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Information on the Admissions Test

As part of the admissions process an Entrance Test is taken by all students who are applying for Mathematics, the three joint degrees with Computer Science, Philosophy, Statistics and for Computer Science.

IN THE 2011 ADMISSIONS ROUND (FOR THOSE APPLYING FOR ENTRY IN 2012 OR 2013) THE ENTRANCE TEST WILL BE SAT IN SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, AND TEST CENTRES (rather than in Oxford as was the case before 2007).

THE TEST DATE FOR 2011 IS WEDNESDAY 2ND NOVEMBER.

Applicants will be shortlisted on the basis of the test score, together with information from applicants' UCAS forms and those shortlisted will be invited to Oxford in mid-December for interview. In this manner, the gathered field of applicants is shortlisted to around 3 applicants per place for the interview stage.

Test Format

The test is in the same format as it was in 2006-10 and lasts 2½ hours. The mathematical knowledge and techniques required to do the questions are taken from a syllabus roughly corresponding to the C1 and C2 modules from A-level maths, though the questions are set more variously than A-level questions. A copy of the syllabus is available here.

The format of the 2006 Entrance Test was a little different from previous tests, with two extra questions set solely for applicants in Computer Science or the joint degree, but otherwise was in the same format as in previous years. Below are copies of two specimen tests, in this format, together with a copy of the papers from 2007-10.

The first question on the test is multiple choice and contains 10 parts each worth 4 marks. Marks are given solely for the correct answers, though applicants are encouraged to show any working in the space provided. Questions 2-7 are longer questions, each worth 15 marks, and candidates will need to show their working. Candidates should each attempt 4 questions from 2-7, the selection depending on the degree for which they are applying. Details of precisely which questions you should attempt are given below, in the rubric on the front page of the test and throughout the paper.

  • Mathematics, Mathematics & Statistics, Mathematics & Philosophy applicants should attempt questions 1,2,3,4,5
  • Mathematics & Computer Science applicants should attempt questions 1,2,3,5,6
  • Computer Science, Computer Science & Philosophy applicants should attempt questions 1,2,5,6,7

Also note:

  • No calculators, formula sheets or dictionaries are permitted during the test.
  • Only answers written in the booklet will be marked. There are spare blank pages at the end of the test paper.
  • Further credit cannot be gained by attempting questions other than those appropriate to the degree applied for.

The Entrance Test is set with the aim of being approachable by all students, including those without Further Mathematics A-level, and those from other educational systems (e.g. Baccalaureate and Scottish Highers). It aims to test the depth of mathematical understanding of a student in the fourth term of their A-levels (or equivalent) rather than a breadth of knowledge. Applicants are encouraged to attempt some of the specimen/past tests provided below, so that they might have a sense of the format and style of the test, but no further preparation or practice, beyond work for A-levels, is intended. Whilst two of the tests are specimens, almost all the questions on them were set on previous years' entrance tests.

Specimen and Past Tests

Arrangements for the Test

An entrance test has been used at admissions time (mid-December) in Mathematics, the joint degrees and Computer Science since 1996. Since 2007 this test has been sat by applicants in their schools/colleges in late October/early November. The test will be in the same format as with the 2006 test (which included two extra questions for Computer Science and Mathematics & Computer Science applicants).

The date for the test this year is the morning of NOVEMBER 2ND 2011. All applicants to these degrees, including international applicants, will be required to take the test.

Copies of the test paper will automatically be sent to applicants still studying at a school or college with a UCAS number. But other applicants will need to fill in online an additional Test Centre Declaration Form (together with their UCAS form). [This appears on an Admissions Office webpage, typically in September.] There is no special fee charged by Oxford University for sitting this admissions test, but some test centres may charge an administration fee. It is the responsibility of post A-level applicants and of applicants whose schools/colleges cannot accommodate the test to make alternative arrangements.

Applications will be shortlisted on the basis of the test score, together with information from applicants' UCAS forms, and those shortlisted in the UK and Europe will be invited to Oxford in mid-December for interview. Around 3 applicants per place will be shortlisted for interview (which, currently, represents around 60% of the field).

