Tea cup sitting on table with mathematical formulae written on table top

Maths Admissions Test

About the test

Why is there a test?

We can't interview all our applicants in the time available, so we shortlist around three applicants for every place to interview. To help us decide who to shortlist, we set the Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT) which all applicants for Maths, Computer Science, or joint honours courses must take. There is no "pass" mark for the MAT; we use the information from the test, together with all the details of your UCAS application and information about school background to decide who to shortlist.

What does the MAT test?

The MAT 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. It 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).

The MAT syllabus is based on the first year of A level Maths, and a few topics from the fourth term of A level Maths which we think students will have covered by the time of the test.

How to prepare for the MAT

The MAT syllabus contains the mathematics that we expect you to know by the time of the test.

For practice resources, see the Oxford MAT Livestream.

You might also like the following resources to practice problem-solving;

The AMSP organises Problem Solving Matters, hosted at universities around the UK. This problem-solving course aims to help students prepare for university mathematics.

Key dates

Please note that in early 2024, the University is reviewing arrangements for all tests. The MAT syllabus is not changing. Past questions are still good practice. The MAT format (length of test, number of questions, etc) may change. Please see www.ox.ac.uk/tests for updates.

MAT Livestream 2023 www.maths.ox.ac.uk/r/matlive
The MAT livestream is a weekly online event talking about maths problems and discussing problem-solving strategies.

MAT past papers

The table below contains past papers and solutions, as well as general feedback on the admissions round for each year from 2010 onwards. Three averages are given for each year; $\mu_1$ is the average score of all Oxford applicants for Maths / Maths & Stats / Maths & Philosophy, $\mu_2$ is the average score of those applicants who were shortlisted for interview, and $\mu_3$ is the average score of those applicants who were made offers. Similar statistics for Maths & Computer Science, Computer Science, and Computer Science & Philosophy  applicants are available on the Computer Science departmental website.

Please note that the syllabus for the MAT was updated for the 2018 test; the current syllabus is available here.

The Notes for the past papers are intended for candidates using the past papers to prepare for MAT, and they mostly refer to syllabus changes.

 

Test paperSolutions($\mu_1$, $\mu_2$, $\mu_3$)FeedbackNotes
MAT 2023Solutions 2023(51.2, 68.1, 75.1)Feedback 2023Notes 2023
MAT 2022Solutions 2022(48.3, 65.2, 71.5)Feedback 2022 
MAT 2021Solutions 2021(51.1, 69.5, 73.5)Feedback 2021 
MAT 2020Solutions 2020(57.9, 75.2, 81.7)Feedback 2020Notes 2020
MAT 2019Solutions 2019(44.9, 63.6, 69.3)Feedback 2019 
MAT 2018Solutions 2018(50.8, 67.1, 72.9)Feedback 2018Notes 2018
MAT 2017Solutions 2017(51.3, 68.7, 73.6)Feedback 2017Notes 2017
MAT 2016Solutions 2016(50.3, 66.7, 73.1)Feedback 2016Notes 2016
MAT 2015Solutions 2015(43.7, 56.3, 62.7)Feedback 2015Notes 2015
MAT 2014Solutions 2014(48.4, 63.1, 71.5)Feedback 2014Notes 2014
MAT 2013Solutions 2013(44.8, 54.2, 60.6)Feedback 2013Notes 2013
MAT 2012Solutions 2012(52.1, 63.0, 68.2)Feedback 2012Notes 2012
MAT 2011Solutions 2011(50.3, 63.3, 71.0)Feedback 2011Notes 2011
MAT 2010Solutions 2010(49.0, 61.4, 69.3)Feedback 2010Notes 2010
MAT 2009Solutions 2009(51.3, 61.2, 70.5) Notes 2009
MAT 2008Solutions 2008(58.7, 68.0, 77.0) Notes 2008
MAT 2007Solutions 2007(56.9, 63.0, 75.2) Notes 2007
MAT Specimen 1Solutions Specimen 1  Notes Specimen 1
MAT Specimen 2Solutions Specimen 2  Notes Specimen 2

 

Additional Multiple-Choice Questions

In 2020, 2021, and 2022, the department organised a multiple-choice test in the style of Q1 on the MAT. This was arranged for a small number of candidates in each year who had been shortlisted without a MAT score, and the test was administered just before interviews. In 2023, the department organised a multiple-choice test in the style of Q1 on the MAT for candidates affected by technical disruption in the MAT, and the test was administered before shortlisting. The test papers and solutions are available in the table below for those who wish to see more multiple-choice questions in the style of Q1 on the MAT.

Test paperSolutions
Test 2023bSolutions 2023b
Test 2022bSolutions 2022b
Test 2021bSolutions 2021b
Test 2020bSolutions 2020b

Next:

Our admissions tutors use MAT scores together with information from the UCAS application to decide who to shortlist for interview.

A guide to interviews for Maths at Oxford.
Please contact us with feedback and comments about this page. Last updated on 14 Mar 2024 14:30.