PAT past papers and resources
Every Physics Aptitude Test paper Oxford has released, from 2006 to 2023. The PAT was Oxford’s admissions test for Physics, Engineering Science and Materials Science until 2025, when it was withdrawn in favour of the ESAT. Eighteen years of physics and mathematics problems, free and direct from the Department of Physics.
PAT past papers (2006 to 2023)
All eighteen released years, direct from the Oxford Department of Physics. Every link was checked on 6 September 2026. Note the gap in the solutions column: Oxford published sample solutions for 2010 and 2019 only.
| Year | Paper | Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Question paper | — |
| 2022 | Question paper | — |
| 2021 | Question paper | — |
| 2020 | Question paper | — |
| 2019 | Question paper | Sample solutions |
| 2018 | Question paper | — |
| 2017 | Question paper | — |
| 2016 | Question paper | — |
| 2015 | Question paper | — |
| 2014 | Question paper | — |
| 2013 | Question paper | — |
| 2012 | Question paper | — |
| 2011 | Question paper | — |
| 2010 | Question paper | Sample solutions |
| 2009 | Question paper | — |
| 2008 | Question paper | — |
| 2007 | Question paper | — |
| 2006 | Question paper | — |
What replaced the PAT
Oxford retired the PAT after the October 2025 sitting. From the 2026 admissions cycle, applicants for Physics, Physics and Philosophy, Engineering Science and Materials Science sit the ESAT instead, a computer-based test run by UAT-UK and shared with Cambridge and Imperial.
How to use PAT papers for the ESAT
The PAT is the deepest physics problem archive available to an ESAT candidate, but it is also the least like the ESAT in format. It rewards sustained multi-step problem solving; the ESAT rewards fast, accurate multiple choice. Both are worth training, and the PAT trains the first.
| Your ESAT module | Are PAT papers useful? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | Yes, the best source of depth | Eighteen years of physics problems at exactly the right level |
| Mathematics 1 | Yes | The PAT mixed mathematics through the paper |
| Mathematics 2 | Yes | The harder PAT mathematics questions sit at this level |
| Chemistry | No | The PAT did not test chemistry |
| Biology | No | The PAT did not test biology |
The order we suggest
- Sit an official ESAT specimen test first, so you know the on-screen format.
- Work the ENGAA and NSAA multiple-choice papers for format-matched practice. Those come with mark schemes.
- Use the PAT for depth: pick individual questions, work them untimed, and push until you get an answer out.
- Because there are no mark schemes, check your answers by redoing the problem a different way or by sanity-checking units and limits.
- Return to timed ESAT-format practice in your final weeks.
No mark schemes, and that is the catch. Oxford released sample solutions for 2010 and 2019 only. Use the PAT to build problem-solving stamina, not to self-mark.
Papers before 2006 are on an older syllabus and Oxford advises against them. The archive here starts at 2006 for that reason.
The PAT format
What the test looked like, for context as you work through the archive.
| Full name | Physics Aptitude Test |
| Used by | University of Oxford |
| Courses | Physics, Physics and Philosophy, Engineering Science, Materials Science |
| Years released | 2006 to 2023 |
| Content | Physics and mathematics, mixed through one paper |
| Question style | Written, multi-step problems until 2023 |
| Mark schemes | Sample solutions for 2010 and 2019 only |
| Replaced by | The ESAT, from the 2026 admissions cycle |
The PAT’s length, calculator policy and structure changed several times across its run. Each paper states its own rubric on the front page — read it before you start timing yourself.
Other resources
Frequently asked questions
The Physics Aptitude Test was Oxford’s admissions test for Physics, Physics and Philosophy, Engineering Science and Materials Science. It mixed physics and mathematics problems in a single written paper.
The October 2025 sitting was the last. Oxford moved to the UAT-UK tests from the 2026 admissions cycle.
The ESAT, run by UAT-UK and sat on screen at Pearson VUE test centres. Oxford physics applicants typically take Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Physics.
The PAT moved to an on-screen multiple-choice format for the 2024 and 2025 sittings, and Oxford did not release those papers. 2023 is the most recent PAT paper that exists publicly.
Mostly no, and this is the archive’s main weakness. Oxford published sample solutions for 2010 and 2019 only. Both are linked above.
Yes, for depth. The PAT has more genuine physics problem solving than any other free archive. It is poor format practice, though, because the ESAT is multiple choice and timed tightly, so pair it with the ENGAA and NSAA papers.
Eighteen, covering 2006 to 2023, all free from the Oxford Department of Physics.
No. Oxford advises that papers before May 2006 sit on an earlier syllabus and are not relevant, which is why this archive starts at 2006.
The policy changed across its run, so check the rubric on the front page of each paper. The ESAT does not permit one, so practising without is the safer habit.
Start recent and work backwards. The later papers are closest to the level and style you will meet in ESAT Physics.
Sources
All 20 files linked on this page were checked against their official source on 6 September 2026.
- University of Oxford Department of Physics, PAT past papers, which hosts every paper and the two sample solution sets.
- University of Oxford, Admissions tests, for the move to UAT-UK tests from 2026.
The PAT is no longer sat. Confirm your test requirements against the official Oxford and UAT-UK pages.
Disclaimer: All past paper links on this page direct to official University of Oxford materials. These materials are the property of their respective owners. This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by University of Oxford, or any university. Please verify all information with the official source.
Talk to us about ESAT preparation
The PAT archive is deep but it has no mark schemes, which makes it easy to practise badly. 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.
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