TSA Exam at a Glance

What the TSA is and how it works

According to University of Oxford (TSA owner until it was withdrawn); its successor, TARA, is owned by UAT-UK (Imperial College Londo, “There is no pass or fail for the TARA. You should aim to do the best you can.”^[1]

The Thinking Skills Assessment was an admissions test owned by the University of Oxford until it was withdrawn. Its successor is TARA, owned by UAT-UK at Imperial College London. TARA is currently used by the University of Oxford and UCL in a range of subject areas, so it is required for listed courses at those universities. Check your own course page to see whether it applies to you.

TARA is computer-based and delivered by Pearson and its network of professional test centres worldwide. It costs £78 for candidates in the UK and Republic of Ireland, and £133 for those sitting elsewhere. UAT-UK is unable to accept test bookings after the stated deadline, so plan to book early.

There is no pass or fail. Each module is scored from 1–9, and the advice is to do the best you can. Results for the October sitting are released through your UAT-UK account on 16 November 2026. A January sitting runs 4–8 January 2027, but it is not for main Oxford applicants. You can sit only once within an admissions cycle, and there is no advantage to either session.

This page does not state time limits or question counts, because we have not verified them. Take those details from the official UAT-UK and Oxford admissions pages before you plan your preparation.

TSA content outline and where to practise each area

The content areas below are copied from the official TSA content outline published by University of Oxford (TSA owner until it was withdrawn); its successor, TARA, is owned by UAT-UK (Imperial College Londo. The right-hand column shows which of our practice sets covers it.

Worked examples: how to reason through TSA questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: What is the purpose of a technology needs assessment?

1. To identify gaps between current capabilities and desired outcomes
2. To purchase the most expensive available solution
3. To justify the IT department's budget
4. To replace all manual processes immediately

Answer: A. To identify gaps between current capabilities and desired outcomes

Explanation:

The correct answer is that a technology needs assessment identifies gaps between current capabilities and desired outcomes. That is its whole purpose: compare where you are with where you want to be, then decide what to change. Buying the most expensive solution is wrong because an assessment sets requirements before any purchase and does not assume a price. Justifying the IT budget is wrong because the assessment should follow the evidence, not defend a number chosen in advance. Replacing all manual processes immediately is wrong because it assumes the answer before looking at the gaps. The general rule: when an option names a fixed conclusion, such as buy the most expensive or replace everything, and a neighbouring option describes an open comparison, the open comparison is usually what a diagnostic step does.

Example 2

Question: Why is regular risk reassessment important?

1. Because the risk landscape changes as conditions, activities, and environments evolve
2. Because regulators require it exactly once per year
3. Because it provides work for risk management teams
4. Because initial assessments are always wrong

Answer: A. Because the risk landscape changes as conditions, activities, and environments evolve

Explanation:

The correct answer is that the risk picture changes as conditions, activities and environments evolve. A reassessment checks whether earlier judgements still hold. The option about regulators is wrong because it claims a fixed rule that the question does not support, and the word exactly is a warning sign. The option about giving risk teams work is wrong because it describes an outcome for staff, not a reason connected to the risk itself. The option saying initial assessments are always wrong is wrong because of the word always: an assessment can be sound when made and still go out of date. The general rule to remember: be wary of absolute wording, and prefer the answer that explains the cause of the need.

Example 3

Question: What is the primary objective of Thinking Skills Assessment certification?

1. To validate professional competence in thinking skills assessment
2. To fulfill a government mandate
3. To replace formal education requirements
4. To provide tax benefits to employers

Answer: A. To validate professional competence in thinking skills assessment

Explanation:

The correct answer is that certification validates professional competence in the field. Certification exists to show that someone has demonstrated the knowledge it covers. Fulfilling a government mandate is wrong because the question asks for the primary objective, and a mandate would be an external reason that may not apply. Replacing formal education requirements is wrong because certification usually supplements education and does not substitute for it. Providing tax benefits to employers is wrong because it is a side effect at best, not the purpose. The general rule: when asked for a primary objective, choose the option that describes the direct function of the thing, and reject options that describe incidental benefits or claims about replacing something else.

How to use these practice tests

Start with the official material. Read what UAT-UK and the Oxford admissions page say about your test, and note which modules apply to your course. Then use the practice sets in this order.

1. Take the Critical Thinking and Logical Reasoning set untimed. After each answer, say out loud why every wrong option is wrong, not only why the right one is right.
2. Take the Problem Solving and Decision Making set. When you miss a question, write down whether the cause was misreading, a method error or running short of time.
3. Try the Verbal Reasoning and Reading Comprehension questions to build careful reading, which helps in every module.
4. Return to your missed questions after a few days and answer them again without looking at your notes.
5. In the final stretch, move to timed sessions using the time limits published by the official source, and practise a short written answer for the Writing Task.

Our sets were written by us and are not real exam questions. Several cover general professional topics, so treat them as reasoning practice and rely on official sample material for the real format.

Sources & last verified

1. University of Oxford (TSA owner until it was withdrawn); its successor, TARA, is owned by UAT-UK (Imperial College Londo — passing score, exam fee, eligibility, other (official source). “There is no pass or fail for the TARA. You should aim to do the best you can.” Verified Oct 23, 2026 · source checked Oct 16, 2026.
2. University of Oxford (TSA owner until it was withdrawn); its successor, TARA, is owned by UAT-UK (Imperial College Londo — retake policy, late registration deadline (official source). “There is no advantage to sitting in either session, but you can only sit once within an admissions cycle.” Verified Oct 22, 2026 · source checked Oct 16, 2026.
3. pearsonvue.com — delivery (official source). “These tests are delivered by Pearson and their network of professional test centres, worldwide.” Verified Oct 22, 2026.
4. ox.ac.uk — score release, next exam date (official source). “Candidates receive test results via their UAT-UK account 16 November 2026” Verified Oct 22, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.