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.
Test preparation and practice materials
We recommend exploring the test preparation and practice materials below.
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.
