We are running a number of holiday TARA Group preparation courses for students starting Year 13 in September 2026. Sign up here: University Entrance - TARA Preparation Course
What is the TARA?
TARA stands for Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions. It is a computer-based admissions test delievered 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 except for those only applying to Economics & Management and Economics & History at Oxford University, they do not need to sit the Writing Task.
No calculators or dictionaries are allowed.
TARA Scoring
Test scores are on a scale from 1.0 (lowest) to 9.0 (highest). Universities receive your scaled score rather than a percentage mark. There is no official pass mark, and admissions tutors consider your performance alongside the rest of your application.
The multiple choice sections are marked automatically. The writing task is not centrally marked by UAT-UK. Instead, it is assessed directly by 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. Students should also work through TSA Critical Thinking and Problem Solving papers, which remain highly relevant because of the close similarity in question style.
A sample TARA paper is available online at this link(scroll down to “Specimen Tests” dropdown menu).
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.
- Never leave a multiple-choice question unanswered, as there is no negative marking.
- 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
- 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.
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.