How to Approach Cambridge’s Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT) in 2024: Top Tips From a Natural Sciences Graduate
This guide to the new ESAT Test is written by U2 Natural Sciences tutor, Alex (NatSci, University of Cambridge). Here you’ll find all the tips and tricks to take into the exam, as well as advice on how to structure and focus your preparation on the areas where it really counts. As the ESAT test is new in 2024, this guide presumes a certain similarity to the old Cambridge NSAA test, but in a computerised format. N.B. It is not completely possible to know what the exact format of question will be for the ESAT, but this guide should be useful in offering a rough approximation to structure your preparation.
All You Need to Know About the ESAT Test
Which Courses Require You to Sit the ESAT Test
Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
Engineering
Natural Sciences
Veterinary Medicine
What is the Format of the ESAT Test
The ESAT is a computer-based assessment, comprising individual 40-minute multiple-choice assessments. Candidates will undergo these assessments consecutively on the test day.
While Mathematics 1 is mandatory for all applicants, the additional assessments vary based on the specific Cambridge course applied for. Typically, candidates will complete two more multiple-choice assessments chosen from the list, extending the test duration to 120 minutes:
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Mathematics 2
Details about the required ESAT assessments for each course will be provided on the corresponding 2025 entry course pages, available from March 2024.
Unlike traditional exams, ESAT doesn't have a pass or fail outcome. The emphasis is on doing your best. Final scores are determined by the number of correct answers; there are no penalties for incorrect responses. Therefore, attempting all questions is encouraged.
When to Start Preparing for the ESAT
You’ll sit the ESAT in October of Year 13, so the latest you should start your preparations is the summer holiday just before. That said, there’s no such thing as preparing too far in advance, and you could begin familiarising yourself with the structure and style of the exam as early as the beginning of Year 12. Many of the questions (particularly the multiple choice) should be very accessible, even if you haven’t yet covered much of the A-level content. Therefore, it’s a good idea to get ahead of the game and learn the ESAT format early on, because that way you’ll have more time during the autumn of Year 13 to focus on mastering more advanced concepts which you’ll only just have covered.
How to Start Preparing for the ESAT
Reading about the new ESAT test online, scrolling through the specification and looking over past papers – this can all be very intimidating. The key is not to be put off! It’s very easy to get panicked by the mass of information and resources out there, and it’s tempting to use this as an excuse to procrastinate over your preparation. Do not do this because, before you know it, the exam will be upon you and it’s much less fun if you’re not ready.
But, how do you start? Well, firstly, you should realise that how you start is much less important than actually making sure you do start! With that in mind, you should start in whatever way feels easiest for you. If you’re unsure, just jump in and try looking through a past paper to familiarise yourself with the style. Or, go down the specification and seek out topics you think you are weakest on – these are the ones where the biggest improvement can be made and, so, these are the ones to focus on.
ESAT Preparation Checklist
1. Choose Which Sections You’re Going to Answer
You must go in knowing exactly which sections of the exam you are going to answer and which you are not. Time in Oxbridge admissions tests is excruciatingly tight – you cannot afford to waste any of it browsing through questions and deliberating over the choice. Also, this enables you to focus your preparation on the sections which are actually going to contribute towards your overall mark.
Therefore, you should take a good look at the specification to see the content of each of the sections, as well as looking at past papers to see the style of each question. When you come to do past papers under timed conditions, experiment by trying out different sections to see which combination gives you the highest score.
N.B. As the ESAT is a new test (resources to prepare will be released in May 2024), it is advisable to work from other Oxbridge admissions test past papers to practice early on. It is likely the test will involve the same problem solving style of question that was used in the old Cambridge NSAA tests, as well as other Oxbridge tests like the BMAT, MAT, PAT, ENGAA etc. You can start building these problem solving skills from now.
2. Get Used to the New Format
Make sure you read the instructions on the specification very thoroughly once released, as well as the instructions on any past papers. You can’t afford to go into the ESAT unclear about which sections are compulsory, and which are optional, so make sure you learn those details well. You should know exactly how many sections (and questions in each section) you have to answer, so you can plan how to split your time between them. That way, you’ll go into the exam with a clear plan and you can be confident of giving your best performance without wasting time double-checking the instructions on the paper, or worrying that you might have accidentally missed out a question.
Beware: The format has changed very recently, so be mindful of out-of-date resources. Make sure you are completely familiar with all the latest updates and intricacies.
3. Master All the Relevant Content on the Syllabus
The ESAT is likely to based on AS level knowledge, so you should have covered everything you need for the exam. Therefore, it might be enough just to revise your Year 12 A-Level or IB material very thoroughly. However, exam boards differ and the ESAT is designed for students with a range of backgrounds so do go through the syllabus and make sure you’re confident about everything you need to know for your chosen sections.
4. Do Past Papers Under Timed Conditions
By far the most challenging part of most Oxbridge admissions tests is the time constraints so it is vital that you practise papers under timed conditions to get a sense of how efficiently you are required to work (while maintaining accuracy).
