unlocked. When locking or unlocking tests, you will be asked to log a reason for this activity. A record is kept and automatically sent with the candidate’s responses to TCS and Oxford. (You can watch a video on how to lock/unlock tests.)
  • Note: internet connection is required to unlock a test. In the unlikely event that this is lost whilst a candidate is on a break, the test administrator will need to wait until the connection resumes before unlocking the test. The candidate will be able to proceed with their test as soon as the connection returns and the test is unlocked. They will not lose any test time. However, if this disruption is over a prolonged period of time, the test administrator will need to consider any possible consequence of the test finishing later than anticipated, for example, if the device is needed for a candidate sitting a later test. 
  •  If your centre experiences a large-scale disruption during test time, for example a fire alarm requiring evacuation, and you do not have time to lock each candidates’ test, ask them to hit ‘Esc’ on their device. If no further keyboard action is taken, the test will automatically lock. (Essentially this triggers the same security mechanism which occurs if a candidate navigates away from their test.) Test centre administrators will need to ‘unlock’ candidates’ tests when the test resumes. There will be no loss of time for the candidates. 

Access arrangements

  • If candidates have access arrangements or modified papers, due to a disability or special requirement, these arrangements must be made available to them on the day. Any allowance for extra time should automatically have been added to their online test and this should be clearly visible on the clock timer displayed on their test when they start it. (See note above on how to adjust the extra time allowance before a candidate is marked as present.) Your centre must be able to produce evidence of need if requested by TCS or Oxford.

AT THE END OF THE TEST

Submission of online tests

  • Candidates' completed online tests are automatically submitted at the end of the test. If they don’t submit themselves in time, the test will still finish and they will no longer have access to it.
  •  If, at the time of submission internet access is lost, as a contingency, a ZIP file (a Reliable file) of the test responses will be automatically generated and saved in the 'Downloads' folder of the candidate’s computer. This can then be transferred (via USB drive or similar) to the centre’s portal and uploaded.

Submission of answer booklets for hybrid tests (MAT, PAT and MLAT (Russian or Modern Greek only)

  •  Before collecting answer booklets make sure candidates have completed the front page and entered their details carefully. They should also have added their candidate test ID to all subsequent pages as well. 
  •  Answer booklets will need to be scanned and uploaded via the centre’s test dashboard before 4pm UK time on Tuesday, 24 October.

 Collect and destroy rough paper

  • For security reasons, please collect and destroy any rough paper used by candidates.

 Marked as ‘completed’

  • Once candidates have finished their online tests and responses have been automatically submitted, their status on your test dashboard should change to ‘completed’.
  •  The status of candidates taking hybrid tests will also change to ‘completed’, once you have uploaded their answer booklets. (You can watch a video on uploading answer booklets.)

AFTER THE TEST

Special consideration

  • If for any reason you feel that a candidate’s performance in the test has been impacted by something that happened during the test, please submit a Special Consideration form on their behalf. This form will be available online from 9am UK time on 19 October. If a candidate is taking their test at an open centre, they can submit this form themselves. 

Test results

  • Admissions tutors will receive the results of all candidates' tests directly and in time to make their shortlisting decisions in November. Candidates will find out if they have been shortlisted and invited to interview towards the end of November, beginning of December. They can check the timetable to see when online interviews for their course will be held.
  • Test scores will be automatically distributed to applicants shortly after college decision letters are sent in January. Please note that PAT scores will be distributed to all applicants for Materials Science and Engineering Science but only to unsuccessful applicants for Physics, and Physics and Philosophy.
 

These instruction webinars and videos are for test centre administrators managing Oxford's admissions tests and using the test centre dashboard. In particular, we would recommend watching the 35 minute 'Test centre training' webinar. There are also some short webinars showing how to manage certain test day scenarios. 

Test centre training webinar

Locking and unlocking tests

Marking test attendance and launch approvals

Uploading hybrid test scripts

Scenario 1: Candidate forgot their login details

Scenario 2: Candidate locked due to interruption

Scenario 3: Extra time to be allocated at the start of the test

Scenario 4: Candidate gets an error message while launching the test

Scenario 5: Schedule a rest break for the candidate

Scenario 6: Candidate gets a zip file at the end of the test

Start times by location

Given that these admissions tests are computer-based, to maintain test security and ensure the integrity of this assessment process, it is essential that centres abide by the local start times listed.

Below you will find the local start time for your country. Authorised test centres can also refer to this test timetable for guidance on running consecutive tests.

Note: Information for schools, colleges and other test centres from Belarus, China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine and Venezuela is slightly different. If you are located in any of these countries and need to administer Oxford's admission tests for applicants please read the guidance for these countries. 

Please contact oxford.testcentresupport@tcs.com if you have questions about operating Oxford admission tests in your local time zone.  

All times shown on this page are local start times. Both test days, 19 and 20 October, will start at these times.

Note: On 19 October, the ELAT will start two hours later than this start time. On 20 October, the HAT will start one hour later than this time. This is to accommodate candidates who have to take two consecutive tests on either day. 

The test day start time in the United Kingdom is 09:00. 

Locations starting with A

The time shown here is the local start time for your country. Both test days, 19 and 20 October, will start at this time.

Note: On 19 October, the ELAT will start two hours later than this start time. On 20 October, the HAT will start one hour later than this time. 

Afghanistan

  • 12:30

Albania

  • 10:00

Algeria

  • 09:00

Andorra

  • 10:00

Angola

  • 09:00

Antigua & Barbuda

  • 12:00

Argentina

  • 13:00

Armenia

  • 12:00

Australia

  • WA: 09:00
  • NT: 10:30
  • QLD: 11:00
  • SA: 11:30
  • ACT/NSW/TAS/VIC: 12:00

Austria

  • 10:00

Azerbaijan

  • 12:00

Locations starting with B

The time shown here is the local start time for your country. Both test days, 19 and 20 October, will start at this time.

Note: On 19 October, the ELAT will start two hours later than this start time. On 20 October, the HAT will start one hour later than this time. 

Bahamas

  • 12:00

Bahrain

  • 11:00

Bangladesh

  • 14:00

Barbados

  • 12:00

Belgium

  • 10:00

Belize

  • 10:00

Benin

  • 09:00

Bermuda

  • 13:00

Bhutan

  • 14:00

Bolivia

  • 12:00

Bosnia & Herzegovina

  • 10:00

Botswana

  • 10:00

Brazil

  • ACT: 11:00
  • AMT: 12:00
  • BRT: 13:00
  • FNT: 14:00

Brunei

  • 09:00

Bulgaria

  • 11:00

Burkina Faso

  • 08:00

Burundi

  • 10:00

Locations starting with C

The time shown here is the local start time for your country. Both test days, 19 and 20 October, will start at this time.

Note: On 19 October, the ELAT will start two hours later than this start time. On 20 October, the HAT will start one hour later than this time. 

