If you are applying to study Engineering at Cambridge you will have to sit the ENGAA as part of the application process.
Sitting the Admissions Test is one thing, but you will likely be wondering how the scoring of it works and how the results will be reported to you.
Which is why we have put together this guide going over everything you need to know about the scoring and results of the ENGAA.
What makes the ENGAA scoring so different?
As you would likely expect, the ENGAA is unlike any exam you would have sat in the past. So it is likely not a surprise that it is scored differently to them too.
You are likely used to sitting exams where the intention is to achieve a score as close to 100% as possible, though, of course, you will always aim to score as many marks as possible; this is not a necessity in the ENGAA.
So you understand completely everything you need to know about how the scoring of the ENGAA works, we have put this guide together to explain everything you need to know.
If you are looking for a more general look at the ENGAA and the support UniAdmissions can offer for it, you can visit our ENGAA preparation and courses page.
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When do you get your ENGAA results?
Knowing how to interpret and decipher your results is irrelevant if you do not know when you are to receive your results.
Applicants who sit the ENGAA on the 19th October 2023 will be issued with a PDF Statement of Results on the 29th November 2023.
There is nothing that you need to do as the college that you are applying to will receive your results directly.
How is the ENGAA Scored?
Across the two sections of the ENGAA, there are 60 raw marks available to candidates.
These raw marks are then converted into a score on a scale between 1.0 (lowest) and 9.0 (highest).
The scale has been designed so that typical applicants will score around 4.0. Approximately 10% of applicants will achieve scores higher than 7.0.
Low scores are capped at 1.0.
Your scores for Section 1 Part A, Section 1 Part B, and Section 2 will all be reported separately.
ENGAA Score Conversion
The conversion is adjusted each year in line with the results that candidates achieve and the perceived difficulty of the paper.
By looking at the conversions from 2021 (taken by those applying for 2022 entry), we can see how this has been applied.
| S1 Maths & Physics Raw | S1 Maths & Physics Reported |
|---|---|
| 0 | 1 |
| 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 1 |
| 3 | 1 |
| 4 | 1 |
| 5 | 1.6 |
| 6 | 2.1 |
| 7 | 2.6 |
| 8 | 3.1 |
| 9 | 3.6 |
| 10 | 4 |
| 11 | 4.4 |
| 12 | 4.9 |
| 13 | 5.4 |
| 14 | 5.9 |
| 15 | 6.4 |
| 16 | 7 |
| 17 | 7.7 |
| 18 | 8.7 |
| 19 | 9 |
| 20 | 9 |
| S1 Ad. Maths & Physics Raw | S1 Ad. Maths & Physics Reported |
|---|---|
| 0 | 1 |
| 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 1 |
| 3 | 1 |
| 4 | 1.3 |
| 5 | 2.3 |
| 6 | 3.2 |
| 7 | 4 |
| 8 | 4.8 |
| 9 | 5.5 |
| 10 | 6.3 |
| 11 | 7 |
| 12 | 7.8 |
| 13 | 8.5 |
| 14 | 9 |
| 15 | 9 |
| 16 | 9 |
| 17 | 9 |
| 18 | 9 |
| 19 | 9 |
| 20 | 9 |
| S2 Ad. Physics Raw | S2 Ad. Physics Reported |
|---|---|
| 0 | 1 |
| 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 1 |
| 3 | 1.3 |
| 4 | 2.2 |
| 5 | 2.8 |
| 6 | 3.4 |
| 7 | 4 |
| 8 | 4.5 |
| 9 | 5 |
| 10 | 5.5 |
| 11 | 6 |
| 12 | 6.5 |
| 13 | 7 |
| 14 | 7.5 |
| 15 | 8.1 |
| 16 | 8.8 |
| 17 | 9 |
| 18 | 9 |
| 19 | 9 |
| 20 | 9 |
What Can we learn from past ENGAA Scores?
Unfortunately, we do not have any data beyond 2021 due to Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing (CAAT) not providing it.
But this is still very helpful and will allow us to understand how the results will be presented.
The distribution of scores (seen below) is used to clearly show candidates just how similarly matched applicants are. It also serves as a good reminder that only the most exceptional applicants will achieve a 7.0+.
With this in mind, we can take a look at the 2021 ENGAA results.
ENGAA Section 1A 2021 Results
Below you can see the score distribution for Section 1A of the ENGAA – Mathematics and Physics.
From this, we can clearly see that the scores are distributed as we would generally expect them to be.
