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| Acronym | TARA |
|---|---|
| Type | University admissions test |
| Administrator | UAT-UK |
| Skills tested | Critical thinking, problem solving and written communication |
| Purpose | Admission to selected undergraduate courses |
| Year started | 2025 |
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Score range | 1.0–9.0 for each multiple-choice module |
| Offered | Twice annually |
| Regions | Worldwide |
| Languages | English |
| Used by | University College London and the University of Oxford |
| Website | esat-tmua |
The Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions (TARA) is a computer-based admissions test used by universities in the United Kingdom to assess applicants to selected undergraduate courses. It assesses critical thinking, problem solving and written communication rather than knowledge of a particular academic subject.[1]
TARA was introduced for applicants to University College London (UCL) seeking entry in 2026. The University of Oxford adopted it for applications made in 2026 for entry in 2027, replacing the Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) for several courses.[2][3]
Background
editTARA was announced in 2025 by UAT-UK as a new non-subject-specific university admissions assessment. UAT-UK is a joint venture between Imperial College London and the University of Cambridge, and its tests are delivered through Pearson VUE test centres.[4]
It was introduced as part of a wider move by British universities towards shared computer-based admissions tests. TARA joined the Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA) and Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT), which are also administered through UAT-UK.[3]
In January 2026, The Times reported that Oxford would replace a number of its own admissions tests with the three shared UAT-UK assessments. The newspaper described TARA as a subject-neutral test and reported differing views about whether the change would improve access or disadvantage applicants with strong specialist subject knowledge.[2]
Cherwell subsequently reported that Oxford would discontinue its Oxford-specific admissions examinations for 2027 entry. Oxford stated that using tests accepted by multiple universities would simplify the process for schools and applicants.[3]
Education and admissions organisations also published guides discussing TARA's introduction and its use by UCL and Oxford.[5][6][7]
Format
editTARA lasts 120 minutes and consists of three compulsory modules, each lasting 40 minutes.[1]
| Module | Content | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 22 multiple-choice questions | 40 minutes |
| Problem Solving | 22 multiple-choice questions | 40 minutes |
| Writing Task | One response selected from three prompts | 40 minutes |
Candidates are not permitted to use calculators or dictionaries. Rough working materials are supplied at the test centre.[1]
The three modules are separately timed. Time remaining at the end of one module cannot be transferred to another.[8]
Critical Thinking
editThe Critical Thinking module assesses the ability to understand, analyse and evaluate arguments. It contains 22 multiple-choice questions and does not require subject-specific knowledge.[1]
The questions may require candidates to identify conclusions, assumptions, flaws and principles within written arguments.[9]
Problem Solving
editWriting Task
editIn the Writing Task, candidates choose one of three prompts and produce a response of up to 750 words. The task assesses the ability to construct, organise and communicate an argument clearly.[1]
The Writing Task is not scored by UAT-UK. The candidate's response is instead provided to the universities to which they have applied where those institutions require TARA.[1]
Scoring
editThe Critical Thinking and Problem Solving modules are each reported on a scale from 1.0 to 9.0, with results given to one decimal place. Raw marks from the 22 questions in each module are converted to the reporting scale.[1]
There is no universal pass mark. Universities determine independently how TARA results are considered within their admissions processes.[10]
Incorrect multiple-choice answers do not receive a mark penalty. The Writing Task does not receive a numerical score from UAT-UK.[8]
Results are released through candidates' UAT-UK accounts and are shared with universities where the candidate has applied to a course requiring the test.[1]
Universities and courses
editAs of 2026, TARA is used by the University of Oxford and University College London. Requirements vary by course and admissions cycle.
University College London
editUCL introduced TARA for applicants seeking entry in 2026.[5][7] It is required for applicants to several courses, including programmes in computer science, management science and social and political studies.