Cambodia

  • 08:00

Cameroon

  • 09:00

Canada

  • PDT/MST: 09:00
  • MDT/CST: 10:00
  • CDT/EST: 11:00
  • EDT/AST: 12:00
  • ADT: 13:00
  • NDT: 13:30

Cape Verde

  • 15:00

Cayman Islands

  • 11:00

Central African Republic

  • 09:00

Chad

  • 09:00

Chile

  • CLST: 13:00
  • EASST: 15:00

Colombia

  • 11:00

Comoros

  • 11:00

Congo

  • 09:00

Congo, Democratic Republic

  • WAT: 09:00
  • CAT: 10:00

Cook Islands

  • 06:00

Costa Rica

  • 10:00

Côte d'Ivoire

  • 08:00

Croatia

  • 10:00

Cyprus

  • 11:00

Czechia

  • 10:00

Locations starting with D

The time shown here is the local start time for your country. Both test days, 19 and 20 October, will start at this time.

Note: On 19 October, the ELAT will start two hours later than this start time. On 20 October, the HAT will start one hour later than this time. 

Denmark

  • 10:00

Djibouti

  • 11:00

Dominica

  • 12:00

Dominican Republic

  • 12:00

Locations starting with E

The time shown here is the local start time for your country. Both test days, 19 and 20 October, will start at this time.

Note: On 19 October, the ELAT will start two hours later than this start time. On 20 October, the HAT will start one hour later than this time. 

Ecuador

  • 11:00

Egypt

  • 11:00

El Salvador

  • 10:00

Equatorial Guinea

  • 09:00

Eritrea

  • 11:00

Estonia

  • 11:00

Eswatini

  • 10:00

Ethiopia

  • 11:00

Locations starting with F

The time shown here is the local start time for your country. Both test days, 19 and 20 October, will start at this time.

Note: On 19 October, the ELAT will start two hours later than this start time. On 20 October, the HAT will start one hour later than this time. 

Falkland Islands

  • 13:00

Fiji

  • 13:00

Finland

  • 11:00

France

  • 10:00

Locations starting with G

The time shown here is the local start time for your country. Both test days, 19 and 20 October, will start at this time.

Note: On 19 October, the ELAT will start two hours later than this start time. On 20 October, the HAT will start one hour later than this time. 

Gabon

  • 09:00

Gambia, the

  • 08:00

Georgia

  • MSK: 11:00
  • GET: 12:00

Germany

  • 10:00

Ghana

  • 08:00

Gibraltar

  • 10:00

Greece

  • 11:00

Greenland

  • ADT: 13:00
  • WGST: 14:00
  • EGST: 16:00

Grenada

  • 12:00

Guadeloupe

  • 12:00

Guatemala

  • 10:00

Guernsey

  • 09:00

Guinea

  • 08:00

Guinea-Bissau

  • 08:00

Guyana

  • 12:00

Locations starting with H

The time shown here is the local start time for your country. Both test days, 19 and 20 October, will start at this time.

Note: On 19 October, the ELAT will start two hours later than this start time. On 20 October, the HAT will start one hour later than this time. 

Haiti

  • 12:00

Honduras

  • 10:00

Hong Kong

  • 09:00

Hungary 

  • 10:00

Locations starting with I

The time shown here is the local start time for your country. Both test days, 19 and 20 October, will start at this time.

Note: On 19 October, the ELAT will start two hours later than this start time. On 20 October, the HAT will start one hour later than this time. 

Iceland

  • 08:00

India

  • 13:30

Indonesia

  • WIB: 08:00
  • WITA: 09:00
  • WIT: 10:00

Iraq

  • 11:00

Ireland

  • 09:00

Isle of Man

  • 9:00

Israel

  • 11:00

Italy

  • 10:00

Locations starting with J

The time shown here is the local start time for your country. Both test days, 19 and 20 October, will start at this time.

Note: On 19 October, the ELAT will start two hours later than this start time. On 20 October, the HAT will start one hour later than this time. 

Jamaica

  • 11:00

Japan

  • 10:00

Jersey

  • 09:00

Jordan

  • 11:00

Locations starting with K

The time shown here is the local start time for your country. Both test days, 19 and 20 October, will start at this time.

Note: On 19 October, the ELAT will start two hours later than this start time. On 20 October, the HAT will start one hour later than this time. 

Kazakhstan

  • MSK+2: 13:00
  • ALMT: 14:00

Kenya

  • 11:00

Kiribati

  • GILT: 13:00
  • PHOT: 14:00
  • LINT: 15:00

Korea, South

  • 10:00

Kuwait

  • 11:00

Kyrgyzstan

  • 14:00

Locations starting with L

The time shown here is the local start time for your country. Both test days, 19 and 20 October, will start at this time.

Note: On 19 October, the ELAT will start two hours later than this start time. On 20 October, the HAT will start one hour later than this time. 

Laos

  • 08:00

Latvia

  • 11:00

Lebanon

  • 11:00

Lesotho

  • 10:00

Liberia

  • 08:00

Libya

  • 10:00

Liechtenstein

  • 10:00

Lithuania

  • 11:00

Luxembourg

  • 10:00

Locations starting with M

The time shown here is the local start time for your country. Both test days, 19 and 20 October, will start at this time.

Note: On 19 October, the ELAT will start two hours later than this start time. On 20 October, the HAT will start one hour later than this time. 

Macau

  • 09:00

Madagascar

  • 11:00

Malawi

  • 10:00

Malaysia

  • 09:00

Maldives

  • 13:00

Mali

  • 08:00

Malta

  • 10:00

Marshall Islands

  • 13:00

Mauritania

  • 08:00

Mauritius

  • 12:00

Mexico

  • MST/PDT: 09:00
  • CST/MDT: 10:00
  • CDT/EST: 11:00

Micronesia

  • CHUT: 11:00
  • PONT/KOST: 12:00

Moldova

  • 11:00

Monaco

  • 10:00

Mongolia

  • HOVT: 08:00
  • ULAT/CHOT: 09:00

Montenegro

  • 10:00

Morocco

  • 09:00

Mozambique

  • 10:00

Myanmar

  • 14:30

Locations starting with N

The time shown here is the local start time for your country. Both test days, 19 and 20 October, will start at this time.

Note: On 19 October, the ELAT will start two hours later than this start time. On 20 October, the HAT will start one hour later than this time. 

Namibia

  • 10:00

Nauru

  • 13:00

Nepal

  • 13:45

Netherlands

  • 10:00

New Zealand

  • 14:00

Nicaragua

  • 10:00

Niger

  • 09:00

Nigeria

  • 09:00

North Macedonia

  • 10:00

Norway

  • 10:00

Locations starting with O

The time shown here is the local start time for your country. Both test days, 19 and 20 October, will start at this time.

Note: On 19 October, the ELAT will start two hours later than this start time. On 20 October, the HAT will start one hour later than this time. 

Oman

  • 12:00

Locations starting with P

The time shown here is the local start time for your country. Both test days, 19 and 20 October, will start at this time.

Note: On 19 October, the ELAT will start two hours later than this start time. On 20 October, the HAT will start one hour later than this time. 

Palau

  • 10:00

Palestine

  • 11:00

Panama

  • 11:00

Papua New Guinea

  • PGT: 11:00
  • BST: 12:00

Paraguay

  • 13:00

Peru

  • 11:00

Philippines

  • 09:00

Poland

  • 10:00

Portugal

  • 09:00

Puerto Rico

  • 12:00

Locations starting with Q

The time shown here is the local start time for your country. Both test days, 19 and 20 October, will start at this time.

