ESAT Past Papers & Preparation
Free preparation resources for the Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT). Access official subject guides, specimen papers, and 8 years of NSAA and ENGAA past papers with answer keys — the best practice material for ESAT.
ESAT at a Glance
Key Dates — 2027 entry cycle
- October sitting
- Mon 12 – Fri 16 Oct 2026
- January sitting
- Mon 4 – Fri 8 Jan 2027
- Registration from
- 1 June 2026
- Booking from
- 20 July 2026
- Booking deadline (Oct)
- 28 September 2026
- Jan booking from
- 28 October 2026
- Jan booking deadline
- 21 December 2026, 6pm UK
- October results
- Mon 16 November 2026
- January results
- 8 February 2027
- Fee (UK & Ireland)
- £78
- Fee (international)
- £133
You sit one window per cycle, not both. Fee depends on test centre location, not nationality. The bursary is for UK candidates and must be applied for before you book. UAT-UK key dates →
Scoring at a glance
UAT-UK designed the 1.0–9.0 scale so typical candidates score around 4.5, and only about 10% of candidates score above 7.0. Each module is reported separately.
There are no official "cut-off" scores — universities use ESAT scores alongside the rest of your application.
Full scoring guideThe January sitting: who it is for, and a six-week plan
The January sitting (4–8 January 2027) is for Imperial and UCL applicants. Cambridge and Oxford applicants must sit in October. You sit the ESAT once per cycle, so if you sat in October you cannot sit again in January. Booking for January runs 28 October to 21 December 2026 (closes 6pm UK time), through your own UAT-UK account, and January results come out on 8 February 2027. Check the modules your course asks for on which modules to take, and confirm the details on the UAT-UK key dates.
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Weeks 1–2: book, then Mathematics 1
Not booked yet? Do that first: January booking runs 28 October to 21 December 2026 (closes 6pm UK time). Then Mathematics 1, because every module assumes it. Work through the Mathematics 1 notes, list the topics you get wrong, and do 10 NSAA or ENGAA maths questions a day without a calculator.
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Weeks 3–4: your other modules
Go through the notes for the modules your course needs, then practise NSAA or ENGAA questions on the same topics. Start the free practice set.
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Week 5: full timed modules
27 questions in 40 minutes, on screen if you can (Pearson VUE practice). Use the technique guide for pacing and skipping. Redo every question you got wrong.
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Week 6: light review
Go back over your list of weak topics, sit one more timed module, and check your booking, ID and how to get to the test centre.
If you start in late November, weeks 5 and 6 fall over the winter holidays, so plan the timed practice around them.
The five ESAT modules
Most courses require you to sit Mathematics 1 plus two of the others. Your specific course determines which two — some give a free choice from Biology / Chemistry / Physics / Mathematics 2; others are fixed (e.g. Cambridge Engineering = M1 + M2 + Physics, no choice).
Every module assumes Mathematics 1 content. Only sit Mathematics 2 if you're studying A-Level Mathematics — it's the only module pitched at A-Level depth.
Mathematics 1
27 questions, 40 minutes. 76 syllabus statements across units, number, ratio, algebra, geometry, statistics, probability. Foundation assumed by every other module.
Revision notes ›Mathematics 2
27 questions, 40 minutes. A-Level pure (narrow slice) — surds, polynomials, trig, logs, basic differentiation and integration. Required for Cambridge / Oxford / Imperial Engineering.
Revision notes ›Physics
27 questions, 40 minutes. Mechanics, electricity, magnetism, waves, thermal physics, radioactivity. Sits between GCSE and A-Level depth.
Revision notes ›Chemistry
27 questions, 40 minutes. Atomic structure, bonding, quantitative chemistry, organic up to esters. Sits between GCSE and A-Level depth.
Revision notes ›Biology
27 questions, 40 minutes. Cells, DNA & inheritance, physiology, ecosystems. Sits between GCSE and A-Level depth.
Revision notes ›Official ESAT Resources
Full syllabus and topic list for all five ESAT subtests.
Official specimen and practice tests in the real test interface.
Official preparation page with all guides, past papers, and resources.
ESAT Subject Guides
Official guides covering the content you need to know for each ESAT subtest. Free from UAT-UK.
NSAA Past Papers
Best ESAT PracticeThe Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment (NSAA) was the predecessor to ESAT for Natural Sciences at Cambridge. The ESAT specification is closely aligned with NSAA Section 1, and UAT-UK publishes these papers as ESAT preparation material, marking any questions that fall outside the ESAT specification.
| Year | Question Paper | Answer Key |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Section 1 | Question Paper | Answer Key |
| 2022 Section 1 | Question Paper | Answer Key |
| 2021 Section 1 | Question Paper | Answer Key |
| 2020 Section 1 | Question Paper | Answer Key |
| 2019 Section 1 | Question Paper | Answer Key |
| 2018 Section 1 | Question Paper | Answer Key |
| 2017 Section 1 | Question Paper | Answer Key |
| 2016 Section 1 | Question Paper | Answer Key |
ENGAA Past Papers
Engineering FocusThe Engineering Admissions Assessment (ENGAA) was used for Engineering at Cambridge until 2023. Section 1 questions are directly relevant to ESAT — especially for Mathematics and Physics subtests.
| Year | Question Paper | Answer Key |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Section 1 | Question Paper | Answer Key |
| 2022 Section 1 | Question Paper | Answer Key |
| 2021 Section 1 | Question Paper | Answer Key |
| 2020 Section 1 | Question Paper | Answer Key |
| 2019 Section 1 | Question Paper | Answer Key |
| 2018 Section 1 | Question Paper | Answer Key |
| 2017 Section 1 | Question Paper | Answer Key |
| 2016 Section 1 | Question Paper | Answer Key |
How to Prepare for ESAT
1. Know the specification
Download the ESAT Content Specification and subject guides. Check which subtests your course requires — don't waste time studying subjects you won't be tested on.
2. Practice with NSAA & ENGAA papers
These are the closest match to ESAT questions. Start with the most recent years (2023, 2022) and work backwards. Time yourself — 40 minutes per subtest.
3. Use the Pearson VUE practice
The real ESAT is computer-based. Practice on the Pearson VUE platform to get comfortable with the interface before test day.
4. Review without a calculator
Calculators are not allowed. Practice mental arithmetic and estimation. Learn to spot quick calculation shortcuts in MCQ answer choices.
PAT past papers are the next-best ESAT Physics practice after NSAA
Oxford replaced its Physics Aptitude Test with the ESAT from 2027 entry. 18 PAT past papers (2006 to 2023) remain freely available, and PAT Physics covers essentially the same A-Level Physics topic list as the ESAT Physics subtest. After NSAA (the closest format match), PAT is the next-best source of ESAT-grade physics practice questions.
Open the PAT archiveFrequently Asked Questions
What courses require the ESAT?
At Cambridge: Engineering, Natural Sciences, Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology, and Veterinary Medicine. At Imperial: courses in eight departments, covering most Engineering courses, Physics and Life Sciences. At Oxford (from 2027 entry): Engineering Science, Physics, Physics and Philosophy, and Biomedical Sciences. At UCL: Electronic and Electrical Engineering. Always check the specific university's admissions page for the latest requirements.
Which subtests should I choose?
Mathematics 1 is compulsory for all. For Engineering at Cambridge, you must also take Mathematics 2 and Physics. For Natural Sciences, choose the two subtests that match your intended subjects. For Veterinary Medicine at Cambridge, choose any two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics 2. You cannot change or add modules after booking, so check your course's requirements before you book.
Are NSAA and ENGAA papers still relevant for ESAT?
Yes — they are widely regarded as the best practice resource for ESAT. The ESAT specification is closely aligned with NSAA Section 1, and UAT-UK host these papers as official ESAT preparation material (noting where individual questions fall outside the current ESAT specification).
When does booking open and close, and when do results come out?
For 2027 entry the October sitting ran 12–16 October 2026: booking closed 28 September 2026 and results are released on 16 November 2026. The January sitting runs 4–8 January 2027, with booking from 28 October to 21 December 2026 (closes 6pm UK time), and results are released on 8 February 2027. You sit one window per cycle, not both, and you book through your own UAT-UK account and sit at a Pearson VUE test centre, not through us. UAT-UK key dates →
Where do the dates on this page come from?
Every date and fee above is taken from the official source, not from us:
- Sitting windows, booking windows, results dates and fees come from UAT-UK, which runs the ESAT. Key dates → About the ESAT →
- The 15 October application deadline for Oxford, Cambridge and for medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses comes from UCAS. UCAS dates and deadlines →
Dates and fees are set by UAT-UK and can change, so check the official pages before you book. You book and pay for the test yourself through your UAT-UK account, and sit it at a Pearson VUE test centre. Your school is only involved if you need a letter for access arrangements. Check each university's course page for which test it requires.
What is a good ESAT score?
Each module is scored from 1.0 to 9.0. There are no pass marks or grade boundaries. UAT-UK says a typical candidate scores around 4.5 and about 10% score above 7.0. The ESAT is one component of your application — it's considered alongside predicted grades, personal statement, and interview performance.
Can I sit the ESAT twice?
No — you can sit the ESAT only once per admissions cycle, and there is no "best of two" across sittings. The test runs in two windows (October and January), but you take just one: Cambridge and Oxford applicants must sit in October, while Imperial and UCL applicants may choose October or January. Per the official UAT-UK FAQ, "you can only take the test once in any given application cycle." Official UAT-UK FAQ →