Preparing for the TARA (Thinking Skills Assessment)?
This concise guide breaks down the Critical Thinking section into six question types, with practical methods for approaching each one and the common traps to avoid.
6 core question types:
Conclusions
Assumptions
Detecting Reasoning Errors
Weakening or Strengthening an Argument
Applying Principles
Matching Arguments
For each type, you’ll learn what the question is testing, how to approach it, and what to look out for in the answer choices.
The guide also includes useful techniques such as the “therefore” test, “not” test, and converting arguments into simple X/Y logical structures.
The TARA is used as part of admissions for a range of Oxford courses, including PPE, Economics and Management, Economics, History and others.
Whether you’re just starting your preparation or looking for a concise refresher before the test, this guide is designed to help you recognise the underlying logic behind the questions rather than simply memorise answers.
The final section brings together the key reminders to keep in mind when you sit the test, including how to handle assumptions, conclusions, strengthening/weakening questions and matching arguments.
4 pages | 6 question types | Practical strategies
Free Item Note: When you reach the billing section in Checkout, you can type any placeholder text (like '123 Main St' or random letters) to quickly pass through, as the system will not verify the address or postcode.
Preparing for the TARA (Thinking Skills Assessment)?
This concise guide breaks down the Critical Thinking section into six question types, with practical methods for approaching each one and the common traps to avoid.
6 core question types:
Conclusions
Assumptions
Detecting Reasoning Errors
Weakening or Strengthening an Argument
Applying Principles
Matching Arguments
For each type, you’ll learn what the question is testing, how to approach it, and what to look out for in the answer choices.
The guide also includes useful techniques such as the “therefore” test, “not” test, and converting arguments into simple X/Y logical structures.
The TARA is used as part of admissions for a range of Oxford courses, including PPE, Economics and Management, Economics, History and others.
Whether you’re just starting your preparation or looking for a concise refresher before the test, this guide is designed to help you recognise the underlying logic behind the questions rather than simply memorise answers.
The final section brings together the key reminders to keep in mind when you sit the test, including how to handle assumptions, conclusions, strengthening/weakening questions and matching arguments.
4 pages | 6 question types | Practical strategies
Free Item Note: When you reach the billing section in Checkout, you can type any placeholder text (like '123 Main St' or random letters) to quickly pass through, as the system will not verify the address or postcode.