Note: On 19 October, the ELAT will start two hours later than this start time. On 20 October, the HAT will start one hour later than this time. 

Qatar

  • 11:00

Locations starting with R

The time shown here is the local start time for your country. Both test days, 19 and 20 October, will start at this time.

Note: On 19 October, the ELAT will start two hours later than this start time. On 20 October, the HAT will start one hour later than this time. 

Réunion

  • 12:00

Romania

  • 11:00

Rwanda

  • 10:00

Locations starting with S

The time shown here is the local start time for your country. Both test days, 19 and 20 October, will start at this time.

Note: On 19 October, the ELAT will start two hours later than this start time. On 20 October, the HAT will start one hour later than this time. 

Saint Kitts & Nevis

  • 12:00

Saint Lucia

  • 12:00

Saint Vincent & The Grenadines

  • 12:00

Samoa (American)

  • 05:00

Samoa (Western)

  • 14:00

San Marino

  • 10:00

Sao Tome & Principe

  • 08:00

Saudi Arabia

  • 11:00

Senegal

  • 08:00

Serbia

  • 10:00

Seychelles

  • 12:00

Sierra Leone

  • 08:00

Singapore

  • 09:00

Slovakia

  • 10:00

Slovenia

  • 10:00

Solomon Islands

  • 12:00

Somalia

  • 11:00

South Africa

  • 10:00

Spain (and Canary Islands)

  • WEST: 09:00
  • CEST: 10:00

Sri Lanka

  • 13:30

Sudan, South

  • 10:00

Suriname

  • 13:00

Sweden

  • 10:00

Switzerland

  • 10:00

Locations starting with T

The time shown here is the local start time for your country. Both test days, 19 and 20 October, will start at this time.

Note: On 19 October, the ELAT will start two hours later than this start time. On 20 October, the HAT will start one hour later than this time. 

Taiwan

  • 09:00

Tajikistan

  • 13:00

Tanzania

  • 11:00

Thailand

  • 08:00

Timor-Leste

  • 10:00

Togo

  • 08:00

Tonga

  • 14:00

Trinidad & Tobago

  • 12:00

Tunisia

  • 09:00

Turkey

  • 11:00

Turkmenistan

  • 13:00

Tuvalu

  • 13:00

Locations starting with U

The time shown here is the local start time for your country. Both test days, 19 and 20 October, will start at this time.

Note: On 19 October, the ELAT will start two hours later than this start time. On 20 October, the HAT will start one hour later than this time. 

Uganda

  • 11:00

United Arab Emirates

  • 12:00

United Kingdom

  • 09:00

United States

  • HST: 06:00
  • HDT: 07:00
  • AKDT: 08:00
  • MST/PDT: 09:00
  • MDT: 10:00
  • CDT: 11:00
  • EDT: 12:00

Uruguay

  • 13:00

Uzbekistan

  • 13:00

Locations starting with V

The time shown here is the local start time for your country. Both test days, 19 and 20 October, will start at this time.

Note: On 19 October, the ELAT will start two hours later than this start time. On 20 October, the HAT will start one hour later than this time. 

Vanuatu

  • 12:00

Vatican City

  • 10:00

Vietnam

  • 08:00

Locations starting with W

The time shown here is the local start time for your country. Both test days, 19 and 20 October, will start at this time.

Note: On 19 October, the ELAT will start two hours later than this start time. On 20 October, the HAT will start one hour later than this time. 

Western Sahara

  • 09:00

Locations starting with Y

The time shown here is the local start time for your country. Both test days, 19 and 20 October, will start at this time.

Note: On 19 October, the ELAT will start two hours later than this start time. On 20 October, the HAT will start one hour later than this time. 

Yemen

  • 11:00

Locations starting with Z

The time shown here is the local start time for your country. Both test days, 19 and 20 October, will start at this time.

Note: On 19 October, the ELAT will start two hours later than this start time. On 20 October, the HAT will start one hour later than this time. 

Zambia

  • 10:00

Zimbabwe

  • 10:00

Test timetable

The timetables in this document have been produced as a guide for authorised test centres delivering multiple and consecutive tests on 19 and 20 October.

Given that these admissions tests are computer-based, to maintain test security and ensure the integrity of this assessment process, it is essential that centres abide by their designated local start time (see above tab).

Special consideration

Last updated: 23/11/23

Special consideration requests are normally made by centres on behalf of candidates and relate to disruption on the day of the test. Examples include disturbance to the test session from building work, illness on the day of the test, bereavement or issues with the centre's administration. 

This year, the deadline to submit the form for special consideration was extended to 6pm on Thursday, 2 November 2023. 

We would like to thank all those who took the time to submit a request for special consideration where this was required, or who sent more general feedback on our admissions tests. 

Statements from departments following issues with the MAT, GAT, CAT and ELAT can be found on the individual test pages.

For subjects using test scores this year, the forms requesting special consideration have been processed by Oxford and the information taken into account during shortlisting for interview.  As usual, any information on extenuating circumstances is looked at alongside all other applicant information. Admissions tests are only one part of our undergraduate admissions process and we use a range of information, including individual circumstances, to help us assess academic potential. 

Please note that test results will not be adjusted as a result of applying for special consideration.

For information on how we manage our data, please refer to the Undergraduate Privacy Notice. 

Preparing students for their admissions tests

Admissions test candidate preparation checklist

The above checklist will be shared with candidates via our Choosing Oxford applicant newsletter and individual test pages but you might like to download and print copies for your students. 

There is a lot of evidence that candidates who prepare thoroughly do better in our tests. As these tests are now online, candidates will be taking their test using a computer. However, the structure of tests and syllabi will not be changing so the past papers and other resources available on individual test pages will still be valuable preparation. The MAT and PAT tests will be hybrid - with questions online but with printed answer booklets. Our admissions tests aim to stretch the strongest applicants so they shouldn't worry if they find the test hard - it's supposed to be. 

Students registered to take an Oxford admissions test are encouraged to take an online practice test (using the 2022 past test paper or similar), well in advance of their test date, and ideally on a device which meets our technical specifications. This will allow them to try out the test platform and find out what to expect. When doing their practice test, it is important they explore using all the digital tools available to support them. Depending on the test taken, these may vary but all have a highlighter and annotating tool as well as accessibility features. The accessibility button will allow selection of a larger font size, coloured overlays or high contrast. There may be an online notepad available but candidates should be offered rough paper which should be shredded after completion of the test. 

Links to online practice tests are available on the individual test pages under the test preparation and practice materials tab.

Note: candidates should be advised that when sitting their real test, for security reasons, if they try and navigate away from the test platform, this will lock and need to be unlocked by the centre administrator. 

In addition to taking the online practice test, the best way to prepare for any Oxford admissions test is to explore thoroughly the test-specific practice materials on our website. This will allow candidates to answer questions from past papers, familiarise themselves with the test content, structure and format and show them how to manage the time available. As the tests are now online, we recommend that, unless taking the hybrid MAT or PAT, candidates practise typing their answers to the printed past papers they find online. 

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. 

