Thinking Skills Assessment Admission Test (TSA) Guide

What Is The Thinking Skills Admission Test (TSA)?

The Thinking Skills Admission Test (TSA) is used by universities like Oxford and Cambridge to assess problem-solving and critical thinking skills for various undergraduate courses. It ensures that candidates have strong analytical abilities, making it a vital part of the admissions process for courses that demand higher-order thinking.

Which Universities Require the TSA?

The TSA is required by some of the UK’s top universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, and University College London.

Which Courses at Oxbridge Require the TSA?

The following courses at Oxford require both Sections 1 and 2 of the TSA:

Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)

The following courses require Section 1 only:

Economics and Management

Experimental Psychology

Human Sciences

Philosophy and Linguistics

Psychology and Linguistics

Psychology and Philosophy

The joint-honours course in History and Economics require section 1 but not the essay section. (Note that applicants in History and Economics must also take the HAT, History Aptitude Test.)

If you are applying to study Land Economy at Cambridge, you will also need to take Section 1 of the TSA. At UCL, applicants for European Social and Political Studies (ESPS) and International Social and Political Studies (ISPS) also require TSA Section 1.

How is the Thinking Skills Assessment Admissions Test (TSA) Used?

The exam is used by Oxford, Cambridge, and UCL as an admissions test for many of its courses. In all cases, this forms just one data point and is used alongside personal statements, GCSE/A-level grades, contextual information, interview performance, and so on. The TSA does not determine who is admitted to the universities, but it is used as one point in guiding admissions decisions. Although it is just one data point, the universities do take it seriously as it is an objective way to compare many students in the skills they will need such as critical reasoning and problem solving.

What is a Good TSA Score?

An average score is 60 (standardised), so roughly 28/50 on Section 1; If you can score 70, you are in the top 10% of candidates and that equates to about 38/50 as a raw mark.

Do Universities Automatically Find Out Your TSA Test Score?

Your TSA score will automatically be sent to the universities who require it.

How is the TSA Structured?

The TSA has two distinct sections. Section 1 consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and assesses problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills, and the ability to reason using everyday language. The time allowed for this section is 90 minutes. Section 2 is a writing task that evaluates an applicant’s ability to organise ideas and communicate them effectively in writing. Applicants answer one question from a choice of four and the time allowed for this section is 30 minutes.

What Skills & Knowledge Does the TSA Evaluate?

The TSA evaluates your ability to reason critically and carefully and to follow and evaluate arguments. It also assesses your problem-solving abilities using numerical and written questions. The writing section gives you a chance to also demonstrate your ability to organise and communicate a logical argument in a limited amount of time. No specific knowledge is needed, but students generally find it helpful if they have kept up to date with current affairs.

TSA Scoring and Criteria

Scoring for the two sections of the TSA is done differently from one another. For the multiple-choice Section 1 candidates score one mark per question. This section is marked by the computer and scored on a scale of 1-100, only around 10% of applicants score above 70.  The scores are calculated on the TSA scale to one decimal place. The scale is an estimate of the candidate’s ability, which makes scoring comparable by factoring in the question and overall test difficulty, using the Rasch statistical technique. For those required to complete Section 2, the essay you write will be sent directly to the college you are applying to for them to mark. The mark is at their discretion.

The “mark scheme” will vary from Admission Tutor to Admission Tutor but regardless of marking style, all the tutors are looking for the ability to organise ideas in a clear and concise manner.

How to Register for the TSA

Students usually register to sit the TSA exam at their school or college. If your school is not already registered as a test centre, you can register at an alternative local test centre.

When is the Deadline for the TSA Registration?

For up-to-date information on the registration deadline for the TSA, please see the University of Oxford  and University of Cambridge admissions pages.

How Much Does it Cost to Take the TSA ?

There is no fee for taking the TSA, but if you are using an external test centre, they may charge their own administration fee so it is a good idea to check this beforehand.

How to Prepare for the TSA

The best way to prepare for the TSA is to start early and practice on mock tests. Be strategic and aim to identify potential areas of weakness and use techniques to find the right answers and write a compelling essay. Do check out our pages on how to prepare for the TSA, and for our tried and tested tips to get a high score.

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See Past Papers & Examples of  TSA

The most effective way to prepare for the TSA is to use mock tests and practice as much as you can. See our past TSA papers here.

Get an Admissions Test Tutor

Working with a specialist TSA tutor can also be incredibly helpful as they can help you to identify and remedy any weaknesses you have. They will also be able to guide you with a strategy to get the highest mark possible on the TSA. You can learn more about the tuition available and how it can help you here.  

Thinking Skills Assessment Admissions Test (TSA) Strategic Guidance