The History Admissions Test (HAT)

The next History Admissions Test will take place on Friday 20 October 2023.

Candidates must register for the test between 1-29 September 2023.

In the first instance please speak to your school about registration.

Click here to find out more on the Oxford admissions test registration portal.

The HAT consists of one question, based on an extract from a primary source, to be answered in one hour. It is taken under exam conditions, and will be fully digital.

We use an admissions test because it gives us an objective basis for comparing candidates from different backgrounds, and to differentiate between candidates predicted the same (high) grades. It is designed to be challenging, and you will be asked to offer thoughtful interpretation of the source without knowing anything about its context. The HAT is a test of skills, not knowledge, and will test the following:

Your ability to read carefully and critically
Your adoption of an analytical approach
Your ability to keep your answer relevant to the question
Your precision in handling concepts and selecting evidence to support your points
Your historical imagination
Your originality and independence
Your ability to write clearly and concisely

The HAT is an important part of how we assess applications, so you are advised to spend some time preparing. As it is not a test of knowledge, you cannot revise for it, but you can do some preparation.

The test now takes place online but as the structure and content have not changed you will still find it helpful to practise for the test with the past papers and other practice materials on this page. Past papers from the previous seven years, and their mark schemes, are provided below to give you an idea of how the test works. We strongly recommended that you answer at least one practice test in the time allowed (one hour). Don’t worry if you find it hard – it’s supposed to be!

Once you have watched the videos and explored the practice materials below, we strongly recommend you have a go at the online practice test (click on the link below) which is the 2022 past paper. You might choose not to look at this past paper in advance so that you can mimic the experience of taking the online test unseen. Having a go at the online practice test will allow you to familiarise yourself with the online test platform and the tools available to support you. These will include accessibility features such as increasing font size, using coloured overlays and high contrast. This will mean that on test day you are able to focus fully on the content of your answers.

Practice the new online HAT

HAT Paper - 2022

HAT Marking Scheme - 2022

HAT Paper - 2021

HAT Marking Scheme 2021

HAT Paper - 2020

HAT Marking Scheme - 2020

HAT Paper - 2019

HAT Marking Scheme - 2019

HAT Paper - 2018

HAT Marking Scheme - 2018

HAT Paper - 2017

HAT Marking Scheme - 2017

HAT Paper - 2016

HAT Marking Scheme - 2016

Free admissions workshops

The Faculty's outreach team offer free admissions workshops that look at the HAT in more depth. Students can find out more about these and our other skills workshops by clicking here.

History Admissions Test [HAT] - Mark Scheme Explained

A resource for teachers and advisors to support the marking of practice papers and for candidates sitting the HAT to help understand what skills the test is assessing.

How do I register?	Registration for the HAT will open on 1 September and is through TCS. You must register by 29 September 2023.
When do I take admissions tests?	The HAT will be on Friday 20 October 2023
Where do I take the HAT?	You will sit the HAT in a registered test centre, under exam conditions, and it will be fully digital.
Special considerations	If your school or college has applied for adjustments to your public examinations, you should take the admissions tests under the adjusted conditions.
Will my application be disadvantaged if I can’t take the test?	Every year we have candidates who cannot take the test, and we evaluate their application on the basis of the information available.

Course	Additional Tests	How do I register?	When do I take admissions test?
Ancient and Modern History	No additional tests required
History and Economics	You must also take Section 1 of the Thinking Skills Assessment	Registration for the TSA is through CAAT. You must register by 29 September 2023.	The TSA will be on Wednesday 18 October 2023
History and English	You must also take the English Literature Admissions Test	Registration for the ELAT will open on 1 September and is through TCS. You must register by 29 September 2023.	The ELAT will be on Thursday 19 October 2023
History and Modern Languages	You must also take the Modern Languages Admissions Test through TCS by 29 September 2023	Registration for the MLAT will open on 1 September and is through TCS. You must register by 29 September 2023.	The MLAT will be on Thursday 19 October 2023
History and Politics	No additional tests required