TSA Oxford About the Test

The Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) Oxford is a 2 hour pre-interview test consisting of two sections. Applicants to certain courses at the University of Oxford are required to take the test.

Background and development of TSA Oxford

Test Format

The test consists of the following sections:

  • Section 1: Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA)
  • Section 2: Writing task.

Separate answer sheets will be provided for each section, calculators cannot be used.

Section 1 Thinking Skills Assessment

Table: Paper table

Section

What does it test?

Questions

Timing
Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA)

Problem solving skills, including numerical and spatial reasoning and critical thinking skills, including understanding arguments and reasoning using everyday language.

 50 multiple choice questions
 90 minutes

Section 2 - Writing Task

Table: Paper table

Section

What does it test?

Questions

Timing
Writing Task

This section tests a candidate's ability to organise their ideas in a clear and concise manner, and to communicate them effectively in writing. Questions are not subject specific.

 Candidates must answer 1 essay question from a choice of 3
 30 minutes

Scoring

Section 1 of the TSA is a multiple-choice test giving 1 mark per question. Scores are calibrated onto the TSA scale (running from approximately 0-100), with scores being reported to one decimal place. The scale is not a percentage based on raw scores, but an estimate of the candidate's ability calculated using a statistical technique called Rasch which takes into account question and overall test difficulty so that scores are comparable.

Marking of this section is automated, Cambridge Assessment does not accept requests for re-marks.

Section 2 is passed to admissions tutors at the college to which a candidate has applied.

Delivery

The TSA Oxford will take place on 3rd November 2010 at 9.00am. The majority of candidates will sit the TSA Oxford at their own school or college; other candidates should use the Open Centre Network to locate a centre.

TSA Oxford papers will be delivered to centres 7-10 days before the date of the test.

Results

Results will only be released to candidates who have applied to read PPE, E&M, EP or PPP at the University of Oxford.

A statement of results will be issued to each candidate on 14th January 2011.  Candidates and centres will be able to download their results using our online results sites:

Results Online - Candidates
Results Online - Centres

Results will be passed to the college at Oxford to which a candidate has applied. The use of results varies between colleges; candidates should contact the college they have applied to in order to find out how their results will be used.

Previous years’ explanation of results can be downloaded in PDF format:
2007, 2008.

Table: Paper table

TSA Oxford

Content

Time
Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) 50 multiple choice questions 90 minutes
Writing Task Candidates must answer 1 essay question from a choice of 3 30 minutes

TSA Oxford


Background & Research
Information about the need for TSA and research papers relating to TSA


Dates & Costs
Find out when tests are taking place and how much they cost


Registration
Information for candidates and teachers about the TSA registration process


Results