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 Experimental Psychology 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)

Land Economy (assessment at interview)

European Social and Political Studies European Social and Political Studies: Dual Degree

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/