AHCAAT (Ancient History and Classical Archaeology Admissions Test)
From this year, the Faculty of Classics will be introducing a new admissions test for all candidates applying for Classical Archaeology and Ancient History: the Ancient History and Classical Archaeology Admissions Test (AHCAAT). The test will run in its pilot phase for the first two years. This means that while it will be used for additional information on a candidate's application, no one applying in the 2024 or 2025 admissions round will not be shortlisted for interview or not selected for a place at Oxford based on the results of the test.
What is the AHCAAT?
The new AHCAAT will aim to test two skills crucial for CAAH students: the ability to engage with and criticise academic argument and the ability to describe and analyse material evidence from the ancient world.
It will have two questions. In the first, you will be given a short passage from an academic publication of the kind you will be likely to be asked to read in your first two terms in Oxford, and will be asked to evaluate the coherence of the argument, whether the author supplies sufficient evidence for their claims and in what ways their argument can be criticised. In the second, you will be asked to look at an image of an artefact from the ancient world (statue, relief, vase etc.), for which some contextual information will be supplied, and asked to describe it in detail and reflect on the ways in which it can be used for writing history.
Answers need to be in a short essay format. Both questions are weighted equally (50 marks for each). You will have 90 minutes for the entire test, and we suggest spending about 15 minutes reading and looking and about 30 minutes writing on each question.
This Oxford admissions test is computer-based, and you will need to arrange to take it at a Pearson VUE authorised test centre. You will be able to register to take the AHCAAT from Thursday 15 August 2024 until Friday 4 October 2024. Instructions on how to do this can be found under the How do I register? tab on this page.
All applicants taking this test will be invited to practise taking an online practice test in advance of test day. You will also find an additional sample paper with practice questions under the Test preparation and practice materials tab.
How do I register?
Candidates can register to take their admissions test free of charge between Thursday 15 August and Friday 4 October 2024 and we strongly recommend you do this as soon as possible.
It is particularly important that you register early if you are requesting access arrangements, as this involves a few additional steps. You will be required to submit documented evidence of eligibility as soon as possible and have this accepted by Oxford.
When registering for your test you will be asked for your UCAS ID but if you haven't yet started your UCAS application, you can come back and fill this in later. However, it is important you do this or we may not be able to match your test score with your Oxford application.
Please read these instructions thoroughly before booking your admissions test. In summary, the steps you will need to take are as follows:
Step 1: From 15 August, go to the registration portal and follow the instructions to create your own Oxford admissions test user account and register for your test. It will be easier to do this if you know your course code which is VV14.
Step 2: Let us know if you would like to request access arrangements for your admissions test. Depending on what your requirements are, this may take up to ten days to organise and your Pearson VUE test centre may be booked on your behalf. Anyone requesting access arrangements will be required to provide supporting documentation from a medical or educational specialist. If at all possible, we recommend uploading this when you register for your test as this will expedite the process. In all cases, you must provide this evidence of eligibility by 20 September (or at the time of registering if doing so after 20 September).
Step 3: Once registered, follow the instructions to book your test at a Pearson VUE test centre. If you have requested category 2 or 'other' access arrangements, this will be done on your behalf but you still need to trigger the booking process by following the steps outlined.
You will receive direct email confirmation of successfully arranging your test appointment, giving the date, appointment time and duration and address of the test centre selected. If you do not receive this confirmation, make sure to check your spam folders. You can expect to receive emails about your test from: [email protected] and [email protected].
Please note that the duration of your test appointment will show as longer than the time of your test. It will allow for you to arrive 15 minutes early, undergo ID and security checks and other preliminary procedures.
No changes to your test appointment can be made after test registration closes on 4 October.
Additional support
View our FAQs or contact Oxford’s undergraduate applicant helpdesk with questions regarding your application
Contact Pearson VUE customer service with queries about your test centre booking
You can make changes to your test appointment by signing into your Oxford Admissions Test user account and selecting 'manage appointment'.
Test preparation and practice materials
The AHCAAT practice test offers you valuable preparation for your test. It allows you to familiarise yourself with the online test platform and format for 2025-entry. Please note that as this is for practice only, you will not be able to submit this for a score or feedback after taking the test.
You can now view the mark scheme for this test.
You can also prepare for your test using the second practice test below but this is not available on the online platform:
When do I take the test?
Candidates will take the AHCAAT at Pearson VUE test centres on 22 October 2024.
What should I expect on test day?
You will be taking your admissions test at a Pearson VUE test centre and we advise that you read Pearson VUE's guidance on what to expect on your test day. This includes information on:
- Reschedule and cancellation policies
- Pearson VUE test centre management
- ID requirements
- Candidate rules
- Test centre check-in procedures
- Personal belongings (including information on note taking)
- In the test room
- Breaks
You can also find this information in the On Test Day edition of our newsletter for applicants.
Remember your candidate ID
When you arrive at the Pearson VUE test centre on the day of your test appointment, before being permitted to enter the test room, you will be required to confirm your identity by presenting one or more forms of accepted ID (see specific information about acceptable IDs). If you arrive at the test centre without the required ID, you will not be permitted to take your test.
How do I get my results?
Admissions tutors will receive the results of all candidates' tests directly before shortlisting decisions in November. As the AHCAAT is a new test this year, it will run in its pilot phase for the first two years. This means that while it will be used for additional information on a candidate's application, no one applying in the 2024 or 2025 admissions round will not be shortlisted for interview or not selected for a place at Oxford based on the results of the test.
Test scores will be automatically distributed to all applicants shortly after college decision letters are sent in January. Applicants will still be able to write to their college to request feedback.
