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Humanities & Social SciencesOxford · Cambridge · UCL · LSE

TARAThinking and Reasoning Assessment

Critical reasoning and analytical writing for Humanities applicants.

Duration
Two hours
Sections
Multiple choice reasoning + extended written response
Marking
Section A scored 1–9; Section B reviewed by tutors
Calculator
Not applicable
Who takes this

Who the TARA is for

Applicants for History, PPE, Law, English and related Humanities courses where critical reasoning is the discriminator.

Registration

When and where

Registration opens late August through your school or test centre. The test is sat in late October or early November.

Preparation timeline

Phase 01

Year 12 summer

Read broadly. Build a written argument every week.

Phase 02

Early Year 13

Drill critical reasoning question sets weekly.

Phase 03

Final month

Write three timed essays per week. Have each marked.

The syllabus

4 core areas

01.

Identifying assumptions

Spotting the unstated premise an argument depends on.

02.

Evaluating evidence

Distinguishing correlation, causation and anecdote.

03.

Constructing arguments

Structuring a persuasive case in 30 minutes.

04.

Engaging counter-arguments

Acknowledging and dismantling opposing views with care.

Strategy

Examination strategy

  • 01For Section A, identify the conclusion before reading the answer options.
  • 02For Section B, spend five minutes planning before writing a single sentence.
  • 03Read examiners' reports. the markers tell you exactly what they reward.
Common mistakes

What goes wrong

  • ·Writing an essay without a clear thesis in the first paragraph.
  • ·Using emotive language instead of precise reasoning.
  • ·Treating reasoning questions as comprehension. they are about logic, not summary.

Frequently asked

Is the TARA the same as the LNAT or TSA?+

It is closest in spirit to the TSA. Format details vary by university. always cross-check against the official admissions page.

Can I prepare in three weeks?+

Section A, partly. Section B requires weeks of regular writing practice and feedback.

Latest Update

Several Humanities entrance tests have been restructured since 2024. Confirm the test your target university now uses before committing to a preparation plan.

Ready to begin TARA?

Take the 20-minute diagnostic. receive a personalised report identifying your strongest and weakest topics.