New Format! MAT and TMUA for Imperial, Oxford, Cambridge, LSE University Applications

In 2024, major changes are coming to the MAT and TMUA tests for mathematics-based undergraduate courses in the UK. These will now be held at Pearson VUE centres around the world, with questions and answers on a screen.

Pearson VUE Centres

Pearson VUE centres around the world will now host the MAT and TMUA, both for home applicants and international applicants. This means you will need to register at a centre to take the test.

Driving Theory Tests in the UK are held at Pearson VUE Centres, and you can expect the environment to be similar. You'll read and answer the questions on a computer screen.

Bear in mind:

There are limited places at Pearson VUE centres which may sell out.

Therefore, I recommend registering as early as possible, to avoid an extra travel or timing requirement.

MAT

MAT is typically required for the following courses in 2024 (for 2025 entry):

University of Oxford, BSc Mathematics
University of Oxford, BSc Mathematics and Statistics
University of Oxford, BSc Mathematics and Philosophy
University of Oxford, BSc Mathematics and Computer Science
University of Oxford, BSc Computer Science
University of Oxford, BSc Computer Science and Philosophy

Other Universities have (in the past) considered the MAT as evidence to support your application, or for a reduced offer. Following changes in testing, I do not have any knowledge of this being the case in 2024.

MAT Key Dates

Registration is scheduled to open on Thursday 15 August 2024 (until Friday 4 October).
The MAT is scheduled to take place on Thursday 31 October 2024.

MAT Key Information and Links

Oxford has multiple pages about the MAT test:

The syllabus of the MAT appears to be unchanged, but some changes have been made to the format. This appears to be to make it more manageable to administer the test digitally:

There are now 25 Multiple Choice Questions, each worth 2-4 marks (labelled), totalling 70 marks.
There are now 2 Long Questions, each worth 15 marks, totalling 30 marks.

TMUA

TMUA is typically required for the following courses in 2024 (for 2025 entry):

University of Cambridge, Computer Science (first sitting required)
University of Cambridge, Economics (first sitting required)
Imperial College London, BEng Computing
Imperial College London, MEng Computing
Imperial College London, BEng Joint Mathematics and Computer Science
Imperial College London, MEng Joint Mathematics and Computer Science
Imperial College London, BSc Mathematics
Imperial College London, BSc Mathematics (Pure Mathematics)
Imperial College London, BSc Mathematics with Applied Mathematics/Mathematical Physics
Imperial College London, BSc Mathematics with Mathematical Computation
Imperial College London, BSc Mathematics with Statistics
Imperial College London, BSc Mathematics with Statistics for Finance
Imperial College London, MSci Mathematics
Imperial College London, MSci Mathematics with a Year Abroad
Imperial College, BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science
LSE, BSc Economics
LSE, BSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics
University of Warwick, BSc Computer Science
University of Warwick, MEng Computer Science
University of Warwick, BSc Computer Science with Business Studies
University of Warwick, BSc Discrete Mathematics
University of Warwick, MEng Discrete Mathematics
University of Warwick, BSc Economics
University of Warwick, BSc Economics, Politics and International Studies
University of Warwick, BSc Economics and Management
University of Warwick, BSc Mathematics
University of Warwick, MMath Mathematics

In addition, TMUA could be considered strongly recommended for the following courses in 2024 (for 2025 entry):

LSE, BSc Mathematics and Economics
LSE, BSc Mathematics with Economics
LSE, BSc Financial Mathematics and Statistics
LSE, BSc Mathematics with Data Science
LSE, BSc Mathematics, Statistics, and Business
LSE, BSc Data Science
LSE, BSc Actuarial Science
University of Warwick, BSc Mathematics and Statistics
University of Warwick, BSc MMathStat Mathematics and Statistics
University of Warwick, BSc Mathematics, Operational Research, Statistics and Economics
University of Warwick, BSc MMorse Mathematics, Operational Research, Statistics and Economics
University of Warwick, BSc Data Science
University of Warwick, MSci Data Science
Durham University, BSc Mathematics
Durham University, MMath Mathematics

Other Universities have (in the past) considered the TMUA as evidence to support your application, or for a reduced offer. Following changes in testing, I do not have any knowledge of this being the case in 2024, although some universities have not yet made this clear.

TMUA Key Dates

Registration is scheduled to open on Thursday 1 August (until Monday 16 September 2024).
The TMUA is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 16 October and Thursday 17 October 2024.

There is a second sitting available, although most universities prefer you to take the TMUA in the first sitting - and there are likely to be more places available. In particular, Cambridge requires you to take the TMUA in the first sitting.

Warning: Second sitting is not recommended if it's possible for you to take the first sitting, above.
Registration is scheduled to open Thursday 24 October 2024 (until Monday 9 December 2024)
TMUA second sitting takes place Wednesday 8 January and Thursday 9 January 2025.

If you miss registration for the second sitting, some universities have alternative arrangements in place. For example, it may be possible to get an offer including a STEP paper instead. However, this should not be relied upon.

TMUA Key Information and Links

The TMUA is officially run by UAT UK:

The syllabus and format of TMUA questions appear to be largely unchanged:

There are two tests of 20 multiple-choice questions, each lasting 75 minutes.