TSA Preparation Guide

(Oxbridge and UCL Test for Social Sciences)

 What is the TSA?
 It is used by the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and University
College London to help in the selection of candidates applying to study social
science subjects.
 Check below to see if the subject you are applying for requires the TSA:
University of Oxford University of Cambridge University College London
Economics and Management Land Economy (assessment at interview) European Social and Political Studies
Experimental Psychology European Social and Political Studies: Dual Degree
Geography
History and Economics (information below)
Human Sciences
Philosophy and Linguistics
Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE)
Psychology and Linguistics
Psychology and Philosophy
Chemistry (please find specific information below)

 For the University of Cambridge and UCL, it is a 90 minute test:

- 50 multiple choice questions testing problem solving and critical thinking skills.
 For the University of Oxford, it is a 2 hour test:
- 50 multiple choice questions testing problem solving and critical thinking skills.
- One essay question testing your ability to organise and communicate ideas
effectively in writing.
 - CHEMISTRY: Candidates applying to study Chemistry and History and Economics
will not be required to do the writing task.

Thinking Skills Assessment: Section 1

 The TSA is a pen and paper-based test.
 50 multiple-choice questions worth 1 mark per question:
- 25 critical thinking questions.
- 25 problem solving questions.
 Spend 90 minutes on this section.
 Each question has a stimulus followed by a question and 5 possible answers. You
must choose the correct answer.
Critical Thinking style questions:
- Questions are based on a passage of text.
- In an argument, reasons are put forward as grounds for a conclusion. An
argument is good if its conclusion follows from the reasons given. Therefore, if
you accept the reasons, you must accept the conclusion.
- For the critical thinking part of the TSA, accept that the reasons given are true.
- The features of an argument are:
1. Reason(s) = these are the grounds for the conclusion.
2. Conclusion(s) = may be highlighted with the words ‘so’, ‘therefore’ or ‘thus’;
may be at the beginning, middle or end of the argument.
3. Assumption(s) = important parts of the argument that have been left out.
- Arguments can be complex and lengthy.
- Critical thinking questions cover seven types of assessment:
1.Summarising the main conclusion:
- You must judge which possible answer best expresses the main conclusion of the
argument.
 - Do this by finding the conclusion of the argument. Ask yourself the question: ‘What
is the main message this passage is trying to get me to accept?’

2.Drawing a conclusion:
- You must identify which possible conclusion correctly follows from the argument.
- Consider each possible conclusion and think about whether the information in
the passage gives you good reason to accept it.
3.Finding an assumption:
- An assumtion is something that is not stated in the argument but is taken for
granted in order to draw the conclusion.
- First, find the conclusion in the argument.
 - Then, look for the reasoning behind the conclusion and think about any
important points that are not actually stated in the reasoning.

4.Assessing the impact of additional evidence:

- Think about which possible answer would weaken the argument.
- First, work out the conclusion.
- Then, consider the effect each possible answer would have on the conclusion.
5.Finding the errors in reasoning:
- Find the flaw or error in the argument.
- You must find the statement that explains why the conclusion does not follow
from the reasons given.
- Make sure that you are clear what the conclusion is and what reasons were
meant to support it.
6.Matching the arguments:You must
find the statement that has a similar
pattern/structure in the argument.
- Look in the passage for repeated
statements which show the
structure of the argument.
- Check the structure of the
argument in the passage against
each possible answer.

7.Applying principles:
- You must find the statement that illustrates the principle in the passage.
- A principle is a general recommendation that could be applied to other cases.
- First, find the principle of the passage.
- Then, see which statement best follows on from that principle.
Problem Solving style questions:
- Questions are based on diagrams,
tables of information or graphs.
- Problem solving questions cover three
types of assessment:
1. Relevant Selection
2. Finding Procedures
3. Identifying Similarity
- Some questions will fit in more than
one of these categories.
1.Relevant Selection
- This tests your ability to select only the
information that is necessary in finding
the answer to the question.
2.Finding Procedures
- After selecting the relevant
information, you may need to
use a method or process to find
the answer.
- Typically, you will have 3 or 4
numbers to work with.

3.Identifying Similarity
- You will be presented with a
situation and asked to choose
another situation which has a
similar structure.

- The mathematical skills needed for the problem solving questions are:
Numerical Concepts:
o Simple fractions
o Place value
o Percentages
Numerical Operations:
o Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
o Percentages
o Calculations in everday contexts
Quantities:
o Time and the calendar
o Money
o Measurements
Space and Spatial Reasoning:
o Area
o Perimeter
o Volume
o Reflections
o 2D and 3D shapes
 Generalisation:
o Recognising that some operations are generalisable, for example converting
24 to 3 and 40 to 5 both involve dividing by 8.
Tables and Graphs:
o Extracting infromation from graphs and tables

Find out more information about these numerical skills in the Admissions Testing
Service Guide to the TSA:
http://www.admissionstestingservice.org/images/47832-tsa-test-specification.pdf
 Thinking Skills Assessment: Section 2
 Only candidates applying to the University of Oxford complete this section.
 1 essay question from a choice of 3.
 Spend 30 minutes on this question. This includes thinking, planning and writing
time.
 You are being tested on your ability to:
- select, develop and organise ideas,
- communicate these ideas effectively in writing.
 The questions are on general subjects that do not require any specialised
knowledge.
 Read through each question carefully and select one question to answer.
 Plan your answer carefully before you start writing:
- Make sure that your answer addresses the question directly.
- Decide on the main points that you want to make in the limited time available.
- Organise your answer in a way that explains and conveys your points clearly.
- A concise, well-structured one-page answer may be more effective than a
longer essay.
 - Provide coherent arguments to support your views.
- Consider the merit of possible counter arguments.
 This is not a test of your knowledge. The questions do not have a right or wrong
answer.
 Your answer must fit within a single two-page answer sheet.
Past Paper 2013:
1. Can you ever know whether anyone else has thoughts and feelings like yours?
2. Do countries benefit from immigration?
3. Should the supply and use of all drugs be legalised?
4. How should we evaluate advances in science?
 General Advice
 Complete practice papers under timed conditions. This will help you to calm your
nerves and familiarise yourself with the format of the paper.
Find test papers online here: http://www.admissionstestingservice.org/for-test-
takers/thinking-skills-assessment/tsa-oxford/preparing-for-tsa-oxford/

 Don’t panic! Remember that they are testing your critical thinking and problem
solving skills, not your knowledge. It is meant to be challenging and interesting.
 Questions will vary in difficulty. There will be a mix of question types across the
paper.
 Take a pencil and black pen with you on the day.
 No calculators or dictionaries are permitted in the test. Therefore, do not
practice for the test using a calculator as this will not be a realistic reflection of
your ability.
 Marks are not deducted for incorrect answers. Therefore, you must attempt all
questions on the test.
 Finally…
 Make sure that you read the TSA preparation guide on the Admissions Testing
Service website:

TSA Oxford: http://www.admissionstestingservice.org/for-test-takers/thinking-

skills-assessment/tsa-oxford/preparing-for-tsa-oxford/

TSA Cambridge: http://www.admissionstestingservice.org/for-test-

takers/thinking-skills-assessment/tsa-cambridge/preparing-for-tsa-cambridge/

TSA UCL: http://www.admissionstestingservice.org/for-test-takers/thinking-

skills-assessment/tsa-ucl/about-tsa-ucl/