01 / UNDERGRADUATE
Admissions testing
Tests used as part of selected undergraduate university applications.
SAT · AP · LNAT · UCAT · TMUA · ESAT
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International Admissions Tests
The test depends on the course.
International university applications can involve different kinds of testing. The test you need depends on what you want to study, where you want to study it and the requirements of the specific course.
Start here
Identify the course first. Then check whether the university requires an admissions test, which test it accepts and when you need to take it.
International testing
Different applications, different tests.
International testing can serve different purposes. Some tests form part of undergraduate admissions, while others assess English proficiency or are used for postgraduate applications.
02 / ENGLISH
English proficiency
English-language tests used by universities to assess language proficiency for study.
IELTS · TOEFL · PTE
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03 / POSTGRADUATE
Postgraduate admissions
Tests that may form part of applications to postgraduate programmes, depending on the institution and course.
GRE · GMAT
Explore postgraduate admissions
Specialist undergraduate tests
Know the course. Then know the test.
Some undergraduate subjects have their own admissions tests. Requirements vary by university and course, so the test should always be checked against the specific programme you are applying to.
LAW
LNAT
National Admissions Test for Law
Used by selected universities for undergraduate law applications. It focuses on reading comprehension and reasoning rather than testing prior knowledge of law.
Check: whether your target law courses require or use the LNAT.
MEDICINE · DENTISTRY
UCAT
University Clinical Aptitude Test
Used by medical and dental schools in the UK and elsewhere. It assesses cognitive abilities alongside situational judgement.
Check: the current requirements of each medical or dental school on your list.
MATHEMATICS · ECONOMICS
TMUA
Test of Mathematics for University Admission
Designed to assess mathematical thinking and problem-solving for selected university courses.
Check: whether your chosen course uses TMUA and which test cycle applies.
ENGINEERING · SCIENCE
ESAT
Engineering and Science Admissions Test
Used for selected engineering and science-related courses. The assessment focuses on mathematical and scientific reasoning relevant to the chosen course.
Check: the subject requirements and current admissions process for your target course.
Course first
Start with the degree, not the test.
A test should never be chosen in isolation. Begin with the courses and universities you are considering, then work backwards to their current admissions requirements.
Law
Check LNAT requirements for each target university.
Medicine or Dentistry
Check UCAT requirements and the specific requirements of each school.
Mathematics or Economics
Check whether the course uses TMUA or another admissions assessment.
Engineering or Science
Check whether the course uses ESAT and which subjects apply.
Other undergraduate courses
Check whether SAT, AP or another form of testing is relevant to the application.
Other undergraduate pathways
Testing can play different roles.
Not every undergraduate application uses a specialist admissions test. SAT and AP can form part of an international academic plan in different ways, depending on the student's curriculum, destination and university goals.
Before you register
Three things to check first.
Requirements can vary between universities and can change between application cycles. Always check the current course-level requirements before registering for a test.
01
Course requirement
Is the test required, recommended or not used for the specific course you want to apply to?
02
Application timeline
Work backwards from the university application timeline and the test's available testing windows.
03
Test format
Understand what the test actually assesses before deciding how and when to prepare.
Explore by pathway
Looking for a different type of test?
Testler also supports students through English proficiency and postgraduate admissions testing, each covered in its own pathway.
Questions students ask
Before you book the test.
Does every international university require an admissions test?
No. Requirements vary by university, course, country and application route. Many programmes do not require a specialist admissions test.
Can one admissions test be used for different universities?
Sometimes. Acceptance and requirements depend on the individual university and course, so each application should be checked separately.
When should a student start preparing?
Start by identifying target courses and their requirements. The preparation timeline should then be planned around the relevant test window and application cycle.
Do international admissions test requirements change?
They can. Universities may change accepted tests, requirements and application timelines, so current course-level information should always be checked.
What if I don't know which test my child needs?
Start with the intended course and a shortlist of universities. Once those are clear, the relevant admissions requirements become much easier to identify.
Start with the course. Then work out the test.
If you are still working out the right course, destination or testing pathway, a 15-Minute Career Clarity Call can help you identify the next decision to make.