About the Philosophy Test for the joint course of Philosophy and Theology
In partnership with the University of Oxford.
Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing is working with the University of Oxford to assist in the administration of its Philosophy Test.
The Philosophy Test is a paper-based test. It is a 60-minute admissions test for applicants to the joint course of Philosophy and Theology at the University of Oxford.
The Philosophy Test, for Philosophy and Theology candidates, is a test of philosophical reasoning skills. There is no expectation that candidates will have undertaken any formal study of philosophy, and it is not a test of philosophical knowledge.
Candidates will typically be asked to undertake a comprehension exercise and write a short essay or answer a structured question. Credit will be given for precise and careful reasoning which answers the question asked, with particular merit being given to answers which anticipate and are able to answer objections to the reasoning given. No credit will be given for irrelevance, nor for the statement of opinions without evidence or argument to support them.
The University of Oxford’s Faculty of Philosophy is responsible for the setting and development of the Philosophy Test, including the test format and scoring.
Who should take the Philosophy Test?
You need to take the Philosophy Test if you are applying to study the joint course of Philosophy and Theology at the University of Oxford.
Admissions tests for other philosophy courses:
If you are applying for Philosophy and Linguistics (PPL); Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) or Psychology and Philosophy (PPL), you need to take the Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) Oxford. If you are applying for a course including Linguistics, you also need to take the relevant part of the Modern Languages Admissions Test (MLAT).
If you are applying for any Philosophy and Modern Languages course at Oxford, you need to take the relevant parts of the Modern Languages Admissions Test (MLAT).
Please see www.ox.ac.uk/tests for more information on which courses require which admissions test.
Delivery
The Philosophy Test takes place on Wednesday 30 October 2019, usually at 09.00 GMT. The scheduled start times for international centres will vary, depending upon where they are in the world. For exact timings, please check with your school or centre.
Most candidates will sit the Philosophy Test at their own school or college. Other candidates can find an open centre.
Find out more about registration and Access Arrangements.
Results
Test results are not published automatically, but candidates may request their test score as part of the usual
University of Oxford feedback process.