TSA Course
Welcome to our booster TSA test prep course, tailored specifically for aspiring students aiming to secure admission to Oxford University. The Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) serves as a crucial evaluation tool for applicants applying to a range of top courses including Experimental Psychology, Human Sciences, Philosophy, Politics and Economics, Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics, Economics and Management, and History and Economics. Our online TSA course is designed to equip students with the necessary skills and strategies to excel in the TSA exam. Through expert guidance and targeted practice, our TSA preparation course ensures that students are thoroughly prepared to tackle the challenges of the TSA test and confidently pursue their academic aspirations at Oxford.
What to Expect from the TSA Prep Course
The TSA is a high-speed critical thinking and problem solving exam, which tests students on their ability to think clearly and efficiently under time pressure. Subject knowledge won’t get you far in the TSA – it is designed to be taken by students applying for a variety of courses, and to test how they think, not what they know. It is a hard test, but by utilising specific methods and strategies to answer the different types of question that come up, it is possible to “crack” the TSA.
In these classes, students will cover all the types of questions that come up in the TSA, focussing on particularly hard questions and the methods we can use to solve them. By the end of these four sessions, students will have a comprehensive toolkit that should enable them to go out and ace the TSA.
Our Host: 1st Class Oxford PPE Graduate & TSA Specialist
Sarah graduated from Oxford University in 2019 with a first in PPE, finishing top of the year in philosophy. She then completed her MA in philosophy at NYU, graduating with departmental honours and a thesis with distinction. Sarah is a brilliant TSA tutor, with a fantastic track record of success supporting students to successful entry for a variety of Oxford courses.
Sarah tutors students privately as well as in a group setting, with experience hosting TSA courses for U2 Tuition for a number of top UK Independent Schools. She has many sessions prepared on all elements of the TSA, including critical reasoning, problem solving and essay writing.
TSA Course Logistical Details
The TSA course is run online over Zoom. International students are welcome to join.
The TSA course runs over two weekends over the UK summer holiday period.
Each class is 2 hours in duration.
Sessions are highly interactive, not lectures.
The TSA course host will set optional tasks between classes to ensure students consolidate material and elevate their performance as much as possible.
Sessions can be recorded in case a student is away for a particular class and would like to catch up.
U2 Tuition specialises in top UK University and Oxbridge applications, with Oxbridge tutors available in all degree courses. We provide one-to-one TSA preparation, alongside the group TSA course. The group TSA course is designed for short-term intensive preparation over the summer period, but many students also choose to take on a 1-1 TSA tutor to provide them with the essential skills prior to this booster course or to further hone their individual TSA performance. We also provide personal statement and interview preparation. Get in touch with us to arrange this if of interest.
TSA Course Components
The TSA is divided into two parts: a 90-minute, multiple-choice Thinking Skills Assessment (Section 1) and a 30-minute writing task (Section 2). Our course covers all aspects of both sections to ensure that students are fully equipped to excel in the TSA exam.
While Section 2 is not mandatory for E&M and History and Economics applicants, it provides invaluable preparation for other elements of the application process. Building strong arguments, a skill honed in Section 2, is crucial for interview preparation and will benefit students in their academic pursuits beyond the TSA exam.
Session 1 (Critical Thinking: Conclusions, Assumptions, and Flaws)
In this class, we’ll look at some of the more straightforward critical thinking questions: identifying and drawing a main conclusion, and assessing the impact of additional evidence. Through looking at specific questions, we’ll methodically identify the premises and conclusions of an argument, enabling us to either identify or find the conclusion. Utilising this technique of identifying premises and conclusions, we will then look at the more difficult assumptions and flaws questions. While these are two different types of questions, they are a natural pairing, as an unstated assumption is almost the same as a flaw in an argument. If we can find a reason to doubt an assumption, it’s a flaw in an argument. Again, by focussing on a premises and conclusion structure, we will be able to identify the gaps in the reasoning, and thus discover unstated assumptions and flaws in the argument.
