01
What is the UAT?
The Undergraduate Admission Test, often shortened to UAT, is an aptitude test used by Addis Ababa University to assess candidates who wish to pursue undergraduate studies there. It gauges verbal and quantitative reasoning, which are considered crucial indicators of potential for success in AAU's undergraduate programs. It is separate from Ethiopia's Grade 12 national entrance examination.
The test is divided into two main sections: verbal reasoning (55 items) and quantitative reasoning (45 items), covering 100 multiple-choice questions in total. It is administered digitally by the Addis Ababa University Testing Center (AAU-TC) in designated computer labs.
The exact schedule, eligibility requirements, fees, and weighting can change between admission rounds. Applicants should treat official AAU announcements, including the AAU-TC Telegram channel, as the final authority.
100
multiple-choice questions
55
verbal reasoning items
45
quantitative reasoning items
150
minutes in total (2h 30m)
02
How admission works
A strong UAT result matters, but admission is not determined by one number in isolation. AAU states that undergraduate admission considers the national entrance examination result, the university admission test, the applicant's program choice, and the capacity available in that program.
National result
Your Grade 12 university entrance performance.
UAT performance
Your result on AAU's additional admission assessment.
Program choice
The departments and programs you apply to.
Available capacity
The number of seats and applicant competition in each program.
03
Why students choose AAU
Addis Ababa University is Ethiopia's oldest public university and is located in the country's political, commercial, and institutional center. That combination shapes both its appeal and its competitive environment.
Location
Access to government institutions, hospitals, companies, NGOs, research centers, and internship opportunities in Addis Ababa.
Academic reach
A broad range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, multiple campuses, research activity, and established professional schools.
Specialized institutions
Recognized institutions in health sciences, engineering, law, business, social sciences, and other fields.
Common advantages
- A large alumni and professional network
- Exposure to employers and national institutions
- Research facilities and academic communities
- Student organizations and campus activities
- Competition that can encourage stronger performance
Real pressures to expect
- Heavy coursework and frequent assessment
- Competitive entry into high-demand programs
- Limited seats relative to applicant demand
- The need for independent time management
- Academic pressure in demanding departments
04
What the UAT may test
Per the August 2026 information booklet, the UAT has 100 multiple-choice questions with four options each. The verbal reasoning section (55 items) covers reading, and writing and language. The quantitative reasoning section (45 items) covers heart of algebra, problem-solving and data analysis, transition to advanced math, and additional topics in math. Strong command of the fundamentals matters more than memorizing large amounts of content.
Verbal reasoning
Tests how accurately you read, interpret, and reason with written English.
- Reading comprehension
- Writing and language
- Vocabulary and word relationships
- Grammar and sentence structure
- Sentence completion
Quantitative reasoning
Measures mathematical reasoning, numerical fluency, and interpretation rather than only memorized formulas.
- Heart of algebra
- Problem-solving and data analysis
- Transition to advanced math
- Additional topics in math
- Geometry and graph interpretation
05
Registration and test day
The August 2026 information booklet describes a digitally administered exam coordinated by the Addis Ababa University Testing Center (AAU-TC) in collaboration with the Office of the ICT and Digitalization, Academic Programs Management, the Registrar's Office, and AAU colleges, institutes, and public universities. Candidates sit in designated computer labs under standardized conditions.
Online registration steps
Visit the AAU applicant portal and follow the application procedures outlined by the Office of the Registrar.
Select your preferred location for the UAT from the provided options.
Click "Continue to Payment" then "Proceed to Payment" to reach the payment page.
Complete your payment of 750 birr (seven hundred and fifty birr) for the test and registration using Telebirr.
Download your UAT admission ticket, which is necessary for admission to the exam hall.
Keep checking AAU's official website and the AAU-TC Telegram channel for announcements.
Register and pay
Apply through the AAU portal, select an available test location, complete the stated payment, and download the UAT admission ticket.
Two timed sections
Verbal reasoning receives 60 minutes and quantitative reasoning receives 90 minutes, for a total of two and a half hours. Each section closes automatically when its time ends.
Digital testing
The exam is delivered through AAU's testing portal in designated labs using the university's network infrastructure.
Identity and integrity
Bring valid identification and the admission ticket. Follow invigilator instructions and use only explicitly authorized materials.
