Entry Requirements
Typical offers require
A Level: A*A*A
IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level
Other qualifications: See Entrance requirements.
Subject requirements
'Science/mathematics subjects' refers to Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Further Mathematics. It does not include Psychology.
- All Colleges require: A Levels/IB Higher Levels in at least two science/mathematics, see also subject requirements for Year 1 options
- Some Colleges require: AS or A Level/IB Standard or Higher Level in a third science/mathematics subject and/or particular subjects
See Entrance requirements and Choosing your post-16 subjects for additional guidance and conditions of entry.
A Levels
Most students have at least three science/mathematics A Levels. The minimum requirement is two, but this will restrict your choice of Part IA options. In these circumstances, you'll normally be expected to achieve A* in both of the science/mathematics subjects and encouraged to take an additional science/mathematics AS Level. The more useful combinations are:
- A Level Biology, A Level Chemistry, and AS Level Mathematics or Physics
- A Level Chemistry, A Level Mathematics, and AS Level Biology or Physics
- A Level Physics, A Level Mathematics and AS Level Further Mathematics
If you don’t have A Level Mathematics, you’re required to complete some preparatory work before the start of the course and must take Mathematical Biology as your mathematics subject in Year 1.
International Baccalaureate
The advice above about A Level subject combinations also applies to the IB. For these purposes:
- Standard Level subjects will satisfy AS Level subject requirements
- Higher Level subjects will satisfy A Level subject requirements
- IB applicants are expected to take IB Higher Level 'Analysis and Approaches' for any course where Mathematics is a requirement. If this option is not available at your school, please contact the College that you wish to apply to directly for further advice and guidance.
Other examination systems
We expect applicants taking other recognised qualifications to have a level of understanding in science and mathematics roughly equivalent to those applying with A Levels.
Refer to our main Entrance requirements pages and consult a College Admissions Tutor for further advice.
Admission assessment
All applicants for Natural Sciences (including applicants to mature Colleges) are required to take the Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment (NSAA) at an authorised assessment centre (usually your school or college), for which you must be registered in advance.
Please see the Cambridge Admissions Testing website for information about dates and registration deadlines, and check admission assessments for further details.
Assessment format
The NSAA Section 2 Biology component is being updated for 2022. From November 2022, Section 2 Biology will assume knowledge of advanced topics. This brings it in line with Section 2 Physics and Chemistry, which already assume knowledge of advanced topics. The topics to be included will be detailed in an updated test specification, to be published here in May 2022 together with a revised specimen question paper and explained answers.
The NSAA format for the 2021 will be as follows:
- Section 1: Multiple choice questions in mathematics plus one science (Biology, Chemistry or Physics) (60 minutes)
- Section 2: Extended multiple choice questions in Biology, Chemistry or Physics (60 minutes)
Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment Specification 2021
Please note that your performance in the assessment will not be considered in isolation, but will be taken into account alongside the other elements of your application.
In addition, applicants to some Colleges may be required to take a College-set written assessment (see individual College websites for details).
Specimen and past papers
A specimen paper has been produced to allow you to sample the written assessment format and practice under timed conditions. It is not expected that you will answer every question correctly; the written assessment is designed to be challenging. Even some strong candidates may not complete the paper in the time allowed; it is designed to distinguish across our field of high-calibre applicants.
Experience with similar assessments and from trials indicates that, on average, typical applicants to the most highly selective undergraduate courses (who are by definition academically very able) will gain approximately half of the available marks. The best applicants will score more highly, but only relatively few are expected to gain more than 80 per cent of the available marks.
Written assessments help admissions tutors to assess whether candidates have the skills, aptitudes and any required subject knowledge and understanding required to study the relevant course at Cambridge. They are only one of the elements used in the admissions process. Others include a candidate’s academic record and forecast grades in school-leaving examinations; UCAS application form; examples of recent written work submitted to the College to which they are applying; and performance at interview, if invited to attend.
When using the specimen and past papers below, please note that the following changes to the Natural Sciences admissions assessment were introduced in 2020:
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Natural Sciences Admission Assessment
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From 2020
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In previous years
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Section 1
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- 60 minutes
- 4 parts, of which candidates should answer 2 (mathematics and one of the sciences). Each part contains 20 multiple-choice questions.
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- 80 minutes
- 5, parts, of which candidates should answer 3. Each part contains 18 multiple-choice questions.
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Section 2
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- 60 minutes
- 3 parts, of which candidates should answer 1. Each part contains 20 multiple-choice questions.
- Marking solely based on answers on multiple choice answer sheet
- Calculators not permitted
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- 40 minutes
- 6 questions, of which candidates answer 2
- Marking took account of working provided on question paper
- Calculators permitted
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Specimen papers:
Natural Sciences - Section 1 Question Paper
Natural Sciences - Section 1 Answer Sheet
Natural Sciences - Section 1 Answer Key
Natural Sciences - Section 1 Explained Answers
Natural Sciences - Section 2 Question Paper
Natural Sciences - Section 2 Answer Key
Natural Sciences - Section 2 Answer Sheet
Natural Sciences - Section 2 Explained Answers
Past papers:
Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment 2020 (papers combined)
Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment 2019 (papers combined)
Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment 2018 (papers combined)
Natural Sciences 2017 - Section 1 Question Paper
Natural Sciences 2017 - Section 1 Answer Sheet
Natural Sciences 2017 - Section 1 Answer Key
Natural Sciences 2017 - Section 2 Question Paper
Natural Sciences 2017 - Section 2 Explained Answers
Natural Sciences 2016 - Section 1 Question Paper
Natural Sciences 2016 - Section 1 Answer Sheet
Natural Sciences 2016 - Section 1 Answer Key
Natural Sciences 2016 - Section 2 Question Paper
Natural Sciences 2016 - Section 2 Explained Answers
Submitted work
Applicants are not typically asked to submit examples of written work. Some may be asked by their College to do some reading in advance of their interview, but if this is required the College will provide full details in the letter inviting the student to interview.
All undergraduate admissions decisions are the responsibility of the Cambridge Colleges. Please contact the relevant College admissions office if you have any queries.
