Thinking Skills Assessment: Difference between revisions
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==History== |
==History== |
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TSA was developed and is run by [[Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing]]. It was developed to help universities assess whether applicants have the skills and aptitudes considered essential for Higher Education study. |
TSA was developed and is run by [[Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing]]. It was developed to help universities assess whether applicants have the skills and aptitudes considered essential for Higher Education study. Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing produces and distributes practice materials, including specimen questions and past papers, on their website. |
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The test was first introduced for undergraduate entry to the [[University of Cambridge]] in 2001 and was used as part of the admissions process for a number of undergraduate courses. It is currently used for application to the Land Economy course only.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/land-economy|title=Land Economy |
The test was first introduced for undergraduate entry to the [[University of Cambridge]] in 2001 and was used as part of the admissions process for a number of undergraduate courses. It is currently used for application to the Land Economy course only.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/land-economy|title=Land Economy|date=17 July 2017|website=Undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk|accessdate=2018-05-30}}</ref> |
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In 2007, the [[University of Oxford]] introduced TSA as part of its admissions process for [[Philosophy, Politics and Economics]] (PPE). At this stage, the test was known as the ‘PPE Admissions Test’. The use of TSA was extended for entry to Economics and Management in 2008; to Experimental Psychology, and Psychology and Philosophy in 2009, |
In 2007, the [[University of Oxford]] introduced TSA as part of its admissions process for [[Philosophy, Politics and Economics]] (PPE). At this stage, the test was known as the ‘PPE Admissions Test’. The use of TSA was extended for entry to Economics and Management in 2008; to Experimental Psychology, and Psychology and Philosophy in 2009, Geography, Philosophy and Linguistics, and Psychology and Linguistics in 2012, and in 2015 to Human Sciences. Since 2016, candidates applying for Chemistry have been required to sit a version of TSA consisting of Section 1 of the test only (TSA S1), with History and Economics requiring the same from 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.admissionstesting.org/images/302047-courses-requiring-tsa-oxford.pdf|format=PDF|title=Courses requiring TSA Oxford : Candidates intending to apply for entry to one of the following courses at the University of Oxford are required to take TSA|website=Admissionstesting.org|accessdate=2018-05-30}}</ref> |
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Since the 2008–09 application cycle, [[University College London]] has used TSA to assist in the selection of applicants to European Social and Political Studies (ESPS).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www. |
Since the 2008–09 application cycle, [[University College London]] has used TSA to assist in the selection of applicants to European Social and Political Studies (ESPS).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.admissionstesting.org/images/84739-courses-requiring-tsa-ucl-2015.pdf|format=PDF|title=Courses requiring TSA UCL : Candidates intending to apply for entry to one of the following courses at University College London (UCL) are required to take TSA|website=Admissionstesting.org|accessdate=2018-05-30}}</ref> |
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==Format== |
==Format== |
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TSA consists of two sections, |
TSA consists of one or two sections, depending on the university and course being applied for. Section 2 is used in addition to Section 1 by the University of Oxford for certain courses. |
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* Section 1 (90 minutes): 50 multiple-choice questions testing problem solving (including numerical and spatial reasoning) and critical thinking skills (including understanding argument and reasoning using everyday language). |
* Section 1 (90 minutes): 50 multiple-choice questions testing problem solving (including numerical and spatial reasoning) and critical thinking skills (including understanding argument and reasoning using everyday language). |
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* Section 2 (30 minutes): Candidates must answer one essay question from a choice of four (questions are not subject specific). It tests the ability to organise ideas in a clear and concise manner, and communicate them effectively in writing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www. |
* Section 2 (30 minutes): Candidates must answer one essay question from a choice of four (questions are not subject specific). It tests the ability to organise ideas in a clear and concise manner, and communicate them effectively in writing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.admissionstesting.org/for-institutions/about-our-tests/thinking-skills-assessment/|title=Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) - Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing|website=Admissionstesting.org|accessdate=2018-05-30}}</ref> |
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==Scoring== |
==Scoring== |
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The multiple-choice answers (Section 1) are marked by [[Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing]] with 1 mark available per question. Final scores are calculated to one decimal place on the TSA scale (running approximately 0–100) using the [[Rasch model|Rasch]] statistical technique. |
The multiple-choice answers (Section 1) are marked by [[Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing]] with 1 mark available per question. Final scores are calculated to one decimal place on the TSA scale (running approximately 0–100) using the [[Rasch model|Rasch]] statistical technique. |
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The writing task component of TSA (Section 2) used by the University of Oxford is reviewed by admissions tutors.<ref name="admissionstestingservice.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.admissionstestingservice.org/for-test-takers/thinking-skills-assessment/tsa-oxford/scoring-and-results/|title=Scoring and results - TSA Oxford - Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing|website= |
The writing task component of TSA (Section 2) used by the University of Oxford is reviewed by admissions tutors.<ref name="admissionstestingservice.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.admissionstestingservice.org/for-test-takers/thinking-skills-assessment/tsa-oxford/scoring-and-results/|title=Scoring and results - TSA Oxford - Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing|website=Admissionstesting.org|accessdate=2018-05-30}}</ref> |
