MAT (Mathematics Admissions Test)

What is the MAT?

If you are applying for one of the following courses you will be required to sit the MAT: 

• Computer Science
• Computer Science and Philosophy
• Mathematics/Mathematics and Statistics
• Mathematics and Computer Science
• Mathematics and Philosophy.

The Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT) is a subject-specific admissions test, lasting 2 hours and 30 minutes and sat under test conditions.

This Oxford admissions test is now computer-based, and you will need to arrange to take it at a Pearson VUE authorised test centre. Instructions on how to do this can be found under the How do I register? tab on this page.

The MAT is designed to be approachable for all students, including those without Further Mathematics A-level or equivalent. It aims to test the depth of mathematical understanding of a student rather than a breadth of knowledge. The mathematical knowledge and techniques required to do the questions are taken from a syllabus roughly corresponding to AS-level Maths, with a few extra topics from A-level Maths. If you're unsure what this covers, you can find the full MAT syllabus on the Test preparation and practice materials tab on this page.

All Mathematics and Computer Science applicants, regardless of the course you are applying for, should answer all of the questions.

The format for this year’s test is similar to previous years, but with a different number of questions. In 2024, the test consists of 27 questions. Of these, 25 are multiple-choice questions of a similar style to multiple-choice MAT questions from previous years. There are two longer questions, for which candidates will type responses. Candidates are not expected to type complex mathematical expressions or use any symbols beyond those included on a standard keyboard (alphanumeric characters, + - =, and similar). As with long MAT questions from previous years, candidates should expect to justify their answers or explain their reasoning for these long questions.

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. Please note that while the structure of this test does differ from previous years, all the existing resources and past papers available are still valuable preparation and we strongly recommend exploring these. 

Please be aware that no calculators, formula sheets or dictionaries are permitted during the test. 

Test preparation and practice materials

A test preparation guidance video and practice test hosted by the online test platform will be made available for candidates soon.

In the meantime, candidates can view the past papers and resources below to get a sense of the types of questions asked in the test. Please note that although the exact format of this year's test may differ slightly from these materials, working through past papers will still be very valuable preparation.

Read the video transcript.

Past and specimen papers

Past papers 

MAT syllabus

View the MAT syllabus.

In order to reflect changes to the AS-level Mathematics syllabus, we removed the following topics from 2018 onwards: the remainder theorem, radians, and the trapezium rule. We have added the following topics to the syllabus: combinations and binomial probabilities, derivative of e^kx, differentiation from first principles, graphs of loga (x). Please note that we continue to include sequences and series on the MAT syllabus, including arithmetic and geometric progressions and their sums, and the convergence condition for infinite geometric progressions.

Further resources

You may wish to take a look at the following online resources to help expand your mathematical knowledge. Please note that candidates are not required to take STEP, but may find it useful in helping them prepare for the MAT (although the questions are quite different in style).

• Underground Mathematics
• NRICH Advanced Problem Solving modules
• STEP support programme
• AMSP
• Dr Frost Maths: MAT Preparation Resources

General admissions statistics

These reports provide summaries of the admissions process for the subjects of Mathematics / Mathematics and Statistics, and Mathematics and Philosophy:

• Admissions feedback 2023
• Admissions feedback 2022
• Admissions feedback 2021
• Admissions feedback 2020
• Admissions feedback 2019
• Admissions feedback 2018
• Admissions feedback 2017 
• Admissions feedback 2016
• Admissions feedback 2015
• Admissions feedback 2014
• Admissions feedback 2013
• Admissions feedback 2012
• Admissions feedback 2011

These reports provide summaries of the admissions process for the subjects of Computer Science, Computer Science and Philosophy, and Mathematics and Computer Science:

• Admissions feedback 2023-24
• Admissions feedback 2022-23
• Admissions feedback 2021-22
• Admissions feedback 2020-21
• Admissions feedback 2019-20
• Admissions feedback 2018-19
• Admissions feedback 2017-18
• Admissions feedback 2016-17
• Admissions feedback 2015-16
• Admissions feedback 2014-15
• Admissions feedback 2013-14

The following report provides a summary of the admissions process for the subjects of Mathematics, Mathematics and Statistics, Mathematics and Philosophy, Computer Science and Mathematics and Computer Science:

• Admissions feedback 2010

What should I expect on test day?

More information on what to expect on test day will be made available soon.