How to Beat the TSA!!

[@kn1ght049]

I have my heart set on PPE at Jesus College Oxford and have done for about a year now. I'm still a year off applying but here I am to understand the TSA. I am literally doing everything I can think of to help me from many activities for my personal statement to now looking at the entrance requirements.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Thanks for your comment -- and best of luck!

[@Yas-zq4rk]

My marks have never exceeded over 55, and in timed conditions this usually decreases. It's a little worrying knowing that there are people achieving 60 or 70 and have been preparing with tutors for months to answer these sorts of questions. Oxford seems out of reach to me one day before the exam.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Try to stay positive. The test is not the only information we use to reach our admissions decisions. Note also it is extremely difficult to mark your own work. This is because the questions are weighted depending on how many people get them right. So you may in fact be getting more difficult questions correct and would therefore have a higher score than you’re able to calculate on your own.

[@ibrakhimbayezed5916]

The best teacher ever been💪💪💪 Thank for Allah, for such a great Teacher

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Thank you! You're very kind. Best wishes to you

[@elsaluvsnutella]

loving the abbey road album in the back

[@dauntless67]

Thank you very much Sir! A very useful set of videos that have comforted me a lot on the TSA. I'm still anxious about my assessment because of the online solution, but I'll give it my best.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Good luck with it!

[@diandram1884]

Thank you so much for your videos, they are so helpful!!

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Great! Thank you for your comment!

[@xy8804]

Just out of curiosity, what was the lowest TSA score a candidate that was nontheless interviewed had? Is it remotely possible that candidates with scores in the 50s/ lower 60s are interviewed or is there a definite cutoff?

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

There's no precise cut off. Every year candidates are shortlisted for interview, despite a poor performance on the TSA. This will usually be because of extenuating circumstances that impaired the test taking (such as being very ill on the test day), or systematic disadvantage (such as being in care, being on free school meals).

[@adamelliot2764]

Jesus College Oxford does being an active member of widening participation count?

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

@@adamelliot2764 That can be relevant in providing us with contextual information, yes. For instance, someone who has had sustained difficulties in their education that were beyond their control could not reasonably be expected to perform as well on the TSA.

[@xy8804]

Thank you so much for the videos! I have looked up some admission stats where it said that, for example, applicants scoring 70+ on the TSA were likely to be asked for an interview. This was for PPE which requires section 2. When referring to the TSA score in that context, do they include section 2 as well or only section 1? Is section 2 marked in the same scale/ score range as section 1?

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Section 2 is marked in a similar scale to section 1. 70> on an essay is exceptional (~15% of test takers will obtain such a mark). But the mark referred to as the threshold for interviews is for section 1.

[@Adam-hf7hn]

Will we be allowed scrap paper to write and work out our answers, even if it is on the computer this year?

[@josephhunter792]

on the admissions tests website it says we will be able to

[@emreucer1284]

The TSA videos have been really helpful. Thank you. If you have the time could you possibly make a similar video about preparing for the interviews? I am applying for E&M. Also, I am currently on a gap year. Do you think there is a high chance that I will be asked about my gap year plans during the interview?

[@levifreud4505]

In the same position - how you doing in TSA’s?

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Thanks Emre. Yes, I was planning to make an interview video, so watch this space! Re gap years, no, you're unlikely to be asked about your gap year plans. We are not particularly fussed what you do on your gap year. You may wish to tell the interviewers of any relevant super-curricular experiences you have in your gap year, but you're unlikely to be asked about them. For instance, if you're applying for E&M and you have some work experience of any description during the gap year, it may give some material to discuss either economics or management in context during your interview. But this is neither required nor expected.

[@valentinotalemo]

Thank you so much Sir 🙏🙌

[@user-cz7sb1ow5d]

May I ask a question regarding Interview invitation based on TSA scores- my current understanding is that students from disadvantaged backgrounds and state school students maybe invited to interviews (depending on situation)if TSA test scores are in the 60s range which I totally understand. My question is regarding independent school students, is there a general expectation of minimum TSA score ,without which an independent school student is unlikely to be invited to an interview (unless of course there are extenuating circumstances that may have impacted the TSA test on the day)? If so please can you advise what would a rough ball mark range be,perhaps mid 70s score etc? I totally understand that this will not be a fixed number as it will change year to year ,I am merely enquiring to gauge what I should be working towards. I go to an independent school for which I am very grateful & very privileged however not all independent schools are equal just as not all state schools are equal. I have friends who go to state schools in London who get a lot of oxbridge support and free mentoring where as my independent school offers very little if any support with oxbridge so your videos are a God send & I rely heavily on Oxford website and your videos for all the information I need.Thank you. Please advise.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Typically to be shortlisted you need to obtain a mark in the top quartile of marks for that year and cohort (i.e. top 25% of prospective PPE students in 2021). But, as you rightly mention, there can be extenuating circumstances. For instance, the test itself may be disrupted, you could be ill on the test day etc. If something like this happens, you need to contact the college admissions officer at the college you've applied to They will then pass it on to the tutors who will take it all into consideration. Key point is that school type is not the primary measure of relative privilege we use, because it's not very accurate. We use a composite metric that UCAS provides, and is far more accurate. Good luck!

