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The big TSA 2008 thread

Hey guys, I am planning on applying PPE and so I will need to sit the TSA test. However I was wondering whether there are more TSA papers out there, mock or not, that I can download because the one paper on the TSA website really isn't going to help much. Thanks guys! :smile:

Reply 1

henryt

17

Mm. Surely you can gleam the types of question they're going to ask from that paper? It's not a knowledge based test, as you can see, and most will have just done that one paper, as I don't think they are released just for the reason - that it's not going to be helpful on top of the one they've already provided. And if it did help, it would be better for the examiners not to release them, as it helps the examiners discriminate on fairer grounds (i.e. 'potential' rather than preparation).

Though, I have heard that some critical thinking papers are similar in style. So perhaps look at the the AS papers from all the different exam boards, till you find something that's helpful?! Sorry I can't be more help!

Reply 2

JohnKennedy

10

There are no past papers for the TSA, and it is impossible to revise for the test, as henryt said, the TSA is designed so that people can't prepare, hence it's pointless worrying about it, concentrate on you're A-levels instead and PS instead

Reply 3

paperbagmonster

OP

Okay thanks

Reply 4

aspiringlawyer

Actually I do think it is quite possible to prepare - I did, and by the time I got into the exam last year I felt pretty comfortable with the format of the test, which I think is really important.
I'll put up the papers I used and page references etc....

Helpful bits are:
Critical Thinking Paper 2 - Section A (answers in separate doc)

The 'definitions' doc is a bunch of definitions I compiled, actually quite helpful to read it a few times.

TSA description with examples – possibly the most helpful doc for obvious reasons

TSA Specimen Paper (and answers) – I don’t know whether this is still on the website so here it is.

What I did was to read all the text stuff, and then time myself with the critical thinking papers.
I’d save the TSA specimen for much nearer the time, but if you can’t wait like I couldn’t, I’d do half the paper now (in half the time) and half nearer the test, so its fresh in your mind.

Hope this helps – people say you can’t prepare but I think you can.

Critical Thinking Paper 2.pdf173.9KB

Critical Thinking Paper 2 answers.pdf62.9KB

Critical Thinking Paper 1 (with answers).pdf337.2KB

TSA description with examples.pdf188.1KB

Definitons - Critical Thinking.doc24.6KB

Reply 5

JohnKennedy

10

that looks great aspiringlawyer, but i cant' download the attached images,

do you think you could PM them to me or give me the links?

Manythanks,

incidentally what did you get on your TSA?

Reply 6

aspiringlawyer

sure will do ASAP.
I can't remember the exact, but I think it was classified as 'above average'. I don't think they weight it THAT heavily in the admissions process, but seeing as they no longer ask for written work, I think the essay component is much more important in terms of demonstrating ability.

Will try and put those links up for everyone soonish.

Reply 7

lili_220

hey aspiringlawyer:

Just to say a quick thank you for your links! they look really helpful and there is no way i would have been able to get them without those links you attached.

so thanks again!

Lili

Reply 8

vivieneswi

thanks a lot.
it will be helpful for all oxbridge applicants.

Reply 9

lol_wut

it's harder to prepare for the mathsy questions imo, but if you use crit thinking papers you can really nail the verbal side of the exam (i got 24/25).

Reply 10

sg89

aspiringlawyer

Actually I do think it is quite possible to prepare - I did, and by the time I got into the exam last year I felt pretty comfortable with the format of the test, which I think is really important.
I'll put up the papers I used and page references etc....

Helpful bits are:
Critical Thinking Paper 2 - Section A (answers in separate doc)

The 'definitions' doc is a bunch of definitions I compiled, actually quite helpful to read it a few times.

TSA description with examples – possibly the most helpful doc for obvious reasons

TSA Specimen Paper (and answers) – I don’t know whether this is still on the website so here it is.

What I did was to read all the text stuff, and then time myself with the critical thinking papers.
I’d save the TSA specimen for much nearer the time, but if you can’t wait like I couldn’t, I’d do half the paper now (in half the time) and half nearer the test, so its fresh in your mind.

Hope this helps – people say you can’t prepare but I think you can.

Hi could you please PM me those critical thinking papers? The attachments aren't opening on my computer. Are they AS papers?

