Get all the info you need about the Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions and what you'll need to do to take the test.
Updated: 20 Jul 2026
When applying to certain universities, you may be asked to take the Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions (TARA). Previously some unis would ask you to take the Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA), but most have started to use the TARA instead.
Universities ask students to take the TARA to get an idea of their generic thinking skills and ability to express themselves in writing. This helps the unis to see whether the candidate would have the academic reasoning skills needed for the course.
Currently, the two universities that use the TARA are the University of Oxford and UCL (University College London). It's worth noting that not every subject at these unis will require you to take the test - here are the subjects that the unis have said candidates would need to take the test to apply for.
University of Oxford
Economics and Management
History and Economics
History and Politics
Human Sciences
Philosophy, Politics and Economics
Psychology (Experimental)
Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics
UCL (University College London)
Computer Science
Mechanical Engineering
The TARA is comprised of three papers – two multiple-choice tests and an essay question. You'll have 40 minutes to complete each of these papers.
The first multiple-choice paper is about critical thinking, while the second multiple-choice paper is about problem solving. For the essay, you'll get to pick from three questions what to answer, and there's a limit of 750 words.
If you're taking the TARA, you will need to take it in October 2026 or January 2027. Students looking to go to the University of Oxford will need to take the TARA during the October test window. Here are the important dates you'll need to be aware of:
1 June 2026: Account registrations for TARA open
20 July 2026: Test bookings for October 2026 open
28 September 2026: Deadline for booking an October 2026 test slot
12-16 October 2026: Test window
26 October 2026: Test bookings for January 2027 open
16 November 2026: October test takers to receive results
21 December 2026: Deadline for booking a January 2027 test slot
4-8 January 2027: Test window
8 February 2027: January test takers to receive results
Candidates take the TARA at a Pearson Test Centre, which they can choose when booking a test slot. You'll have more chance getting a slot if you book early, so make sure you do so.
If you have additional access needs for taking the test, you'll need to provide details about this before booking your test, otherwise you may not get assistance on the day.
When you visit the test centre to take the tests, you'll need to bring a photographic ID with you. This can be your passport, driver's licence, government-issued ID card, or EU ID card.
Taking the TARA costs £78, though the people behind the exams, University Admissions Tests UK (UAT UK), has a bursary scheme to help students cover the costs. You'll be able to apply for this when you're organising your test, and more info can be found on the UAT UK website.
NEXT: Find out more about the UAT UK bursary scheme
As the TARA is a test of your general skills and critical thinking, there aren't any subjects that you should specifically study when getting ready. UAT UK recommends that you should familiarise yourself with the format of the test instead. The UAT UK website has practice tests, question guides and past papers for you to use.
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