Our admissions tests explained

We use admissions tests as part of the application process for many of our courses. On this page, we explain more about the tests we use, what they involve, why we use them and how you can register and take a test. 

What admissions tests do we use?

Most departments at Imperial use an admissions test to help them in the selection process.  

The tests are computer-based assessments that are designed to assess some of the core skills you’ll need to succeed at Imperial.  

The test you could need to take for your application depends on which course you’re applying for. The tests we use are: 

• The Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT)
• The Test of Mathematics for University Admissions (TMUA)
• Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT)
• University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)
• The Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT)

You can find out if your course requires an admissions test as part of the application process in the how to apply section of our course pages.  

You can also check the list of our departments and the tests they use at the bottom of this page.

Why do we use admissions tests?

We use admissions tests to help us fairly assess the skills of our applicants.  

We take test scores into consideration alongside other parts of your UCAS application, like your personal statement, when we decide whether to invite you to an interview or to make you an offer. 

The admissions test gives you the chance to show us your skills, your subject knowledge and your understanding of topics related to the course you’re applying to. 

How do you register for an admissions test?

You need to register directly with the test provider. If your course requires an admission test, make sure you check the registration dates and deadlines carefully, as your application can’t be considered if you don’t complete the test. 

You can find out more about the registration and test dates for the ESAT, the TMUA and the UCAT on our website: 

• The Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT)
• The Test of Mathematics for University Admissions (TMUA)
• University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)

Information about how to register for the MAT and GAMSAT is available on the test website:

• Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT)
• The Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT)

If your course requires an admissions test, you can also find information about how to register, along with useful links, in the how to apply section on our course pages.

Are materials available to help you prepare?

Admissions test providers offer resources that can help you familiarise yourself with the test format and the style of questions. 

You can also read more about how to prepare for the TMUA, the ESAT and the UCAT on our website: 

• The Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT)
• The Test of Mathematics for University Admissions (TMUA)
• University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)

Which Imperial department use an admissions test?

Find out if your department uses an admissions test as part of the application process. 

Department		Admissions test
Aeronautics	✓	Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT)
Bioengineering	✘	No test
Imperial College Business School	✓	Test of Mathematics for University Admissions (TMUA)
Chemical Engineering	✓	Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT)
Chemistry	✘	No test
Civil and Environmental Engineering	✓	Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT)
Computing (including Joint Mathematics and Computing courses)	✓	Test of Mathematics for University Admissions (TMUA)
Dyson School of Design Engineering	✓	Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT)
Earth Science and Engineering	✘	No test
Electrical and Electronic Engineering	✓	Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT)
Life Sciences	✘	No test
Materials	✘	No test
Mathematics	✓	Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT)
Mechanical Engineering	✓	Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT)
Medicine	✓	University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)
Medicine (Graduate Entry Medicine)	✓	Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT)
Medicine (Medical Biosciences)	✘	No test
Physics	✓	Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT)