Pre-testing
The Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT) is required for Medicine, Bio-Medical and some Veterinary Science courses at Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, UCL and Royal Veterinary College. The UK Clinical Admissions Test (UKCAT) is required by virtually all other Schools of Medicine and Dentistry and is sometimes used aggressively in the selection process. The National Admissions Test for Law (LNAT) was required for Law at ten institutions last year, including Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, Nottingham, Bristol, Birmingham, Durham and Exeter. The Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) has been developed by UCLES and is used by Cambridge.
Oxford University uses the History Aptitude Test (HAT), the English Aptitude
Test (ELAT) and other pre-tests based in part on the TSA. Some Cambridge colleges
require candidates to take STEP (Sixth Term Entrance Papers) for some subjects.
It is important for candidates to check the requirements for individual courses
as the number of tests is growing all the time, and they may be announced
with little warning, as was the case three years ago with UKCAT and two years
ago with ELAT.
The School will provide full advice on university entry at the appropriate
time.
It is important for candidates to check the requirements for indivdual courses as the number of tests is growing all the time.
University Entry
UCAS applications are made in the Michaelmas Quarter of the Upper Sixth,
either for entry immediately after School or for deferred entry after a gap
year.
Interviews and open days are held in the autumn and spring, and universities
will make offers conditional upon A Level results. Particular degree course
subjects will often require specific subjects to be taken at A Level, so future
choices will be affected by the decisions made at this stage. The most important
requirement for all courses is good results in GCSEs, AS Levels and A Levels.
Pupils should be aware that a growing number of courses in an increasing number
of institutions are now requiring pupils to sit pre-tests. The results from
these are used as a part of the selection process.
Universities do have specific requirements in terms of A Level subjects and grades for entry to some degree courses. This information is readily available through the Careers Department, university websites and UCAS, and it is vital that assumptions are not made.
Universities make offers on the basis of A Level predictions and GCSE grades; some interview. A growing number also requires pupils to sit pre-tests such as BMAT, UKCAT, LNAT, HAT, ELAT and TSA (see the information on the right). Applications are enhanced by relevant work experience, and pupils should take every opportunity to demonstrate their interest and commitment by seeking suitable experience. Pupils are encouraged to seek detailed advice from the Careers Department before making university applications through the UCAS system. The School runs a Higher Education Conference, an Oxbridge Conference and a Careers Conference, all of which take place in the Lower Sixth and which provide extensive guidance and information about university applications and career choices.
We strongly recommend that pupils visit the Careers Department before making their Sixth Form choices.