HAT (History Admissions Test)
Further details on arrangements for this test for 2025-entry will be communicated at the earliest opportunity. In the meantime, you are welcome to explore the test preparation and practice materials which you may find helpful.
What is the HAT?
If you are applying for one of the following courses you will be required to sit the History Admissions Test (HAT) - formerly known as the History Aptitude Test:
- History, History (Ancient and Modern)
- History and Economics
- History and English
- History and Modern Languages
- History and Politics.
Candidates will be asked to offer thoughtful interpretations of the source without knowing anything about its context. The HAT lasts for 60 minutes, and is a test of skills, not substantive historical knowledge. It is designed so that candidates should find it equally challenging, regardless of what they have studied or what school examinations they are taking.
The HAT tests the following skills and attributes:
- the ability to read carefully and critically;
- the adoption of an analytical approach;
- the ability to answer a question relevantly;
- the ability to handle concepts and select evidence to support points;
- originality and independence;
- precision and clarity of writing.
This Oxford admissions test is now computer-based, and you will need to take it at an authorised test centre. Registration to book your test will be open from Thursday 15 August 2024 and will close on Friday 4 October 2024.
All applicants taking this test will be invited to practise taking a sample paper online in advance of test day. Please note that as the content and structure of this test has not changed, all existing online resources and past papers are still valuable preparation and we strongly recommend you explore these.
How do I register?
Candidates can register for their test between Thursday 15 August and Friday 4 October 2024. Further details on the registration process will be communicated at the earliest opportunity.
Please note that if you are normally eligible for particular access arrangements for public examinations such as GCSEs and A-levels you will also be eligible for these arrangements for your Oxford admissions test(s). You should expect to be able to produce evidence of this need when you register for your test. If you need to speak to your school about whether or not you are eligible for an access arrangement or producing evidence we strongly recommend that you do this before the end of term.
Test preparation and practice materials
Please do explore the test preparation and practice materials available here.
The HAT practice test allows you to familiarise yourself with the new online test platform and format for 2025-entry. Please note that this is for practice only, and you will not be able to submit this for a score or feedback after taking the test.
Although the test platform has changed, the content of the test is similar to in previous years so working through past papers will still be very valuable preparation and should help you to feel confident on test day.
Past papers and mark schemes
As you may notice when going through past papers, the HAT has undergone changes in the past few years. The HAT used to consist of several questions, but in 2018 this was replaced by a single question, based on an extract from a primary source, to be answered within one hour. Question 3 from the 2017 and 2016 tests will still be of use when preparing.
The University does not endorse or allow use of its tests that are protected by copyright for commercial use.
When do I take the test?
The HAT will take place on 21 October 2024. Further details will be communicated at the earliest opportunity.
