Sharpen your critical thinking on the TSA with Think Smart

Looking for expert TSA tutoring? You’re in the right place.

The Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) is used by the University of Oxford to assess your problem-solving skills, ability to analyze complex information, and make logical decisions under time pressure.

It plays a key role in determining whether Oxford extends you an invitation to interview, so don’t underestimate it!

It’s designed to be challenging, but don’t worry – with a personal Think Smart TSA Expert and our realistic TSA simulations, you can get the excellent score you deserve.

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Which Oxford courses require the TSA?

Courses that require both sections of the TSA:

Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)

Courses that require only Section 1 of the TSA:

Economics and Management
Experimental Psychology
History and Economics
Human Sciences
Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics

Important: As of 2025, the University of Cambridge and University College London (UCL) no longer use the TSA.

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What is the TSA?

The TSA is a computer-based test divided into two parts: a 90-minute, multiple-choice Thinking Skills Assessment and a 30-minute writing task.

Section 1:

50 multiple-choice questions
1 hour 30 minutes

This section assesses your problem-solving skills, including numerical reasoning, and your critical thinking skills, such as understanding arguments and reasoning using everyday language.

Sample Question (from a Specimen Paper):

Some employers operate a three-shift system. This requires that, in any three-week period, an individual worker will have to work, for example:

6 am to 2 pm in the first week
2 pm to 10 pm in the second week
10 pm to 6 am in the third week

It becomes very difficult to establish any kind of routine of eating and drinking under such a system. People working a three-shift system report a severe decline in their appetite, especially during the night shift when they would normally be asleep. Therefore, anyone about to begin working shifts like this can expect to lose weight.

Which one of the following is an underlying assumption of the above argument?

A. All shift workers have to work during the night.
B. Employees tend to dislike working shifts.
C. People who feel less hungry generally eat less food.
D. Shift work often pays better than working days only.
E. Canteen facilities are not always available to the night shift.

Section 2:

A 30-minute writing task
Candidates answer one question from a choice of four.
Questions are not subject-specific.

This section evaluates a candidate’s ability to:

Organise ideas in a clear and concise manner.
Communicate effectively in writing.

Note: This section is only required if applying for Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE).

Sample Questions (from a Specimen Paper):

Privacy is only good because people aren't good. In a perfect world, we wouldn't need privacy. Is that right?
In order to be a successful leader, is it better to be loved or feared?
Is ethical consumerism a solution to poverty, or a dangerous distraction?
Why is vision so important to human beings?

What does the TSA test?

The TSA doesn’t test subject-specific knowledge, but it assesses:

Critical thinking
Logical reasoning
Essay-writing skills

A good TSA score is crucial for securing that dream offer from Oxford.

Over 12,000 students sit the TSA annually for Oxford’s most competitive courses.
A score in the top 10% (70+) is crucial to stand out in the highly competitive applicant pool.
Fewer than 15% of TSA applicants receive an offer from Oxford.

What to expect from your TSA package:

Once you’ve purchased your admissions package, you’ll receive comprehensive guidance through every step of the process. Here’s what to expect from a typical package (details may vary depending on the number of hours you book with us):

Step 1: Diagnostic Lesson

Your Oxford journey begins with a comprehensive diagnostic session. Your TSA tutor will assess your strengths and weaknesses, focusing on the key areas of the test:

Critical thinking
Mathematical and logical reasoning
Essay writing (if applicable)

This step helps your tutor create a personalized study plan tailored to your unique needs.

Step 2: Skill Building

Your tutor will guide you through the essential skills tested in the TSA:

For Section 1, you’ll develop advanced problem-solving and logical reasoning skills, including strategies for tackling numerical and abstract questions.
For Section 2 (if applicable), your tutor will teach you how to construct clear, concise, and persuasive essays under timed conditions.

Step 3: Feedback on Realistic Mock Exams

Experience the intensity of the TSA with realistic mock exams. Beyond just practice, each mock test includes:

A detailed performance review
Insights to uncover patterns
Identification of areas to polish

This ensures steady progress toward test-day success.

Step 4: Review and Final Preparation

In the final phase, your tutor will:

Review your performance across all sections
Reinforce key strategies
Address any lingering challenges

This phase ensures you’re confident and fully prepared to excel on test day.

Don’t miss these pesky TSA deadlines!

For 2026 entry. These dates may vary by year.

15 August 2025 – Registration for TSA tests opens.

4 October 2025 – Final deadline for TSA registration.

15 October 2025 – Final deadline for submitting your personal statement on the Oxford UCAS application deadline (you can find out more about UCAS, which is the UK’s platform for university applications, on our blog).

!! 24 October 2025 – TSA test date !!

November 2025 – You will be contacted to inform you whether you have been shortlisted for an interview.

December 2025 – Interviews take place.

January 2026 – TSA results are released to applicants and universities. You will be told if you have been given an offer.

What to expect from your Think Smart tutor:

At Think Smart, our tutors are handpicked and thoroughly vetted to ensure you receive an expert experience during your admissions tutoring service. With our Think Smart tutors, you’re guaranteed to receive:

Personalised guidance

We provide tailored strategies to each individual student, to highlight your strengths and address areas for improvement. We believe that no one student is the same, so why should their teaching be?

Insider insight

All of our TSA tutors have successfully taken the test themselves.

Comprehensive preparation for each section of the test

Taking you confidently from section to section, Think Smart is committed to providing rigorous but engaging preparation to help you excel.

More than just teaching

We strive to provide ongoing advice and motivation, helping you make decisions about your career and academics.

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FAQs about the TSA

The TSA consists of two parts:
Section 1 is scored out of 50 (one mark per answer). Section 2 is an essay scored individually by the university, not numerically.
A ‘good’ score varies by course and year, but competitive courses like those at Oxford often look for scores in the higher 60-70% range. Keep in mind, your overall application will also be considered, including the personal statement, academic grades, and interview performance.
No, you can’t retake the TSA in the same application cycle. If you are unhappy with your result, you must wait until the next year to reapply and sit the test again.
Preparation for the TSA involves practicing logical reasoning, problem-solving, and essay-writing skills. Focus on timed practice questions and past papers to get familiar with the exam format. Our TSA tutors offer tailored sessions to boost your performance!
No, TSA scores are only valid for the year in which you apply. If you're reapplying, you will need to sit the test again.
Your TSA results will be sent directly to the universities you’ve applied to. You will receive your personal score and feedback in January.
The TSA can be challenging, especially if you haven’t encountered critical thinking and reasoning questions before. But don’t worry – with the right preparation, you can perform well and feel confident on the day.
Yes, the TSA is available at Pearson VUE test centers worldwide. You can find the full list of international locations on the official TSA website.
You can follow the registration portal on UCAS from the 15th of August until the 4th October.
No, the TSA is only available in English. If English is not your first language, we recommend practicing under timed conditions to ensure you are comfortable with the test format and language.

Think of your tutor like a personal guide through the Oxford process – we’re here for you!

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