The scores peak at 4.4, just above where the average candidate typically sits. From here, the scores drop off, with ~12% of candidates scoring above 7.0.
ENGAA Section 1B 2021 Results
Below is the score distribution for Section 1B Advanced Mathematics and Advanced Physics.
From this, we can see that the candidates did really well in this section.
The median results sit between 4.8 and 5.5 – significantly above the average.
Most notably, around 12% of candidates achieved a 9.0, which is way beyond what we would expect to see.
ENGAA Section 2 2021 Results
From the distribution of the Section 2 Advanced Physics scores, we can see that candidates performed strongly.
We can see that ~52% of candidates scored between 1.0 and 4.0, meaning ~48% achieved above 4.0.
This is significant given the typical candidate is expected to score around 4.0.
what are good, average, and low ENGAA scores?
The distribution tables above should provide an idea of what scores candidates have achieved, with a brief explanation of the tables themselves.
Though you should now be able to identify what makes a good, average, or low score; what does it actually mean to you?
Based on what we have seen for the previous year’s results and the information provided by CAAT, we can see a pattern in regard to the scores. These can be categorised as follows:
What is a Good ENGAA Score?
It is generally agreed that anything from 7.0 and above is considered an exceptional ENGAA score. As you can see in the distribution charts above, around the 7.0 mark is where there is a drop-off in the results. By achieving a 7.0 or higher, you will be placing yourself in a very competitive position with your Cambridge Engineering application. As already mentioned, only approximately 10% of applicants will achieve scores higher than 7.0.
What is an Average ENGAA Score?
For the average ENGAA score, you would be looking at anything between 4.0 and 7.0; the vast majority of applicants will find themselves in this category. Falling into this range means that your ENGAA score is not likely to make you stand out against candidates with similar credentials. However, what it will do – especially if you are towards the higher end of the scale – is allow you to pass any thresholds in place, such as getting an Interview offer.
What is a Low ENGAA Score?
Anything below a 4.0, therefore, is considered a low ENGAA score. Do not feel disheartened by getting this score, as it is not a failure. The issue you are now faced with is ensuring that the rest of your application is as strong as possible.
How much does the ENGAA matter to my application?
We don’t know for certain how the different parts of the test are weighted by admissions tutors when making their decisions, or how big a part your test performance plays in whether or not your receive an offer.
However, we have a collection of information available to us from the 2019 ENGAA results which can help us make a few claims that are backed up by the evidence:
- Sixty-seven applicants scored 9.0 on the Part A section, the highest possible scaled score, and of these, 50 received offers.
- At 74.6%, compared with the 17.7% average chance of receiving an offer, this shows a big boost to your chances.
- Numbers are similar for the Part B, with 58 of 77 students who achieved the top score receiving offers.
- In Section 2, the top score was 17/20, achieved by two applicants, and only three applicants scored above 15/20, with all applicants scoring 15 or above being awarded 9.0 on the scaled mark scheme.
- Seventeen of the twenty applicants who scored 15/20 or higher in Section 2 received offers.
Of course, students who excel in the tests are likely to also be those who excel in the interview, so these figures are only indicative, although the top-scoring candidate among all applicants, who scored 9.0/9.0/17 didn’t receive an offer, which is a useful reminder that you can only get in with a good interview, however you perform on the test.
Remember, this is just one component of your application, Cambridge Interviews around 75% of home applicants so even if you are left feeling disappointed with your ENGAA score you are still well placed to be offered an Interview. Also bear in mind that everything we’ve written about above can be accused of confusing correlation with causation.
Conclusion
Hopefully, from the above, you have a better understanding of how the scoring and results of the ENGAA works.
The conversion table, and the distributions are not set in stone and will fluctuate each year based on candidates’ performance and the perceived difficultly of the paper.
Achieving a perfect score in the ENGAA might be the hope, but it is not a necessity – that is not what the intention behind the ENGAA is.
Remember, this is just one component of your application, Cambridge Interviews around 75% of home applicants so even if you are left feeling disappointed with your ENGAA score you are still well placed to be offered an Interview.
Maximise your ENGAA score through effective ENGAA preparation.
The ENGAA is a vital component of your Engineering application so scoring highly can mean the difference between an offer or rejection. At UniAdmissions, we are experts at boosting your ENGAA score and maximising your chances of gaining a place. We also have a range of ENGAA past papers available for you to work through.
Discover our ENGAA Tuition Programme by clicking the button below to enrol and triple your chances of success.
