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ESAT — Engineering and Science Admissions Test

What it is. The engineering/science admissions test (Cambridge Engineering, Natural Sciences, etc.; Imperial Engineering). For a maths degree it is not the gatekeeper — TMUA is — but its Mathematics 1 / Mathematics 2 modules are excellent maths practice, and ESAT becomes directly relevant if engineering enters scope. Run by UAT-UK; computer-based at a Pearson VUE centre.

Format & rules

  • Five modules: Mathematics 1 (compulsory for all) plus a choice of Mathematics 2, Physics, Chemistry, Biology. Most candidates sit Mathematics 1 + two further modules (~120 minutes total).
  • Each module: 27 multiple-choice questions, 40 minutes.
  • No calculator, no dictionary.
  • No negative marking — answer everything.
  • Scored 1.0–9.0 per module (one decimal); no pass/fail.

Mathematics 1 vs Mathematics 2: Maths 1 is the core maths every ESAT candidate takes; Maths 2 is an additional, more advanced maths module (for courses needing extra maths). The exact topic lists are in the Mathematics 1 and Mathematics 2 guide PDFs on the prep page.

Where to get papers

ESAT preparation materials has: five subject guides (Maths 1, Maths 2, Physics, Chemistry, Biology — the content specs) and historic past papers — ENGAA (2016–2023) and NSAA (2016–2023) with answer keys. ESAT is new, so there are no official ESAT past papers yet; the ENGAA/NSAA maths sections are the closest proxies. Download the Maths 1 and Maths 2 guides for the spec, and use ENGAA/NSAA maths questions for practice.

How to sit it (mock protocol)

  1. For a module-format mock: 40-minute timer, 27 questions, no calculator/dictionary/notes.
  2. Because there are no official ESAT papers yet, use an ENGAA/NSAA maths section as content practice — note their layout differs from ESAT's 27-Q/40-min module, so treat the timing as approximate.
  3. Answer all (no penalty); mark against the key.

How to score & interpret

  • Raw score = number correct (no deductions); compute % correct.
  • The official 1.0–9.0 can't be reproduced at home — use raw %.
  • Same content caveat as TMUA: it tests AS-level content, so a no-calculus start will score low now; that's the gap, not the ability.