What is the TARA?
TARA stands for Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions. It is a computer-based admissions test managed by UAT-UK and is used by select UK universities (including UCL and Oxford) as part of their admissions process for certain courses (a full list is provided below).
UCL began using the TARA in 2025 for candidates applying for 2026-entry (primarily for Computer Science, Management Science and Social Sciences). Oxford University will be using the TARA this year for 2027-entry onwards. This means that Oxford will no longer use the TSA (Thinking Skills Assessment) as part of its admissions process.
This represents a significant change for Oxford (it has used the TSA since 2008 as a key part of its admissions process). However, the good news for students is that the TARA is very similar to the TSA, so students can continue to take advantage of the wealth of TSA past paper questions available online while the TARA continues to be developed.
What is UAT-UK?
UAT-UK is a collaboration between Imperial College London and the University of Cambridge. Its computer-based admissions tests are already used by a range of UK universities and are delivered online by Pearson VUE through their worldwide network of test centres.
The UAT-UK admissions tests Oxford applicants may be required to sit are:
- ESAT – Engineering and Science Admissions Test
- TARA – Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions
- TMUA – Test of Mathematics for University Admission
A key benefit of this system is that students applying to multiple universities using UAT-UK tests only need to sit each test once.
TARA Test Format
There are three 40 minute sections to the TARA:
- Critical Thinking (22 questions, Multiple Choice)
- Problem Solving (22 questions, Multiple Choice)
- The Writing Task (essay style, one question from a choice of three, 750 word limit)
All modules are compulsory for all candidates. This is an important update for Oxford candidates, as the TSA essay section was not previously compulsory for all courses.
No calculators or dictionaries are allowed.
Fees
The TARA costs £75 for candidates in the UK and Republic of Ireland. For those sitting elsewhere, it costs £130.
TARA Scoring
Test scores are on a scale from 1.0 (lowest) to 9.0 (highest)
The multiple choice sections are marked automatically, while the writing task is marked internally at the institution being applied to. The word limit for the writing task is 750 words, though there is emphasis on quality, coherence and concision over quantity.
Positive marking is used i.e. there are no penalties for incorrect answers. Therefore, students: ensure you attempt all questions, even if you are unsure of your answer.
Test sittings
Oxford: October only
UCL: one in October, one in January
Continue to check the UAT-UK website for information regarding dates.
If you are applying to courses at Oxford and UCL that require the TARA, a single sitting in October will suffice for both applications.
Test Materials
Candidates are not allowed to bring their own paper or pens into the exam room.
Instead, they are provided with:
- A double-sided, laminated notepad
- Pen/Dry-Wipe Marker
Top tip for students: ask for more laminated sheets if you need them. A good opportunity to do this is between sections of the exam.
No calculators or dictionaries are allowed.
How should students prepare?
The Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions (TARA) is designed to assess a student’s ability to:
- Think critically and problem-solve effectively
- Evaluate and compare arguments
- Interpret unfamiliar information accurately
- Apply logic in various contexts
Like the TSA, the TARA focuses on reasoning ability rather than subject-specific knowledge. Therefore, completing timed practice papers remains the best way for students to prepare.
A sample TARA paper is available online at this link(scroll down to “Specimen Tests” dropdown menu).
Given the exam is still under development and there are limited TARA practice resources available, I continue to recommend TSA past papers as resources for students to improve their skills. Should students wish to deepen their understanding of the exam and grow in confidence quickly, private tutoring and Keystone Courses are brilliant options.
Top Tips for Students
- Before diving into practice papers, get familiar with the exam format and question types. A great overview pdf with example questions can be found here.
- Really take your time with the first couple of practice papers – focus on accuracy over speed to begin with.
- Completing timed practice papers will be the best way to assess your progress as you move through your preparation.
- Get familiar with the online interface and complete the online practice papers for all three sections of the exam.
- Don’t be disheartened if your initial practice scores seem low. With consistent practice students often improve quickly.
- If you find that you are a little slow on the problem-solving side, improving your mental arithmetic and quick written calculations (particularly addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of two and three digit numbers) can be a great help.
- Get to the bottom of incorrect solutions and understand why your answer was incorrect.
- Be patient with yourself and prepare as best as you can. Don’t worry about what other candidates are up to.
- These entry assessments can be nerve-wracking, but remember they are not the be all and end all! Prepare as well as you are able to and leave the exam room with your head held high. The outcome will be what it will be. Not only is this attitude a healthy one to have, it generally leads to better exam performance as well.
Which Oxford courses require the TARA?
For 2027-entry, applicants to the following Oxford courses will be required to sit the TARA:
- Economics and Management
- History and Economics
- History and Politics (TBC)
- Human Sciences
- Politics, Philosophy and Economics
- Psychology (Experimental)
- Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics
If you are applying for a joint honours course, you should always check whether additional admissions tests are required for the other subject(s).
Please do check the university’s official course pages as well as UAT-UK to confirm these details as entry requirements can be subject to change.
Which UCL courses require TARA?
- Computer Science (BSc/MEng)
- European Social and Political Studies (BA)
- European Social and Political Studies: Dual Degree (BA)
- International Social and Political Studies (BA)
- Management Science (BSc)
- Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (MEng)
- Social Sciences (BSc)
- Social Sciences with Data Science (BSc)
- Sociology (BSc)
- Mathematical Computation (MEng)
- Management Science (MSci)
Please do check the university’s official course pages as well as UAT-UK to confirm these details as entry requirements can be subject to change.
Key takeaways
Firstly, visit the university’s course webpage to confirm the entry requirements for your chosen course.
If you are required to sit a UAT-UK admissions test for Oxford, it may be one of the following:
ESAT – Engineering and Science Admissions Test
TARA – Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions
TMUA – Test of Mathematics for University Admission
Once you have triple checked the entry criteria for your chosen course, you can begin preparation on the relevant entry assessment.
Leave nothing on the table in terms of past paper questions, so that you can enter the exam centre with calm confidence.
Finally, I hope you are successful with your application, and wish you the very best of luck.
TARA Admissions Test Tuition & Group Courses
Looking for extra support? If you are interested in finding out more about how Keystone Tutors can help you prepare for the TARA, visit our TARA tutors page. We also regularly run group TARA online preparation courses.