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English Literature Admissions Test
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English Literature Admissions Test
The English Literature Admissions Test (ELAT) was a subject-specific admissions test, used as part of the admissions process for undergraduate courses in English language and literature, combined English and modern languages and classics and English at the University of Oxford. As of 2016,[ambiguous] ELAT had also been used by the University of Cambridge for admission to its undergraduate English course.
ELAT was held pre-interview stage, in late October/early November. Results were available to candidates and test centres via the Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing Results Online website up to and including October 2022. Administration of the test in 2023 was conducted by Tata Consultancy Services.
ELAT was developed by Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing in partnership with the University of Oxford. The test was developed to help admissions tutors differentiate within a large pool of extremely well-qualified applicants and provide information about applicants’ skills in close reading of literary texts. The test was trialled by Oxford in 2006 and became part of their admissions process in 2007. In 2016, the test was adopted by the University of Cambridge for admission to its undergraduate English course.
October 2023 saw the first instance of the test to be conducted via computer, delivered by Tata Consultancy Services, following Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing's decision to exit the testing market. The 2023 run of tests by Tata experienced a number of issues; the ELAT suffered technical issues on loading and saving, with further "clear errors in the test's rubric". On October 20th, the Faculty of English announced that "ELAT scores [would] not be used in any formal shortlisting calculation."
In April 2024, the Faculty of English at the University of Oxford announced that it had "taken the decision not to set an admissions test (the Oxford ELAT) for candidates applying in October 2024 to study English." Candidates applying to study English remain required to send samples of written work.
The Cambridge colleges still require applicants for English to take a very similar test, though this is now done after shortlisting for interview and there is no fee. The format is almost the same as the old ELAT (with a wording change), though the scripts would be marked by the college and considered alongside the interview. A sample assessment is available at [7]
ELAT is a 90-minute computer-based test, which seeks to measure those skills needed to succeed on English or English-related degree courses. It assesses candidates’ close reading skills and their ability to shape and articulate an informed response to unfamiliar literary material. It consists of six literary extracts, from poetry, prose or drama. Candidates write one essay comparing two of the passages. Applicants are expected to comment on elements such as the language, imagery, allusion, syntax, form and structure. Marks are not awarded for references to other texts or authors, or for applying theoretical frameworks.
Candidates are asked to carry out the following task:
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English Literature Admissions Test
The English Literature Admissions Test (ELAT) was a subject-specific admissions test, used as part of the admissions process for undergraduate courses in English language and literature, combined English and modern languages and classics and English at the University of Oxford. As of 2016,[ambiguous] ELAT had also been used by the University of Cambridge for admission to its undergraduate English course.
ELAT was held pre-interview stage, in late October/early November. Results were available to candidates and test centres via the Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing Results Online website up to and including October 2022. Administration of the test in 2023 was conducted by Tata Consultancy Services.
ELAT was developed by Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing in partnership with the University of Oxford. The test was developed to help admissions tutors differentiate within a large pool of extremely well-qualified applicants and provide information about applicants’ skills in close reading of literary texts. The test was trialled by Oxford in 2006 and became part of their admissions process in 2007. In 2016, the test was adopted by the University of Cambridge for admission to its undergraduate English course.
October 2023 saw the first instance of the test to be conducted via computer, delivered by Tata Consultancy Services, following Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing's decision to exit the testing market. The 2023 run of tests by Tata experienced a number of issues; the ELAT suffered technical issues on loading and saving, with further "clear errors in the test's rubric". On October 20th, the Faculty of English announced that "ELAT scores [would] not be used in any formal shortlisting calculation."
In April 2024, the Faculty of English at the University of Oxford announced that it had "taken the decision not to set an admissions test (the Oxford ELAT) for candidates applying in October 2024 to study English." Candidates applying to study English remain required to send samples of written work.
The Cambridge colleges still require applicants for English to take a very similar test, though this is now done after shortlisting for interview and there is no fee. The format is almost the same as the old ELAT (with a wording change), though the scripts would be marked by the college and considered alongside the interview. A sample assessment is available at [7]
ELAT is a 90-minute computer-based test, which seeks to measure those skills needed to succeed on English or English-related degree courses. It assesses candidates’ close reading skills and their ability to shape and articulate an informed response to unfamiliar literary material. It consists of six literary extracts, from poetry, prose or drama. Candidates write one essay comparing two of the passages. Applicants are expected to comment on elements such as the language, imagery, allusion, syntax, form and structure. Marks are not awarded for references to other texts or authors, or for applying theoretical frameworks.
Candidates are asked to carry out the following task: