The ESAT is a computer-based assessment. It is made up of individual multiple-choice assessments lasting 40 minutes each. You will sit these back-to-back on the day of the test. 

Mathematics 1 is compulsory for all candidates. 

The remaining assessments will depend on the Imperial course you are applying to.  

In most cases, you will complete two additional multiple-choice assessments from the following list, making the test 120 minutes in total: 

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Mathematics 2 

​​We will confirm which ESAT assessments you need to complete on the relevant 2025 entry course pages when these go live in mid February 2024. 

There is no pass or fail for ESAT. You should aim to do the best you can. 

Your final scores are based on the number of correct answers you give. You do not lose marks for wrong answers, so it’s worth attempting all questions. 

You must register and book a time slot in advance of the test taking place.  

You can choose whether you sit the test in October or January. 

• Test sitting 1: 15–17 October 2024; or 
• Test sitting 2: 7–9 January 2025.  

We will only accept one set of test results per person per admissions cycle, so you should aim to do the best you can. 

​​There is no advantage to sitting the test in the first or second sitting. However, we strongly encourage you to register for test sitting 1, where possible, to have access to the widest choice of time slots in your chosen location.

You take the ESAT within a Pearson VUE test centre.

You can choose from a global network of test centres in more than 5,500 locations in over 180 countries.

Visit the Pearson VUE website, where you will be able to:

• create an account
• find your nearest test centre
• book and pay for the test

We will provide further information about test dates, registration and cancellations in spring 2024.

If you normally have access arrangements in your public exams, you can apply for the same arrangements. You will need to submit an application and may need to provide supporting evidence in advance. We will publish further information about this in spring 2024.

ESAT is currently used by Imperial College London and the University of Cambridge for selection to courses in engineering and sciences. 

If you’re applying to both universities, you only need to take the ESAT once but you must take the test in the October sitting.

There is an entry fee for the ESAT. For the standard version of the test it will be:

• Tests taken in the UK and the Republic of Ireland: £75
• Tests taken outside the UK: £130

You'll need to pay this fee (using a debit/credit card or bursary voucher) when you book your test. 

Bursary vouchers are available.

UK candidates in financial need can apply for a bursary voucher to book the ESAT free of charge.

If you are eligible we will provide you with a unique bursary voucher code which you can enter on the Pearson VUE website when you book your test, which will allow you to book the test without paying.

We will publish more information about the process and the eligibility criteria for the bursary voucher in spring 2024.