Reply 11

sg89

paperbagmonster

Hey guys, I am planning on applying PPE and so I will need to sit the TSA test. However I was wondering whether there are more TSA papers out there, mock or not, that I can download because the one paper on the TSA website really isn't going to help much. Thanks guys! :smile:

Hey I'm applying for PPE as well, what college are you putting down or are you doing an open application?

Reply 12

paperbagmonster

OP

sg89

Hey I'm applying for PPE as well, what college are you putting down or are you doing an open application?

Doing open simply because I'll have a better chance of getting in, according to my admissions officers (for students in my school, anyway). I would love to go to University of Brasenose though =\ They're not even ranked at the top ten on the oxford rankings :s-smilie:

Reply 13

Derek_the_Sheep

8

paperbagmonster

Doing open simply because I'll have a better chance of getting in, according to my admissions officers (for students in my school, anyway). I would love to go to University of Brasenose though =\ They're not even ranked at the top ten on the oxford rankings :s-smilie:

Well, apply to Univ or Brasenose then. Seriously. Your admissions officers are talking twaddle; it makes no odds either way.

dtS

Reply 14

!Dermeister!

Could anyone please please please confirm if I would need to sit the TSA exam if I want to do Experimental Psychology at Oxford Uni?

Reply 15

Derek_the_Sheep

8

Matinee Manatee

Could anyone please please please confirm if I would need to sit the TSA exam if I want to do Experimental Psychology at Oxford Uni?

Cambridge Assessment (TSA) say: (http://www.admissionstests.cambridgeassessment.org.uk/adt/tsaoxford: )
[INDENT]
"The TSA (University of Oxford) is a pre-interview admissions test for applicants to undergraduate courses in PPE and E&M at the University of Oxford. Admissions decisions are complex because candidates come from a wide variety of subject backgrounds, and the study of PPE or E&M requires a range of abilities. The Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) will help tutors to assess whether candidates have the skills and aptitudes that are required to study PPE or E&M."[/INDENT]

So, no, you don't.

DtS

Reply 16

sg89

Derek_the_Sheep

Well, apply to Univ or Brasenose then. Seriously. Your admissions officers are talking twaddle; it makes no odds either way.

dtS

What is Univ's reputation like? Does it receive a lot of pooled applicants?

Reply 17

Derek_the_Sheep

8

sg89

What is Univ's reputation like?

Univ has a well-established reputation for a post-structural neo-Benthamite approach to all subjects, except "medicine with Czech and management" where it tends towards pointless obscurantism. Sartorially it is resolutely middle-of-the-road, assuming you count compulsory purple flares as such. The tutors are all known to be approachable, though some run away and hide if startled and Prof Neuberger only communicates by note-of-hand (copperplate preferred). The library is well-stocked, but has direct access to BOD-space only on alternate Mondays. Univ is moderately sporty, and has won the backwards unicycling cuppers three years in a row; its "real ping-pong" club has a world ranking. The bar is notorious for its Guinness & Creme de Menthe "specials". Univ's architecture, predominantly a uniquely Oxford form of modernist rococo, has impressed many and perplexed a few. The gardens are quite nice. Food is adequate in price and quality, but quantity varies randomly from gargantuan to "oy, why is my plate empty"; Formal Hall on Tuesdays; Normal Hall on Thursdays; Deformed Hall on Saturdays. It is famous for the "Shelly memorial", a reminder of Univ's noted alumnus, the romantic poet Percy Ware-Armitage: a tall pillar covered in sparkly pink shells by the wife of a former Senior Tutor. No-one knows who the statue on the High Street frontage depicts, nor why she is bending her elbow in such a suggestive manner to the passing crowd.

That's about it really: pretty much your average Oxford College, all things considered.

DtS

Reply 18

purplepurple

DOes any1 know wether the college will ask for an intereview before or after they see the TSA results? The TSA website says the applicant only gets the results of the test after january 30th next year

Reply 19

Paddy89

purplepurple

DOes any1 know wether the college will ask for an intereview before or after they see the TSA results? The TSA website says the applicant only gets the results of the test after january 30th next year

I appy for E&M Oxford 2009, so I've got to pass the TSA on the 5 Nov 08. Interview in Oxford is on the 10 Dec 08. Therefore, my college ask for an interview before seeing my TSA results on 30 Jan 09!

Is this right?

The big TSA 2008 thread

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