Most applicants need to take a written or verbal test as part of their Cambridge application. Your assessment will be relevant to the subject you’ve applied for. We take your assessment performance into account alongside the other elements of your application.
You will either take your assessment:
- before we shortlist for interview. You need to be registered for this type of assessment in advance and you will take it at your own school or college, or an open test centre.
- after you’re invited to interview, if you are shortlisted for interview. You don’t need to be registered for this type of assessment. The Cambridge College that interviews you will make arrangements for the test. They will provide you with details of when and how you will take your assessment. Find out more about College assessments
Your assessment will test:
- your skills (for example, your writing and language skills or mathematical problem-solving ability)
- your subject knowledge
- your understanding of topics related to your chosen course
You don’t need to get every question right
We don’t expect that you will answer every question correctly. The assessments are designed to challenge you.
Some strong applicants may not even complete the paper in the time given. On average, typical applicants to the most selective undergraduate courses will gain around half of the available marks. Almost no one gets full marks.
Find out which assessment you need to take
The table below will shows what type of assessment is required for each course for 2024 entry. Click on the link in the table to find out more about your assessment and whether it is required at all Cambridge Colleges.
Course | Admission test |
---|---|
Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic |
No admission assessment. |
Archaeology |
You don't need to register in advance. |
Architecture |
You don't need to register in advance. |
Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (AMES) |
College admission assessment, if you are combining a Middle Eastern language with a European language. You don't need to register in advance. |
Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology |
Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment (NSAA) You must register in advance for this test. |
Classics (3-year and 4-year) |
You don't need to register in advance. |
Computer Science |
Test of Mathematics for University Admissions (TMUA) You must register in advance for this test. |
Design |
You don't need to register in advance. |
Economics |
Test of Mathematics for University Admissions (TMUA) You must register in advance for this test. |
Education |
You don't need to register in advance. |
Engineering |
Engineering Admissions Assessment (ENGAA) You must register in advance for this test. |
English |
You don't need to register in advance. |
Geography |
You don't need to register in advance. |
History |
You don't need to register in advance. |
History and Modern Languages |
You don't need to register in advance. |
History and Politics |
You don't need to register in advance. |
History of Art |
You don't need to register in advance. |
Human, Social and Political Sciences (HSPS) |
You don't need to register in advance. |
Land Economy |
No admission assessment. |
Law |
You must register in advance for this test. |
Linguistics |
You don't need to register in advance. |
Mathematics |
You don't need to register in advance. |
Medicine (Standard Course A100) |
BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) You must register in advance for this test. |
Medicine (Graduate Course) |
No admission assessment. |
Modern and Medieval Languages (MML) |
You don't need to register in advance. |
Music |
You don't need to register in advance. |
Natural Sciences |
Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment (NSAA) You must register in advance for this test. |
Philosophy |
You don't need to register in advance. |
Psychological and Behavioural Sciences |
You don't need to register in advance. |
Theology, Religion and Philosophy of Religion |
No admission assessment. |
Veterinary Medicine |
Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment (NSAA) You must register in advance for this test. |
Further information
If you have any questions about our written assessments, please contact assessment@admin.cam.ac.uk.