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The Oxford TSA thread - 2016 applicants - 4th November 2015

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I started at about 53.9 2 weeks ago and the one I just did I got 73.9. The first few papers you do you are just getting use to the way in which the questions are asked so don't be disheartened by your initial score. After you do some more papers your score will improve.

Thanks for your answer :-)
Stupid question I guess but where can I get more past papers?

Reply 181

GeogersReprsent

Original post by scblx

Thanks for your answer :-)
Stupid question I guess but where can I get more past papers?

I'd be interested if there were any other than those on the official website. I found that the BMAT is relatively similar for their maths and logic questions, but different format for the verbal ones.

Reply 182

A Square

Original post by falloutboyyy

I love imagine dragons! Ooh ill have a listen :smile:

Reply 183

Ecconomist

Scores have now been 64.9, 60.5, 61.0, 67.9 and 72.0.

Have 3 tests to go but my book order has been messed up. Really need > 70/71.

Reply 184

Ecconomist

Original post by scblx

Does anyone know how to draw conclusions in the test? It is my weakest part because the options all seem correct and I can't decide on the best one.. Are there any tips and tricks?

In order to draw a conclusion from a passage, read the passage thoroughly and consider the arguments presented. Then consider what these arguments are trying to suggest. When looking at the possible answers, reason whether they could be an argument (i.e. from this statement, could a conclusion be drawn?) or in fact the conclusion (in which case the arguments all reinforce this idea).

I generally try to think of the conclusion / assumption / flaw first before looking at the answers; a lot of the time if this initial thought is one of the possible answers it tends to be correct. May work! :smile:

Reply 185

KIDO123

Original post by scblx

Thanks for your answer :-)
Stupid question I guess but where can I get more past papers?

Oxford website under "preparing for the TSA"

Reply 186

InvisibleGenius

Would be grateful if someone could explain the answer.

44. Sally is helping her father dig worms for fishing.

"That's exactly enough," he says as she places a worm in his tin.

"How many do you need?" she enquires.

"I use 4 worms on my hook and reckon on having to replace an average of one of these each time I cast. I cast 12 times an hour. Today I will fish 5 pools spending an hour at the first 4 and an hour and a half at the fifth. I always discard the worms on my hook when walking between pools."

How many worms are in the tin?

a 66
b 69
c 81
d 86
e 264

Reply 187

sickfam

can someone pls help with this question

Reply 188

Pars12

Original post by sickfam

can someone pls help with this question

The problem is working out what they mean. The minute hand takes 15 minutes to go from 0 to 6 but 45 minutes to go from 6 to 12. (i.e. 3 times slower).

So when the minute hand is at 9 it is half way round the 45 minute section from 6 to 12.

Reply 189

falloutboyyy

Question 30 please explain if anyone can? Xxxx

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1445366641961.jpg72.8KB

Reply 190

falloutboyyy

How the hell do you do this xxx
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1445367046958.jpg64.0KB

Reply 191

Pars12

Original post by falloutboyyy

How the hell do you do this xxx
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Is that an old Cambridge TSA specimen? We are running out of papers here.

Edit: No it's Oxford ... pity!

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 192

falloutboyyy

Original post by Pars12

Is that an old Cambridge TSA specimen? We are running out of papers here.

No it's oxford 2010 I'm stuck x

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Reply 193

Pars12

Original post by falloutboyyy

How the hell do you do this xxx
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I think it's (1/5x6.0)+(2/5x6.5)+(1/5x7.5) litres at 0.8 $/litre

Reply 194

Pars12

Original post by falloutboyyy

No it's oxford 2010 I'm stuck x

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Yep, crossed in the post. The math in these is straightforward. They are just being tricksy in how they present the information.

Reply 195

Pars12

Original post by falloutboyyy

Question 30 please explain if anyone can? Xxxx

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You need to net off what people owe each other.

Easiest way is probably to draw a triangle with arrows showing who owes what. Be careful you get the direction of the arrow correct for each debt. It should become obvious after that.

Reply 196

scblx

I did two other past papers and I am still stuck at scoring around 60 :frown:

It is quite disheartening since 60 is not enough to get an interview, is it? Does anyone know which score you need to get an interview?

Reply 197

Pars12

Original post by scblx

I did two other past papers and I am still stuck at scoring around 60 :frown:

It is quite disheartening since 60 is not enough to get an interview, is it? Does anyone know which score you need to get an interview?

It varies from year to year and between subjects. For PPE it's around 61. (TSA score not %)

Reply 198

scblx

Original post by Pars12

It varies from year to year and between subjects. For PPE it's around 61. (TSA score not %)

Well, it's not that far away then.. I am applying for PPE.
Yeah I was talking about the TSA score - in one test I had 47%, in another 70% - still both TSA score around 60.