ELAT FAQs

What is ELAT?

The English Literature Admissions Test (ELAT) is a 90 minute test designed to be accessible to all students in their last year of pre-university literary study. Candidates are asked to write one essay, comparing two or three passages of unseen poetry or prose. ELAT is not a test of wide reading, nor is it based on the assumption that there are certain texts that all students should have read by this stage in their education.

About the test

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Who needs to take ELAT?

All students applying for the following courses at the University of Oxford are required to take the English Literature Admissions Test: English Language and Literature (Q300), Classics and English (QQ38 and QQH8), English and Celtic (QQ35), English and Czech (with Slovak) (QR37), English and French (QR31), English and German (QR32), English and Italian (QR33), English and Modern Greek (QQ37), English and Portuguese (QR35), English and Russian (QRH7), and English and Spanish (QR34).

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When is ELAT taken?

The ELAT will take place on 5th November 2008 at 9.30am GMT.

International candidates should check with their centre to confirm the start time.

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Where can ELAT be taken?

Typically, candidates sit the ELAT at their school or college. Candidates who do not attend a school or college will need to find an open centre where they can take the test.

Candidates who cannot find a centre should contact the ELAT Support Team.

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How much does ELAT cost?

There is no charge for candidates sitting ELAT in 2008.

Some open centres may charge an administrative fee for organising and administering the ELAT on behalf of external candidates.

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Can ELAT fees be refunded?

Cambridge Assessment does not refund administration fees to candidates.

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As a candidate how do I register for ELAT?

You cannot register yourself for ELAT; you must be registered by an approved ELAT centre.

If you are currently attending a school or college you should approach your Examinations Officer to discuss whether or not your school can accommodate for you to sit the ELAT there; other candidates should find an open centre where they can sit the ELAT.

If you cannot find a centre near you to take the ELAT you should contact the ELAT Support Team.

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As an Examinations Officer how do I register my candidate for ELAT?

Candidates must be registered by you through the Entries Extranet. If your centre has not offered Cambridge Assessment Admissions Tests before you will need to register with us.

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What are access arrangements?

Access arrangements is the term given to any pre-examination adjustments based on history of need and provision. That is to say that a candidate may have dyslexia, dyspraxia, dysgraphia, dysorthographia, or working memory deficit and require extra time, the use of a laptop or some other physical requirement.

It is important for candidates to consult with their centre notifying them of any access arrangements the candidate may have and the candidate should be prepared to provide clinical evidence as requested.

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What evidence should an Examinations Officer submit for candidates with access arrangements?

Examinations Officers do not need to submit any evidence to Cambridge Assessment but candidates may be asked for evidence of any access arrangements at interview.

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Where should requests for special considerations be sent?

Special consideration is the term used for post-examination adjustments to reflect temporary illness, injury or indisposition at the time of assessment. All special considerations will be passed onto the University of Oxford who will be asked to take the special consideration into account when considering applications. No adjustment will be made to candidates' results.

Requests for special considerations should be sent on school headed notepaper to:

The ELAT Support Team
1 Hills Road
Cambridge
CB1 2EU
United Kingdom

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What preparation materials are available for ELAT?

Preparation materials for ELAT.

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When will ELAT exam materials arrive at the centre?

ELAT exam materials will arrive with the examination centre approximately a week to ten days before the date of the exam marked with a sticker stating “Admissions Tests Materials Enclosed”.

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Are dictionaries allowed for ELAT?

No, dictionaries and bi-lingual dictionaries may not be used.

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When will ELAT results be published?

ELAT results released via centres on 30th January 2009.

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Can previous ELAT results be used as part of a new application?

ELAT results are only accepted by the University of Oxford in the year candidates apply for university. Candidates should sit the ELAT in November 2008 if they are applying to start university in 2009 or for a deferred place in 2010.

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Can ELAT results be queried?

There will be no provision for re-marking requests or for the return of scripts to candidates.

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Need More Information?
Email: ELAT Support Team
Call: +44 (0)1223 55 88 55
Opening Hours: 0900 - 1700 GMT


About the Test
Details about the format and content of the ELAT


Dates & Costs
Find out when tests are taking place and how much they cost


Test Preparation
ELAT resources for candidates and teachers, including past papers and specifications.


Registration
Information for candidates and teachers about the ELAT registration process