ESAT calculator and formula rules

You cannot use a calculator or dictionary in the ESAT. Recall the relationships your modules expect and practise using them without either; formulas for spheres, pyramids and cones are given when a question needs them.

No calculator. No dictionary. No notes.

  • Maths 1: trig ratios and exact values, but not the sine or cosine rules.
  • Given when needed: sphere, pyramid and cone formulas. You don't need to learn them.
  • Sitting Biology? Biology also uses quantitative relationships, including transpiration rate. This drill currently covers Maths 1, Maths 2, Physics and Chemistry. Keep your Maths 1 skills sharp too.

Five-minute warm-up: cancel before multiplying, keep exact forms, estimate the size, check units. No-calculator drills

Your ESAT modules

ESAT formula recall

Pick your modules and start

Your result

Questions people ask

Can you use a calculator in the ESAT?

No. UAT-UK says you cannot use a calculator or dictionary in the ESAT, and personal notes stay outside the test room. You get an erasable notebook and pen for working.

Is there a formula sheet in the ESAT?

Not for these. The content specification lists them as relationships to know and be able to apply. It says formulae for the surface area and volume of spheres, pyramids and cones will be given if needed.

Which physics equations do I need for the ESAT?

The specification lists relationships such as speed, acceleration, v² − u² = 2as, F = ma, momentum and force as its rate of change, work, kinetic and potential energy, power, efficiency, pressure, density, wave speed, Ohm's law, electrical power, Hooke's law and the transformer ratio.

Do I need to know the sine rule for the ESAT?

For Mathematics 1, no: its specification says candidates are not expected to recall or use the sine or cosine rules, though it does expect exact values of sin, cos and tan for common angles. Mathematics 2 does include them: the sine and cosine rules and the area of a triangle as ½ab sin C (point MM4.1).

Keep going

How we work this out

What it does

The ESAT specification lists these as relationships to know and apply. Pick the right form of each, use it on a question, and fix any you miss with a fresh one.

26 relationships the ESAT content specification says candidates must know and be able to apply: 6 in Mathematics 1, 6 in Mathematics 2, 9 in Physics and 5 in Chemistry. Formulae the specification says will be given (spheres, pyramids, cones) are left out.

Method

  1. Each relationship has its specification point, for example P3.7d for kinetic energy and C4.11 for percentage yield.
  2. First you choose the right form from four: the right one and three common misrecalls, such as a lost half, a swapped ratio or a missing square.
  3. Then you use it on an original question. Each wrong answer is exactly what one of the misrecalled forms gives, so a miss shows which slip you made.
  4. Recognised means the right form first time and the right answer. Rebuilt means you needed to see the form but then used it correctly. Missed means a wrong answer.
  5. Rebuilt and missed relationships each get a fresh question with new numbers. Every answer key is computed from the relationship and checked by hand.

Sources

Checked .

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