NSAA past papers and resources
Every NSAA past paper released by UAT-UK, from 2016 to 2023, with its official mark scheme. The Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment was Cambridge’s admissions test for Natural Sciences until 2023, when it was withdrawn and replaced by the ESAT. Its papers remain the best practice material available for the ESAT.
NSAA past papers (2016 to 2023)
Every NSAA paper released by UAT-UK, with its official mark scheme. All eight years are Section 1, the section that corresponds to today’s ESAT. The links go straight to the official files, and all of them were checked on 6 September 2026.
2023 NSAA Question Paper
2023 NSAA Mark scheme
2022 NSAA Question Paper
2022 NSAA Mark scheme
2021 NSAA Question Paper
2021 NSAA Mark scheme
2020 NSAA Question Paper
2020 NSAA Mark scheme
2019 NSAA Question Paper
2019 NSAA Mark scheme
2018 NSAA Question Paper
2018 NSAA Mark scheme
What replaced the NSAA
Cambridge retired the NSAA after the 2023 sitting. From the 2025 entry cycle, applicants for Natural Sciences, Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Veterinary Medicine and related courses sit the ESAT instead, a computer-based test run by UAT-UK and delivered at Pearson VUE centres. The ESAT is built from up to three modules: Mathematics 1, which everyone takes, plus a combination of Mathematics 2, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
How to use NSAA papers for the ESAT
The NSAA and the ESAT are not identical, but the overlap is large enough that these papers do most of the work of an ESAT past paper archive. What matters is which papers you prioritise, and in what order.
| Your ESAT module | How useful are NSAA papers? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics 1 (compulsory) | Essential | The NSAA mathematics questions are the closest match to the current specification |
| Mathematics 2 | Useful, add ENGAA | Both tests covered mathematics at this level; ENGAA adds volume |
| Physics | Useful, add ENGAA | NSAA physics is well matched, and ENGAA physics is closer still |
| Chemistry | Essential | The NSAA is the only archive that tested chemistry |
| Biology | Essential | The NSAA is the only archive that tested biology |
The order we suggest
- Sit one official ESAT specimen test first, untimed, so you learn the computer-based format before you spend a real paper on it.
- Work through the NSAA Section 1 papers from the earliest year forward. This is the closest thing to a genuine ESAT past paper archive that exists.
- If you are taking Mathematics 2 or Physics, add the ENGAA paper from the same year, but work the NSAA paper first. The two tests shared questions, and in the 2016 to 2019 papers most of the ENGAA questions are repeats.
- Keep the two most recent years back for your final few weeks, and sit them under strict timed conditions with no calculator.
- Review with the mark schemes, then close any content gaps against the official ESAT guide.
Only Section 1 maps cleanly onto today’s ESAT. The NSAA also had a second section, which has no ESAT equivalent. The papers published by UAT-UK, and listed above, are Section 1.
Do not expect a like-for-like experience. The NSAA was a paper test; the ESAT is sat on screen at a Pearson VUE centre. Use the NSAA papers for the questions, and the official specimen and sample tests for the interface.
The NSAA format
Useful context if you are working through the papers, and the reason they translate as well as they do.
| Full name | Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment |
| Used by | University of Cambridge, for Natural Sciences |
| Years in use | 2016 to 2023 |
| Subjects | Mathematics, plus a choice from biology, chemistry and physics |
| Question style | Multiple choice |
| Calculator | Not permitted |
| Negative marking | None. No penalty for a wrong answer |
| Scoring | Reported per part on a scale from 1.0 to 9.0 |
| Replaced by | The ESAT, from the 2025 entry cycle onwards |
The NSAA’s structure and timings changed more than once across its eight years. Treat the papers as a question bank rather than as a simulation of a fixed exam, and take your timings from the ESAT instead.
ENGAA past papers
The ENGAA, or Engineering Admissions Assessment, ran alongside the NSAA over exactly the same period and was withdrawn at the same time. It covered mathematics and physics only. If you are sitting ESAT Mathematics 2 or Physics, the ENGAA papers are worth adding once you have worked through the NSAA archive above. All eight years, with mark schemes, are on our ESAT past papers page.
Other resources
Frequently asked questions
The NSAA, or Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment, was the University of Cambridge’s admissions test for Natural Sciences. It ran from 2016 to 2023 and tested mathematics alongside a choice of biology, chemistry and physics, all through multiple-choice questions sat without a calculator.
The 2023 sitting was the last. The NSAA was withdrawn along with the ENGAA and several other Cambridge assessments, and no NSAA has been sat since.
The ESAT, the Engineering and Science Admissions Test, administered by UAT-UK and delivered on screen at Pearson VUE test centres. It merged the ground previously covered by the NSAA and the ENGAA, and is now used by Cambridge, Imperial College London and others.
Yes, and they are the single most valuable thing you can practise on. The ESAT only began in 2024, so there is no real ESAT past paper archive. The NSAA specification is the closest match to the current ESAT content, which makes these eight years of papers the main source of genuine practice questions.
All of them are linked on this page, free, and every link goes directly to the official file hosted by UAT-UK. There is nothing to sign up for.
Yes. Every year listed above has its official mark scheme, published by UAT-UK as an answer key. Section 1 is multiple choice, so the mark scheme gives the correct option for each question rather than worked solutions.
Section 1 is what UAT-UK released publicly. That works in your favour: Section 1 is also the part that maps onto the current ESAT, whereas the NSAA’s second section has no ESAT equivalent.
No. Your score came from the number of correct answers, with no penalty for a wrong one, so it was always worth attempting every question. The ESAT works the same way.
No. The NSAA was sat without a calculator, as the ESAT is today. Practising these papers calculator-free is part of the point.
If you are sitting ESAT Mathematics 2 or Physics, yes, once you have worked through the NSAA papers. The ENGAA covered mathematics and physics only, so it adds nothing if your modules are chemistry or biology. The ENGAA archive is on our ESAT past papers page.
Start with 2016 and work forward. Save the two most recent years for the last few weeks before your ESAT, and sit those under full timed conditions.
Sources
Every paper linked on this page was checked against its official source on 6 September 2026.
- UAT-UK, ESAT, which hosts the NSAA and ENGAA archives and the current ESAT preparation material.
- University of Cambridge, Engineering and Science Admissions Test, for confirmation that the ESAT has replaced the NSAA for Cambridge applicants.
The NSAA is no longer sat. If you are applying now, confirm your test requirements against the official UAT-UK and university pages.
Disclaimer: All past paper links on this page direct to official NSAA materials published by UAT-UK. These materials are the property of their respective owners. This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by UAT-UK, Pearson, Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing, or any university. Please verify all information with the official UAT-UK website.
Talk to us about ESAT preparation
Working through the NSAA archive on your own is a good start. Tell us where you are up to and we will reply with an honest view of what preparation would help, and whether we think it is needed at all.
Prefer to just ask? Message us on WhatsApp at +44 7404 929213.