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TMUA October or January (Cambridge/Imperial)

I’m applying to Cambridge for Maths (early applicant) and Imperial as well. I wanted to sit TMUA in January (since TMUA isn't needed for Maths at Cambridge) , but I’ve heard some people say I must take it in October. Will Imperial still consider my score if I take the January sitting? Does anyone know which sitting is best?

Reply 1

You only have to do the January sitting if you are applying to a Cambridge course which requires the TMUA. Otherwise, you are free to choose which of the two sittings you want to take. In your case you are free to take either sitting. I am quite certain I am correct since I was in a similar situation last year, but I still suggest you send Imperial an email to confirm this (if only for peace of mind).

If you want advice as to which sitting to take though, that depends entirely on how much preparation you have already done, whether you think you will be ready by October, and which other entrance exams you have to take.

If you will be satisfied with your preparation level by October (i.e. you are on track to finish all your revision by October) then I would suggest just doing the TMUA as soon as you can so that it is out of the way. Holding off for a few more months is unlikely to change your score significantly, and really you will be busy enough in y13 without more admission tests hanging over your head. However, if you really don't think you will be sufficiently prepared for the first sitting, or you think that TMUA revision now will compromise other stuff like your personal statement, then it is better to do the January sitting.

Best of luck.

Reply 2

Original post
by KWad
You only have to do the January sitting if you are applying to a Cambridge course which requires the TMUA. Otherwise, you are free to choose which of the two sittings you want to take. In your case you are free to take either sitting. I am quite certain I am correct since I was in a similar situation last year, but I still suggest you send Imperial an email to confirm this (if only for peace of mind).
If you want advice as to which sitting to take though, that depends entirely on how much preparation you have already done, whether you think you will be ready by October, and which other entrance exams you have to take.
If you will be satisfied with your preparation level by October (i.e. you are on track to finish all your revision by October) then I would suggest just doing the TMUA as soon as you can so that it is out of the way. Holding off for a few more months is unlikely to change your score significantly, and really you will be busy enough in y13 without more admission tests hanging over your head. However, if you really don't think you will be sufficiently prepared for the first sitting, or you think that TMUA revision now will compromise other stuff like your personal statement, then it is better to do the January sitting.
Best of luck.

Hi, I would like to do the TMUA in January but am a bit confused on how the exam works. Does everyone sit the same exam? Or are the questions randomised like the ucat? Does everyone sit the exam on the same day?
Also, if I do the January sitting, will I know my TMUA score before I apply to uni?
These questions now are purely for econ.
I wanna apply to UCL, Bristol and bath pure economics. But I don’t do FM or Econ a level. I do bio maths and chem and am predicted A* A* A respectively. Will not doing FM and Econ a level put me at a disadvantage?
Also do my GCSEs put me at a disadvantage 888777777766? Non contextual btw

Reply 3

Original post
by Anonymous_Fly
Hi, I would like to do the TMUA in January but am a bit confused on how the exam works. Does everyone sit the same exam? Or are the questions randomised like the ucat? Does everyone sit the exam on the same day?
Also, if I do the January sitting, will I know my TMUA score before I apply to uni?
These questions now are purely for econ.
I wanna apply to UCL, Bristol and bath pure economics. But I don’t do FM or Econ a level. I do bio maths and chem and am predicted A* A* A respectively. Will not doing FM and Econ a level put me at a disadvantage?
Also do my GCSEs put me at a disadvantage 888777777766? Non contextual btw

1.

Everyone does not sit the same exam. I don't know if the questions are randomized. There is an option to do the exam on one of two different days for each sitting (although you can only do one sitting total in each year), so everyone does not sit the exam on the same day.

2.

If you do the January sitting, you will not get your TMUA score before the UCAS application deadline (double check this though).

3.

I don't know the specifics about econ at your chosen universities. Your best bet is to have a look at their websites, or better yet send an email to the admissions team and ask them directly. In my experience, further maths is not typically a requirement unless you are applying to the most competitive unis like Oxbridge or Imperial. I can't comment on A-level econ. But again, email them and ask as they will have the most accurate and up to date information.

4.

Your GCSEs are fine. As long as you got 7+ in relevant subjects like Maths and Econ (if you took it for GCSE) then you have nothing to worry about.

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