Modern Languages Admissions Test (MLAT)

Exam dates

For 2026 entry, all candidates will sit the MLAT on 24 October 2025 and applicants should expect to hear back until January alongside the overall outcome of their application. Be sure to prioritise your availability, if you can’t make this date, no concessions are made and you will have to wait for the following year to apply again. 

The MLAT has been discontinued for academic entry from 2027.

What does the test involve?

The test is made up of 10 sections but students are not expected to sit all of them, only one or two depending on which course they are applying to and which language they intend on studying. The sections are as follows: 

• Czech 
• French 
• German 
• Italian 
• Modern Greek 
• Portuguese 
• Russian 
• Spanish 
• Language Aptitude Test (LAT), this is required of anyone wanting to study Russian, even as a beginner 
• Philosophy, for those applying for Philosophy and Modern Languages 

Each section lasts 30 minutes (other than Philosophy, which lasts 60 minutes) and begins with 20 multiple choice questions that test student’s logic and problem solving skills and 10 technical translation questions. That gives you approximately one minute to answer each question, so time management is key. Also note that the test is computer-based and must be sat in a Pearson VUE test centre, these can be found all over the country and in select locations overseas, click here to find your nearest one.

How to book the test

An online registration portal will be made available via the Oxford Admissions website nearer the test date, it is advised to register as soon as possible so that you can promptly book a convenient space at your nearest Pearson VUE test centre. 

Cost

There is no charge for this particular aptitude test; however, depending on which test centre you sit it in, you may be subject to administration costs. 

Grade boundaries

There are no specific grade boundaries for the MLAT, likewise, there is no score that guarantees admission. Oxford admissions teams will consider your application holistically so whilst there may be a high score which will stand out more than a lower score, the MLAT is not graded in the same way as your school exams are. Your grade will be considered alongside that of your fellow candidates so if you are faced with a particularly tricky paper, the overall average will be lower. Therefore, although there are no set grade boundaries, like at GCSE or A-level, what is considered an impressive mark changes year on year depending on the difficulty of the paper. 

What is a good MLAT score? 

Each section is scored out of 100 marks. On average, students will hit the mid-60s, so scoring over 70% will give you a competitive standing when decisions are being made. 

MLAT syllabus

Unfortunately, there is no official syllabus upon which to plan your revision. However, looking at past papers to understand the kinds of questions that have been asked will help you get a sense of the kind of content you must learn and how much revision you need to do. We recommend consulting the Oxford Admissions website where you will find links to past papers dating back to 2011. Remember that admissions teams want you to do well, so whilst there is no specific syllabus, you will come across grammar and vocabulary that you have studied in class. 

How to prepare 

Begin your preparation a few months in advance of the test date and aim to devote a minimum of two hours a week to revision tasks. For example, aim to do a wide array of reading from materials that use different writing styles, this will enhance your ability to think analytically when faced with translation questions. Furthermore, by getting into the habit of translating texts to and from English as well as regularly exposing yourself to unseen material and translating under timed conditions will exercise your brain and help you to manage external stresses of the exam environment. Also, ensure that you are up to scratch with all the content you have covered at school, this will not only help you to feel more prepared but also acts as early revision of your exams in the summer – two birds with one stone! Finally, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for feedback from teachers. We also offer one on one tuition which gives students weekly support from trusted experts in the months before the test date, ensuring that you can calmly and efficiently prepare for all areas of the MLAT.