Detailed guidelines on managing test days

We recommend familiarising yourself with the test centre dashboard on the portal which is now live. You will need to log in using your test centre login before being able to view the test dashboard. Please note that if you are a large centre managing a lot of candidates, you may find it helpful to add additional test administrators to the portal in advance of test days.  You can do this using your current login details and by navigating to 'Create Admin' on the top right hand of the screen under your centre name.

You can also download and print out our test dashboard guidance for quick reference on test days and watch our instruction videos. 

Once their ID has been checked and they have been marked as present by their test centre, candidates will be able to use their login credentials on the candidate's test portal. If a candidate forgets their login credentials on test day, test administrators will be able to retrieve these via the 'Registered Students' section of the test centre portal. 

A comprehensive timetable for each test day is also available. However, it is expected that most tests will start at 09:00 UK time and that candidates required to sit more than one test on the same day will be given a break between their tests.

Please note the detailed guidelines below should already be familiar to any authorised centre as compliance is part of the centre application process. They include information on test scheduling, malpractice reporting and return of answer booklets from hybrid tests. The guidelines apply to all computer-based Oxford admissions tests including the hybrid MAT and PAT. They do not apply to any paper-based tests.  You can download and print a copy download and print a copy for further reference if this would be helpful. 

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. 

Guidelines before testing

  • Candidates are under formal testing conditions from the moment they enter the room in which they will be taking their test(s) until the point at which they are permitted to leave.
  • Candidates must not talk to, attempt to communicate with or disturb other candidates once they have entered the testing room.
  • Before candidates can start the test(s), the invigilator must:
  1. make sure that candidates are seated according to the set seating arrangements;
  2. tell the candidates that they must now follow the regulations for the tests;
  3. ask candidates to check that they have been assigned the correct test and received the correct answer booklets (applicable to MAT and PAT only);
  4. provide candidates with blank rough paper (applicable to all tests);
  5. tell the candidates to read the instructions on the onscreen test;
  6. check that candidates have all the materials they need for the test;
  7. tell the candidates about any erratum notices;
  8. instruct candidates about emergency procedures.
  • Invigilators must also give candidates the following information before the test. Candidates must:
  1. hand in their mobile phones and any other unauthorised items if they have not already done so. Failure to do so may lead to disqualification;
  2. write clearly and in black ink (applicable to MAT and PAT only);
  3. write their first name, surname, centre number, candidate number, course code and test name on their answer booklet(s) (applicable to MAT and PAT only).
  • Candidates must not use (applicable to MAT and PAT only):
  1. correcting pens, fluid or tape;
  2. erasable pens;
  3. highlighter pens in answers;
  4. gel pens.
  • The invigilator must:
  1. announce clearly to the candidates when they may complete the details on their answer booklet(s) (applicable to MAT and PAT only);
  2. specify the time allowed for the test(s);
  3. remind candidates that they are not allowed to communicate in any way with, ask for help from or give help to another candidate while they are in the testing room.
  • The invigilator must not:
  1. direct candidates to particular questions or particular sections of the answer booklets;
  2. make any comment where a candidate believes that there is an error or omission on the test. The invigilator must, however, refer the matter immediately to the exams officer. The exams officer will then verify the error or omission with the relevant subject teacher before reporting the matter to the TCS Test Centre Support team;
  3. give any information to candidates about possible mistakes in the test, unless there is an erratum notice or permission has been given by the TCS Test Centre Support team;
  4. re-phrase a question for a candidate;
  5. explain any subject-specific or technical terms to a candidate;
  6. offer any advice or comment on the work of a candidate.

The invigilator must not undertake any of the above as they constitute malpractice.

  • No external calculators or other mathematical equipment are allowed in the testing room. Calculators (if needed) will be built into the tests onscreen.

Guidelines during testing

  • Invigilators must supervise the candidates for the duration of the test(s), always giving their complete attention to this duty. Invigilators should be placed at the front, back and sides of the room if possible.
  • Invigilators must be vigilant and remain aware of incidents or emerging situations, looking out for malpractice or candidates who, for example, may be feeling unwell or require a toilet break. These incidents must be recorded on an incident log.
  • Invigilators are required to move around the assessment area quietly and at frequent intervals.
  • A candidate who arrives late and is permitted by the centre to sit the test must be allowed the full time for the test.
  • A candidate will be considered very late if they arrive:
  1. more than half an hour after the University of Oxford published starting time for a test which lasts one hour or more;
  2. after the University of Oxford published finishing time for a test that lasts less than one hour.
  • Where a candidate arrives very late for a test, centres must:
  1. scan or submit the script to the TCS Test Centre Support team in the normal way;
  2. warn the candidate that the TCS Test Centre Support team may not accept their script.
  • Centres must provide the following information:
  1. the reason the candidate arrived late, including any details of special arrangements made for the candidate to reach the centre;
  2. the actual starting and finishing times of the test;
  3. the time the candidate started the test;
  4. the time the candidate finished the test.
  • Centres must pay close attention to marking the attendance of all candidates on the attendance register. Failure to do so will affect the TCS Test Centre Support Team’s ability to deliver an accurate set of results.
  • Candidates who are allowed to leave the testing room temporarily must be accompanied by a member of centre staff. This must not be the candidate’s subject teacher or a subject expert for the test in question. Candidates must get the entire time that is allowed for that test.
  • A five-minute warning to candidates before the end of the test is permitted. This is at the centre’s discretion.
  • At the end of the test, invigilators must:
  1. tell candidates to stop working and remind them that they are still under test conditions;
  2. tell candidates that they must not remove any rough notes from the testing room;
  3. instruct candidates taking written tests (applicable to MAT and PAT only) to:

- make sure they have put all the necessary information on their answer booklet;
- make sure their answers are correctly numbered.

  • Candidates who have finished their test and have been allowed to leave the testing room early must hand in their answer scripts (applicable for MAT and PAT only) before they leave the testing room. Those candidates must not be allowed back into the room.
  • Answer scripts (in the case of MAT and PAT only) must not be removed from the testing room until all candidates have completed the tests.

During testing: malpractice

  • Where a candidate is being disruptive, the invigilator must warn the candidate that they may be removed from the testing room. The candidate must also be warned that the TCS Test Centre Support team will be informed and may decide to penalise them, which could include disqualification. The invigilator must record what has happened.
  • Wherever possible, the invigilator should remove and keep any unauthorised material that a candidate may have had access to during the test. If necessary, the invigilator should summon assistance.
  • The Head of centre must report to the TCS Test Centre Support team immediately all cases of suspected or actual malpractice in connection with the tests.
  • The Head of centre has the authority to remove a candidate from the testing room but should only do so if the candidate would disrupt others by remaining in the room.
  • The Head of centre has a duty to monitor and report potential malpractice by invigilators and centre staff to the TCS Centre Support team immediately.
  • Where candidates commit malpractice, the TCS Centre Support team may decide to penalise them, which could include disqualification.

