ESAT Syllabus & Exam Format 2027: Modules, Timing & Scoring

The ESAT syllabus for 2027 covers school mathematics and science. The challenge is applying that knowledge to unfamiliar problems while working through 27 questions in 40 minutes. Start by checking which modules your courses require, then use the specification to decide what to revise.

The authoritative source is the official ESAT Content Specification for October 2026 and January 2027. This guide organises that document for revision; it does not replace reading it.

Last checked: 19 September 2026, against the content specification for assessment in October 2026 and January 2027 and the UAT-UK ESAT page.

ESAT Format at a Glance

The modules are sat back to back on the same day. The specification is explicit that time does not carry over: if you finish a module early, the spare minutes are lost, so pacing has to be managed inside each 40-minute block.

Which ESAT Modules Do You Sit?

All candidates sit Mathematics 1. Most then sit two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics 2. Which two depends on the course:

• Fixed modules. Many engineering and physics courses name them. For example, Cambridge Engineering, Oxford Engineering Science and Oxford Physics, and several Imperial engineering courses require Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Physics. Imperial's life-sciences courses require Mathematics 1, Chemistry and Biology.
• Free choice. Cambridge Natural Sciences, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, and Veterinary Medicine, Oxford Biomedical Sciences, and UCL Electronic and Electrical Engineering allow Mathematics 1 plus any two further modules.
• Two modules only. Imperial Design Engineering requires only Mathematics 1 and Mathematics 2.

If one course has compulsory modules and another allows a free choice, the compulsory modules decide your registration. If two courses need conflicting compulsory modules, UAT-UK's FAQ says you may need to sit four modules, which needs UAT-UK's permission. Modules cannot be changed after booking without cancelling and re-booking.

Use the official 2027 course list and your university course page. Our ESAT 2027 guide has the full course and module table.

Choosing modules when you have a free choice

The course list simply says "any two" for these courses, so check the course page in case the department gives advice. Where it does not, sensible questions are which modules match the subjects you study, which your intended course draws on most, and — if you also apply to a fixed-module course — which choice covers both applications.

What Each Module Assumes

Every module assumes the content of Mathematics 1. The specification labels topics with letters:

Include Mathematics 1 in your revision even on days when you are practising a science module.

Mathematics 1

Mathematics 1 is the compulsory module. Its seven topic groups are:

• M1 Units — standard and compound units such as speed, density and pressure, and converting between them
• M2 Number — fractions, primes and factors, indices, standard form, surds, bounds and estimation
• M3 Ratio and proportion — ratios, percentages, direct and inverse proportion
• M4 Algebra — manipulation, formulae, graphs, quadratics, simultaneous equations, inequalities and sequences
• M5 Geometry — angles, Pythagoras, area and volume, circles and sectors, similarity, right-angled trigonometry and vectors
• M6 Statistics — charts, averages and spread for grouped and ungrouped data, scatter graphs
• M7 Probability — outcomes, expected frequencies, tree and Venn diagrams

Two details are easy to miss. Formulae for spheres, pyramids and cones will be given if needed. And the specification states that Mathematics 1 candidates are not expected to recall or use the sine or cosine rules — those appear in Mathematics 2 instead.

Biology

The Biology module covers eleven topic groups: B1 Cells, B2 Movement across membranes, B3 Cell division and sex determination, B4 Inheritance, B5 DNA, B6 Gene technologies, B7 Variation, B8 Enzymes, B9 Animal physiology, B10 Ecosystems and B11 Plant physiology.

The specification includes interpreting data and diagrams — for example genetic diagrams for inherited characteristics and data on the distribution and abundance of organisms — so practise reading unfamiliar information, not only recalling facts.

Chemistry

Chemistry has seventeen topic groups: C1 Atomic structure, C2 The Periodic Table, C3 Chemical reactions, formulae and equations, C4 Quantitative chemistry, C5 Oxidation, reduction and redox, C6 Chemical bonding, structure and properties, C7 Group chemistry, C8 Separation techniques, C9 Acids, bases and salts, C10 Rates of reaction, C11 Energetics, C12 Electrolysis, C13 Carbon/organic chemistry, C14 Metals, C15 Kinetic/particle theory, C16 Chemical tests and C17 Air and water.

The Periodic Table section uses IUPAC conventions, with groups labelled 1–18. Quantitative chemistry must be done without a calculator, so practise moles, reacting masses and concentrations with exact arithmetic and estimation.

Physics

Physics has seven topic groups: P1 Electricity, P2 Magnetism, P3 Mechanics, P4 Thermal physics, P5 Matter, P6 Waves and P7 Radioactivity.

The specification expects you to know the SI unit of every quantity mentioned and how units relate through the equations that link quantities. It also lists SI prefixes from nano- to giga- and expects negative indices in units, such as m s⁻¹.

Mathematics 2

Mathematics 2 extends Mathematics 1 with eight groups of more advanced material:

• MM1 Algebra and functions — indices, surds, quadratics, inequalities, polynomials, factor and remainder theorems
• MM2 Sequences and series
• MM3 Coordinate geometry in the (x, y)-plane
• MM4 Trigonometry — sine and cosine rules, radians, exact values, graphs, identities and equations
• MM5 Exponentials and logarithms
• MM6 Differentiation
• MM7 Integration
• MM8 Graphs of functions — sketching and transformations

The specification also sets limits: questions requiring the change-of-base formula for logarithms will not be set, differentiation from first principles is excluded, and points of inflexion will not be examined beyond a qualitative understanding. UAT-UK points Mathematics 2 candidates to its Notes on Mathematics, shared with TMUA.

Calculator and Test-Room Rules

• No calculator in any module. UAT-UK's FAQ confirms calculators are not permitted in ESAT.
• No dictionary.
• You are given erasable sheets or a whiteboard and a pen at the centre, and cannot bring your own materials.
• The test is taken on a computer at a Pearson VUE centre, not at school or at home.

ESAT Timing and Pacing

Forty minutes for 27 questions is an average of about 1 minute 29 seconds per question. Some questions are quick applications; others need a longer chain of reasoning.

A sensible starting strategy:

1. Answer direct questions efficiently without rechecking every line.
2. If no route appears after a reasonable attempt, flag the question and move on.
3. Use the answer options: estimation and elimination are often faster than a full calculation.
4. Return to flagged questions with the time you saved.
5. Answer every question before the module ends — there is no negative marking.

Because unused time is lost at the end of each module, spend any spare minutes checking flagged questions rather than finishing early.

How Is ESAT Scored?

Each correct answer scores one mark and nothing is deducted for wrong answers. UAT-UK then equates and scales each module separately and reports a score from 1.0 to 9.0 per module, to one decimal place. The scale is designed so typical candidates score around 4.5 and approximately 10% score above 7.0.

• There is no pass or fail.
• There is no single overall ESAT score.
• UAT-UK does not publish grade boundaries.

Read our ESAT score guide for what universities say about using the results.

Common Syllabus Mistakes

• Neglecting Mathematics 1: every module assumes it.
• Registering the wrong modules: they cannot be changed after booking.
• Depending on a calculator: none is allowed in any module.
• Revising only your strongest science: your course may fix modules you would not have chosen.
• Learning beyond the specification early: secure the listed content first.

Best Next Steps

1. Confirm your modules from the course list and your course page.
2. Download the specification and mark every numbered point secure, needs revision or unfamiliar.
3. Work through the free ESAT Guide for each module you will sit.
4. Try the Pearson specimen test for each module to learn the test player.
5. Follow our ESAT preparation plan.

ExamPrepIQ ESAT practice includes timed tests for all five modules, worked explanations and questions organised by topic. Access is free. ExamPrepIQ is independent of UAT-UK, Pearson VUE and the universities.