UCL's Department of Computer Science requires TARA for its undergraduate Computer Science BSc and MEng, Computer Science and Mathematics MEng, and Robotics and Artificial Intelligence MEng programmes.[11]
For Computer Science courses, TARA replaced the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). For some other UCL programmes, it replaced UCL's internally administered Thinking Skills Test.[8]
Applicants to UCL may take TARA during either the October or January test sitting, subject to the requirements and deadlines for their chosen course.[1]
University of Oxford
editOxford adopted TARA from the 2026–27 application cycle for students seeking entry in 2027.[12]
Oxford requires TARA for applicants to:
- Economics and Management
- History and Economics
- History and Politics
- Human Sciences
- Philosophy, Politics and Economics
- Experimental Psychology
- Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics
For these courses, TARA replaced the Thinking Skills Assessment or other Oxford-specific admissions arrangements.[2][3]
Oxford applicants must take TARA during the October sitting. The January sitting is not available for standard Oxford applications because Oxford's application deadline and selection timetable occur earlier in the admissions cycle.[12]
Registration and test sittings
editCandidates register for TARA through the UAT-UK system and book an appointment at an authorised Pearson VUE test centre.
For the 2026–27 admissions cycle, the October sitting is scheduled for 12–16 October 2026 and the January sitting for 4–8 January 2027.[1]
Candidates may take TARA only once during an admissions cycle. Those applying to more than one participating university sit the test once, and their results are shared with the relevant institutions.[9]
Fees
editFor the 2026–27 cycle, the registration fees are:
| Location | Fee |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland | £78 |
| Outside the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland | £133 |
A bursary scheme covers the test fee for eligible candidates in the United Kingdom. Candidates must receive approval for a bursary before booking the test.[1]
Preparation
editUAT-UK publishes free preparation materials, including specimen tests, worked answers and guidance for each module.[1]
Because TARA is non-subject-specific, preparation generally focuses on analysing arguments, solving unfamiliar quantitative problems and producing concise written arguments under timed conditions. Several admissions organisations have compared its Critical Thinking and Problem Solving content with earlier assessments such as the Thinking Skills Assessment and Section 1 of the former BioMedical Admissions Test.[8][10]
Commercial preparation guides have also emphasised the need to practise the three modules separately because each has an independent time limit.[6][9]
Reception
editThe introduction of shared admissions tests was presented by Oxford as a way to streamline applications and allow candidates to use the same test for more than one university.[3]
Commentators interviewed by The Times argued that a subject-neutral assessment could make applications more accessible to candidates from a wider range of educational backgrounds. Others expressed concern that replacing discipline-specific tests could reduce the emphasis placed on applicants' existing subject knowledge.[2]
Admissions-advice publications generally described TARA as part of a broader movement towards assessing transferable reasoning and communication skills rather than testing a fixed subject syllabus.[7][5][9]
See also
editReferences
edit- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "About the TARA". UAT-UK. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Turner, Camilla (27 January 2026). "Oxford brings in new admissions tests – would you pass?". The Times. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Lee, Siyeon (6 February 2026). "University overhauls undergraduate admissions examination requirements for 2027 entry". Cherwell. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
- ↑ Voight, Emma (3 November 2025). "New University Admissions Test: TARA (The Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions)". Advancing Access. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 "TARA Test and New Entry Requirements: What You Need to Know for 2026". Ashbourne College. 2025. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 "TARA Admissions Guide". Keystone Tutors. 10 February 2026. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 "The Ultimate Guide to the TARA Admissions Test". The Profs. 3 June 2025. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Amalfitano-Stroud, Matthew (14 May 2026). "TARA Test 2026/27: Complete Guide for Oxford and UCL". UniAdmissions. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "TARA Test: The Complete Guide for Oxford and UCL". Ivy Education. 17 April 2026. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
- 1 2 "TARA Admissions Test: A Complete Guide". Oxbridge Applications. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
- ↑ "TARA admissions test for Computer Science courses". University College London. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
- 1 2 "Admissions tests". University of Oxford. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
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