TSA (Thinking Skills Assessment) University of Oxfo…

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Oxford TSA (Thinking Skills Assessment)

TSA (Thinking Skills

Assessment)
WHAT IS THE TSA?

HOW DO I REGISTER?

WHEN DO I TAKE THE TEST?

HOW DO I PREPARE?

The Thinking Skills Assessment is a paper-

based test, divided into two parts: a 90-
minute, multiple-choice Thinking Skills
Assessment and a 30-minute writing task.

If you are applying for one of the following

courses you will be required to take both
sections of the TSA: Economics and
Management, Experimental Psychology,
Human Sciences, Philosophy, Politics and
Economics, and Psychology, Philosophy and
Linguistics.
However, if you are applying for either
Chemistry or History and Economics, you
will be required to take only Section 1.

Section 1 is made up of 50 multiple-choice

questions and aims to assess the following:
problem-solving skills, including numerical
and spatial reasoning; critical thinking
skills, including the ability to understand
an argument; and the ability to reason
using everyday language.

Section 2 is a writing task, that seeks to

evaluate a candidate’s ability to organise
ideas in a clear and concise manner, and
communicate them effectively in writing.
Questions are not subject-specific and
candidates must answer one question from
a choice of four.

Why do I have to take a test?

Most applicants to Oxford University have great

personal statements, excellent references, and
are also predicted top grades. It can therefore be
difficult for us to choose between so many well-
qualified candidates, especially as applicants
come from all over the world and take different
qualifications.

Tests give us an extra piece of information for

every student who has applied for a given
course, wherever they are from. Considered
together with the other elements of the
application, this helps us to identify the very
best candidates. However, there is no specific
mark that will guarantee your application will be
shortlisted. The tests vary each year, and your
test score will be considered alongside the
scores of other students who apply for your
course.
Do I have to pay?

We do not charge candidates to take this test.

However, please be aware that some
independent test centres do charge an
administration fee to candidates; you should
contact your centre for details.
How are the tests designed and reviewed?

When a department wishes to introduce a new

admissions test for their course, there is a
substantial consultation process within the
University, including a pilot testing phase,
designed to ensure that the test is suitable.
Where appropriate, subject departments are
encouraged to share common tests, or elements
of tests, to ease the process of application for
the student and administration for the school or
college. Use of the tests is carefully reviewed and
we undertake substantial statistical evaluation
of each test.

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