Session 2 (Problem solving: Relevant Selection and Identifying Similarity)
The problem solving questions are both more straightforward and more challenging than the critical thinking questions. While they often utilise maths (something students are familiar with), they often do so in a way that requires lateral thinking and mental gymnastics. In this first class on problem solving, we’ll focus on ‘Relevant selection’ and ‘Identifying similarity’. With both these question types, the TSA likes to overwhelm the examinee with a lot of extra information – our job is to cut through the noise and only focus on the important information. Through looking at a series of questions, we’ll work on strategies to hone in on relevant information, and how we can relate seemingly disparate information (such as a graph and paragraph) to come to a methodically reasoned answer.
Session 3 (Critical Thinking: Strengthening & Weakening, Matching Arguments, and Applying Principles)
The aim of this session is to cover the remaining question-types in critical thinking, beginning with questions that ask for further evidence that would support or weaken the argument. Having completed Session 1, students should now be well-equipped to identify conclusions, and therefore work out how further information would affect the strength of those conclusions. We will then look at 'Matching arguments’ questions, which require us to identify arguments that have parallel structures. With these questions, we will learn to systematise the parallels, through reducing the arguments down to If/then statements, and through alternative methods, such as set theory. With ‘Applying principles’ questions, our job is to work out on what grounds the argument is given: for example, an argument for vegetarianism might be grounded in cruelty to animals. We then have to identify a similar argument that is also grounded in cruelty to animals. As with previous question types, by recognising premises and conclusions, we can see what is the operative principle at work, and therefore find our way to the answer.
Session 4 (Problem Solving: Finding Procedures)
‘Finding procedures’ questions are in a sense the broadest of all. With these questions, there is often not any obvious or given method to find the solution. In this final class, we will work on different angles we can take on a question, applying lateral thinking techniques to come to an answer. Moreover, we will examine a variety of “standard approaches” that can be applied (such as looking for ‘limiting factors’ or even just tearing up pieces of paper!).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for the TSA Course
What is the TSA test?
The Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) is an admissions test used by Oxford University for certain undergraduate courses. It assesses critical thinking, problem-solving, and writing skills of applicants.
Which courses require the TSA test?
Courses such as Experimental Psychology, Human Sciences, Philosophy, Politics and Economics, Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics require both sections of the TSA test. Economics and Management or History and Economics applicants need only Section 1.
How does your TSA course help with preparation?
Our TSA course covers both Section 1 and Section 2 of the test, providing comprehensive preparation materials and practice questions. We focus on developing critical thinking skills, problem-solving techniques, and effective essay writing strategies.
What does Section 1 of the TSA test involve?
Section 1 is a 90-minute, multiple-choice assessment that evaluates candidates' critical thinking and problem-solving abilities through a series of questions.
What does Section 2 of the TSA test involve?
Section 2 is a 30-minute writing task where candidates are required to construct a coherent argument or response to a given prompt.
How does Section 2 benefit applicants for Economics and Management or History and Economics courses?
While Section 2 is not mandatory for these courses, it provides valuable preparation for interview scenarios and academic writing tasks. Building strong arguments in Section 2 aids in interview preparation and serves students well in their academic endeavours.
Are practice materials included in the course?
Yes, our TSA course provides a range of practice materials, including further sample questions and essay prompts, to help students familiarise themselves with the format and content of the TSA exam.
How long is the TSA course?
The TSA course runs over two weekends, with two hour sessions on the Saturday and Sunday of each weekend. The TSA course is designed as a booster course, to enhance students’ independent preparation. Many of our students also engage in 1-1 TSA prep sessions with one of our experienced TSA tutors. Get in touch to arrange this if of interest!
How can I enrol in the TSA course?
To enrol in our TSA course, simply click the ‘date and pricing’ button on this webpage and follow the registration instructions.