During testing: emergencies

  • When dealing with emergencies, staff must be aware of the centre’s policy and, where appropriate, any instructions from relevant local or national agencies.
  • In an emergency such as a fire alarm or a bomb alert, the invigilator must take the following action:
  1. pause the test on screen, or stop the candidates from writing;
  2. advise candidates to leave all answer booklets and scripts in the testing room;
  3. ensure the candidates leave the room in silence;
  4. ensure candidates are supervised as closely as possible while they are out of the testing room so that there is no discussion about the test(s);
  5. make a note of the time of the interruption and how long it lasted;
  6. allow the candidates the remainder of the working time set for the test once it resumes;
  7. if there are only a few candidates, consider the possibility of taking the candidates (with any answer booklets and scripts) to another place to finish the test;
  8. make a full report of the incident and of the action taken and submit this as a special consideration via the University of Oxford website.
  • There must be appropriate policies and procedures in place to:
  1. protect the network and the security of the hardware and software that is used to delivery on-screen tests;
  2. hold candidate responses.
  • The centre’s management of the secure test environment in which onscreen tests operate must be robust.
  • You should refer to any software specific instructions to safeguard:
  1. the security of the assessment content and responses;
  2. procedures for dealing with hardware, software and communication failures, which should normally allow candidates to continue the assessment session at a different workstation or at a later time, if necessary, without loss of working time
  3. procedures for starting an assessment after an unplanned break.
  4. Availability of IT personnel to resolve any technical issues.
  • As each incident will be different, advice must be sought from the relevant TCS Test Centre Support team as soon as it is safe to do so. This is particularly important where the centre is concerned about the security of the test(s).

After the test

  • Centres must ensure that all candidates’ work is saved and secure from unauthorised access.
  • Invigilators must:
  1. collect answer scripts before candidates are allowed to leave the testing room (applicable for MAT and PAT only);
  2. must ensure scripts are handled securely at all times.
  • The invigilator must ensure that the candidate and centre information are correct for each answer script. If a discrepancy is identified, the centre may correct the discrepancy or add to the information recorded by the candidate on the front of their answer script. This should be restricted to the centre number, candidate number, and/or candidate name.
  • Answer scripts are confidential. They should not be read or photocopied before they are sent to the TCS Centre Support team.
  • Centre must retain scripts (applicable to MAT and PAT only) in the centre’s secure room if kept within the centre overnight.
  • Answer scripts must not be released to centre staff until after the published finishing time for the test or, in the case of a timetable variation, until all candidates within the centre have completed the test.
  • The Head of centre must appoint staff to carry out the scanning activities (applicable for MAT and PAT only). The Head of centre must also make sure that appropriate arrangements are in place so that scanning personnel can carry out the scanning process as instructed by the TCS Centre Support team. Separate instructions will be available on the TCS Test Centre Support portal.
  • Senior members of centre staff, such as an assistant headteacher, who have been authorised by their Head of centre may be present during the scanning.
  • All scripts must be scanned latest by the day after the test. In case of exceptions, the TCS Centre Support Team must be notified the same day.
  • The test centre must report any deviation or potential breach from the instructions to the TCS Test Centre Support team immediately.
  • All Scripts for hybrid tests (MAT and PAT) must be kept securely until the end of January 2024.

Scanning the scripts

  • The scanning must be carried out in a secure environment and the integrity of the process must be maintained.
  • The scanner must be set up and ready for black and white scanning to the correct DPI (150) and file output format (PDF). The file size should not exceed 5 MB. Scripts must be prepared for scanning: to guillotine them, keep pages in the right order, all facing the same way (no inverted pages), candidate details are clear on the front page. Cut along the dotted line in the top left hand corner of the front page, taking care not to remove any content.
  • The scanned image of the answer booklet must be clearly readable and there should be no loss of information during the scanning process. Scanned answer booklets must each be manually quality checked. In case any scan is identified to be not clear, the physical answer booklet will need to be rescanned.
  • All the scanned pages of the answer booklet submitted by a candidate must be zipped and uploaded as per the instructions provided by the TCS Test Centre Support Team.
  • The files must be stored locally only for the purposes of scanning and must then be deleted immediately. The file must then be deleted from the deleted items folder. Any emails or links associated with the secure file must be permanently deleted.
  • Image quality must be checked before uploading to ensure that all the pages are have scanned properly, and are the right way up and in the right order.
  • Scripts should be kept in order once scanned (preferable by individual candidates) in case a re-scan is necessary.
  • If the TCS Centre Support team requests a script to be re-scanned, the centre must return the new file as soon as possible.

Contacting the TCS Test Centre Support team

  • The TCS Test Centre Support team can be contacted by email (oxford.testcentresupport@tcs.com) or by live chat feature on the registration portal post log in. The details will be found on the admissions tests portal once a centre has been accepted to administer the tests.

Detailed guidelines on centre preparation

Please note these guidelines should already be familiar to any authorised centre as compliance is part of the centre application process.

They apply to all computer-based Oxford admissions tests including the hybrid MAT and PAT. They do not apply to any paper-based tests.  

You can download and print a copy for further reference if this would be helpful. 

Watch our instruction videos on using the test dashboard. 

Introduction

This information must be read by any centre wishing to deliver the University of Oxford admissions tests for 2023. It sets out the requirements that the centre must meet. To be accepted as a centre for the administration of the admissions tests, a declaration of compliance for all areas must be made.

The test delivery and management service are being carried out by TCS (Tata Consultancy Services) on behalf of the University of Oxford as its agent. For the purposes of establishing test centre requirements and compliance, TCS has the authority to act on behalf of the University of Oxford. This document will refer to TCS as the agent and not to the University of Oxford for clarity. Contact will be with the TCS Test Centre Support team.

The TCS Test Centre Support team will be available well in advance of the dates for taking the admissions tests to check that the appropriate computer equipment, network connectivity and scanning facilities are available. The team will work with each centre to ensure that all requirements are in place before candidates take their tests. This will be done by asking centres to complete an online mock test.

Centres must refer to the requirements for the computers and network specified at the point of applying to become a test centre to administer the University of Oxford's admissions tests. It is vital to note that the software is quality assured only to work on Microsoft Windows (version 10 and above) operating systems with physical English layout keyboards and external scroll mouse. No touch screen devices are permitted. Centres must have appropriate security systems and procedures in place to prevent candidates having unauthorised external communication with other users of computers or laptops.

Handling test materials

This section sets out the requirements for handling the test materials sent to the centre by the University of Oxford. Each paragraph provides a condition that must be met by the centre.

  • The test materials must only be accessed in accordance with the University of Oxford’s specific instructions. Centres must have the relevant software installed to administer the tests and demonstrate that the appropriate security systems are in place to prevent unauthorised access to the test materials.
  • Electronic test materials must only be handled by members of staff authorised to do so by the Head of centre.
  • The Head of centre must ensure that authorised staff are familiar with the most recent instructions issued by the TCS Test Centre Support team.
  • Email accounts used for secure material access must belong to named individuals or be a group email account accessed solely by individuals authorised by the Head of centre to handle secure materials. Where group email accounts are in place, regular checks must be conducted to ensure all authorised individuals in the group still require access. Accounts used to access secure material must be audited regularly. Any unused or unneeded accounts must be closed promptly, for example when a member of staff has left the centre or changed roles
  • Files must only be accessed by the named individual(s) to whom they have been sent. Emails or links to secure materials must never be forwarded or shared.
  • By accessing secure material, the individual is accepting personal responsibility for maintaining the security of the material.
  • Secure password management is critical. Passwords used to access secure material must be strong and changed regularly. Passwords must never be written down or shared.
  • The integrity and security of the electronic test materials must be maintained during any downloading, printing and collating processes.
  • Do not create any unnecessary hard copies of the file, and securely destroy any unneeded hard copies if any printing has been completed.
  • Report any deviation from these instructions to the TCS Test Centre Support team.

