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The Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) is a test that consists of 50 multiple-choice questions, divided between problem solving and critical thinking:
- Problem solving. There are 25 problem solving questions that involve numerical and spatial reasoning skills. Information is presented in numerical tables, or in text or diagrammatic form. The questions are concerned with your ability to discover relevant information (to be able to see ‘the wood for the trees’), develop a method of solving the problem (technically this is called ‘finding procedures’) and identify similarity (analyse one situation and find another with a similar structure).
- Critical thinking. There are also 25 critical thinking questions. These are concerned with your ability to reason using everyday written language. Short passages (approx 50 words) are presented and you are asked to look at a series of statements and identify, for example, which summarises the main conclusion of a particular argument, the underlying assumption or key principle.
Important! The problem solving and critical thinking questions are randomised throughout the test. This is to ensure that candidates who do not finish the test are exposed to a balance of all the different styles of question.
How long does it take? The time allowed is 90 minutes.
How are the results reported? The 50 questions all carry the same mark and overall scores are standardised and expressed as a percentage. The reported mean score (based mostly on computer science candidates) is 60%.
Who uses it? At least 20 of the Colleges at Cambridge University use the TSA to help in the selection of computer science, natural sciences, engineering and economics students.
How do I take it? The test is administered in either a paper-and-pencil format or online. Test sessions are conducted at the College of choice.
How do I prepare?
- Basic. An excellent range of high quality practice material is available on the Thinking Skills Assessment website. This includes short and full-length online practice tests and a downloadable demonstration paper (pdf).
- Advanced. The skills assessed by the TSA are similar to those that are measured by the tests used to select people for jobs. Useful additional preparation would be to complete the Numerical, Verbal and Abstract reasoning tests available via the practice tests page. These are shorter in form than the TSA questions, but should help to stimulate your brain!
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