ENGAA past papers and resources
Every ENGAA past paper released by UAT-UK, from 2016 to 2023, with its official mark scheme. The Engineering Admissions Assessment was Cambridge’s admissions test for Engineering until 2023, when it was withdrawn and replaced by the ESAT. Its papers remain some of the best practice material available.
ENGAA past papers (2016 to 2023)
Every ENGAA paper released by UAT-UK, with its official mark scheme. All eight years are Section 1, the section that corresponds to today’s ESAT. Links go straight to the official files, all checked on 6 September 2026.
2023 ENGAA Question Paper
2023 ENGAA Mark scheme
2022 ENGAA Question Paper
2022 ENGAA Mark scheme
2021 ENGAA Question Paper
2021 ENGAA Mark scheme
2020 ENGAA Question Paper
2020 ENGAA Mark scheme
2019 ENGAA Question Paper
2019 ENGAA Mark scheme
2018 ENGAA Question Paper
2018 ENGAA Mark scheme
What replaced the ENGAA
Cambridge retired the ENGAA after the 2023 sitting. Applicants for Engineering, Chemical Engineering and related courses now sit the ESAT, a computer-based test run by UAT-UK and delivered at Pearson VUE centres. Engineering applicants typically take Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Physics.
How to use ENGAA papers for the ESAT
The ENGAA covered mathematics and physics only, which makes it sharply useful for two ESAT modules and irrelevant to the other two. Prioritise accordingly.
| Your ESAT module | Are ENGAA papers useful? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics 1 | Yes | Directly comparable material at the same level |
| Mathematics 2 | Yes, strongly | The ENGAA pushed further into advanced mathematics |
| Physics | Yes, strongly | ENGAA physics is the closest match in either archive |
| Chemistry | No | The ENGAA did not test chemistry |
| Biology | No | The ENGAA did not test biology |
The order we suggest
- Sit an official ESAT specimen test first, untimed, to learn the on-screen format.
- Work the NSAA Section 1 papers first if you are taking three or more modules — they cover more ground.
- Then work the ENGAA papers year by year for Mathematics 2 and Physics. Note that the 2016 to 2019 ENGAA and NSAA papers share a number of questions.
- Keep the two most recent years back for timed practice close to your test date.
- Review with the mark schemes and close content gaps against the official ESAT guide.
Section 1 only. The ENGAA also had a second section, which has no ESAT equivalent. The papers published by UAT-UK, and listed above, are Section 1.
The ENGAA format
Useful context if you are working through the papers.
| Full name | Engineering Admissions Assessment |
| Used by | University of Cambridge, for Engineering |
| Years in use | 2016 to 2023 |
| Subjects | Mathematics and physics only |
| Question style | Multiple choice |
| Calculator | Not permitted |
| Negative marking | None. No penalty for a wrong answer |
| Replaced by | The ESAT, from the 2025 entry cycle onwards |
The ENGAA’s structure and timings changed across its eight years. Treat the papers as a question bank rather than a simulation of a fixed exam, and take your timings from the ESAT.
NSAA past papers
The NSAA ran alongside the ENGAA over exactly the same period and was withdrawn at the same time. It covered biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics, so it is the broader archive and the better starting point for most ESAT candidates. All eight years, with mark schemes, are on our NSAA past papers page.
Other resources
Frequently asked questions
The ENGAA, or Engineering Admissions Assessment, was Cambridge’s admissions test for Engineering. It ran from 2016 to 2023 and tested mathematics and physics through multiple-choice questions sat without a calculator.
The 2023 sitting was the last. The ENGAA was withdrawn alongside the NSAA and several other Cambridge assessments.
The ESAT, administered by UAT-UK and sat on screen at Pearson VUE test centres. Engineering applicants typically take Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Physics.
Yes, particularly for ESAT Mathematics 2 and Physics. There is no real ESAT past paper archive, so the ENGAA and NSAA papers are where genuine practice questions come from.
Yes, and usually first. The NSAA covered more subjects, so it suits a wider range of ESAT module combinations. The ENGAA is the specialist follow-up for mathematics and physics.
Yes. Every year listed above has its official answer key published by UAT-UK. Section 1 is multiple choice, so the mark scheme gives the correct option rather than worked solutions.
Section 1 is what UAT-UK released publicly, and it is also the part that maps onto the current ESAT. The ENGAA’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, and you cannot in the ESAT either. Practising these papers calculator-free is part of the point.
Start with 2016 and work forward, saving the two most recent years for timed practice close to your test date.
Sources
Every paper linked on this page was checked against its official source on 6 September 2026.
- UAT-UK, ESAT, which hosts the ENGAA and NSAA archives.
- University of Cambridge, Engineering and Science Admissions Test, for confirmation that the ESAT has replaced the ENGAA.
The ENGAA 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 UAT-UK materials. These materials are the property of their respective owners. This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by UAT-UK, or any university. Please verify all information with the official source.
Talk to us about ESAT preparation
Working through the ENGAA 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.