TSA (Thinking Skills Assessment)

What is the TSA? 

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

If applying for Philosophy, Politics and Economics, you will be required to take both sections of the TSA.

However, you will be required to take Section 1 only if you are applying for:

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

Section 1 is made up of 50 multiple-choice questions and aims to assess the following: Problem-solving skills, including numerical reasoning. Critical thinking skills, including understanding argument and reasoning using everyday language.

Section 2 is a writing task that seeks to evaluate a candidate’s ability to organise ideas in a clear and concise manner, and communicate them effectively in writing. Questions are not subject-specific and candidates must answer one question from a choice of four.

All applicants taking this test will be able to take an online practice test in the new format (see Test preparation and practice materials tab), in advance of their test day. 

Test preparation and practice materials

We strongly recommend that you explore the past papers and practice materials here. 

The TSA practice test allows you to familiarise yourself with the new online test platform and format for 2025-entry. Please note that as this is for practice only, you will not be able to submit this for a score or feedback after taking the test. Solutions for this test will also be available here soon. 

TSA practice test

Although the test platform has changed, the content of the test is similar to in previous years so working through past papers will still be very valuable preparation and should help you to feel confident on test day.

Section 1 specimen and past papers

The first section of the TSA is made up of 50 multiple-choice questions. Below you can find a specimen paper, in addition to past papers going back to 2008. You can also download answer sheets for each paper and a score conversion chart. 

Section 2 specimen and past papers

Section 2 of the TSA test is a writing task. You will have 30 minutes to write a single short essay. There will be a choice of four essay questions, on general subjects that do not require any specialised knowledge.

The writing task gives you an opportunity to show that you can communicate effectively in writing, organising your ideas and presenting them clearly and concisely. You should start by planning the essay carefully, deciding what are the main points that you want to make in the limited time available, and how to organise your answer to explain and convey them clearly. You will have plenty of space if you want to use it, but a concise and well-structured answer may be more effective than a longer essay.

It is important that your answer is relevant to the question, and addresses it directly. If the question requires you to make judgements and express your own opinions, try to provide coherent arguments to support your views, and consider the merits of possible counter-arguments. Your essay will be judged by the quality of the writing, and the way you use what you know.

The document below, written by an Oxford tutor, gives several example questions from past papers and discusses ways to approach them. 

• Guidance on TSA half-hour essay questions

Below you can find a specimen paper and past papers going back to 2008. 

• TSA Oxford specimen Section 2
• TSA Oxford Writing Task specimen answer sheet
  
  
• TSA Oxford 2022 Section 2
• TSA Oxford 2021 Section 2
• TSA Oxford 2020 Section 2
• TSA Oxford 2019 Section 2
• TSA Oxford 2018 Section 2
• TSA Oxford 2017 Section 2 
• TSA Oxford 2016 Section 2
• TSA Oxford 2015 Section 2
• TSA Oxford 2014 Section 2
• TSA Oxford 2013 Section 2
• TSA Oxford 2012 Section 2
• TSA Oxford 2011 Section 2
• TSA Oxford 2010 Section 2
• TSA Oxford 2009 Section 2
• TSA Oxford 2008 Section 2

Test question guide and explanation of results

• TSA Question Guide

Explanation of results:

Section 1 scores 1 mark per question. Scores are calculated on the TSA scale to one decimal place (running approximately 0–100). The scale is an estimate of the candidate’s ability, which makes scoring comparable by factoring in the question and overall test difficulty, using the Rasch statistical technique. Marking of this section is automated. 

Section 2 is reviewed by the admissions tutor(s) of the college you apply to.

• Explanation of Results 2023
• Explanation of Results Section 1 2023 

• Explanation of Results 2022
• Explanation of Results Section 1 2022

• Explanation of Results 2021
• Explanation of Results Section 1 2021

• Explanation of Results 2020
• Explanation of Results Section 1 2020

• Explanation of Results 2019
• Explanation of Results Section 1 2019

• Explanation of results 2018
• Explanation of results Section 1 2018

• Explanation of results 2017
• Explanation of results Section 1 2017

• Explanation of results 2016
• Explanation of results 2015
• Explanation of results 2014
• Explanation of results 2013
• Explanation of results 2012
• Explanation of results 2011
• Explanation of results 2010
• Explanation of results 2009
• Explanation of results 2008
• Explanation of results 2007

Further reading

• John Butterworth and Geoff Thwaites, Thinking Skills (Cambridge University Press, 2013)
• Anne Thomson, Critical Reasoning: A Practical Introduction (Routledge, 2008)
• Nigel Warburton, Thinking from A to Z (Routledge, 2000)
• Alec Fisher, Critical Thinking: An Introduction (Cambridge University Press, 2011)