[warndog]

Hi, I will probably be applying to PPE at Oxford next year.
How hard is the TSA? Is it a good idea to prepare for it, and when would the best time to start preparing be- or is it one of those things that is all about natural skills and you can't learn?
http://www.admissionstests.cambridge...st+Preparation
On this website it would seem that there are about 4 papers to do plus the specimen paper. Do you think this would be enough and when should I do them in relation to the actual test?
Also, would it be worth buying a book on critical thinking for example (if so any recommendations?).
Advice would be must appreciated.

[warndog]

also, regarding section 2, is there any way of having a practice paper marked or do you just sort of have to guess yourself how well you would have done?

[warndog]

i got 43/50 on the speciment test. Will I improve much by the time I do it do you think?

[007dunlop]

Hey there, someone I know did the TSA and got into Oxford I did it, but unfortunately didn't. He's selling the book he used to study from on eBay... if you search for Think You Can Think?: Cracking the Thinking Skills Assessment by Minesh Tanna, you'll find it I'm not selling mine though because I use it for critical thinking (A level subject) too haha

[warndog]

(Original post by 007dunlop)
Hey there, someone I know did the TSA and got into Oxford I did it, but unfortunately didn't. He's selling the book he used to study from on eBay... if you search for Think You Can Think?: Cracking the Thinking Skills Assessment by Minesh Tanna, you'll find it I'm not selling mine though because I use it for critical thinking (A level subject) too haha

So what sort of scores did you and your friend get on the practice papers?
Do you think the book helped you?

[007dunlop]

(Original post by warndog)
So what sort of scores did you and your friend get on the practice papers?
Do you think the book helped you?

I got quite good scores on the practice papers in the book, but when it came to the real thing I must have flunked it as I did not get invited to interview. My friend did though and is going to Oxford in September. I found the book was awesome though, really explained the key ideas needed.

[Azland]

I tried the short one on the Cambridge Assessment website just to get a feel without reading any guide or prep book. Think it was 10 questions or something. Got like 5/10 - Never done a multiple choice logical test in my life - this was the first one. But If I remember correctly I was in quite a hurry. I dont think I would have crossed 7 though even if I tried it normally. I wonder how much people who get invited to interviews get in the actual test.

[knowledgecorruptz]

(Original post by warndog)
i got 43/50 on the speciment test. Will I improve much by the time I do it do you think?

WOAH! 43!? That's really good, dude! I managed 35, just did it now. Do you think you could go over some answers with me, I'm a little stuck on a few.

[tooambitious]

(Original post by knowledgecorruptz)
WOAH! 43!? That's really good, dude! I managed 35, just did it now. Do you think you could go over some answers with me, I'm a little stuck on a few.

i can if you want, i think i got 46/7 on that one (did it a while ago though) PM with any questions

[Dr.Galaxy99]

what is the best book to buy for TSA?

[AnimalSpirit]

(Original post by Dr.Galaxy99)
what is the best book to buy for TSA?

I used "Thinking Skills" by Butterworth and Thwaites.. Thought it was pretty useful!

[Dr.Galaxy99]

(Original post by AnimalSpirit)
I used "Thinking Skills" by Butterworth and Thwaites.. Thought it was pretty useful!

thanks for your reply. is that the only book you used? any others you recommend?

also has anyone used the logical thinking book mention on the TSA website? is it any good?

help would be appreciated.

[AnimalSpirit]

(Original post by Dr.Galaxy99)
thanks for your reply. is that the only book you used? any others you recommend?

also has anyone used the logical thinking book mention on the TSA website? is it any good?

help would be appreciated.

That was the only one I used.. Didn't have a lot of time to prepare (something like 2-3 weeks), so one book was plenty.. If you use that book along with the specimen and past paper, then there really isn't that much more you can do.. Except don't get sick on the test day like I did... Throwing up and doing the TSA is such a bad combination!

[milinyte]

Hey guys
So how approximately one has to get from the TSA in order to be considered by the University of Oxford? Can't find the answer to this question.

[tooambitious]

(Original post by milinyte)
Hey guys
So how approximately one has to get from the TSA in order to be considered by the University of Oxford? Can't find the answer to this question.

from keble college, admission 2011 'the mean and median score of candidates invited for interview were 67.7 and 66.5.'

[rahyahrah]

I got in with 64.1 so don't let that fool you!

I think most colleges filter out below 60-62.

The only book you need: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thinking-Ski...3090145&sr=8-2

[milinyte]

Thank's But do I have to be a genious to pass this test? I mean, I did a specimen test, and I got half of the questions right, yet it's not enough. Of course, I'm willing to put a lot of effort into training for the test, but will it suffice?.. Is it possible to learn such thing?

[emmaaa88]

From 26 people who posted their scores on TSR last year -

The highest overall score to not get an interview was 66.4
The lowest overall score to get an interview was 63.9
The highest overall score to not get an offer was 73.9
The lowest overall score to get an offer was 65.1

The mean score of people who didn't get interviewed was 60.5
The mean score of people who got interviewed was 71.1
The mean score of people who got offers was 71.7
The mean problem solving score of people who got offers was 70.2
The mean critical thinking score of people who got offers was 74.6

[Dr.Galaxy99]

has anyone who's done the official TSA book been able to understand Q3 on page 226? help would be appreciated ...

if there's another TSA related thread that anyone knows about please post a link

thank you

[Dr.Galaxy99]

i can't seem to find an official TSA thread for 2013 applicants :/

please can someone kindly explain Q3 on Page 226 of the official Thinking Skills book by Cambridge University Press?