The Oxford TSA thread - 2015 applicants - 5th Nov 2014

hi guys

im from south africa, applying to Oxford. Is the test which is written on november 5th, for 2015 applicants ? also, is there an alternate date ?

hi guys

im from south africa, applying to Oxford. Is the test which is written on november 5th, for 2015 applicants ? also, is there an alternate date ?

Hi everyone,

I have a few short questions: during the essay section of the TSA do they prefer you to take a position while writing or to just discuss the question? The questions presented in the TSA are quite difficult to answer so it's challenging to take a position and defend it properly, whilst also considering counterarguments in your essay, in 30 minutes. So far I have just left my own opinion out of it and wrote more of reflection type of essay where I considered the pros and cons. A friend who currently studies PPE in Oxford however told me that they want you to take a position.
Besides that, what is the average length of the essay? I usually write about 2 full A4s, but I don't know whether that is too long.
Lastly, what is considered to be a 'good' score for the MC section? I practiced once now and got 37 out of 50. I think I can improve as I did it after a long day of school, so not optimal, and it is only the first time I did one. I don't know however what applicants invited for the interview usually get.
I hope someone can help me out here, thanks in advance!

They do prefer you to take a position, so I'd probably make a two points for and against but justify why you think one side of your argument is stronger when making points against your point of view. You only get 2 a4 pages in the test so it's definitely more about the quality of your points/originality rather than getting all the points of the argument in. For your score on the multiple choice section it depends on the difficulty of the test. Check the TSA website for the conversation of your score to the TSA's equivalent of UMS. Generally 37 is good for a first go though


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Thanks for your quick reply. Do you think that they prefer you to already take position in the introduction or in the conclusion after the arguments? And isn't it then better to focus more on the side that you agree with and also counter argue against the side you don't agree with.

I sat the TSA last year, and my structure involved a brief introduction that sort of introduced the debate, followed by a paragraph detaling the points of the view that opposes mine. In the following paragraph I put forward the points of my side of the debate, while also (if possible) poking holes in the other side's arguments. I then finished up with a conclusion summarising the issue and expressing my opinion

Thanks! Do you think that is a better approach than just discussing the essay question?

Well in a way you are discussing it: by evaluating points from both sides you're showing that you've thought about the whole issue and reached an enlightened conclusion (in theory)

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Would you mind emailing me pictures or scans of some of the tips for critical thinking and strategy? I'm unable to order the book into Canada for under $70... I'd really appreciate it but if you can't I understand

I still have not registered for the TSA. School is closed today, do you think Monday It'll be too late?

I wouldn't have thought so.

Have your UCAS number ready to avoid further delay.