Admissions Testing

Why use tests? Rising applications per place Help us concentrate interviewing resources on those most likely to achieve an offer More forms of data to help select Differentiating between well qualified candidates To stretch and challenge applicants Assess aptitude rather than knowledge A common set of data with which to compare applicants

Types of test Skills: Application of pre 16 study but may stretch into post 16 qualifications Response to new material Interpretation of data or argument Critical thinking Comprehension Essay writing Method: Multiple choice Short answer questions Essays

Tests for Medical Science Courses Used for: Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry, Biomedical Sciences Used by: BMAT – 7 Institutions UKCAT – 24 Institutions Method: BMAT- 2 hours. Multiple choice, short answer + 1 essay from choice of 4 UKCAT – 2 hours. Verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, abstract reasoning, decision analysis and situational judgement How: Selection for shortlisting BMAT: Used by 7 (UK) + 1 international – Cambridge (Medicine & Veterinary Medicine); Imperial College London (Medicine, Graduate Medicine, Biomedical Science 3yr course, Biomedical Science with Management 4yr course; University of Oxford (Medicine, Graduate Medicine, Biomedical Sciences); Royal Veterinary College (Veterinary Medicine, Combined Degree Programme, Graduated Accelerated Veterinary Medicine Programme); University College London, (Medicine); Brighton & Sussex Medical School (Medicine) University of Leeds (Medicine) Also used by Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, MBBS degree jointly awarded by Imperial College London and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. UKCAT: Used by 24 Aberdeen, Cardiff, Central Lancashire, Dundee, Durham, East Anglia, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Hull York Medical School, Keele, King’s College London, Leicester, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Plymouth, Queen Mary, Queen’s University Belfast, Sheffield, Southampton, St Andrews, St Georges University of London, Warwick

LNAT & TSA Used for: LNAT – Law TSA – A variety of subjects Used by: LNAT – 11 institutions TSA – Different versions used by Oxford, Cambridge and UCL Method: LNAT- 90 minutes, 42 multiple choice questions + 1 essay from 5 choices. Testing interpretation, analysis, comprehension and writing skills TSA – 90 minutes, 50 multiple choice questions + 30 minutes for 1 essay from 4 choices. Testing numerical, spatial reasoning and writing skills How: Different sections used at different stages LNAT: Birmingham, Bristol, Durham, Glasgow, Kings College London, Nottingham, Oxford, SOAS, UCL, NUI Maynooth (Northern Ireland), IE University (Northern Ireland)

Example: TSA Question 1 School examination results in England this year reinforce the trend in improving pass rates. There is, however, no other evidence of improvements in school leavers' abilities - such as the data coming from employers or universities. One can reasonably conclude, therefore, that teachers are simply succeeding in coaching their pupils better for examinations than in previous years. Which one of the following is an underlying assumption of the above argument? Question 2 A publisher produces magazines, all of which have a number of pages which is a multiple of 32. Thus, a magazine can have 32, 64, 96....... pages. The front cover is always counted as page 1. The centre spread of the magazine could have pages numbered: A 15 and 16. B 30 and 31. C 50 and 51. D 63 and 64. E 96 and 97. A School examination results are a reliable indicator of pupils' abilities. B The level of difficulty of examinations has not been falling. C Employers' expectations of school leavers are unrealistic. D Teachers in previous years did not attempt to coach pupils for examinations. E Abilities of school pupils vary from year to year. Question 1 - The answer is B Question 2 – The answer is E

Example: TSA

Mathematics & Physics tests Used by and for: MAT - Maths & joint courses or Computer Sciences at Oxford and Imperial College London PAT – Physics, Engineering Science, Material Science STEP – NOT REQUIRED BY OXFORD - 2 institutions, but some encourage as good preparation Method: MAT- 2.30 hours, Based on core maths modules 1 & 2. 10 multiple choice + 4 from 5 longer questions. Testing application of knowledge to new scenarios PAT - 2 hours, Maths and Physics tested. Key topics covered e.g waves or algebra available on line STEP - Up to 3, 3 hour papers, candidates choose 6 questions per paper How: MAT used at both shortlisting and final offer PAT used primarily at shortlisting STEP used by Cambridge and Warwick but encouraged to take it, i.e. doing so may count towards entry requirements by: Imperial, Kings College London, Loughborough, UCL, Bath, Bristol

HAT & ELAT Used for: History & joint courses English Literature & joint courses Method: HAT- 2 hours, two sources and 4 questions. Testing interpretation, analysis, critical thinking and writing skills ELAT- 1.30 hours. Compare & contrast 2/3 of 6 themed extracts. Testing close reading skills, responsiveness to unfamiliar material How: Used primarily at shortlisting

CLAT, LAT, OLAT & MLAT Used for: Classics and joint courses Beginners languages, classics II or linguistics Modern Languages from A level Oriental Studies Method: CLAT- 1 hour each for Latin & Greek. Testing translation skills LAT - 30mins/1hour . Testing interpretation of an invented language. Varies depending on degree programme MLAT- 30 mins. Testing applications of grammar and sentence translation How: Used in selection for interview but can be used to set level at interview Linguistics aptitude Language aptitude

Logistics Most can be taken within schools Majority are pen & paper tests Students may be required to take more than one test

Registering the school as a test centre Registering as a test centre: Through your UCAS membership As an open centre http://www.admissionstestingservice.org/administering-our- tests/become-a-test-centre/ Stress the candidate’s responsibility to check these details. Good person to speak to is the exams officer even if you don’t have to register for the test. LNAT is computer based but all others are old school pen and paper.

Student Registration for tests UCAS is very clear on both course search and during the application when students need to take tests It is a student’s responsibility to ensure they are registered for tests and deadlines, for most tests this is 15th October Students may be required to take and register for more than one test 15th October Deadline! Stress the candidate’s responsibility to check these details. Good person to speak to is the exams officer even if you don’t have to register for the test. LNAT is computer based but all others are old school pen and paper.

How to prepare? Dependent on test – aptitude or ability? Science tests – Revision of early work helpful. Firm knowledge of subject matter helpful Humanities (English, History, Languages) – Practice of similar exercises from teachers helpful TSA & LNAT – Unseen essays All – PRACTICE & Exam technique Sample papers and marking schemes available Limited number so spread out attempts

Prior academic achievement Afterwards... Delivery of marks varies by subject Don’t expect top marks – pass mark depends on the cohort Used alongside all other information to decide who should be interviewed Prior academic achievement Predicted grades Personal Statement Teacher’s reference Pre-Interview tests Written work Interview(s)