Test timings

  • Test start times will vary depending on the time zone of your country. For tests that are timetabled, test sessions must take place according to the University of Oxford’s timetable and will be restricted to the scheduled period.
  • Centres will need to plan and set up the sessions before the test date, considering that access to the tests will be restricted to the test window by the software.
  • Centres must inform candidates which session and room they should attend.
  • Centres cannot request variations to the date and timing of the tests for any of the following reasons (this list is not exhaustive):
    1. work experience;
    2. a school function or closure;
    3. a field trip;
    4. sporting events below international level;
    5. holidays and weddings;
    6. a candidate’s personal circumstances;
    7. a clash between papers of different awarding bodies or specifications in the same subject at the same qualification level.

Identity checks

  • The Head of centre must make sure that appropriate arrangements are in place so that invigilators can carry out adequate checks on the identity of all candidates. It is the responsibility of the Head of centre to ensure that invigilators are appropriately trained in their duties. Senior members of centre staff, such as an assistant headteacher, who have been authorised by their Head of centre may be present at the start of the test to assist with the identification of candidates.
  • Invigilators must establish the identity of all candidates sitting tests, with each candidate required to show photographic documentary evidence to prove that they are the same person who entered/registered for the admissions test, e.g. a passport or photographic driving licence.
  • Where it is impossible to identify a candidate due to the wearing of religious clothing, such as a veil, the candidate should be approached by a member of staff of the same gender and taken to a private room where they should be politely asked to remove the religious clothing for identification purposes. Centres must inform candidates in advance of this procedure and well before their first test. Once identification has been established, the candidate should replace, for example, their veil and proceed as normal to sit the test.
  • The online attendance register should be completed to indicate which candidates are present.
  • Candidate test password information will be shared with individual candidates at the time of registration. On the day of the test, if there are any issues related to log in, test centre administrators will have access to a portal that will allow them to see candidates’ login and password details. The password should be shared only with the candidate to whom it belongs either verbally or by typing on a screen. Writing/printing of passwords on paper is not permitted.
  • The invigilator must ensure that the correct ID and password are being used each candidate to log in. The candidates are responsible for entering their ID and password and for ensuring that the name of the test and their details are correct. If the information presented to the candidate is incorrect, they must notify the invigilator and cancel out of the test before starting. The invigilator must give the candidate the correct ID and password to access their test. If a candidate sits a test in another candidate’s name (whether or not it is intentional) this may constitute malpractice.
  • ‘Centre supervision’ means that a member of centre staff, or an invigilator, will always be in the same room as the candidates. Candidates must not bring any revision material to the testing centre and must not:
  1. be in possession of an electronic communication or storage device or have access to the internet;
  2. have contact with any candidate who has sat the test;
  3. be coached by a member of centre staff.
  • Only those senior members of centre staff authorised by the Head of centre to perform the specific tasks may be present in the room where tests are taking place. Senior members of centre staff must not provide advice and guidance on the test(s). They must not comment or advise on the order in which questions should be attempted.
  • The people present in the testing room cannot provide further guidance and clarity on the role of centre staff testing, other than invigilators and other staff authorised to do so. This notice must be brought to the attention of all members of centre staff so that they are clear about their role in the testing room.
  • Only candidates sitting the admissions test(s) may be present in the testing room while a test is taking place.
  • Centre staff who are called upon to enter the testing room during the test because a candidate has identified a possible problem which the invigilator is unable to resolve, such as a suspected error in the question, do not need prior authorisation from the Head of centre. If the University of Oxford Admissions team has not issued an erratum, then the instruction to candidates must be to answer the question as shown on screen. Centre staff must not provide advice to candidates without the permission of the TCS Test Centre Support team and only refer to any issue identified in general terms and make no reference to the content of the questions.

Invigilation arrangements

  • Invigilators are the people in rooms where testing will take place responsible for conducting tests in the presence of the candidates. CCTV cannot be the only means used for the purposes of invigilation. Invigilators have a key role in upholding the integrity of the external testing process. The role of the invigilator is to ensure that tests are conducted according to these instructions in order to:
  1. ensure all candidates have an equal opportunity to demonstrate their abilities;
  2. ensure the security of the testing materials before, during and after the test;
  3. prevent possible candidate malpractice;
  4. prevent possible administrative failures.
  • A training session on these current regulations must be held for any new invigilators and those facilitating an access arrangement for a candidate under secure conditions. An annual update meeting must be held for the existing invigilation team so that they are aware of any changes.
  • Centres must ensure that the testing of invigilators’ competence and their understanding of these regulations is rigorous. This must also extend to those facilitating an access arrangement. It is recommended that at least one invigilator should have proven IT skills and experience in conducting onscreen tests.
  • Technical help should be available throughout the tests in case of hardware or software problems and to assist with the invigilation of the tests.
  • A record of the content of the training given to invigilators and those facilitating an access arrangement for a candidate under secure conditions must be available for inspection and retained on file until the deadline for reviews of marking has passed or until any appeal, malpractice, or other results enquiry has been completed, whichever is later.
  • When contracting supply staff to act as invigilators, the Head of centre must ensure that such persons are competent and fully trained, and have a clear understanding what is and what is not permissible. An assurance from a recruitment agency, for example, would not on its own be sufficient.
  • An invigilator must be asked to declare whether they have invigilated previously and whether they have any current maladministration/malpractice sanctions applied to them. This will allow the Head of centre to be satisfied that the person is a competent invigilator of tests. As good practice, centres should consider devising a standard template which each invigilator is required to complete.
  • The Head of centre, a senior member of centre staff, such as an assistant headteacher, or the exams officer must ensure the following requirements are complied with:
  1. ensure that the guidelines document is available to invigilators in the main testing hall/room(s) either as an electronic copy accessible via a laptop or tablet or a printed paper copy;
  2. invigilators may be changed while tests are taking place, as long as the number of invigilators present in the testing room does not fall below the required number;
  3. when one invigilator is present, they must be able to get help easily, without leaving the testing room and without disturbing the candidates. An invigilator is only allowed a mobile phone in the testing room for this specific purpose. The mobile phone must be kept on silent mode and not left unattended in the testing room. The invigilator must not use the camera on the phone for any purpose and no photos of the test items must be taken. This will also apply where the invigilator is additionally acting as a practical assistant, a reader, and/or a scribe;
  4. ensure that all invigilators are suitably qualified and experienced adults who must not be current students at the centre. Although centres may decide who is suitably qualified and experienced, any relative, friend or peer of a candidate in the testing room must not be the sole invigilator;
  5. ensure that a teacher, a tutor or a senior member of centre staff who teaches the subject being tested, is not an invigilator during the test.
  • Invigilators must take all reasonable steps to make sure that candidates do not have access to items: mobile phones; tablets; earbuds; watches (of any kind); any other digital or mechanical device. Following the invigilator’s announcement, any mobile phones or other unauthorised items in the candidates’ possession must be handed to the invigilator prior to the test starting. This also includes watches. If candidates have access to unauthorised items in the testing room this may be considered as malpractice.
  • This means that:
  1. all unauthorised items are left outside of the testing room;
  2. any pencil cases taken into the testing room must be see-through;
  3. any unauthorised items that have been taken into the testing room must be placed out of reach of the candidates (and not under their desks) before the test starts. This will normally be at the front of the testing room or a similar arrangement that enables the invigilator to control access to the items.
  • Food and drink may be allowed in the testing room at the discretion of the Head of centre. However, any food or drink brought into the testing room by the candidate or the centre must be free from packaging and all labels removed from drink containers.
  • To enable invigilators to check these items quickly and efficiently:
  1. food brought into the testing room by the candidate must be free of packaging and in a transparent container;
  2. water bottles must be transparent with all labels removed, which would include transparent, reusable plastic bottles.
  • Invigilators must be familiar with these instructions, give all their attention to conducting tests properly, and always be able to see each candidate in the testing room. They should not carry out any other non-testing related tasks in the testing room.

