A Guide to the Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA)
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Table of Contents
About TMUA
If you are applying for a maths or a maths-related degree at university, you may have to take the Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA). This test is produced by an organisation called UAT-UK (University Admissions Tests UK), which also produces an Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT). Pearson Vue, part of the world-leading educational company Pearson, delivers the tests.
One reason some universities use the TMUA test to assess the mathematical abilities of their candidates is to be able to compare UK and overseas applicants with each other. They can use the results to help decide who to invite for an interview and who to offer places to.
Be sure to check the details of your chosen course on the relevant university’s website to see if you need to register to take the TMUA. This will ensure your application process goes smoothly. Universities that currently use the TMUA test for some of their maths, computer science and economics courses are Imperial, University of Cambridge, Durham University, University of Warwick and The London School of Economics and Political Science.
Registering for the TMUA Test
Once you have established you have to sit the TMUA test, you need to take two steps:
1. Please create a UAT-UK account with Pearson Vue as soon as possible. You must do this so you can book your TMUA test. You must use your legal name and provide your contact details. You will also be asked for information about your education and demographic.
Within 24 hours of submitting your account details, Pearson Vue will send you a confirmation email and a temporary password.
You should log into your account and change your password. You should also note your candidate ID — it will be on the left-hand side of the screen beneath your name. Pearson Vue will require your ID if you contact them with any queries.
2. Once you have set up your account, you can book your TMUA test (it will be on your dashboard) at one of the Pearson Vue test centres worldwide when registration opens. In most cases, if you are in the UK, there should be a test centre within about 40 miles of your home.
You must pay a registration fee when you book the TMUA test. The fee is £75 if you take the test in the UK or Republic of Ireland and £130 for all other locations. You are exempt from this fee if you apply for a bursary voucher and your application is successful.
Applying for a Bursary Voucher
You can only apply for a bursary to cover the test fee if you live in the UK and are taking your TMUA test in the UK. You must supply evidence that a parent/guardian you live with receives one of the means-tested benefits listed in UAT-UK’s eligibility criteria. If you are no longer in full-time education and are over 21, you must personally receive one of the means-tested benefits.
If you plan to apply for a bursary, please read on to find out when you should do this.
Dates of the TMUA Test and Registration Deadlines
TMUA tests are held on two consecutive days in October and two consecutive days in January for each cycle of university applications.
You should apply between the beginning of August and the mid-September deadline to sit the TMUA test in October.
You should apply between the opening date in October and the December deadline to sit the test in January.
The University of Cambridge uses the October UCAS deadline, so you must sit the TMUA in October for Cambridge.
Dates for Bursary Applications
If you are applying for a bursary, you can do so from the beginning of June for an October test and towards the end of September for a January test. It can take five working days to process a bursary application, so make sure you don’t leave it too near to the test registration deadline before you apply. If your application is successful, you will receive a code and can then use this to book a test without having to pay the fee.
If you apply for access arrangements, the registration deadlines are earlier.
Access Arrangements
You must apply for access arrangements before registering for the test. Once UAT-UK has approved the arrangements, you will get a phone call from Pearson Vue customer services to book your test. It can take up to ten working days to process an application, so please start the process early, particularly as UAT-UK might request more information. For more details, click here. Please pay particular attention to the deadlines.
We urge you to apply for access arrangements if you are entitled to them. UAT-UK is committed to removing any barriers you may face.
As well as being clear about deadlines, you should also ensure you know what to expect on the day, as this will help you feel calm and ready for the test.
TMUA Test Day
Please be aware you must provide photo ID on the test day, which has the same name you used when you registered. You can find details about acceptable forms of ID here.
Ensure you arrive 30 minutes early so you don’t feel rushed and have time to sign in. This will put you in the right frame of mind for the test. Being late and flustered won’t get you off to the best start in the test.
You can’t take personal items into the test room. You also can’t take water in (unless you have permission for medical reasons). It might be worth having a small drink beforehand so you are hydrated.
If there is a reason why your performance in the TMUA test could be moderately or seriously affected, you should let the UAT-UK office know before you take the test. It could be, for example, that you have a flare-up of a medical condition. UAT-UK can let the relevant universities know and then it is up to them whether they take your circumstances into account.
Knowing what to expect in the test itself will also help you approach the test day with confidence.
TMUA Online Test Format
The TMUA test is online. You cannot use a calculator for the test, but you will be given a booklet to do working out in.
Paper One (Applications of Mathematical Knowledge)
You are expected to know the topics listed below. The Part 1 content is almost all covered by the pure maths requirements of an AS Level in mathematics, and the Part 2 content is almost all covered by a higher-level mathematics GCSE course:
Part One
● Algebra and functions
● Sequences and series
● Coordinate geometry in the (x, y) plane
● Trigonometry
● Exponentials and logarithms
● Differentiation
● Integration
● Graphs of functions
Part Two
● Units
● Number
● Ratio and Probability
● Algebra
● Geometry
● Statistics
● Probability
Paper Two (Mathematical Reasoning)
You will need to know the topics listed for Paper One, but Paper Two will focus on your mathematical reasoning and logic. You will need to demonstrate that you understand and can construct mathematical arguments.
Both papers will last one hour and 15 minutes each and consist of 20 multiple-choice questions. They will be taken one after the other, meaning the TMUA test lasts two hours and thirty minutes in total.
The papers are of equal weighting, and no marks will be deducted for incorrect answers, so give every question your best shot — you’ve got nothing to lose.
You won’t be given a formulae sheet, so ensure you learn all the relevant formulae.
The TMUA test is meant to be challenging. You will be taking it if you are applying for a maths or maths-related degree at a highly prestigious university. You and your fellow candidates will all have performed exceptionally well in your public exams and have high predicted grades, so one way to differentiate between you is by getting you to sit a difficult maths test!
Please read on if you want to know about the TMUA test results, such as when and how you will get yours.
TMUA Test Results
You will get your result about six weeks after you sit the test. It will be on your UAT-UK dashboard. You will receive an email to inform you when your result is available and information about understanding your score.
You won’t get separate scores for the two papers — just one overall result. Scores range from 1 to 9, with 1 being low and 9 being high. Results are given to one decimal place.
Your score will be sent to the relevant universities you have applied to. They will consider the result of your TMUA test and other information you provided in your UCAS application.
To give you an idea about scores, 4.5 is an average score, and only about 10% of candidates will score higher than 7.0.
You will want to be well-prepared for the TMUA test so you can perform to the best of your ability. It is worth putting time and effort into it because it could help you secure a place on the course you have set your heart on.
TMUA Preparation: How to Prepare for the TMUA Test
One of the best ways to prepare for the TMUA test is by doing practice tests. Here’s how practice tests can help you prepare for the TMUA:
● They will get you used to the style of questions used in the TMUA test, which will help calm your nerves.
● You will become familiar with navigating the TMUA test’s online format, helping boost your confidence.
● You can work out your weaker topics and spend more time revising them, which will improve your performance on the day.
● You can get an idea of the speed at which you will need to work and practise answering questions quickly and accurately. This is crucial for managing the time restrictions of the online TMUA test.
You can access TMUA past papers here. Please be aware these are not online tests, so they will not fully prepare you for your TMUA test. However, the past papers cover the same content and have the same style of questions as the computer-based test.
You can access two sample online TMUA papers here.
If you want further online practice, we recommend our online TMUA practice test. It covers Paper 1 and Paper 2, mirroring the style, format, content and timing of the TMUA test. It is marked automatically, and you will benefit from detailed video explanations for every question. Additionally, you will receive an analytical report, enabling you to identify what you need to focus on and see how you compare against others who have taken the test. The more practice you have, the more likely you are to ace the MTUA test.
Depending on the courses and universities you are applying to, you may sit the ESAT and/or MAT test.
ESAT Test
The Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT) is also produced by UAT-UK and delivered by Pearson Vue. If you are applying for a science-based subject or engineering at the University of Cambridge or Imperial, you will likely have to take the online ESAT test. The test has five modules, each consisting of 27 multiple-choice questions lasting 40 minutes. You will likely be required to take three modules: Mathematics 1 and then two from Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics 2. Please look carefully at the details of the courses you are applying for so you know whether you need to register for the ESAT test.
You may be interested in our online ESAT practice test. It is highly accurate, and the detailed video explanations could prove invaluable when you are preparing for the ESAT exam.
MAT Test
You will take the Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT) if you apply to Oxford University for a maths, computer science or joint honours course. It is also an online test that Pearson Vue delivers. The MAT test comprises 25 multiple-choice questions and 2 extended questions. You will have to explain your reasoning in the longer questions, which a team at Oxford will mark.
Please look at our online MAT practice test. Working through it will help you determine where you need to focus your efforts, leading to a better performance on the day.
You may be wondering which test is the hardest. This is tricky to answer as it often comes down to personal preference. If you are highly competent in both maths and sciences, you may find the ESAT test the easiest. If you prefer focusing solely on maths, the TMUA or MAT exam might suit you better. Some consider the MAT the hardest due to the two longer questions, which require a greater degree of critical thinking. However, all three tests are challenging and designed to assess top-performing candidates.
We know we have already said this, but it is worth reiterating — please ensure you check whether you do need to take any university admissions tests for the courses you are applying for. You are responsible for registering for them, so it is important.
We want to wish you all the best with your admission tests. We hope you are offered a place on your first-choice course and have a fantastic time at university.
Please note that Pretest Plus is an independent publisher of practice tests and not affiliated with or endorsed by the publishers of the TMUA online assessment or any other test publisher.
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