[@laliakatchelewa6518]

So informative thank you!

[@orepharus]

Do you think I should apply next year ( currently in year 12)? For GCSEs I got 4,5,5,6-5,6,6,7,7 and my uni admissions teacher told me I shouldn’t bother even if I do get good enough predicted grades next year. I really want to do ppe at Oxford but I’ve always been a middle set student. I currently do Economics, Geography and Computer science

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

There may be good reasons for why your GCSEs are as they are. For example, sometimes people have various difficulties or distractions at that time of life. Or it could simply be that your academic awakening happened marginally later in life, which is not unusual. We can take some of this into consideration in the admissions process. If you were to apply, you would need to be on course to obtain the necessary grades in your A-levels, you would need to do some super curricular reading, and you would need to perform as well as possible on the TSA. But, it's certainly not impossible. And, I have admitted students with a relatively mixed bag of GCSEs, because they demonstrated excellent potential and because their GCSEs did not represent a lack of ability, but were indicative of other unrelated matters.

[@lucianviolante9369]

In the grading system of section 1 is the Score out of 50 simply multiplied by 2? Or are some questions weighted comparatively more than others? Thank you

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Questions are weighted depending on how many people get the answer right. For more difficult questions there is a higher weighting. It’s therefore impossible to accurately mark your own performance

[@ashsi9625]

Do you have a recommendation as to how to self improve? So far, I usually reflect on how I got an answer wrong by highlighting command words and the relevant section I should have used in my decision, but I feel like i'm wasting my time tbh.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Keep positive. The test is designed to be difficult and stretching. You're doing the right things by going through questions you find difficult and working out solutions. One less obvious way to improve performance that almost always works is to concentrate on your body as well as your mind. In other words, think about how much regular sleep you're getting. 7-8 hours a night, at the same times each night, is generally needed for top-flight academics. If you think about how much you're using your brain, if it was your legs after running a marathon you'd give them ample rest before running the next marathon. Also, think about nutrition. The brain is an energy-hungry organ. It needs lots of nutritious (vitamin-rich) food to operate well. And, finally, most people are perpetually dehydrated, which also impairs cognition. Are you drinking enough water each day?

[@ashsi9625]

@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 You're second point relates to me more since I haven't been doing any of those things (lol.) I think I am improving in general, however the maths and underlying assumption questions always seem to stump me.

[@emilygilbert2258]

Any tips on how I can conquer the maths? I haven’t done maths since gcse

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

If you haven't seen it already, I recommend this video on Section 1: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJK1YZuam52NnsU This covers several mathsy questions. You don't need anything more than GCSE Maths to perform well on the test. My general advice is to be methodical and work step by step through the puzzles. I explain what I mean in the video linked above. Best of luck!

[@Victor-mx6vs]

I would be at a great disadvantage if I took the test online - my cognitive energy would just decrease exponentially. Are there any tips for online exams?

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Contact your test centre urgently. I can't help with this, but there should be someone that can.

[@Victor-mx6vs]

@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 Umm, I think all TSA candidates have to take the test online in their chosen centre due to covid-19. Perhaps I am wrong?

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

@@Victor-mx6vs I think you're right on this. You'll need to contact your test centre as they may be able to provide you with extra time, a print out of the exam etc to help. You can also contact the college you're applying to with a letter from a teacher confirming the disadvantage of taking an online test. These extenuating circumstances can be factored into our admissions process.

[@Victor-mx6vs]

@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 I will do so, thank you very much!!!

[@Victor-mx6vs]

@Fraud Frog I sent an email a couple days ago but have yet to receive a reply. I have asked for a printed copy during the exam, but I unfortunately can't get extra time as I need a doctor's note saying I have a low attention span (It's honestly not that bad). I suspect everyone struggles with online exams too. Anyways, I'll tell you when I get a reply.

[@WooperPiano]

Hi, what would be a safe score out of 50 to be shortlisted for an interview? Would a score above 65 or perhaps 38/50 be sufficient?

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

It's difficult to say for sure, because the competitive scores change from year to year. Typically a score of 65> will be competitive.

[@longname6117]

If I score a very high mark in problem solving (say more than 80) Then sucked in critical thinking (like below 60) and averages out barely 70 Does that differ me from other candidates with both sections scoring 70-ish

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

We get both marks, so we can consider them separately. It may be that your application is seen as being particularly strong for economics/maths. We're not necessarily looking for all-rounders, so having some specialist skills will not necessarily be to your detriment.Overall, I can't tell you how tutors will react, because it will depend on the rest of your application, and the rest of the applying cohort.

[@MP-nl6he]

what sections do you take if you choose E&M?

