Subjects Admissions test
ESAT
27 questions in 40 minutes, per module, with no calculator. Fluency beats depth.
The test
The ESAT is made up of five modules — Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Most engineering and science courses require Mathematics 1 plus two others. I teach Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Physics.
Each module is 27 multiple-choice questions in 40 minutes, separately timed with no time carried between them. It’s computer-based at a Pearson VUE test centre, an erasable booklet is provided for working, and calculators are not allowed.
Two facts drive everything about preparing for it:
- 89 seconds per question. The content is largely GCSE and AS level — the difficulty is entirely in the pace. Fluency matters more than depth.
- There is no negative marking. No answer box should ever be left empty.
What we work on
The no-calculator toolkit. Squares to 25², powers of 2, common surds to instant recall. Working in fractions and surds until the last possible step. Estimating to one significant figure first, then seeing which options survive — often only one does.
Elimination over solution. Substitute a convenient value. Set a variable to 0, 1 or infinity and see what breaks. Check units and dimensions on every physics answer. Most ESAT questions can be cut to two options without doing the actual mathematics.
Three-pass timing. Everything under a minute first, then the medium tier, then intelligent guesses on what’s left. A checkpoint at 20 minutes — you want 14 answered by then.
Where to get practice material: the ESAT is new, so the deep question bank sits in its predecessors. NSAA Section 1 is the closest match, with ENGAA Section 1 next best for physics. TMUA Paper 1 works well as extra Maths 2 practice. Save the official specimen papers for full mocks near the end.
How preparation usually runs
I typically run this as a ten-week programme: three hours a week, two on content and one on timed practice, working directly from the official content specification so that coverage is provable rather than assumed. Every timed set gets reviewed with each error classified — gap, too slow, slip, or misread — and that classification drives the following week.
We can also run this as a student-led teaching, where the student gives the module they want to cover, and what topic they are feeling stuck on, with resources being provided, exclusively available only if you tutor with me.
Free ESAT resources
Everything here is free. No sign-up, no email required.
- Past papers Start here Official ESAT information and past materials Specification, format and released practice material for the Engineering and Science Admissions Test.
- Practice Isaac Physics The physics section of ESAT rewards fast, accurate problem solving — Isaac's problem sets are ideal training.
Start with a free 30-minute trial
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