ESAT Tutoring

The ESAT is an exam taken by applicants to the University of Cambridge and Imperial College London for courses in engineering and science. There are five modules: Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Each module is 40 minutes long and consists of 27 multiple-choice questions. All applicants take Mathematics 1, and most will take two other modules. I provide support for the modules Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2, and Physics only.

Courses requiring the ESAT

University of Cambridge

Applicants to the following are required to take ESAT Mathematics 1 and any two other modules:

  • Natural Sciences
  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology

Applicants to Engineering are required to take ESAT Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2, and Physics.

Imperial College London

Applicants to courses in the following departments are required to take ESAT Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2, and Physics:

  • Department of Physics
  • Department of Aeronautics
  • Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Department of Mechanical Engineering

Applicants to courses in the Department of Chemical Engineering are required to take ESAT Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2, and Chemistry.

Applicants to courses in the Dyson School of Design Engineering are required to take ESAT Mathematics 1 and Mathematics 2 only.

ESAT is a heavily time-pressured exam and requires a lot of effort from students to prepare for, even with the support of a tutor. My role as a private tutor for students taking ESAT is threefold: providing guidance to direct this preparation, introducing unfamiliar techniques and concepts, and providing support when students are unable to make progress themselves.

To discuss how best I can support you to success in the ESAT, book a free consultation today.

About Me

My name is Shyam Chandarana. I graduated recently from the University of Cambridge with a bachelors degree in mathematics. I have been tutoring since 2022, with students of all abilities. Having been through the Oxbridge admissions process, I am very familiar with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in university admissions tests for maths and physics.

My name is Shyam Chandarana. I graduated recently from the University of Cambridge with a bachelors degree in mathematics. I have been tutoring since 2022, with students of all abilities. Having been through the Oxbridge admissions process, I am very familiar with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in university admissions tests for maths and physics.

My Approach

ESAT has an extensive banks of past paper questions (from its predecessor assessments – the NSAA and the ENGAA) which form the basis of our sessions. I generally alternate between sessions where we focus on a particular concept and questions related to that concept and sessions where we consider a variety of questions, to get used to the idea of choosing applicable techniques. Closer to the test dates, we move to focussing on exam technique and full past papers.

I usually provide questions to look at in advance of each session. There is no expectation that students are able to solve all the questions, and they form the basis of our discussion.

When should I start ESAT preparation? In my view, the best time to start intensive ESAT preparation is in June of Year 12, after you have completed the internal exams your school uses to determine predicted grades. If you are not yet at this point, you would be better suited to problem solving sessions for university admissions.

What if I am also taking the PAT? Preparation for the PAT can be integrated with ESAT sessions. Preparation for one is very helpful in preparation for the other, so the extra time required to prepare for both should be manageable.

Timing, Frequency, and Logistics

If you are only taking ESAT, I recommend one 60 minute session a week or one 90 minute session every two weeks. If you are also preparing for PAT, I recommend one 90 minute session a week. Particularly strong students may need less support so we can adjust frequency as required. We will work together to identify what will be most effective following your first session.

Most sessions take place virtually on Whereby, an online video conferencing platform. You will need a graphics tablet to be able to write on. For more information on technology requirements, click here. In-person sessions are available in some parts of Greater London, subject to an upcharge. To discuss this possibility, book a free consultation, providing your postcode in the comments field.

Book a free consultation today to discuss how best I can help you succeed in the ESAT.

Onboarding Process
  1. Book a free consultation session – both the student and their parent/guardian should ideally be present; we will discuss your goals and the best approach for you
  2. I will send some problems for the student to attempt and return to be marked – this serves as a diagnostic for me to gauge their ability
  3. Discounted first session – 1hr
  4. If the student and parent/guardian think we are a good fit, we will discuss what frequency and duration of lessons will work best and arrange a regular slot for lessons
Pricing

Diagnostic Problem Set + Discounted First Session (1hr) – £35

For subsequent lessons, prices are:

  • £70 for a 60 minute session
  • £100 for a 90 minute session

An automatic discount of 10% applies if paying by direct debit or pre-purchasing a block of 5 lessons.

Additional charges apply for in-person sessions.