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

You take all sections of the TSA. Sections 1 and 2.

[@MP-nl6he]

@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 Thankyou for getting back to me, it says on the website for undergraduate for E&M is only section 1 but thankyou for letting me know

[@hugohosman2219]

I usually get in the low seventies, how likely does that make me to get an interview for history and economics at oxford?

[@hugohosman2219]

that is only section 1, section 2 is not required

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

That sounds like a competitive mark, but it is essentially impossible to mark your own tests because each question is weighted according to the proportion of people that get it right. In other words, if a question can only be answered by 5% of test takers, it will be weighted far more than a question that near 100% get right. So the marking depends on each cohort that take the test. Anyway, it sounds like you're hitting the right level. Keep pushing. Work out which questions you find particularly difficult and concentrate on strategies to tackle those sorts of questions. Good luck!

[@hugohosman2219]

@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 thank you for your prompt response. Is there any way in which I can properly mark the past papers I have practiced?

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

@@hugohosman2219 No, I don't believe it's possible, without having marks from everyone else who took the test.

[@Otti-um2kv]

@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 Do you mean the difficulty is taken into account when constructing the scores for the overall mark on section 1, or that each question is worth a different number of marks depending on its difficulty? Also, do tutors look at the planning/notes sheet in section 2 (for example to see the plan of an unfinished essay) or only at the final essay? Thanks

[@Adam-hf7hn]

If I have extra time in the exam will the tsa allow this?

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

I believe so, yes. You'll need to contact your test centre about this.

[@Adam-hf7hn]

Jesus College Oxford thanks. Will do. Also will tsa tests be on computer this year? Would we able to print them as well so we can highlight etc?

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

@@Adam-hf7hn Yes, I believe they will be on computers this year. I'm afraid I don't know if you'll be able to have a print out. Again worth checking with your test centre. All best.

[@joshcomer1254]

Out of interest, how many ppe students get onto the course without doing a level maths?

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

About 10 to 15%. It varies year-on-year.

[@joshcomer1254]

@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 Oh right thankyou. Would you say a student stands in better stead taking maths at a level to get onto the course or is it all down to the individual?

[@india1846]

For E&M it says only section 1, is this right?

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Yes, I believe so. Please just check on the Oxford website if in doubt.

[@india1846]

@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 thankyou 🙏

[@milu6148]

I got 70.4 in timed conditions for the 2018 paper but I had to leave some blank (I wouldn’t do so in the actual exam but I didn’t want to give myself false marks). Is it designed so that it is supposed to be completed? As I am unsure how to do some of the maths questions so quickly. I worry that my score could potentially put me down a quartile by one mark or something like that, especially since previously in other papers I have scored around the mid to upper 60s.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

A mark in the high 60s/70s is good. Although, it's difficult to say which quartile this would translate to because that depends on how everyone else performs. The test is designed to be completed (albeit not easily), and it's suboptimal to leave questions unanswered. Even if you run out of time and need to rush a few questions, it is better to put an answer down than leave any blank answers. You're not penalised for wrong answers. So even utter guesses are better than leaving blank answers to questions. Although the test is designed to be completed, everyone gets something wrong. I can't recall ever seeing a perfect score amongst the 1000s of entries I've seen. So don't be concerned if you are not getting everything right.

[@eaint6889]

do you have the answer key to the 2018? the website didnt have it :/

[@HM-vj3tn]

@@eaint6889 the website does

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

I don't I'm afraid. I'm not sure why the answer key is not available online.

[@maggiema6470]

Is section 1 more or less important than section 2?

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Because section 1 is longer and tests more skills, it is typically assigned greater weight than section 2. That's not to say section 2 is not considered important, however.

[@maggiema6470]

@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 Thank You. When is comes to interview and offers what percentage do you say the TSA weight?

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

@@maggiema6470 It's impossible to say precisely, because the admissions tutors will weigh up all data they have on you -- school grades, TSA, personal statement, interview, teacher reference. But, the TSA is an important predictor of who is invited to interview in the first place. So in that sense it is an important and weighty piece of information. I hope this helps?

[@maggiema6470]

@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 yes it does, just one more question 😂sorry. Is it true that this year Oxford is taking more disadvantage students?

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

@@maggiema6470 We are making efforts year on year to encourage applications from disadvantaged students. But we don't have any fixed targets as to the numbers of disadvantaged students we take, and we cannot admit a student solely on the basis of their privilege.

[@foodisfood6110]

what about those who get special considerations? e.g extra time ? ( some dont actually need that much time in exams and its not exactly fair ) how do they make it fair for other normal students

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

There are allowances available for students with specific learning difficulties, such as dyslexia. Those students can apply via their schools for additional time. We will also know from the application form if a student has a learning difficulty and can factor that in when making admissions decisions. It is not unusual at all for students with learning difficulties to be offered places at Oxford and excel on course.

[@TimothyEdwards-gp2vd]

WASTE OF TIME...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!