About the Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) Oxford
The Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) Oxford is a 2-hour pre-interview test for applicants to undergraduate courses at the University of Oxford. It is designed to help tutors assess whether candidates have the skills and aptitudes needed to study the following courses:
- Experimental Psychology
- Geography
- Human Sciences
- Philosophy and Linguistics
- Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)
- Psychology and Linguistics
- Psychology and Philosophy.
If you're applying for a joint course, you may also need to take a separate test in your other subject. You can confirm which test(s) your course requires at ox.ac.uk/tests. Separate registration is required for each test.
Thinking Skills Assessment: Section 1 (TSA S1)
Candidates applying to study History and Economics* (LV11) and Economics and Management (LN12) will be required to take the Thinking Skills Assessment: Section 1 (TSA S1) as part of their application. TSA S1 is a 90-minute test that consists of 50 multiple-choice thinking skills questions. Test-takers for these subjects will not be required to take Section 2 (the writing task). Applicants must ensure that they are registered to take the test called Thinking Skills Assessment: Section 1 (TSA S1).
* Applicants for History and Economics also need to take the History Admissions Test (HAT).
The information in this section is for applicants to the University of Oxford. For information about TSA: Section 1 for Land Economy at the University of Cambridge, please visit this section.
Test format
TSA Oxford consists of two sections:
- Section 1: Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA)
- Section 2: Writing Task.
In 2021, TSA Oxford will be a computer-based test. You can find a computer-based demonstration test with the other information on how to prepare for TSA Oxford.
Calculators cannot be used.
Section 1: Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA)
Section
|
What does it test?
|
Questions
|
Timing
|
| Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) |
Problem-solving skills, including numerical reasoning. Critical thinking skills, including understanding argument and reasoning using everyday language. |
50 multiple- choice questions |
90 minutes |
Section 2: Writing Task
Section
|
What does it test?
|
Questions
|
Timing
|
| Writing Task |
The ability to organise ideas in a clear and concise manner, and communicate them effectively in writing. Questions are not subject-specific. |
Candidates must answer one essay question from a choice of four |
30 minutes |
In the computer-based test, the word limit for TSA Section 2 is 750 words.
Please note, applicants for History and Economics are not required to do the writing task.