This video is for all Oxford applicants who need to take the CAT or Classics Admissions Test. This is anyone applying to any of the following courses: Classics, Classics and English, Classics and Modern Languages or Classics and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. As the CAT 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 paper 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 CAT 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 CAT online practice test. 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 Classics Admissions Test consists of three separate sections or 'Groups', each of which last one hour: the Latin Translation Test,

the Greek Translation Test and the

Classics Language Aptitude Test (CLAT).

Once you click on 'Proceed' you will be taken to a screen showing all these groups. 
Which sections you take depends on the course you are applying for, and whether you are studying Latin or Greek to A-level or equivalent. Please note - you must select every section or 'Group' you want to sit at the start of the test. You will not be able to return to this screen and change the selection later. 
If you are studying both Latin AND Greek to A-level or equivalent, select both the Latin test and the Greek test.

If you are studying just Latin to A-level or equivalent,

select the Latin test.

If you are studying just Greek to A-level or equivalent, select the Greek test.

If you are studying neither Greek nor Latin to A-level or equivalent,

select the Classics Language Aptitude Test.

You should take the CLAT, in addition to the Latin and/or Greek test(s),

only if you are applying to study Classics and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies.

If you are taking more than one section of the CAT, please note that these will appear in sequential order and you must complete and submit your work in one section (e.g. Latin) before proceeding to the next one (e.g. Greek). You cannot swap between the sections during the test. Once you click on 'Proceed' you will be offered a final chance to go back and change your selection. On clicking 'Start' you will be presented with the questions for the first selected Group on the left side of the screen and the answer section on the right side You can use the 'back' and 'next' buttons to navigate back and forth between questions within a Group. Always scroll down to the bottom of the page by using your mouse or the scroll feature on the screen to make sure you don’t miss any questions or answers.

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 - now it is 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 accessiblity button, you can also enlarge the font size and select coloured overlays or high contrast

If you are taking the CLAT or Classics Language Aptitude Test you will be able to use a virtual keyboard by clicking on the icon when this is displayed in the response text area.

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 answers, you can submit your work by clicking on the Review & Submit button at the bottom of the screen. The next screen provides the summary of the section you are about to complete - which questions have been attempted and any remaining time. You can still return to any question(s) by clicking on it. Once you submit this section or Group - you will no longer be able to access your answers and any other Group you selected will now appear. Otherwise, after clicking submit, you will exit the test. Have a go yourself at the CAT online practice test at: ox.ac.uk/cat

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