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Channel your inner Alexander the Great and get that dream Oxbridge Classics offer.
With targeted preparation for Classics admissions, we’re here to equip you with the skills you need to excel. Take the guesswork out of the admissions process, and set yourself on the path to your classical ambitions!
Update for 2027 entry: Oxford has retired the written CAT. Your classical language ability is now assessed through submitted written work and at interview, and Cambridge continues to assess applicants during the interview process. The language skills below are exactly what those assessments test, and our tutors prepare you for them.
What does the Classics Admissions Test assess?
The CAT mostly tests your language ability. The admissions test for Classics at both Oxford and Cambridge is a little unusual in that you take different papers depending on your classical schooling.
For Oxford:
The Classics Admissions Test consists of three separate computer-based tests:
The Latin Translation Test
The Greek Translation Test
The Classics Language Aptitude Test (CLAT)
Each paper lasts 1 hour and is sat under timed exam conditions. If you are studying neither Latin nor Greek to A-level or equivalent, you must take the Classics Language Aptitude Test only. The Classics Language Aptitude Test is designed to assess your ability to analyse how languages work, in a way which doesn't depend on your knowledge of any particular language.
Both Translation sections consist of a short passage in the prose and verse of the classical language, to be translated into English. Our CAT tutors would provide sample extracts for you to translate and help with your vocabulary, as you’re not permitted a dictionary in the test!
For Cambridge:
The exact translation or task you are set will depend on whether you are applying for the four-year Classics course (which assumes less knowledge of Latin or Greek) or the three-year course (which assumes an A-Level or equivalent in Latin or Greek).
The Cambridge Classics Test is done in-interview as a set test marked out of 20. It focuses primarily on:
Language aptitude: For applicants without prior experience, involving tasks in a made-up language to test linguistic reasoning.
Language proficiency: For applicants with prior experience in Latin or Greek, requiring translations or comprehension tasks.
As a prospective Classics student, you may already know this, but whether it’s the tailored curriculum or the prestigious reputation, Oxford and Cambridge offer compelling reasons to consider them for your classical education.
CAT deadlines
The Oxford CAT was typically taken in October; from 2027 entry there is no written test and assessment happens at interview. The Cambridge classics assessment is completed as part of the interview process, meaning it occurs later in the admissions cycle, often in December.
What to expect from your CAT package:
Once you’ve purchased your CAT package or your Premium UK package, you’ll receive comprehensive help guiding you through every step. Here’s what to expect from a typical package.
Diagnostic lesson
Your Classics preparation begins with a comprehensive diagnostic session. We assess your current strengths and weaknesses, focusing on the key areas of the test: language proficiency, language aptitude, and classical analysis (if applicable). This step helps your tutor create a personalized study plan tailored to your unique needs.
Language Proficiency and Aptitude Development
If your CAT involves language proficiency (Latin or Greek), your tutor will guide you through key translation techniques, grammar rules, and vocabulary building to ensure accuracy and fluency. For language aptitude, your CAT tutor will focus on strategies to decipher linguistic patterns, recognize grammatical structures, and approach unfamiliar languages with confidence.
Mock CAT Tests
To prepare you for test day, we provide full-length and timed mock CAT tests that replicate the real experience. Once you’ve completed these, our tutors will provide detailed feedback, highlighting areas for improvement and tracking your progress over time.
Review and Final Preparation
In the final phase, your CAT tutor will review your performance across all sections, reinforcing key strategies and addressing any lingering challenges.
Our CAT tutors teach you skills, not rote memorisation.
Don’t Miss These Crucial CAT Deadlines!
For 2027 entry. With the written CAT retired, these are the dates that matter.
15 October 2026
Final deadline for submitting your UCAS application for both Oxford and Cambridge.
Early November 2026
Deadline for submitting written work to Oxford (check your course page for the exact date).
December 2026
Shortlisted candidates are invited to attend interviews for both Oxford and Cambridge, where classical language ability is assessed.
January 2027
Final decisions are released.
What to expect from your Think Smart Expert:
At Think Smart, our Experts are handpicked and thoroughly vetted to make sure you get an expert experience during your CAT tutoring service. With our Think Smart Experts, you’re guaranteed to receive:
Personalised guidance
We provide tailored strategies to each individual student, to highlight your strengths and address areas for improvement. We believe that no one student is the same, so why should their teaching be?
Insider insight
All of our CAT tutors have successfully taken the test themselves.
Comprehensive preparation
for each section of the test
Taking you confidently from section to section, Think Smart is committed to providing rigorous but engaging preparation to help you excel.
More than just teaching
We strive to provide ongoing advice and motivation, helping you make decisions about your career and academics.
Why Think Smart?
Think of your tutor like a personal guide through the Oxbridge process, we’re here for you!
Questions about CAT Exam Tutoring
Can I use a dictionary during the CAT?
No, you’re not permitted a dictionary during either CAT. The test is designed to assess your knowledge of Classical languages and your aptitude for analysing unseen material.
How is the CAT scored?
The Cambridge Classics Admissions Test is scored out of 20; the Oxford Classics Admissions Test is scored out of 100.
What is a good CAT score?
There isn’t a fixed “good” score as it varies by year and university. But, while there is no official pass mark for the CAT, a high score is definitely advantageous. For instance, in the 2020-2021 admissions cycle, the average scores for the Oxford CAT were: Shortlisted applicants (invited to interview): 45.48 Successful applicants: 47 Targeting a minimum score of 46 is ideal for the Oxford CAT. The Cambridge CAT, being scored at interviews and not releasing personal scores, is harder to ascertain. It’s a safe bet to assume that 17/20 on the Cambridge CAT would be a competitive score.
Can I retake the CAT?
The written CAT has been retired at Oxford, and at Cambridge the classics assessment is part of the interview, so there is no separate test to retake. You can reapply in the next admissions cycle if you are not successful.
How should I prepare for the CAT?
You could prepare for the CAT by: Practicing translations in Latin and/or Greek. Developing analytical skills to interpret unfamiliar texts. If applicable, you could work on essay-writing skills to articulate clear arguments. Our CAT tutors are all familiar with CAT preparation and will tailor your revision to meet the test’s unique challenges.
How can I access CAT past papers or sample questions?
Both Oxford and Cambridge provide sample papers and preparation materials on their official websites. Here’s a couple to get you started: Cambridge Classics Admissions Test past paper Oxford Classics Admissions Test past paper
Can I take the CAT in my country?
There is no longer a written CAT to sit. Both Oxford and Cambridge now assess classical language ability during interviews, which international candidates typically attend online.
Are there any adjustments for international students on the Oxford CAT?
There are no specific accommodations for international students, because the CAT is designed for all applicants, including international students. If you’re worried, the best preparation is to ensure fluency in English and some working proficiency in Latin/Ancient Greek. That said, given you’re likely to be bilingual, the Language Aptitude section ought to be a breeze!
How are CAT results shared?
CAT results are sent directly to the university where you are applying. Unlike some other admissions test results, you will not receive a personal score breakdown for the Cambridge CAT.
How hard is the CAT?
The good thing about the CAT is that applicants are only set versions of the Test that they would be equipped to handle. For example, if you’ve never taken Latin or Greek at school, you would only be set the Language Aptitude portion of the test, which involves tasks around a made-up language to assess your critical skill.
What’s the difference between the Oxford and Cambridge CAT?
Oxford's CAT comprises three formal, timed, computer-based tests, whereas Cambridge conducts a short 20 minute oral language skills assessment during the interview process.
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