PAT Past Papers Archive 2006 to 2024
The Oxford Physics Aptitude Test was the entrance test for Physics, Engineering, and Materials Science at Oxford until 2024. Oxford replaced it with the ESAT from 2026 entry, so this archive of nineteen past papers (2006 to 2024) is now the closest match for ESAT Physics preparation outside the NSAA papers.
What the PAT tested
The Physics Aptitude Test was Oxford's entrance test for Physics, Physics & Philosophy, Engineering Science, and Materials Science. From 2018 onwards it became a single combined paper of around 100 marks, roughly half Mathematics for Physics and half Physics.
Time pressure was the defining feature
The PAT was famously punishing on time. Strong candidates routinely ran out before the final third. Oxford's published mark distributions sat well below the maximum: a typical Physics offer-holder scored in the 50–65 range out of 100.
Section breakdown
Mathematics for Physics
~50%- · Algebraic manipulation
- · Polynomials and graphs
- · Trigonometry
- · Calculus (differentiation, integration)
- · Sequences and series
- · Coordinate geometry
- · Logarithms and exponentials
Direct overlap with ESAT Mathematics 1 + Mathematics 2 subtests.
Physics
~50%- · Mechanics (kinematics, dynamics, momentum, energy)
- · Circuits and DC electricity
- · Waves and oscillations
- · Optics
- · Gases and thermodynamics basics
- · Astronomy and gravitation
Direct overlap with the ESAT Physics subtest; identical topic coverage in most cases.
Past Papers and Solutions (2006 to 2024)
Every PAT paper from the first sitting in 2006 through to the 2024 specimen, with PMT-published worked solutions. Solutions open as HTML pages on physicsandmathstutor.com; question papers download as PDFs.
| Year | Question Paper | Worked Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 (Specimen) Specimen — Oxford stopped releasing the live 2024 paper. | Paper | — |
| 2023 | Paper | Solutions |
| 2022 | Paper | Solutions |
| 2021 | Paper | Solutions |
| 2020 | Paper | Solutions |
| 2019 | Paper | Solutions |
| 2018 | Paper | Solutions |
| 2017 | Paper | Solutions |
| 2016 | Paper | Solutions |
| 2015 | Paper | Solutions |
| 2014 | Paper | Solutions |
| 2013 | Paper | Solutions |
| 2012 | Paper | Solutions |
| 2011 | Paper | Solutions |
| 2010 | Paper | Solutions |
| 2009 (Specimen) Specimen issued ahead of the 2009 PAT. | Paper | — |
| 2009 | Paper | Solutions |
| 2008 | Paper | Solutions |
| 2007 | Paper | Solutions |
| 2006 | Paper | Solutions |
Using PAT papers for ESAT Physics preparation
Oxford replaced the PAT with the ESAT from 2026 entry. The underlying syllabus carried across almost intact — here is how each half of the PAT maps onto ESAT subtests.
PAT Physics → ESAT Physics subtest
- · Same syllabus: mechanics, electricity, waves, gases, gravitation
- · Format differs (MCQ vs long-form), underlying physics is identical
- · Break PAT multi-mark sub-parts into stand-alone MCQ practice
- · Closer match than any A-Level past paper alone
PAT Maths for Physics → ESAT Mathematics 1
- · PAT covers a superset of ESAT Maths 1 topics
- · Gap: ESAT Maths 1 has some stats-style questions the PAT did not test
- · Algebraic fluency drilled by PAT carries straight across
PAT to ESAT Physics topic overlap
How to study with these papers
Start with the most recent papers (2020-2023)
These align most closely with the current Physics A-Level specification and ESAT topic list. Older papers occasionally touch on topics that have since dropped off the spec.
For ESAT prep, drop the calculator
PAT was a calculator-allowed test. ESAT is not. When practising PAT physics questions, treat them as no-calculator: this trains the mental arithmetic and shortcut-spotting habits ESAT rewards.
Practise time pressure
The PAT was 2 hours for around 100 marks. ESAT Physics is 40 minutes for 27 MCQs. Both reward fast pattern-spotting. When working through PAT questions, aim for 1 to 2 minutes per mark; if a question is taking 5+ minutes, mark it for review and move on.
Use sub-parts as ESAT-style MCQs
PAT questions had multi-mark sub-parts that often map cleanly to single ESAT MCQs. When you read a sub-part with answer "v = 4.2 m/s", treat it as a stand-alone MCQ: how quickly can you eliminate the four wrong options without doing the full calculation?
Frequently asked questions
Is the PAT still used anywhere?
No. Oxford was the only university that used the PAT, and from 2026 entry Oxford has moved to the ESAT. The 2024 PAT was the final sitting. The papers above remain valuable as practice material only.
Are PAT papers still relevant for ESAT preparation?
Yes. PAT Physics covers very nearly the same A-Level Physics topic list as the ESAT Physics subtest, and PAT Mathematics for Physics covers a superset of ESAT Mathematics 1. The format differs (long-form vs MCQ, calculator vs no-calculator) but the physics content is the right one for ESAT preparation. NSAA papers remain the closest format match; PAT is the next-best for topic-level depth.
Why do these papers link to Physics & Maths Tutor rather than Oxford?
Oxford previously hosted PAT past papers on the Physics Department website but those pages were removed when the test was retired. PMT (physicsandmathstutor.com) is the most comprehensive public mirror of the official papers and the standard reference Oxford applicants used for self-study. They also host the most detailed public worked solutions.
Was a calculator allowed in the PAT?
Yes. A non-graphical scientific calculator was permitted throughout. This is the biggest format difference from ESAT, which is non-calculator. When using PAT papers as ESAT preparation, deliberately put the calculator away to force the same arithmetic habits the ESAT demands.
What was a competitive PAT score?
The PAT was marked out of 100. Oxford's published interview shortlisting cutoffs varied by year and course but typically sat in the 50 to 60 range, with successful Physics applicants averaging in the 60 to 75 range. The PAT was deliberately calibrated so that nobody finished comfortably — even strong applicants left questions unanswered.