What is the PAT?

If you are applying for one of the following courses you will be required to sit the Physics Admissions Test (PAT) - formerly known as the Physics Aptitude Test - as part of the admissions process:

• Engineering, Materials Science
• Physics
• Physics and Philosophy.

The PAT is a subject-specific admissions test, lasting for 2 hours and sat under timed conditions.

The PAT is designed for candidates who have studied the first year of A-level (or equivalent) Maths and Physics, and covers similar material to that of the GCSE and A-level syllabus.

However, please make sure to go through the PAT syllabus carefully as you may find there are a few topics that you haven’t yet covered in school. If this is the case, we recommend talking to your teacher about how best to tackle these subjects before the test date.

This may require you to do some independent study by reading through your textbook or looking at the online resources provided by your exam board.

Calculators are permitted. Please read the following guidelines about usage in the PAT. Candidates should note that you are not allowed to take formula sheets, tables and data books into the test.

www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/guide/admissions-tests/pat