ESAT, TMUA and TARA Dates for 2027 Entry: Booking, Test Days and Results

The ESAT, TMUA and TARA are all run by UAT-UK, and all three use the same two sittings each year: one in October and one in January. The dates below are for students starting university in 2027. We keep this page updated through the cycle.

Last checked against esat-tmua.ac.uk: 3 November 2026. Dates can change, so always confirm on UAT-UK's key dates page before you plan around them.

Where things stand right now

• The October 2026 sitting is over. Results come out on 16 November 2026.
• Booking for January 2027 is open and closes on 21 December 2026 at 6pm GMT.
• If you need a bursary for January, apply by 14 December. For access arrangements, by 7 December.

October sitting (Sitting 1)

January sitting (Sitting 2)

All three tests run on every day of each window, in every country except China, Hong Kong and Macau (see below). UAT-UK does not accept bookings after the deadline.

October or January: which can you sit?

• Cambridge and Oxford:you must sit in October. The only exceptions are mature applicants to a Cambridge mature college with a January deadline, and applicants to Oxford's foundation year (Astrophoria).
• Imperial, UCL, Warwick, LSE and Durham: either sitting. UAT-UK says there is no advantage to one over the other.
• Once per cycle:you can sit each test only once, in October or January — not both. There is no second try within the same year.
• One score for every university:your result goes automatically to every university on your UCAS form whose course needs that test. You can't choose who sees it.

If your shortlist includes Cambridge or Oxford, plan for October. That means booking by late September, so your preparation really needs to happen over the summer before Year 13.

China, Hong Kong and Macau

Candidates here get fewer test days, and UAT-UK says it cannot make exceptions:

Cancelling or rescheduling

• You can cancel or move your booking up to 48 hours before your test, with no penalty.
• Miss that, or miss the test, and you lose the fee.
• If you cancel after the booking deadline, you cannot book another slot that sitting.
• ESAT modules can't be changed after booking. You have to cancel and book again, and your slot may be gone. Our ESAT modules guide helps you get it right first time.
• Each sitting runs for only five days, so rescheduling depends on test-centre availability.

Fees and bursaries

• £78 per test in the UK and Republic of Ireland; £133 everywhere else.
• UK candidates in financial need can get a bursary covering the full fee. You must live in the UK, sit the test at a UK centre, and you or a parent must receive one of the listed benefits (free school meals, Universal Credit and others).
• Apply for the bursary before you pay — UAT-UK does not refund a test you already paid for.
• A bursary can take up to five working days to approve.

Full eligibility list: UAT-UK bursary scheme.

Access arrangements

If you need extra time or other arrangements, apply at least 10 working days before you plan to book, and wait for approval before booking — arrangements can't be added to an existing booking. The deadlines are in the tables above.

Results

• Released in your UAT-UK account: 16 November 2026 (October) and 8 February 2027 (January).
• Scores run from 1 to 9, to one decimal place.
• ESAT: one score per module. TMUA: one overall score. TARA: one score each for Critical Thinking and Problem Solving; the Writing Task is not scored but is sent to universities.
• There is no pass mark, and scores cannot be appealed.

Planning for 2028 entry?

If you are in Year 12 or the first year of the IB now, your test is in October 2027. UAT-UK has not published those dates yet. For 2027 entry, accounts opened on 1 June and booking on 20 July, so expect something similar. We will update this page when the new dates are out. The best time to start preparing is the spring before, so that the summer is for timed practice rather than new content.

Where we come in

We coach all three tests online, 1-on-1 or in a batch capped at five. If you are booking January now, or planning for next October, message us on WhatsApp with your course shortlist and test date, and we will tell you honestly how much time you need. Coaching pages: TMUA, ESAT, TARA. Not sure which test applies? TMUA vs ESAT vs TARA.

Frequently asked questions

When are the ESAT, TMUA and TARA for 2027 entry?

12–16 October 2026 and 4–8 January 2027. Results come out on 16 November 2026 and 8 February 2027.

Can I sit in January if I am applying to Cambridge or Oxford?

Usually not — they need you to sit in October, apart from a few January-deadline routes.

Can I take a test twice?

No. Each test can be taken only once per admissions cycle.

Can I cancel or reschedule?

Yes, up to 48 hours before your test, at no cost. After that, or if you miss the test, you lose the fee.

How much does it cost?

£78 per test in the UK and Ireland, £133 elsewhere. Eligible UK candidates can get a bursary that covers the full fee.