HAT (History Admissions Test)
HAT technical issue - we are aware that for a short time during the delivery of the History Admissions Test, some candidates were affected by a technical issue experienced by Pearson VUE test centres. If your test was affected by this issue, please fill in the special consideration form available on the Oxford Admissions Tests portal as soon as possible, with an explanation of the circumstances. When you fill in the special consideration form, please ensure that you select the option 'a test I have registered for', and confirm that you had booked a test appointment, before selecting the 'Disruption or other circumstances during your test which you believe have impacted your test performance' option on the form. Please give details of what happened at the test centre in the free text box underneath. Please submit any request for special consideration as a result of a disrupted HAT test by the extended deadline of 5pm on Wednesday, 30 October.
What is the HAT?
If you are applying for one of the following courses you will be required to register for and book to take 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 arrange to take it at a Pearson VUE authorised test centre. You will be able to register to take the HAT 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 a sample paper online in advance of test day. We also strongly recommend that you explore all the past papers and resources available under the Test preparation and practice materials tab. As the content and structure of this test has not changed, all existing online resources and past papers are still valuable preparation.
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:
- History - V100
- History (Ancient and Modern) - V118
- History and Economics - LV11
- History and English - VQ13
- History and Modern Languages - see course combinations
- History and Politics - LV21
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, just follow the on-screen instructions.
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
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.
Note: on your test day, you will be able to copy and paste from source material in the questions into your answer but this functionality is not available in the online practice test.
You can now view the mark scheme for this 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.
- HAT paper 2022
- HAT marking scheme 2022
- HAT paper 2021
- HAT marking scheme 2021
- HAT paper 2020
- HAT marking scheme 2020
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?
Candidates will take the HAT at Pearson VUE test centres on 21 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 and in time to make their shortlisting decisions in November.
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.