Access arrangements

  • Invigilators must be informed of those candidates with access arrangements and must be made aware of agreed the access arrangement(s). Any access requirement is to be provided to a candidate at the time of their test.
  • The centre must additionally use a ‘roving’ invigilator. The ‘roving’ invigilator will enter the room at regular intervals to observe the conducting of the tests, ensure all relevant rules are being adhered to, and support the reader or prompter in maintaining the integrity of the tests.
  • The centre is responsible for ensuring that the candidate and reader cannot be overheard by, or distract, other candidates. (This will also apply if the candidate uses a computer reader.)
  • Where the candidate and reader are accommodated in another room, on a one-to-one basis, the invigilator may additionally act as the reader.
  • Where candidates only require occasional words or phrases to be read, three or four candidates may share one reader. The candidate will need to put up their hand or use a prompt card when they need help with reading. If the group is accommodated in another room, a separate invigilator will be required.
  • Where a person is appointed to facilitate an access arrangement, i.e. a prompter or a reader, they are responsible to the exams officer and must be acceptable to the Head of centre.
  • The person appointed must not normally be the candidate’s own subject teacher or teaching assistant. Where the candidate’s own subject teacher or teaching assistant is used, a separate invigilator must always be present. The person appointed must not be a relative, friend or peer of the candidate. A private tutor cannot facilitate an access arrangement. The Head of centre must ensure that the person appointed is a responsible adult, is appropriately trained, and fully understands the rules of the access arrangements. It is not acceptable for a centre to use a student to facilitate access arrangements.
  • A prompter is a responsible adult who may sit beside the candidate in order to keep them focused on the need to answer a question and then move on to answering the next question. A prompter is not a practical assistant, or a reader, but the same person may act as such, provided permission has been given for any of these arrangements.
  • A prompter:
  1. may tap on the desk or on the candidate’s arm, depending on what is normal practice, in order to remind the candidate that they must pay attention to the question or that it is time for the candidate to move on to the next question;
  2. may use the candidate’s name as an appropriate prompt during the test in order to bring the candidate’s attention back to the test, e.g. ‘Jack’;
  3. must abide by the regulations, since failure to do so could lead to the disqualification of the candidate;
  4. must not advise the candidate about which questions to do, or about the order in which questions should be answered;
  5. must not give factual help or offer any suggestions or communicate in any way other than those listed above.
  • Any access equipment for screen-reading must be supplied by the centre. This includes, but is not limited to, specially-adapted keyboards or mice, headphones, coloured screen filters, etc.

View the accessibility guidelines document

Exam venues and rooms

  • Exam rooms must be equipped with a sufficient number of computer stations that meet the technical requirements for each candidate registered for the admissions test, plus an adequate number of reserve stations in case any technical difficulties arise. These must include a mouse and alphanumeric keyboard, plus additional devices such as headphones, if required.
  • Any room in which testing is taking place must provide candidates with appropriate conditions for taking the tests. The centre must pay attention to conditions such as heating, lighting, ventilation and noise, whether internal or external, intermittent or continuous.
  • Display material (such as maps, diagrams, wall charts and projected images) that might be helpful to candidates must not be visible in the testing room. Care must be taken with tests conducted in classrooms, laboratories or libraries.
  • A reliable clock (analogue or digital) must be visible to each candidate in the testing room and must be big enough for all candidates to be able to read clearly. The clock must show the actual time.
  • A board, flipchart or whiteboard should be visible to all candidates showing:
  1. the centre number, test and paper number, and
  2. the duration of the test
  • The seating arrangements must prevent candidates from overlooking (intentionally or otherwise) the work of others. The minimum distance in all directions from the centre of each chair to other chairs must be 1.25 metres.
  • Wherever possible, for timetabled tests:
  1. all candidates should face in the same direction;
  2. each candidate should have a table big enough to hold answer booklets along with the computer.
  • Candidates should normally be seated in candidate number order.
  • The centre must create a seating plan that shows the exact position of each candidate in the testing room. Any changes made to seating arrangements during the test must be noted on the seating plan. The seating plan must be available to the TCS Test Centre Support team upon request.
  • Candidates with access arrangements must be identified on the seating plans that are held as part of the centre records.
  • Internal school tests and mock examinations cannot take place in the same room while University of Oxford admissions tests are being conducted.
  • A room becomes a ‘designated testing room’ as soon as exams office staff begin to check and prepare it to ensure compliance. As soon as preparation for the tests begins, no other activity can take place in that room. Candidates sitting tests must not be allowed into the room until the preparation is complete and they are invited to enter the room, under supervised conditions, to start their tests.
  • The room remains a ‘designated testing room’ up to the point when all candidates have left and all materials such as candidates’ scripts, answer booklets, rough notes and any other resource materials have been removed from the room.
  • Centres must ensure that there is adequate time allowed for the set up and clearing of the room before and after the scheduled testing time. Throughout this period the room remains ‘designated’ and cannot be used for any other activity. Centres will need to determine what constitutes ‘adequate time’ to meet their individual needs, which will be influenced by factors such as the size of the room and the number and nature of the tests being conducted.
  • The battery capacity of any (unplugged) laptop computers must be checked before the candidates’ test(s), and the centre must ensure that the battery is sufficiently charged for the entire duration of the test. This will ease the need for smaller capacity rooms and access to power points.
  • The centre must ensure that the blank answer booklets sent by the University of Oxford are set out for candidates taking MAT and PAT using the ‘hybrid’ tests prior to the candidates entering the test room. Candidates must also be provided with ‘rough working’ paper at the same time. Additional ‘rough working’ paper can be requested by the candidates at any time during the test.

Contingency planning

  • The TCS Test Centre Support team must be informed no later than 6 weeks prior to a centre moving to a new address or relocating the secure storage facility.
  • In exceptional circumstances, where the size of the cohort means that it is not possible for all candidates to sit the test(s) at the same time, the centre may split the cohort into two groups, with one group of candidates sitting the test(s) earlier or later than the admissions tests published starting time. The security of the admissions tests must always be maintained. It would be required to seek prior permission from the TCS Test Centre Support team, who have their own well-established contingency plans in place to respond to disruptions. It is important that exams officers who are facing disruption liaise directly with the TCS Test Centre Support team.
  • Centres should prepare plans for any disruption to tests as part of their general emergency planning. It is important to ensure that relevant centre staff are familiar with the plan. Consideration should be given as to how these arrangements will be communicated to candidates, parents and staff should disruption to tests occur.
  • In the event that the Head of centre decides the centre cannot be opened for scheduled tests, the TCS Test Centre Support team must be informed as soon as possible so that alternative arrangements can be made.

