XClose

UCL Centre for Languages & International Education (CLIE)

Home
Menu

LSE undergraduate admissions test preparation

If you're aiming to study at the London School of Economics (LSE), you’ll need to take their LSE Undergraduate Admissions Assessment (UGAA) exam.

What is the LSE UGAA exam?


The LSE UGAA is used to assess applicants from non-traditional academic backgrounds. This means students without A levels or the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Naturally, this also includes UPC students. It’s a core part of the LSE undergraduate admissions process. 

The assessment is three hours long and consists of an English section and a Mathematics section. It is designed to test your written and numerical skills. The assessment has two sections: an essay question (Section A); and mathematical problems (Section B or Section C). It is not an assessment of general knowledge.

Section B is for non-quantitative programmes without a Maths requirement. Section C is for quantitative programmes with a Maths requirement. You will be assigned the appropriate Maths paper on this basis (Section B or Section C).

Applicants applying for LLB Laws (M100) will not be asked to sit the UGAA. Instead, the essay section of the LNAT will be assessed. Undergraduate Admissions will be in contact with these students if the academic selector wishes to assess the LNAT essay as part of their application.

The examiners assess the clarity, precision and complexity of your language and vocabulary. They’re looking for a logical structure and argument that show you understand key concepts. They’ll also be checking your mathematical accuracy and techniques.

If you haven't applied your maths skills lately, please refer to BBC Bitesize or the National Numeracy Challenge to help you prepare.

When does the exam take place?


After submitting your UCAS application and personal statement, you might be invited to take the LSE exam. It takes place in March. Remember that LSE undergraduate admissions are highly competitive.

In 2022, only six UPC students received invitations for the exam. Invitations can arrive up to two weeks before the exam date, but sometimes only one week before.

How can I prepare?


Past papers are available on the LSE UGAA web page.

There is also a section "How do I revise?" with a list of suggested resources on the same page.

As invitations to take the exam are usually received at short notice, we recommend LSE applicants familiarise themselves with the exam format once their UCAS form has been submitted in January. The UPC may be able to offer additional support if invitations are received with sufficient time, so please inform the UPC UCAS coordinator as soon as you receive an invitation from LSE to take the exam.