ELAT Preparation Courses
In order to be offered a place to study English at Oxford, you must first demonstrate your academic reading and writing abilities. To help you do this, the ELAT is required for all applicants and gives you a chance to write an engaging, high-quality piece of work for the admissions team to see.
However, preparing for the ELAT can be tough. Therefore, at UniAdmissions we teach you the critical skills and information needed to not just perform well in the ELAT but throughout the entire process of applying to English at Oxford. Our programmes are tailored to meet the specific needs of each student with the help of our experienced Oxbridge tutors, comprehensive resources, and intensive courses. Discover how UniAdmissions can boost your odds of success in your application by getting in touch with us today.
What is the ELAT?
The English Literature Admissions Test (ELAT) is an admissions test used by the University of Oxford (and previously by Cambridge) to assess applicants for their various English courses. The test is designed to test applicants on their reading and reasoning skills in a variety of unfamiliar contexts.
The ELAT is paper-based and lasts 90 minutes. The test itself consists of just a single task that requires the reading and analysis of a collection of passages from six available texts. These passages are all linked by a common theme which is stated in the paper The task will involve writing a thoughtful and well-written essay in response to a single prompt stated in the paper in relation to passages. There is no word count limit to your work, so your only limit is the time restriction.
How To Prepare for the ELAT
As the ELAT is primarily a reading and essay writing exercise, practising these two things will be your best course of action when preparing for the ELAT. The ELAT will require you to write about specific prompts, so you should ensure that you are using actual examples from the ELAT or carefully crafted practice questions when preparing for the test.
The questions in the ELAT are fairly meticulous and unique, so the most effective way to practice is by using actual ELAT past papers. However, other resources are also available to help you go further. UniAdmissions offers you a whole collection of support and resources, all included in our Oxbridge English and ELAT Preparation Programmes.
What ELAT Preparation Programme Is Best For Me?
Our Complete Oxbridge English Premium Programme
Oxford’s English courses are world-renowned and very competitive, so get a head-start on your preparation with UniAdmissions. With our Oxford English Premium Programme, you will get the chance to improve every aspect of your application.
At UniAdmissions, you will have access to over 150 hours of study material, including our extensive syllabus and the guidance of one of our knowledgeable Oxbridge tutors. Our resources and tutors will help you craft a standout Personal Statement, prepare thoroughly for the ELAT, and equip you with the best interview skills to make a lasting impression on the admissions team at Oxford. With personalised one-to-one tuition sessions tailored to your specific needs, you’ll have all the tools and support you need to succeed.
- Personal Statement Support
- ELAT Support
- Interview Support
- Weekly Group Workshops
Our ELAT Specific Preparation Programme
Our ELAT Preparation Programme is the ideal solution for those seeking to enhance their English Literature and Language abilities for the ELAT. Upon signing up, you will have access to an array of preparation materials that will cover all aspects of the test.
Our in-depth syllabus offers over 95 hours of study and our knowledgeable Oxbridge tutor to assist you in any areas you feel require further attention. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to participate in weekly enrichment seminars with other students, aimed at expanding your comprehension of English.
- Personal Statement Support
- ELAT Support
- Interview Support
- Weekly Group Workshops
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Frequently Asked Questions
All tutors are either current senior students, recent graduates or from a professional background that have taken the ELAT 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 Oxford.
Secondly, we assess whether the student is capable and willing to put in the time required to create a strong application for Oxford.
Finally, we assess the student’s attitude and reasoning behind applying for English at Oxford. 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.
Our success rate for our engaged English students who make the most of their resources is 60%, meaning 60% of students we have worked with on this course successfully received an offer on an Oxbridge course. This is much higher than the average national success rate of 29%.
You’ll get access to all of our online ELAT resources, including realistic exam mock papers, the ELAT Academy and our highly-rated ELAT textbook.
The ELAT is an entrance exam exclusive to Oxford’s English courses. Therefore, tuition for this specific exam is exclusive to the ELAT Programme and Oxbridge English Programme.
Yes, we have a lot of valuable information about how to prepare and score highly on the ELAT 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 video calls. 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.