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ESAT Preparation Courses
The ESAT exam replaces the NSAA and ENGAA exams, aligning closely with the format of the NSAA.
At the heart of this assessment is a core Maths section, a compulsory section, accompanied by two additional sections, allowing candidates to choose from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or additional Mathematics.
With a reduced time frame of 40 minutes per section (compared to the NSAA exam), the ESAT aims to evaluate candidates' science and maths knowledge. As you navigate through this hub, discover essential information about the exam, gain insights into preparation strategies, and equip yourself for success in the competitive admissions process.
What is the ESAT?
The ESAT (Engineering and Science Admissions Test) is a 2-hour exam released in 2024. stands as the gateway to securing a position at the University of Cambridge for the following courses:
- Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
- Engineering
- Natural Sciences
- Veterinary Medicine
The test is also required for various Engineering and Physics courses at Imperial College London.
Designed to assess the aptitude of prospective students in the fields of engineering and science, this exam is a new and crucial element of the admission process. Replacing the NSAA and ENGAA exams, the ESAT retains the essence of the NSAA. It has a focus on Maths as a compulsory section. In addition, candidates must sit two sections from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or additional Mathematics (depending on your course choice) with each section allocated 40 minutes for completion.
The ESAT is scheduled to take place in both October and January at Pearson VUE centres worldwide, presenting an opportunity for aspiring Cambridge students to showcase their academic prowess.
How To Prepare for the ESAT
Although the ESAT is a new exam, students can effectively begin their preparations for the exam due to the information released by the University of Cambridge. As a starting point, check out our Essential ESAT PDF handbook.
As well as using dedicated ESAT materials, we recommend students use past papers and practice materials from the NSAA and ENGAA exams which the ESAT has replaced. The sections required in the ESAT will depend on your course choice, so for the NSAA this is likely to be the sciences, whereas Engineering requires Physics and Further Maths.
You can boost your ESAT score by working with an expert tutor here at UniAdmissions, guiding you through the process and offering experienced insight into the new exam.
We are also running a live ESAT Intensive Course and have an ESAT Academy, which gives you access to a pre-recorded video series walking you through the exam.
Which ESAT Preparation Programme Is Best For Me?
Oxbridge Programmes Including ESAT Preparation
Preparing your Cambridge university application is not a simple process. The success rates are very competitive and there are many hurdles to clear to reach your offer.
We have developed Programmes of support to boost your chance of success for admission on your chosen course at Cambridge. These are the:
- Oxbridge Engineering Programme
- Cambridge Natural Sciences Programme
- Cambridge Veterinary Medicine Programme
- Cambridge Chemical Engineering Programme
Alongside ESAT preparation, we can teach you how to write a perfect Personal Statement to boost your impression on the university and offer guidance on acing your Interviews. You will have over 170 hours of study time made up of many avenues of learning including expert-led 1-1 Tuition, Intensive Group Teaching and an Online Course.
- Personal Statement Support
- ESAT Support
- Interview Support
- Weekly Group Workshops
Our ESAT Specific Preparation Programme
We have supported hundreds of students with their Cambridge admissions tests over the years and have gained a critical understanding of what Cambridge Admissions Tutors are looking for.
The ESAT Preparation Programme is the most comprehensive ESAT support you will find. Our expert Tutors will help you to identify and improve the areas you find most difficult to ensure you score highly. The Programme also offers a reserved space on our Intensive Course and access to online revision support. If you are only looking for support with the ESAT exam, then this is the perfect Programme to help boost your score rapidly.
- Personal Statement Support
- ESAT Support
- Interview Support
- Weekly Group Workshops
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Frequently Asked Questions
You’ll get access to all of our online ESAT resources, such as online lectures and full books packed with powerful strategies and techniques to help you prepare, improve and boost your score. You will also receive ESAT mock papers to put your learning to the test.
The ESAT is used for a variety of Cambridge courses, so there a multiple programmes that include ESAT support. These include:
- Oxbridge Engineering Programme
- Cambridge Natural Sciences Programme
- Cambridge Veterinary Medicine Programme
- Cambridge Chemical Engineering Programme
You’ll also get ESAT support within relevant Imperial Programmes.
Yes, we have a lot of valuable information about how to prepare and score highly on the ESAT on our website. You can take a look at the articles on this page by clicking here.
The Programme Portal is where you will find all of the support and resources for your Programme.
You can think of the Portal as the hub of all the materials included within your Programme. If you are ever looking for a relevant book, an online course, course dates or anything along those lines, the Portal is very likely to be your answer.
You can also use the Portal to get in touch with our team at any point.
Your tuition will be held virtually via Pencil Spaces. You will be able to specify any requirements when you apply for your programme, such as differences in time zones and times you won’t be available. We will work to find you a tutor who can work within any restrictions you may have.
Actual session times will then be organised between yourself and the tutor to best meet your needs.
All tutors are either current senior students, recent graduates or from a professional background that have taken the NSAA or ENGAA (former Cambridge admissions tests) and scored in the top 10% in their admissions cycle. Our selection process ensures only the best tutors work for us, in roles most suited to their skill-sets. You can read more about our tutors here.
We work with a limited number of students each year to ensure we can provide the best support suited for their particular needs.
Our Programmes have a structured syllabus, however, we tweak elements of the syllabus so the student is able to gain the most out of our support.
First and foremost, we assess whether the potential student has the right academic capabilities and profile to be realistically accepted to study at Cambridge or Imperial.
Secondly, we assess whether the student is capable and willing to put in the time required to create a strong application for Cambridge or Imperial.
Finally, we assess the student’s attitude and reasoning behind applying for their chosen course. This is one of our most important considerations.
If a student has below-average (but still realistic) grades, but the correct attitude, we would consider accepting them onto our Programme. Unfortunately, if the converse is the case, it’s unlikely the student would be accepted onto the Programme. Admissions Tutors look for passion, not just academic potential.
We do have ideal start times at points throughout the year, however, the syllabus can be adapted to suit your particular start time if you are accepted onto the Programme. Our Admissions Consultants can help you understand the Programme timeline in your specific case – all you need to do is ask.
