What is TARA?
TARA is a UAT-UK admissions test. Your course page decides whether you need it.
Check the exact course requirement.
TARA has Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and a Writing Task. Oxford lists it for some 2027-entry courses, with requirements remaining specific to each course.
Practise the right test.
Use the official specification first, then practise Critical Thinking and Problem Solving under time. TARA prep is separate from ESAT and TMUA prep.
The current format
| Module | What it tests | Format |
|---|---|---|
| ModuleCritical Thinking | What it testsArguments, evidence and conclusions. | Format22 multiple-choice questions in 40 minutes. |
| ModuleProblem Solving | What it testsReasoning through numerical and practical problems. | Format22 multiple-choice questions in 40 minutes. |
| ModuleWriting Task | What it testsClear, structured written argument. | FormatChoose one of three prompts in 40 minutes. Maximum 750 words. |
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving receive separate 1.0–9.0 scores. The Writing Task is unscored and sent to relevant universities.
Where does it fit?
Oxford 2027 entry
Oxford lists TARA for courses such as Economics and Management, Human Sciences, PPE and some Psychology courses. Requirements are course-specific.
If you were told to sit the TSA
Oxford's last TSA sitting was October 2025. Every course that used it now lists TARA, and your TSA Section 1 past papers are still the preparation UAT-UK points you to.
Check the dates
October booking closes on 28 September 2026 at 18:00 UK time. If you miss it, January booking opens on 26 October, but only UCL and Oxford's PPE Foundation Year accept January.
Questions applicants ask
What does TARA stand for?
TARA means Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions. It is the UAT-UK test used by some universities and courses, with two scored reasoning modules and an unscored Writing Task.
Who needs to take TARA?
The exact course and university decide. Oxford lists TARA for courses including Economics and Management, Human Sciences, PPE and some Psychology courses for 2027 entry. Check your course page rather than relying on a subject label alone.
Is TARA the same as ESAT or TMUA?
No. TARA is a separate UAT-UK test. ESAT uses subject modules, while TMUA has two mathematics papers. Your course requirements decide which test, or tests, you need.
When are the TARA sittings for 2027 entry?
UAT-UK's October sitting runs from 12 to 16 October 2026 (14 October at centres in China, Hong Kong and Macau). October booking closes on 28 September 2026 at 18:00 UK time, and results come on 16 November. The January sitting runs from 4 to 8 January 2027 (7 January in China, Hong Kong and Macau): booking opens on 26 October 2026 at 15:00 and closes on 21 December at 18:00 UK time, and results come on 8 February 2027. Oxford applicants must sit in October unless they are applying for the PPE Foundation Year; UCL accepts either. You can sit TARA once per admissions cycle, and you book it with UAT-UK, not through a prep course. Source: esat-tmua.ac.uk/deadlines, checked 26 September 2026.
Primary sources
Course requirements and test dates can change. These pages are the final check.