Oxford MAT: what changed, and MAT-style practice
Oxford no longer uses the MAT for maths
The MAT is no longer used for Oxford maths. The University of Oxford's Mathematical Institute says: "From 2026, Oxford will use the TMUA". Oxford applicants for Mathematics or Computer Science, including joint honours courses, take the TMUA instead.
Oxford TMUA for 2027 entry: sitting 12 to 16 October 2026; booking deadline 28 September 2026; results 16 November 2026.
What the MAT was
The MAT was the University of Oxford's own maths admissions test. It mixed short multiple-choice questions with longer written questions.
Are MAT papers still useful?
Oxford still publishes the MAT papers and solutions from 2007 to 2025, plus specimen papers, and they stay useful as problem-solving practice: we link to Oxford's own page for them. The short multiple-choice questions are good TMUA practice. The longer questions are excellent preparation for STEP and for interviews, because they make you build an argument over several parts.
MAT page and past papers (University of Oxford) · all official links
MAT-style practice
Original problems in the style of the MAT, by area: short multiple-choice questions and longer multi-part questions, each with two hints and a full solution.
- Algebra and functions4 multiple-choice and 2 longer questions, 3 free.
- Calculus and graphs4 multiple-choice and 2 longer questions, 3 free.
- Counting, sequences and number4 multiple-choice and 2 longer questions, 3 free.
- Geometry and logic4 multiple-choice and 2 longer questions, 3 free.
Next: TMUA preparation · STEP preparation · Maths interviews · TMUA vs MAT vs STEP · Problem-solving strategies
Questions
Is the Oxford MAT still running?
No. The MAT is no longer used for Oxford maths: Oxford's Mathematical Institute says "From 2026, Oxford will use the TMUA". For 2027 entry the Oxford TMUA sitting is 12 to 16 October 2026 (booking deadline 28 September 2026; results 16 November 2026).
Are MAT past papers still worth doing?
Yes, as problem-solving practice, but not as preparation for a test Oxford still sets. The multiple-choice questions are closest to the TMUA; the longer questions are good preparation for STEP and for interviews.
What should I do instead of the MAT?
Prepare for the TMUA, which Oxford uses for maths from 2026. Our TMUA section has notes, practice questions and mock papers.
Are your MAT-style questions from real MAT papers?
No. They are original problems written in the style of the MAT. For the real papers, use Oxford's own past papers page.
The MAT was set by the University of Oxford. A Level Math Revision is independent: it is not affiliated with or endorsed by the University of Oxford or any university. Every problem here is our own, written in the style of the MAT; for real papers use Oxford's own past papers page.