TARA vs TSA

TARA replaced the TSA. Old TSA papers are still good practice, but the modules, essay and score scale have changed.

Download the PDFBy Shrey, Cambridge studentUpdated 8 Oct 2026

What changed

Feature	TARA	TSA archive
Multiple choice	$22$ Critical Thinking in $40$ min, then $22$ Problem Solving in $40$	$50$ mixed questions in $90$ minutes
Writing	One of three prompts, $40$ minutes, up to $750$ words	One of four prompts, $30$ minutes
Delivery	Computer, with an erasable booklet	Paper
Scoring	Separate $1.0$ to $9.0$ scores; writing unscored	Does not convert to TARA

The pace per question is almost the same, about $109$ seconds. But in TARA, time left in Critical Thinking cannot help Problem Solving.

Turn a TSA paper into TARA practice

Split it into Critical Thinking and Problem Solving sets.
Stop each set at $22$ questions or $40$ minutes.
Read the PDF on screen and work on a separate sheet.
Write with the TARA essay rules.
Record raw marks and error causes. Do not convert them.

Worked example A relevant-selection problem that transfers

A hall has $240$ seats. $30$ are reserved. Of the $210$ sold tickets, $60\%$ are student tickets at £ $12$ and the rest are adult tickets at £ $18$ . Venue hire is £ $1,620$ and printing is £ $85$ . What is ticket revenue?

0.60(210)=126,\qquad 210-126=84

126(12)+84(18)=1512+1512=\boxed{3024}

Why this works: £ $3,024$ . The two costs do not matter.

Why the tempting route fails: Subtracting hire and printing gives profit, not revenue.

Turn any TSA paper into timed TARA sets

More free guides

All TARA guides Score interpreter Free diagnostic