Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions (TARA) - Question Guide - For October 2025 and January 2026

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by awa

Guide describing the structure and question formats of the Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions (TARA). The test is delivered as three separately timed online modules in sequence, with no returning to previous modules. Calculators and dictionaries are not permitted. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving each contain 22 multiple-choice questions with one correct answer and no penalty for incorrect responses. The Writing Task offers three prompts, candidates answer one, and responses must not exceed 750 words in 40 minutes.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages18

Reading Time45 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Structure of the TARA

Critical Thinking

Problem solving

Writing task

Critical Thinking: Evaluating Arguments

Features of arguments

Core skills and question types

TEST OF ACADEMIC REASONING FOR ADMISSIONS (TARA) Question Guide For assessment in October 2025 and January 2026 Introduction In this guide we will give you an overview of the TARA, the Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions , with examples of the types of questions it contains. What is the structure of the TARA? The TARA consists of three online modules which you will take in order. Each module is separately timed; you cannot return to a module once you have moved on to the next. Calculators and dictionaries are NOT permitted in any part of the TARA. The three modules of the TARA are: Critical Thinking This module is designed to test your ability to think critically. It comprises 22 multiple choice questions, each with five options, and you have 40 minutes to answer the module. There is only one correct answer to each question. Marks are not deducted for incorrect answers, so candidates should attempt all questions. Problem solving This module is designed to test your ability to solve novel problems. For this module you are expected to know some basic mathematics. The details of what you are expected to know are set out at the end of this document in an appendix. This module comprises 22 multiple choice questions, each with five options, and you have 40 minutes to answer the module. There is only one correct answer to each question. Marks are not deducted for incorrect answers, so candidates should attempt all questions. Writing task The Writing Task contains a choice of three questions, of which candidates must answer only ONE. Do NOT attempt to answer all three writing task questions. The questions will typically present a short statement, and candidates will be asked to explain what is meant by the statement, give a reasoned argument against the statement, and discuss the extent to which they agree with the statement. The time allowance for the Writing Task is 40 minutes, and the answer should not exceed 750 words. Critical Thinking Critical Thinking in the context of the TARA involves the evaluation of arguments. In an argument, reasons are put forward as grounds for a conclusion. The argument is a valid argument provided its conclusion follows logically from the reasons. That is to say, if you accept the reasons, you must accept the conclusion. For the purposes of this test, you should assume any reasons given in an argument are true. Here is an example of a simple argument: Helen promised she would attend the meeting or send a substitute. We know she can’t attend the meeting. So we are expecting a substitute. The structure of this argument is as follows: Reasons: Helen promised she would attend the meeting or send a substitute. We know she can’t attend the meeting. Conclusion: So we are expecting a substitute. In this case, the conclusion appears at the end of the argument, and is introduced by the word ‘so’. Sometimes a conclusion may be introduced by words such as ‘therefore’, ‘thus’, ‘it follows that’. However, sometimes a conclusion might not contain any such word. It is also important to note that a conclusion might appear at the beginning of, or in the middle of, an argument, rather than at the end. For example, the above argument could have been written in this way: We know Helen cannot attend the meeting. We are expecting a substitute. Helen promised she would attend the meeting or send a substitute. or in this way: We are expecting a substitute for Helen. We know she cannot attend the meeting, and she promised she would attend or send a substitute. In both these cases, ‘We are expecting a substitute (for Helen)’ is the conclusion, because it is the statement which follows from , or is supported by, the rest of the passage. Some arguments may omit a crucial stage in the reasoning – an assumption which must be made in order for the conclusion to follow. Here is an example: She doesn’t stand much of a chance. The polar bear is right behind her

FAQs

How is the TARA structured and timed?

The TARA has three online modules taken in order. Each module is separately timed, and you cannot go back to a previous module after moving on.

Are calculators or dictionaries allowed in the TARA?

No. Calculators and dictionaries are not permitted in any part of the TARA.

How does the Writing Task work?

You choose one of three writing prompts and answer only that one. The task allows 40 minutes and the response should not exceed 750 words.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by awa