Discontinued test
Physics Aptitude Test — Discontinued
The PAT is no longer in use. Below: the active test that replaced it, the discontinuation context, and the next steps for current applicants.
The PAT was discontinued in 2024 (last sitting for 2024 entry).
Oxford moved Engineering Science, Physics, and Physics and Philosophy to the ESAT from 2025 entry onwards. Materials Science did not move to the ESAT — it has no admissions-test requirement from 2026 entry. The PAT is therefore no longer the required admissions test for any Oxford course.
Now replaced by: ESAT
01Section 01
Overview — what changed and the test you sit now
Section 01
Overview — what changed and the test you sit now
The Physics Aptitude Test (PAT) is no longer a current Oxford admissions test for 2027 entry. Oxford Engineering Science, Physics, and Physics and Philosophy applicants now sit the ESAT instead. Oxford Materials Science did NOT move to the ESAT — it has no centrally registered admissions-test requirement for 2027 entry. See the ESAT guide for the current test where it applies.
The Physics Aptitude Test (PAT) is no longer a current Oxford admissions test for 2027 entry. Oxford Engineering Science, Physics, and Physics and Philosophy applicants now sit the ESAT instead.
Oxford Materials Science is the exception: it did NOT move onto the ESAT and from 2026 entry onwards has no admissions-test requirement at all. If you are applying for Oxford Materials Science for 2027 entry you do not sit the PAT, the ESAT, or any centrally registered admissions test.
If you are applying for Engineering Science, Physics, or Physics and Philosophy for 2027 entry, prepare for the ESAT — see the ESAT guide for format, scoring, registration, and preparation strategy.
Past PAT papers remain useful as supplementary problem-solving practice (mechanics, electricity, waves, and thermal physics), but they are not the current admissions-test requirement.
We do not offer a PAT question bank or 1-to-1 sessions for PAT preparation — the test is no longer in use. For the active replacement test (or to confirm whether your course requires any admissions test at all), contact us or open the replacement guide linked at the top of this page.
02Section 02
How the PAT compares to its replacement
Section 02
How the PAT compares to its replacement
Side-by-side with the ESAT that replaced the PAT — what changed, and what to prepare for now.