Do be aware that the past NSAA papers will be in a different format to the ESAT you will sit and the number of sections you are required to complete might be different. However, these will most likely have exactly the same time pressures as the exam that you will sit, and completing these older papers will be tremendously valuable as well. Once you’ve done a paper, take the time to analyse your answers properly – you need to understand what your own thought process was during the exam. Then, you can look at the methods they give in the mark scheme and you can fine-tune your own way of thinking by incorporating the best aspects of each method.
5. Once You Run Out of Past Papers, Don’t Stop
It’s a good idea to practice any other exams in a similar style to the new ESAT. UKMT maths challenges are good practice for the quick problem-solving required in the multiple-choice maths section. For Physics, using PAT papers (Physics Aptitude Test for Oxford) is an excellent resource. These questions are most likely going to be more difficult than the physics questions in the ESAT, so serve as a good upper limit of practice. Isaac Physics also has plenty of questions that are good practice for the physics section.
Practising multiple choice and long-answer questions from AS exams in the relevant science is also very valuable. For Chemistry, the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge is a good resource. The questions will be in a slightly different style (long, written answers), but still a good level of difficulty and introduces many topics to suitable level that might be examined in the ESAT. Finally, take a look at the other Admissions Assessments that Cambridge (or other universities) require for other, similar courses – many of them are in a very similar style and can be useful preparation as well.
Would You Like U2 To Help You Prepare for the ESAT Test?
Book a free 20-minute consultation to find out how we can help you prepare for the new ESAT Test.
The Night Before the ESAT
The best thing you can do at this point is relax. You may want to do a bit of last minute revision of your A-Level or IB syllabus, but also remember to put your feet up, read a book, watch some TV – do whatever works for you to distract you and stop you thinking about the exam the next day. Get an early night and save all that thinking about the exam for when you’re actually doing it, because that’s the only time it counts!
During the ESAT Exam
By this point, you should know what to do. You’ve done all the preparation, you know exactly what sections to answer and you know exactly how to split your time between sections.
Always beware of the clock and stick to the plan you’ve made about how you’re going to split the time. Treat the test as a bit of a race – it’s going to be very tough to finish all the questions, so keep calm and do as many as you can. Be disciplined about your timings – don’t spend longer on a question than you planned to, no matter how tempting it might seem. You have to accept that the timings are going to be uncomfortably tight – it’s up to you to find the right balance between speed and accuracy.
Have confidence in your ability to do the questions – The right way to do a question is often the most obvious way, so have the confidence to spend a short amount of time writing down a little working, even if it looks like it’s getting you nowhere. The questions are only based on things you already know so the answer might suddenly jump out at you after a little playing around. A lot of the questions require you to apply basic results that you will have learned at a much younger age (such as the volume and surface area of spheres, prisms and cylinders). It will say all these things in the syllabus, so just make sure you are very fluent in this basic knowledge so you don’t waste any time trying to remember it in the exam.
A lot is often made of the fact that admissions assessments contain problem-solving questions rather than typical A level questions, the techniques for which can be ‘rehearsed’. Don’t let this worry you – there are no secret tricks to learn for these. Simply have all the AS knowledge in the forefront of your mind and get ready to use it. Even if it looks like a question you’ve never seen before, have the confidence to simply write down any relevant information you know and the answer might show itself. Being able to find the answers in this way is hard and making it happen takes a lot of practice of this style of question.
After It’s Over
Whatever happened, be proud of yourself. You got through a very stressful exam, and that’s an achievement in itself. If you didn’t finish, then don’t worry – most people don’t! In fact, a strong performance in the ESAT likely constitutes a much lower mark than you would normally be used to in your school exams, so don’t panic if you feel like it went badly – most people do think that, even the ones who do really well. For many high achieving students who are used to all A*s at GCSE and in their predicted grades, the Oxbridge tests can certainly serve as a bit of a shock to the system. Afterwards, allow yourself a short break and a treat of some kind. Then, assume you are going to get an interview and begin preparing for that!
How can U2 help prepare you for the ESAT & wider Oxbridge application?
U2 offer admissions test preparation for all courses that require them (book a free consultation to discuss options).
The Process:
1) We suggest a Cambridge Natural Sciences, Engineering or Veterinary graduate as a mentor depending on the student’s target course and send their full CV for review. Many of our mentors have studied at Master’s or PhD level and are deeply familiar with the admissions process to study the course at the University of Cambridge, and in particular the entrance exam and interview process.
2) We typically suggest beginning with a 1.5 hour informal assessment/ taster session, where the mentor will informally assess the student’s current performance level for test and interview. Following this, we issue a report with feedback, and structure a plan to best prepare.
3) ESAT Session Components:
If the student is unsure of any areas of the ESAT spec e.g. carbon & water cycles, neurons & DNA cloning, the mentor will ensure they consolidate content. Areas of weakness may be identified as the student works through past papers, in which case the mentor will pause to ensure they feel solid on the top before reviewing further questions
Mentors will discuss general techniques for approaching the ESAT-style questions
Sessions are used to review any questions which arise from the student’s independent practice
Students benefit from simultaneously developing their interview skills through development of their ability to talk through their thought processes when tackling questions
Frequency of sessions can be decided between student and mentor. Honing the skills necessary to succeed in the ESAT test can begin early in Year 12. When the student and mentor run out of past papers, they will work through similar questions curated by the tutor.
Sessions from £75/h + VAT.