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==Timing and results== |
==Timing and results== |
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For University College London (UCL), TSA is taken during the interview stage. It is administered as a paper-based test. UCL admissions interviews are held on specific dates from December to March. Results are reported to the university only. |
For University College London (UCL), TSA is taken during the interview stage. It is administered as a paper-based test. UCL admissions interviews are held on specific dates from December to March. Results are reported to the university only. |
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===University of Cambridge=== |
===The University of Cambridge and The University of Oxford=== |
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For the University of Cambridge |
For the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford, TSA is held in late October/early November as a pre-interview, paper-based test taken at schools, colleges or authorised test centres globally. Results are issued in mid-January of the following year, via Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing’s [https://results.cambridgeassessment.org.uk/candidates/controller/open/login.html results online portal]. |
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===University of Oxford=== |
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For the University of Oxford, TSA is held at the beginning of November as a pre-interview, paper-based test taken at schools, colleges or authorised test centres globally. Results are issued in mid-January of the following year, via Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing’s website.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://results.cambridgeassessment.org.uk/candidates/controller/open/login.html|title=Results Online: Candidates|first=Cambridge Assessment, IM New Media|last=Team|website=Results.cambridgeassessment.org.uk|accessdate=18 September 2017|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042025/https://results.cambridgeassessment.org.uk/candidates/controller/open/login.html|archivedate=4 March 2016|df=}}</ref> |
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==Usage== |
==Usage== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* [http://www. |
* [http://www.admissionstesting.org/for-test-takers/thinking-skills-assessment/ Official website] |
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{{University admissions tests in the United Kingdom}} |
{{University admissions tests in the United Kingdom}} |
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Revision as of 09:26, 30 May 2018
The Thinking Skills Assessment (also known as TSA) is a generic admissions test, which is used as part of the admissions process for entry to some undergraduate courses at the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford and University College London.
History
TSA was developed and is run by Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing. It was developed to help universities assess whether applicants have the skills and aptitudes considered essential for Higher Education study. Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing produces and distributes practice materials, including specimen questions and past papers, on their website.
The test was first introduced for undergraduate entry to the University of Cambridge in 2001 and was used as part of the admissions process for a number of undergraduate courses. It is currently used for application to the Land Economy course only.[1]
In 2007, the University of Oxford introduced TSA as part of its admissions process for Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE). At this stage, the test was known as the ‘PPE Admissions Test’. The use of TSA was extended for entry to Economics and Management in 2008; to Experimental Psychology, and Psychology and Philosophy in 2009, Geography, Philosophy and Linguistics, and Psychology and Linguistics in 2012, and in 2015 to Human Sciences. Since 2016, candidates applying for Chemistry have been required to sit a version of TSA consisting of Section 1 of the test only (TSA S1), with History and Economics requiring the same from 2017.[2]
Since the 2008–09 application cycle, University College London has used TSA to assist in the selection of applicants to European Social and Political Studies (ESPS).[3]
Format
TSA consists of one or two sections, depending on the university and course being applied for. Section 2 is used in addition to Section 1 by the University of Oxford for certain courses.
- Section 1 (90 minutes): 50 multiple-choice questions testing problem solving (including numerical and spatial reasoning) and critical thinking skills (including understanding argument and reasoning using everyday language).
- Section 2 (30 minutes): Candidates must answer one essay question from a choice of four (questions are not subject specific). It tests the ability to organise ideas in a clear and concise manner, and communicate them effectively in writing.[4]
Scoring
The multiple-choice answers (Section 1) are marked by Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing with 1 mark available per question. Final scores are calculated to one decimal place on the TSA scale (running approximately 0–100) using the Rasch statistical technique.
The writing task component of TSA (Section 2) used by the University of Oxford is reviewed by admissions tutors.[5]
Timing and results
University College London
For University College London (UCL), TSA is taken during the interview stage. It is administered as a paper-based test. UCL admissions interviews are held on specific dates from December to March. Results are reported to the university only.
The University of Cambridge and The University of Oxford
For the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford, TSA is held in late October/early November as a pre-interview, paper-based test taken at schools, colleges or authorised test centres globally. Results are issued in mid-January of the following year, via Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing’s results online portal.
Usage
The exact use of results varies between the subjects which use the test, and candidates need to refer to their chosen course for precise details.[5]
See also
References
- ^ "Land Economy". Undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk. 17 July 2017. Retrieved 2018-05-30.
- ^ "Courses requiring TSA Oxford : Candidates intending to apply for entry to one of the following courses at the University of Oxford are required to take TSA" (PDF). Admissionstesting.org. Retrieved 2018-05-30.
- ^ "Courses requiring TSA UCL : Candidates intending to apply for entry to one of the following courses at University College London (UCL) are required to take TSA" (PDF). Admissionstesting.org. Retrieved 2018-05-30.
- ^ "Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) - Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing". Admissionstesting.org. Retrieved 2018-05-30.
- ^ a b "Scoring and results - TSA Oxford - Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing". Admissionstesting.org. Retrieved 2018-05-30.