This video is for all Oxford applicants who need to take the ELAT or English Literature Admissions Test. This is anyone applying for: English Language and Literature; Classics and English; English and Modern Languages or History and English. As the ELAT is now online you will take this using either a test centre computer or your own device. You should discuss the arrangements including any special requirements with your test centre. This will be your school, college or in some cases, an open centre. Information on finding a test centre can be found at: admissionstesting.ox.ac.uk

Here we will take you through an online practice ELAT and advise the best way to prepare so that you can feel confident on test day. Our admissions tests aim to stretch the strongest applicants so don't worry if you find the test hard - it's supposed to be. The best way to prepare for the ELAT is to explore thoroughly the practice materials you will find on our website. We know that applicants who practise tend to do better, so we strongly recommend that you familiarise yourself with the test content, structure and format so you can do your best on the day. When doing past papers we recommend that you practise typing your answers to help familiarise yourself with the online test format. Now let's take a look at the practice online ELAT. The test landing page will give you the instructions you need. Please read these carefully as they include important information about your test, and tips on navigating the platform. Once you have started your test, you will be able to view these instructions again at any time via the 'i' button at the top of the right side of the screen. The English Literature Admissions Test (ELAT) is 1 hour 30 minutes long. It is designed to test a candidate’s close reading skills, and their ability to shape and articulate an informed response to unfamiliar literary material. You are asked to select two passages from a selection of six. Compare and contrast these two passages in any ways that seem interesting to you, paying particular attention to distinctive features of structure, language and style. 
Once you click on Start the test you will be presented with a screen showing six passages (a) to (f) on the left-hand side and a section on the right in which you should type your answers. You can expand and collapse the texts by using the + button. Always make sure you scroll down to the bottom of the screen so you don't miss anything. Once you have chosen the two passages you want to write about, enter the appropriate letters (a to f) 

in the 'text used' boxes at the top of the right hand 'answer page'. You should type your essay in the answer section on the right-hand side of the screen. There is no word limit. You can use the arrow button in the centre of the screen to expand and collapse the answer section. When doing your own practice test, remember to explore using all the tools - the highlighter, annotating tool and the notepad. To use the highlighter, click on it so that it turns yellow - it is now ready to use. You can remove highlighting by clicking on the 'bin' icon which automatically appears above. You can also add and save an annotation to highlighted text, and display and hide the annotations, as required. 
Using the accessibility button, you can also enlarge the font sizeand select coloured overlays or high contrast.

The timer for your test is centred at the top. This will go yellow when there are five minutes left of your test. Once you are happy with your answer, you can submit your work by clicking on the Submit button at the bottom of the screen.

The final screen will provide you with a summary of the remaining time, which question you have answered and ask you to confirm submission. By clicking on 'Cancel' you will be able to go back and further review your answer.

Have a go yourself at the ELAT online practice test at: ox.ac.uk/elat. It is important you tell us if you have any technical difficulties using these tools or entering your answers when doing the online practice test. Get in touch at oxford.testcentresupport@tcs.com as soon as possible

so we can help. For all information and guidance on Oxford's admissions tests go to: ox.ac.uk/tests