UK universities use a range of admissions tests alongside A-levels, the baccalaureate, and the IB. These tests are course-specific and university-specific — not every applicant needs to sit one, but if your target course requires one, your application depends on it.
This page covers the four main tests relevant to YourDreamSchool students applying to competitive UK programmes: LNAT (Law), ESAT (Engineering and Natural Sciences at Cambridge and Imperial), TMUA (Mathematics and Computer Science), and STEP (Mathematics at Cambridge and Warwick).
Which test do you need?
The table below lists the most common combinations. Always verify on the university’s admissions page for your specific course and year of entry — requirements change.
| Test | Required for | Sat when |
|---|---|---|
| LNAT | Law at Oxford, UCL, Bristol, Durham, King’s, Nottingham, Exeter, Glasgow | September–January |
| ESAT | Cambridge Engineering, Natural Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Vet Medicine; Imperial Engineering | October |
| TMUA | Cambridge Computer Science and Economics; Durham, Leeds, Lancaster, Sheffield, Southampton | October |
| STEP | Cambridge Maths (typically required in offer conditions); Warwick Maths | June |
Some applicants need to sit more than one test. A student applying to Cambridge Computer Science, UCL Law, and Durham Maths might need TMUA, LNAT, and a STEP preparation plan — all in the same admissions cycle.
Preparation timelines
LNAT and ESAT/TMUA are sat in autumn, which means preparation runs in parallel with writing your UCAS personal statement and submitting references. This compression is manageable but requires planning. Students who treat the autumn tests as secondary to their personal statement often find themselves under-prepared.
STEP is different. It is sat in June and conditions your offer, so preparation runs through your final year of school. Starting serious preparation in September of your Year 13 (or your terminale year) is the minimum. Starting earlier is better.
What YourDreamSchool offers
YourDreamSchool offers preparation for all four UK admissions tests, either as standalone programmes or integrated into our UCAS application packages.
- LNAT preparation — 900 €, covering both Section A reasoning practice and Section B essay coaching
- ESAT preparation — included in our UCAS and Oxbridge packages for Cambridge Engineering and Natural Sciences applicants
- TMUA preparation — available standalone or as part of our UCAS packages for Cambridge CS, Economics, and other TMUA universities
- STEP preparation — built into our Oxbridge Mathematics track
If you are unsure which tests apply to your course choices, or how to fit test preparation into your overall application timeline, a free 10-minute consultation will give you a clear picture.