What is the TARA and who needs it?
The Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions (TARA) is run by UAT-UK and taken on computer at Pearson VUE test centres. It needs no subject knowledge. Instead it tests how well you reason with arguments and information, and how clearly you write. For 2027 entry, all three modules are compulsory on these courses:
- Oxford: Philosophy, Politics and Economics (and with Foundation Year); Economics and Management; Experimental Psychology; History and Economics; History and Politics; Human Sciences; Philosophy and Linguistics; Psychology and Linguistics; Psychology and Philosophy. Courses that used to set Oxford's own Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA), such as PPE, now use the TARA.
- UCL: Computer Science (BSc and MEng), Computer Science and Mathematics, Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, and Mechanical Engineering (BEng and MEng).
Requirements change. Check the course page, because not registering for a required test can invalidate your application. Law applicants usually need the LNAT instead.
TARA format, section by section
| Module | What you do | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | Analyse short arguments: conclusions, assumptions, flaws, what strengthens or weakens | 22 multiple choice | 40 minutes |
| Problem Solving | Work with numbers, tables, diagrams and rules to find answers | 22 multiple choice | 40 minutes |
| Writing Task | One essay from a choice of three, 750-word limit | 1 essay | 40 minutes |
The test totals 120 minutes. No calculator and no dictionary. The multiple-choice modules give you about 1 minute 50 seconds per question, which is tight for multi-step problem-solving questions.
Critical Thinking questions present a short passage and ask, for example, which statement is the main conclusion, which assumption the argument relies on, or which option would most weaken it. Problem Solving uses everyday maths (percentages, rates, timetables, simple spatial reasoning) in unfamiliar layouts. The Writing Task asks you to argue a position on a general question in clear, well-organised prose.
How the TARA is scored and what a good score looks like
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving are each scored from 1 (low) to 9 (high), to one decimal place.
- Scores are based on correct answers; wrong answers are not penalised, so answer everything.
- The Writing Task is not scored by UAT-UK. A copy of your essay goes to each TARA university you applied to, and tutors read it themselves.
- There is no pass or fail.
The TARA is new and UAT-UK publishes no score distributions or cut-offs for it. Oxford and UCL use it alongside your grades, personal statement and, at Oxford, interviews. A sensible target is to score clearly above the middle of the 1–9 scale on both modules and to hand in a tidy, well-argued essay. Treat any "magic number" you see online with caution.
TARA dates and fees for the 2026–27 cycle
For 2027 entry the October sitting (12–16 October 2026, results 16 November 2026) has passed; most Oxford applicants had to take that one. The January sitting:
| January 2027 sitting | Date |
|---|---|
| Booking opens | 28 October 2026, 3pm |
| Access arrangements deadline | 7 December 2026, 6pm |
| Bursary deadline | 14 December 2026, 6pm |
| Booking closes | 21 December 2026, 6pm |
| Test window | 4–8 January 2027 |
| Results | 8 February 2027 |
At Oxford, January is for the stated exceptions such as the Astrophoria Foundation Year. For UCL, check your course page for the sittings it accepts this cycle. You can sit each UAT-UK test once per cycle.
Fee: £78 in the UK and Republic of Ireland, £133 elsewhere. UK applicants in financial need can apply for a bursary.
How to prepare: a 4-week TARA plan
- Days 1–2: Take a timed practice test of both multiple-choice modules. Write one practice essay in 40 minutes.
- Week 1, Critical Thinking: Learn the question types (conclusion, assumption, flaw, strengthen, weaken, principle). Do 11 questions in 20 minutes each day and write one line on why each wrong option is wrong.
- Week 2, Problem Solving: Mental arithmetic, percentages, rates and reading tables. Practise spotting the quickest route and skipping questions that need long trial and error.
- Week 3, Writing: Three timed essays. Plan for 5–8 minutes: a clear thesis, two or three reasons, one strong counter-argument and a direct reply, and a conclusion that answers the question set.
- Week 4: Two or three full mocks at real timing, all three modules in one sitting. Review mistakes the next day.
Practising with Principly: each of our 13 TARA mocks has Critical Thinking and Problem Solving (22 questions in 40 minutes each) plus a Writing Task prompt with a 40-minute timer, worked explanations for every question and a 1–9 estimate.
Try a TARA mock now. The free practice test gives you a decile estimate in one short sitting; the full set is 13 timed mocks with worked solutions.
Planning a TARA essay: a worked example
Suppose the question is: "Should governments ban advertising aimed at children?" In five to eight minutes, plan like this:
- Position: yes, with a narrow definition. Ban adverts designed for under-12s, not all adverts children might see.
- Reason 1: young children struggle to tell persuasion from information, so the usual "buyer beware" logic does not apply.
- Reason 2: the harms (for example, pressure on family budgets or unhealthy eating) fall on people who did not choose to see the advert.
- Best objection: parents, not governments, should decide what children see, and bans are hard to define.
- Reply: a narrow, clearly defined ban supports parents rather than replacing them.
- Conclusion: restate the position and the condition that makes it work.
That plan gives five short paragraphs, comfortably under 750 words, with a clear argument a tutor can follow. Notice that you need no specialist knowledge, only clear reasons and an honest answer to the strongest objection.
Common TARA mistakes
- Using your own knowledge. In Critical Thinking, judge the argument on the page, not whether you agree with it.
- Confusing a conclusion with a reason. Ask: "what is the author trying to persuade me of?"
- Getting stuck in Problem Solving. Some questions are designed to be long. Flag and move on.
- Writing without a plan. A rambling essay with good ideas reads worse than a short, clear one.
- Ignoring the word limit. 750 words is a ceiling, not a target. Quality beats length.
- Leaving blanks. No negative marking, so answer every question.
TARA FAQ
- Is the TARA the same as the TSA?
- No. The TARA is UAT-UK's test, used by Oxford from the 2026 sitting and by UCL. Oxford courses that used the TSA, such as PPE, now list the TARA.
- Is the TARA essay marked?
- Not by UAT-UK. A copy of your Writing Task goes to each TARA university you applied to, and their tutors read it.
- Can I use a calculator in the TARA?
- No. Calculators and dictionaries are not allowed.
- How is the TARA scored?
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving are each scored from 1 to 9, to one decimal place. There is no penalty for wrong answers and no pass mark.
- Which UCL courses need the TARA?
- For 2027 entry, UCL lists the TARA for its Computer Science degrees, Computer Science and Mathematics, Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, and Mechanical Engineering.
- How long is the TARA Writing Task?
- 40 minutes to answer one of three questions, with a 750-word limit.
- How much does the TARA cost?
- £78 in the UK and Republic of Ireland, £133 elsewhere.
Try a TARA mock now. The free practice test gives you a decile estimate in one short sitting; the full set is 13 timed mocks with worked solutions.
Sources
- UAT-UK: About the TARA
- UAT-UK: Key dates and deadlines
- UAT-UK: Course list for 2027 entry (PDF)
- University of Oxford: Admissions tests
- UCL: Tests, tasks and interviews
- UCL Computer Science: TARA
Last checked: 31 October 2026
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