TARA: Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions

What it is and who sets it

The TARA is a test of general thinking skills, not of any school subject, and is used for a range of courses. It assesses critical thinking, problem solving and the ability to write clearly. No subject knowledge is needed.

Set by: UAT-UK (a collaboration between Imperial College London and the University of Cambridge); delivered on computer at Pearson VUE test centres.

Which universities and courses use it

• University of Oxford

  • Economics and Management
  • History and Economics
  • History and Politics
  • Human Sciences
  • Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)
  • Psychology (Experimental)
  • Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics
  • Foundation Year in Philosophy, Politics and Economics — Astrophoria

• UCL

  • Computer Science BSc
  • Computer Science MEng
  • Computer Science and Mathematics MEng
  • Robotics and Artificial Intelligence MEng
  • Mechanical Engineering BEng (new for 2027)
  • Mechanical Engineering MEng (new for 2027)

Always confirm on the course page of each university you apply to.

Format, timing and scoring

• Computer-based, sat at Pearson VUE test centres; three compulsory modules of 40 minutes each (2 hours in total).
• Critical Thinking: 22 multiple-choice questions, 40 minutes.
• Problem Solving: 22 multiple-choice questions, 40 minutes.
• Writing Task: one essay-style question chosen from three, 750-word limit, 40 minutes.
• No calculator or dictionary allowed.
• No penalty for wrong answers.

Scoring: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving each get a separate score on a scale from 1 (low) to 9 (high), reported to one decimal place. There is no pass or fail. UAT-UK does not score the Writing Task; your answer is sent to the universities you have applied to.

Practising for the TARA

• About 1 minute 50 seconds per question in Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: 22 questions in 40 minutes each.
• The Writing Task is a 750-word answer in 40 minutes, so practise planning and writing to time.
• The test needs no subject knowledge, so practice is about method and speed.

Start with the official format and practice material: the test owner's page (opens in a new tab). Then work through timed sections, full mock papers, and a review of every mistake.

Booking, test centres and changes

Where you sit it: Pearson VUE test centres in the UK and worldwide, on computer.

Register and book your date as early as you can.

• Create your UAT-UK account as soon as accounts open: 1 June 2026 for the October sitting.
• Book your test as soon as booking opens: 20 July 2026 for October, 26 October 2026 for January. Booking closes 28 September 2026 (October) and 21 December 2026 (January).
• Apply for access arrangements or a bursary before their earlier deadlines (see Key dates).
• Find your nearest test centre with the official locator, then contact the centre to check it is open and has appointments during your test window.
• Some schools and colleges are registered Pearson VUE test centres, but most are not. Ask your school as early as possible.

Find a UAT-UK test centre (Pearson VUE) (opens in a new tab)

Changing your date: You can reschedule or cancel free of charge up to 48 hours before your test, subject to test centre availability. ESAT modules cannot be changed once booked: you would need to cancel and rebook.

Which sitting: There are two sittings: October 2026 and January 2027. Oxford applicants must sit in October (except the Astrophoria Foundation Year). Our advice is to sit in October unless there is a clear reason to wait.