Preparation Guide
Computer Science Admissions Test Preparation Guide
Format, scoring, key dates, strategy, and expert preparation support.
Key Dates & Deadlines
1 June – 28 September 2026
TMUA Registration / Booking
TMUA is the primary central test for Cambridge Computer Science. Verify on UAT-UK.
Via the requiring College
CSAT Arrangements
Lucy Cavendish, Peterhouse, Selwyn, or Trinity will publish CSAT arrangements on their admissions pages.
15 October 2026
UCAS Deadline
Applies to all Cambridge applications.
1 June – 28 September 2026
TMUA Registration / Booking
TMUA is the primary central test for Cambridge Computer Science. Verify on UAT-UK.
Via the requiring College
CSAT Arrangements
Lucy Cavendish, Peterhouse, Selwyn, or Trinity will publish CSAT arrangements on their admissions pages.
15 October 2026
UCAS Deadline
Applies to all Cambridge applications.
CSAT is the Cambridge Computer Science admissions test required by Lucy Cavendish, Peterhouse, Selwyn, and Trinity in addition to the TMUA. Other Cambridge colleges do not require it. Always confirm the current per-College policy on the official Cambridge Computer Science admissions page.
CSAT (Computer Science Admissions Test) is required by a small number of Cambridge colleges in addition to the TMUA for Computer Science applicants.
For 2027 entry, the colleges that require CSAT are Lucy Cavendish, Peterhouse, Selwyn, and Trinity. Other Cambridge colleges do not require CSAT — TMUA alone is the central admissions-test requirement.
CSAT is administered by the colleges that require it, not through the central UAT-UK booking system. Always confirm the current per-College policy on the official Cambridge Computer Science admissions page and on the page of the College(s) you apply to.
01Section 01
Test Format
Section 01
Test Format
CSAT is administered by the requiring College and tests problem-solving and reasoning relevant to Computer Science.
Confirm the current format, length, and any sample materials directly on the requiring College's admissions page before sitting.
02Section 02
Scoring, Bands & What Universities Look For
Section 02
Scoring, Bands & What Universities Look For
CSAT is graded by the requiring College and used alongside the TMUA, academic record, and any submitted work to inform interview shortlisting and offer decisions.
There is no published universal score scale; treat any specific threshold cautiously and check the College policy.
03Section 03
Preparation Strategy
Section 03
Preparation Strategy
Build TMUA-style problem-solving fluency first — that is the central pre-interview test for Cambridge Computer Science across all colleges.
Layer CSAT-specific preparation on top by working any sample materials the requiring College provides, plus broader logical-reasoning and basic-programming-thinking practice.
For Computer Science applicants, building familiarity with discrete mathematics, recursion, and proof techniques pays off across both TMUA and CSAT.
04Section 04
Common Mistakes & Tutor Support
Section 04
Common Mistakes & Tutor Support
CSAT preparation is much less commercially documented than TMUA. A specialist tutor with Cambridge Computer Science experience can help you understand the test's emphasis and align your preparation with the requiring College's expectations.
05Section 05
Registration & Logistics
Section 05
Registration & Logistics
CSAT booking and arrangements are handled by the requiring College, not through the central UAT-UK or Pearson VUE system.
If you apply to Lucy Cavendish, Peterhouse, Selwyn, or Trinity for Computer Science, follow the instructions on that College's admissions page for sitting CSAT alongside your TMUA registration.