TMUA preparation advice
Hi everyone! I signed up for TMUA exam, as I want to do economics at Warwick as one of my choices. I am currently doing Maths, DE and Russian (I know the subject choice is not particularly economics related, but I have some background of economics outside of classes, including competitions).
I was just wondering, how do you prepare for it? I have been attending some classes, where we would go through different questions and papers from the past, but it's quite hard to understand how it's suppose to be done and how to see those patterns. Also the fact that we can't use any calc or paper, only whiteboards, is annoying, because you have to change your mindset for these questions specifically, which I haven't developed yet.
I was just wondering, how do you prepare for it? I have been attending some classes, where we would go through different questions and papers from the past, but it's quite hard to understand how it's suppose to be done and how to see those patterns. Also the fact that we can't use any calc or paper, only whiteboards, is annoying, because you have to change your mindset for these questions specifically, which I haven't developed yet.
Reply 1
I think the best way to start is to look at the official syllabus. It shows clearly what topics can come up, including the logic parts in Paper 2. Make sure you are comfortable with those, because they don’t always come up in A-level lessons.
For maths basics, keep your algebra, probability, sequences and geometry very solid. The questions are not about heavy calculations but about spotting patterns, so if the basics are weak it’s easy to get stuck.
Past papers are really helpful, but don’t just rush through them. After each paper, go back and think: what was the question really testing, and why did I miss it? If you collect those ideas, you’ll see that many TMUA problems follow similar styles.
One tricky thing is the format. No calculator and no paper means you need to train yourself to think steps in your head and only write the key parts on the board. At first it feels strange, but if you practise a few times it becomes natural. Doing timed practice papers is also a good way to get used to the pressure.
Overall, TMUA is less about long calculations and more about quick, clear thinking. The more you practise and review, the easier it will feel.
For maths basics, keep your algebra, probability, sequences and geometry very solid. The questions are not about heavy calculations but about spotting patterns, so if the basics are weak it’s easy to get stuck.
Past papers are really helpful, but don’t just rush through them. After each paper, go back and think: what was the question really testing, and why did I miss it? If you collect those ideas, you’ll see that many TMUA problems follow similar styles.
One tricky thing is the format. No calculator and no paper means you need to train yourself to think steps in your head and only write the key parts on the board. At first it feels strange, but if you practise a few times it becomes natural. Doing timed practice papers is also a good way to get used to the pressure.
Overall, TMUA is less about long calculations and more about quick, clear thinking. The more you practise and review, the easier it will feel.
Reply 2
i would say to definitely get some small white board(s) to practice on . I so wish we had done this at home as my Sons school did not offer any support in this regard and he did all his prep with what he found online via the tuma site and some helpful site references from Warwick itself. So he thought he had prepped as well as he could, but what we hadn't done was practice the scenario on white boards and come the day this totally threw him off.
On the day he was in a cubicle at a testing centre with white boards as opposed to his desk at home with paper. He was rubbing out 'workings out' to make space and would have referred back to some workings out had he not done that. So as someone above said practicing key elements to write on the board would be helpful. If you are at a school where they can give you some access to setting yourself up in a similar scenario... i'd ask for that help. He found the board 'rattling' on the wall of the cubicle as he wrote unsettling as was aware people were either side of him doing testing too. These things are important imho to factor into your prep.
I honestly cannot believe he did as well as he did given how uncomfortable he found it on the day. But his result was lower than he had expected from practice papers and he was bitterly disappointed with himself. I think he found paper 1 harder than paper 2 from memory and i also think from memory paper 1 wasn't as similar to the practice papers he'd done at home. So definitely take a look over the last years papers when they become available.
I think it's wonderful you have access to classes and past papers, so really what i suppose i'm saying is please practice the actual physical side of the testing centre aspect. Good luck
On the day he was in a cubicle at a testing centre with white boards as opposed to his desk at home with paper. He was rubbing out 'workings out' to make space and would have referred back to some workings out had he not done that. So as someone above said practicing key elements to write on the board would be helpful. If you are at a school where they can give you some access to setting yourself up in a similar scenario... i'd ask for that help. He found the board 'rattling' on the wall of the cubicle as he wrote unsettling as was aware people were either side of him doing testing too. These things are important imho to factor into your prep.
I honestly cannot believe he did as well as he did given how uncomfortable he found it on the day. But his result was lower than he had expected from practice papers and he was bitterly disappointed with himself. I think he found paper 1 harder than paper 2 from memory and i also think from memory paper 1 wasn't as similar to the practice papers he'd done at home. So definitely take a look over the last years papers when they become available.
I think it's wonderful you have access to classes and past papers, so really what i suppose i'm saying is please practice the actual physical side of the testing centre aspect. Good luck
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