Bring and prepare
- A valid identification document
- Your downloaded UAT admission ticket
- An acceptable calculator, such as a four-function calculator
- A pen or pencil for the supplied rough-work sheet
- Arrive by 8:00 a.m. or earlier for a morning session
- Arrive by 1:00 p.m. or earlier for an afternoon session
Do not bring into the room
- Phones, tablets, smartwatches, smart glasses, smart pens, fitness trackers, or laptops
- Headphones, earphones, Bluetooth, or any communication devices
- Books, notes, handouts, pamphlets, or personal scratch paper
- Programmable calculators or calculators with CAS, connectivity, or QWERTY keyboards
- Rulers, protractors, compasses, or formula sheets
- Routers or portable hotspots; simple non-smartwatches and analog watches are permitted
Test taker responsibilities
- Review sample practice tests or mock exams to become familiar with the question types
- Follow all instructions provided by the test administrators
- Maintain the highest level of test integrity and avoid unauthorized assistance
- Use only materials explicitly permitted by the test administrators
- Present a valid identification document and your UAT admission ticket
How scoring works
- You receive a raw score, T-score, and percentile rank after the test
- The passing score is announced separately on AAU's website and Testing Center Telegram channel
- Your digital result certificate includes a QR code and verification link
- Scanning the QR code or visiting the link lets parties verify the certificate's authenticity
Exam schedule and test takers with disabilities
The examination schedule is released on AAU's official website and the AAU-TC Telegram channel. Applicants should regularly check both for updates on their designated test center, date, and time. The test is administered digitally through AAU's testing portal using the University's private network infrastructure.
06
How competitive is it?
Competition depends on the number of qualified applicants, their results, the programs they select, and the seats available. High-demand programs such as medicine, engineering, computer science, business, and law can require stronger relative performance.
There is no universal "safe score."
A score should be understood in the context of that admission round, applicant pool, program demand, official weighting, and capacity. Avoid relying on unsupported cutoff claims circulated through social media.
07
A practical preparation plan
Build the foundation
Weeks 1-2
Review essential grammar, vocabulary, arithmetic, algebra, ratios, percentages, and common reasoning patterns.
Practice by skill
Weeks 3-4
Work topic by topic. Record every repeated mistake and identify whether it came from knowledge, reasoning, or rushing.
Add time pressure
Weeks 5-6
Move from untimed accuracy to short timed sets. Learn when to continue, skip, and return.
Simulate and review
Final weeks
Take full simulations in a quiet environment, then spend as much time reviewing the attempt as taking it.
08
Official and unofficial information
Telegram channels, tutors, past candidates, and preparation platforms can provide useful practice. They should not be treated as the final source for application dates, eligibility, fees, score weighting, test location, or admission decisions unless AAU confirms the information.
Use official sources for
- Application opening and closing dates
- Eligibility and required documents
- Current application and test fees (750 birr per the August 2026 booklet)
- Exam schedule, test center, date, and time
- Results, passing score, and admission decisions
Use preparation sources for
- Practice questions and explanations
- Study planning and revision
- Timed simulation experience
- Candidate perspectives
- Extra learning resources
Current official notes
The August 2026 information booklet states that candidates pay 750 birr for the test and registration using Telebirr, and that a UAT result applies to one application round. These details can change, so confirm the current amount and instructions directly with AAU before payment or application.
Addis Ababa University — Testing Center (AAU-TC)
- P. O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Tel: 251-011-1-23-97-14
- Fax: 00251-011-1-23-97-44
- E-mail: tc@aau.edu.et
- Website: aau.edu.et
09
Frequently asked questions
What is the AAU UAT?
The Undergraduate Admission Test is an aptitude-focused assessment used as part of Addis Ababa University's undergraduate admission process. It is intended to measure reasoning and readiness, not only memorized school content.
How many questions and sections does the UAT have?
The August 2026 information booklet describes 100 multiple-choice questions with four options: 55 verbal reasoning items and 45 quantitative reasoning items. Verbal reasoning includes reading, and writing and language; quantitative reasoning includes heart of algebra, problem-solving and data analysis, transition to advanced math, and additional topics in math. The test takes two and a half hours in total (60 minutes for the verbal section, 90 minutes for the quantitative section).
Is the UAT the same as the Grade 12 entrance examination?
No. The UAT is a separate university admission assessment. Applicants should follow the current AAU announcement for how the UAT and national examination are considered together.
Where should I confirm dates, fees, and admission decisions?
Confirm current dates, eligibility, fees, test locations, results, and admission decisions through AAU's official website, applicant portal, and current Testing Center announcements.
How should I prepare for the UAT?
Build verbal and quantitative foundations, practice by topic, review mistakes, add timed sets, and finish with realistic full-length simulations under quiet test-day conditions.