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ESAT test Imperial College

7 replies

Cottonclothes · 04/07/2024 06:37

DC has to take this exam for engineering. Has anyone got experience of it; how difficult it is and how it impacts the application? How could DC practice for it.

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Cottonclothes · 04/07/2024 06:38

Also, any other advice regarding the application process and interview would be helpful.

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Frontlineteacher · 04/07/2024 06:55

The ESAT is a new online test, it is also used by Cambridge. It replaces the ENGAA which was on paper , but a similar structure. you can access past ENGAA papers on Physics and Maths tutor and there are also unofficial solutions on there. These would be a good starting point.

For Engineering you sit Maths1, Maths2 and Physics.

No calculators or formulae sheets are permitted so your DC needs to look at the specification carefully and learn any necessary equations etc .

There are also online sample papers for the ESAT available on the University Admissions test website.

Imperial use the score in the ESAT together with the whole application to decide who to interview.

your DC will need to book to sit the test at a Pearson Vue test centre ( like driving theory tests ) ,and costs £75x it would be advisable to book as soon as possible after the bookings open on 1st August as the slots will book up. If they need to apply for a bursary to cover the cost or access arrangements this can be done at the same time.

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Afloatingvoter · 04/07/2024 07:00

Cottonclothes · 04/07/2024 06:37

DC has to take this exam for engineering. Has anyone got experience of it; how difficult it is and how it impacts the application? How could DC practice for it.

Both Imperial and Cambridge have been clear that other than familiarising oneself with the format there is no need to prepare for ESAT since it is designed to test content from GCSE Science and AS maths which should be very familiar to candidates. They will then have to use that knowledge to solve unfamiliar problems.

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Cottonclothes · 04/07/2024 07:34

Frontlineteacher · 04/07/2024 06:55

The ESAT is a new online test, it is also used by Cambridge. It replaces the ENGAA which was on paper , but a similar structure. you can access past ENGAA papers on Physics and Maths tutor and there are also unofficial solutions on there. These would be a good starting point.

For Engineering you sit Maths1, Maths2 and Physics.

No calculators or formulae sheets are permitted so your DC needs to look at the specification carefully and learn any necessary equations etc .

There are also online sample papers for the ESAT available on the University Admissions test website.

Imperial use the score in the ESAT together with the whole application to decide who to interview.

your DC will need to book to sit the test at a Pearson Vue test centre ( like driving theory tests ) ,and costs £75x it would be advisable to book as soon as possible after the bookings open on 1st August as the slots will book up. If they need to apply for a bursary to cover the cost or access arrangements this can be done at the same time.

This is very helpful. Thank you very much

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Cottonclothes · 04/07/2024 07:34

Afloatingvoter · 04/07/2024 07:00

Both Imperial and Cambridge have been clear that other than familiarising oneself with the format there is no need to prepare for ESAT since it is designed to test content from GCSE Science and AS maths which should be very familiar to candidates. They will then have to use that knowledge to solve unfamiliar problems.

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Thank you

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Afloatingvoter · 04/07/2024 07:37

It is probably worth pointing out as Mike Nicholson did in a webinar earlier this year that if a student is good enough to consider applying to Cambridge or Imperial, then they can work out what ESAT involves and how to enter for themselves.

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Frontlineteacher · 04/07/2024 18:10

meant to also add that if not also applying for Cambridge there is the option to sit the ESAT in January instead.

I don’t agree with the other poster. many students get guided through the process by their schools and many do not, there is no harm helping a student to navigate the unfamiliar and stressful process of knowing how to apply. It is then up to the university to decide if they are worthy of an offer or not.

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