Oxford/TCS centre communications

Over the coming days and weeks, Oxford and TCS will be communicating regularly with all authorised test centres. We will also being communicating with potential and current applicants and offering them step-by-step support via our Choosing Oxford newsletter. We currently have nearly 37,000 subscribers to this newsletter. 

In case useful, below is a record of  the test centre bulletins and other key communications which have been sent: 

Registering students for admissions tests

Centres authorised to administer Oxford's own admissions tests need to register their Oxford applicants and where appropriate, apply for access arrangements. 

If you have candidates for the TSA and BMAT, please follow the guidance from Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing. 

Please note the window for candidate registration for Oxford's own tests and the TSA and BMAT is 1-29 September but we strongly recommend that you register your students as soon as possible after registrations open, even if they have not yet submitted their UCAS form. If you have already applied for authorisation to become a test centre but are having a technical problem with candidate registration, please contact TCS directly on oxford.testcentresupport@tcs.com. 

Candidates applying for Law should be directed to the LNAT. 

Registering one or more candidates

Once centres are logged in to the portal, there is a slightly different process for registering one, or ten or more candidates for Oxford's own admissions tests. Details for multiple candidates can be entered directly into a downloadable template and automatically added to the registration portal. It is recommended that candidates who require access arrangements, for example extra time, should be registered using the process for individual registration even if their school, college or other test centre have multiple candidates. However, centres can view or edit a candidate's registration details anytime during the registration window so access arrangements or other details can always be added or updated later.

To register a candidate, you will need the following information:

  1. Candidate's name
  2. Candidate's date of birth
  3. Candidate's chosen course name and code (the test required will auto populate when you enter these details so you don't need to know this)
  4. Candidate's email address (this must be the same one they used on their UCAS form)
  5. UCAS ID number (unless registering a student applying to Warwick or Imperial College for the Mathematics Admissions Test)
  6. Any access arrangements which your student/s are entitled to
  7. If a candidate is taking the test on their own computer. (See note below.)

If you are requesting access arrangements on behalf of students, you will need to be able to produce evidence of need to either TCS or Oxford, if this is asked for. 

Once you have completed all the necessary steps, click on Register now. When logged in to the registration portal, centres can review entries for candidates by clicking on Registered candidates at the top of the screen. 

Instructional video

Watch an overview of how to register candidates on Oxford's test centre portal.

Download the video transcript. 

Candidates bringing their own computers

It is expected that most students will take their test on their centre's devices but some candidates may need to bring their own computer. In order for a candidate to be eligible to do this, centres will need to demonstrate compliance with our agreed terms and conditions at the time of registration. This includes ensuring that any brought device meets the required specification. Centres must also confirm at the time of registration that they have downloaded and shared in advance with the candidate, the document, Guidelines for bringing your own device available on the registration portal. 

Registration confirmation

Once registered, candidates will receive an email confirming their registration along with their test registration number (or numbers if taking more than one test) and their login credentials for the test platform. They will also be given guidance on test preparation including the recommendation to have a go at a practice online test. 

Registering candidates for the MAT applying to Imperial College or Warwick University

The process for registering individual candidates is also recommended for students taking the MAT who are applying to Imperial College or Warwick University. Once the MAT is selected, a drop down will appear allowing you to select the relevant universities. 

Apply to be a test centre

Applying via Oxford's test centre portal should be quick and straightforward, particularly for those used to delivering public examinations or who are already CAAT test centres.  An instruction video is available to explain the process.

After submitting your application you should receive an acknowledgement and instructions outlining next steps. If you do not receive an email from admissionstesting@ox.ac.uk, please check your junk and spam folders. If you still cannot find it, please contact your IT support and ask them to permit access from this domain and remove any security filters or similar which are blocking it. 

Note: Information for schools, colleges and other test centres from Belarus, China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine and Venezuela is slightly different. If you are located in any of these countries and need to administer Oxford's admission tests for applicants please read the guidance for these countries. 

Read the video transcript

Schools and colleges are strongly advised to apply for centre authorisation as soon as possible so they are ready to begin registering applicants for their tests as soon as the candidate registration window opens on 1 September.

2023 timeline for Oxford's TCS admissions tests: 

1-29 September: candidate registration window 
19 October:  test day for CAT, ELAT, GAT and MAT
20 October: test day for HAT, MLAT, PAT and Philosophy test

You can view and download this timeline. 

If you have candidates for the TSA and BMAT which will be taken on 18 October, please follow the guidance from Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing. 

Candidates applying for Law should be directed to the LNAT. 

Feedback on admissions tests

We are very aware of the difficulty and disappointment some of our UK applicants will have experienced through technical problems with their online tests this year. Candidates and test centres should have received our apology directly but if you haven't yet seen this, please do read it. Any statements from subject departments about the use of their admissions tests this year can be found on the individual test pages. Admissions tests are only one part of our undergraduate admissions process and we use a range of information, including individual circumstances, to help us assess academic potential. 

Statement from Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) 
We delivered admission tests for 8 subjects, across 2200+ schools in 107 countries between 19th and 20th October 2023.  While the tests were successfully administered in other countries, there were technical difficulties faced by the students taking some of the tests in the UK. It is upsetting for all, that this disruption has been caused to these students and test centres.  We are sorry that the experience did not meet your expectations. 

Special consideration

Schools and test centres should let us know via the Special Consideration form if something affected their student/s performance during their Oxford admissions test. They can do this at centre level or on behalf of individual candidates and the extended deadline for submission is 6pm on Thursday, 2 November. 

General feedback form

If test centres or candidates would like to share their general feedback on Oxford's admissions test this year, please complete our feedback form before 20 November. This feedback form should not be used for requesting special consideration for candidates which should be done via the Special Consideration form mentioned earlier. We are very grateful to you and your candidates for your patience and would welcome your feedback on these new tests. 

View and download our test centre timeline
Related documents
pdf2023-oxford-admissions-tests-timetable1.pdf207.91 KB
pdfOxford admissions tests - candidate preparation checklist.pdf257.49 KB
pdfMAT 2023 Answer booklet.pdf172.66 KB
pdfPAT 2023 Answer booklet.pdf314.51 KB
pdfMessage to test centres from Oxford on the admissions tests held on 19 and 20 October 2023.pdf120.76 KB
pdfMessage to candidates from Oxford on the admissions tests held on 19 and 20 October 2023.pdf119.49 KB

Apply for authorisation to become an Oxford admissions test centre

Oxford only admissions tests:

CAT
ELAT
GAT
HAT
MAT
MLAT
PAT
Philosophy test

CAAT tests also used by other universities:

BMAT
TSA

LNAT:

LNAT

Information for test centres in Belarus, China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine and Venezuela

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