What Is The ENGAA?
The Engineering Admissions Assessment (ENGAA) is a two-hour written exam taken by prospective Cambridge Engineering applicants. The ENGAA is used by the University of Cambridge for undergraduate admissions.
You can prepare by using the ENGAA past papers that are available.
What to expect when taking the ENGAA
The test lasts 120 minutes split into two sections consisting wholly of multiple-choice questions. All of the content covered in the ENGAA assessment is from your maths and physics curriculum at school so it really is a test of how you can apply this knowledge that you already have in unfamiliar contexts. The strict timings of the ENGAA also mean that you will have to think quickly. a skill that comes with practice.
What Does The ENGAA Consist Of?
Section 1 – 60 minutes
Section 1A tests Maths and Physics. There are 20 multiple choice questions in this section. You are not allowed a calculator.
Section 1B tests Advanced Maths and Advanced Physics. There are 20 multiple choice questions in this section and you are not allowed a calculator.
Section 2 – 60 minutes
Section 2 tests Advanced Physics, with multiple-choice questions. Again no calculator allowed.
Why Is The ENGAA Used?
Cambridge Engineering applicants tend to be smart and usually have excellent predicted grades in their A levels, so universities need an assessment to help differentiate between applicants – hence the need for the ENGAA assessment.
Where and when Do You Sit The ENGAA?
The ENGAA takes place in the first week of November every year, normally on a Wednesday morning. You can usually sit the ENGAA at your school or college (ask your exams officer for more information). Alternatively, if your school isn’t a registered test centre or you’re not attending a school or college, you can sit the ENGAA at an authorised test centre.
How Is the ENGAA Scored and how is it used?
In section 1, each question carries one mark and there is no negative marking. In section 2, marks for each question are indicated alongside it. Unless stated otherwise, you will only score marks for correct answers if you show your working.
Different Cambridge colleges will place different weightings on different components so it’s important you find out as much information about how your marks will be used by emailing the college admissions office.
In general, the university will interview a high proportion of realistic applicants so the ENGAA score isn’t vital for making the interview shortlist. However, it can play a huge role in the final decision after your interview.
Can You Resit The ENGAA?
You can only sit the ENGAA once per admissions cycle. You can’t use the score more than once. This means that if you want to apply the following year, you will have to take the ENGAA again.
Is The ENGAA test difficult?
Yes, it is meant to be challenging! It is important to prepare well. You can practice the past papers that are available. The ENGAA is different from school exams where high marks are to be expected. You can expect challenging questions that make you think, but it is the same for all applicants – see it as an opportunity to demonstrate to the admissions staff what you can do!