Common Questions

From applicants:

  • Who needs to take the test? All applicants to Oxford University wishing to be considered for Mathematics, Computer Science and joint degrees.
  • Do I need to register for the test? There is no need to register for the test (unlike with some other tests, e.g. BMAT, TSA, ELAT, HAT, PAT) but some applicants may need to fill in an extra Test Centre Declaration Form to advise the University's Admissions Office where to send to test. Also there is no fee for taking the test.
  • What extra do I need to do? For applicants whose school/college has a UCAS code, there are few extra arrangements that need to be made. You should confirm with your school/college that they are willing to administer the test on the morning of 2nd November. If this is the case then test papers will be automatically sent to your school/college by courier and should arrive on the Monday preceding the test. The test date is deliberately chosen to coincide with other test dates, e.g. BMAT, so hopefully this will not be a problem for your school/college.
  • My school/college does not have a UCAS code, but are willing to administer the test In this case you will need to fill in online a Test Centre Declaration Form so that the University's Admissions Office knows where to send the test papers.
  • My school/college are unwilling to administer the test or I am no longer at school/college It is the responsibility of any such applicants to make alternative arrangements. You may find that a local school or college is willing to have you sit the test alongside their applicants. If you are having trouble making alternative arrangements then you can email the Admissions Co-ordinator at undergraduate [dot] admissions [-at-] maths [dot] ox [dot] ac [dot] uk for further help and suggestions. Applicants outside the UK might consider approaching their local British Council office.
  • (Relevant for international and post A-level applicants.) Where do I find the online registration form? The Admissions Office provide this, with it appearing on their website in September. 
  • I am out of the country on the date of the test Such applicants will still need to take the test and will need to make alternative arrangements as described in the bullet point above.
  • I normally have special arrangements when taking a test We would expect any such arrangements (e.g. extra time, writing aids, etc.) to be allowed as per usual. We ask that a note/letter be attached and returned with the test paper giving details and reasons for the special arrangements. However, in line with the University's English Language requirements, we do not permit the use of foreign language dictionaries during the test (nor extra time solely for the use of dictionaries).
  • How can I prepare for the test? Applicants are encouraged to attempt some of the specimen/past tests provided below, so that they might have a sense of the format, style, mark scheme and timing of the test, but no further preparation or practice, beyond work for A-levels, is intended. Solutions are provided to all the online tests.
  • What is the pass mark on the test? There is no definite pass mark as such as the test is just one of our admissions criteria, though statistics relating to the 2007-10  tests are given above. Applicants will be shortlisted largely on the basis of the test score and those shortlisted from the UK and Europe will be invited to interview in Oxford in mid-December (interview dates). Decisions are subsequently made on the basis of applicants' test score, interview performance, UCAS forms, written work, according to the admissions criteria.

From teachers/test centres/administrators:

Any further enquiries regarding the test or admissions can be emailed to the Admissions Co-ordinator at undergraduate [dot] admissions [-at-] maths [dot] ox [dot] ac [dot] uk

  • What do I need to do to administer the test? If you are administering the test at a school/college with a UCAS code then the test papers will be automatically sent with instructions for the test's invigilation and how to return the papers. If your test centre does not have a UCAS code then you will need to fill in part of the applicant's Test Centre Declaration Form. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure the form is completed and returned to the University's Admissions Office by the application deadline.
  • When and how will the test papers be sent? Test papers will be automatically sent out to the applicant's school/college if it has a UCAS code unless a Test Centre Declaration Form has been filled in online to advise the University's Admissions Office where to redirect the test papers. Test papers will be posted by courier to centres within the UK and should arrive on the Monday before the test; for those applicants who needed to fill in a Test Centre Declaration Form test papers will be emailed to centres abroad on the day before the test.
  • Can we be a test centre for an applicant who has approached us? A Test Centre may be any school or college, British Council office or other institution where the test can be appropriately invigilated under good exam conditions by a professional, disinterested party. There is no fee, payable to the University, for taking the test, but test centres may charge applicants their standard fees for administering the test.
  • The applicant normally has special arrangements when taking a test We would expect any such arrangements (e.g. extra time, writing aids, etc.) to be allowed as per usual. In such cases there is a box to be ticked on the test paper and we ask that a note/letter be attached and returned with the test paper giving details and reasons for the special arrangements. However, in line with the University's English Language requirements, we do not permit the use of foreign language dictionaries during the test (nor extra time solely for the use of dictionaries).
  • In case of difficulties on the day or prior to the test Contact the Admissions Office at +44 (0)1865 288000 or by emailing undergraduate [dot] admissions [-at-] admin [dot] ox [dot] ac [dot] uk

Last updated by Richard Earl on Wed, 04/01/2012 - 5:27pm from a page originally created by Waldemar Schlackow.
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