Oxford drops its own entrance exams: Will standardised testing finally level the admissions field?

Oxford University is changing the way it admits students, moving away from its long-standing bespoke entrance exams. From 2027, applicants to subjects such as sciences, mathematics, history, and PPE (Politics, Philosophy and Economics) will no longer take Oxford-specific tests. Instead, the university will adopt standardised exams developed by Imperial College London and Cambridge University, delivered through Pearson. The shift aims to simplify applications, especially for students who might not have private tutoring or extensive support at school.

The change also forms part of Oxford’s wider drive to be more inclusive. For decades, its unique exams have been criticised for favouring students from well-resourced schools or families who could guide preparation. By using tests accepted by other top universities, Durham, Warwick, University College London, and the London School of Economics, among them, Oxford hopes to level the playing field while still maintaining high academic standards.

Simplifying the application process

Instead of creating its own tests, Oxford will now use standard exams developed by Imperial and Cambridge, which many other top universities already accept. The new system allows students to take one test that can be recognised across multiple institutions, reducing the stress and cost of juggling different exams for each application.

Making admissions fairer

Oxford’s bespoke exams have often been seen as a barrier for students from state schools or those without access to private tutoring. David Gibbon, director of Oxford and Cambridge Tutors, told The Daily Mail:

“Removing some of the perceived mystique and individuality away from an application will benefit candidates who might be less familiar with the Oxford admissions process.”

He also noted a possible downside and told The Times Higher Education, “It may also mean the loss of some highly regarded, subject-specific assessments which have provided a level of challenge above and beyond other tests.”

A test with a history

Oxford’s entrance exams have changed significantly over the decades. They were originally abolished in the 1990s to give state-educated students a fairer chance against candidates from private schools. High A-level grades alone weren’t enough to separate strong applicants from exceptional ones, so many tests were later reinstated.

The new computerised exams will be managed by University Admissions Tests UK (UAT UK), a joint effort by Imperial and Cambridge. Instead of taking a unique Oxford test for each subject, applicants will now choose from one of three standardised exams.

Practical and financial reasons

There are practical reasons behind the change too. Gareth Davies, an adviser at William Clarence Education, explained to the Daily Mail that running the old exams had become costly for Oxford.

Public reaction has been mixed but generally supportive. On parenting forum Mumsnet, one user wrote:

“As a move towards equity this is good. The Oxford-specific entrance exam surely gave advantage to pupils from schools with strong Oxford links and the ability meaningfully to support Oxford applications. We all know this need not correlate with merit.”

Others were less pleased. Another user called it a “sad loss,” adding: “I can’t imagine that the Oxford maths department are very happy.”

Maintaining high standards

Oxford emphasises that its admissions process will remain rigorous. A university spokesperson said to The Daily Mail:

“Oxford’s undergraduate admissions process is rigorous and designed to identify academic potential. The university is continually reviewing its admissions processes and practices to ensure they best meet the needs of the university, schools, and applicants. Our approach varies according to subject and considers a range of information as evidence of a candidate’s ability to thrive here. All those offered a place to study at Oxford have been interviewed and every year more than 20,000 interviews for approximately 10,000 applicants are conducted, allowing tutors to assess directly a candidate's ability to think independently and engage with new ideas – qualities that underpin learning at Oxford.”

The change is a balancing act: Making admissions fairer and more inclusive while keeping the high standards Oxford is known for. Students from all backgrounds can now compete on a more level playing field, without losing sight of the challenge that defines Oxford’s education.
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