Old TSA papers, TARA timing
TSA Section 1 and TARA timing
TSA Section 1 50 questions · 90 min · 108s each
TARA 22 + 22 questions · 40 + 40 min · about 109s each
The pace per question hardly changes. What changes is that time left in Critical Thinking cannot be spent on Problem Solving, so each set below runs on its own 40-minute clock.
Choose a set
TSA Section 1 paper
Problem Solving · TSA 2023
22 questions · 40 minutes
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Extra Problem Solving questions for later: Q46, Q48, Q50.
Are TSA past papers still useful for TARA?
Yes, for reasoning practice. UAT-UK says TARA's Critical Thinking and Problem Solving modules share a common history with TSA and BMAT Section 1, and links the old papers from its TARA preparation page. They are not TARA papers: there are no released TARA past papers, and the old papers mix both question types on one clock.
How were the questions split into Critical Thinking and Problem Solving?
By what each question asks you to do. Argument questions (main conclusion, assumption, flaw, strengthen or weaken, principle, parallel reasoning, what follows) are Critical Thinking. Calculation, data, spatial and procedure questions are Problem Solving. Every paper from 2008 to 2023 splits 25 and 25. Each set uses the first 22 of one type, and the other three are listed as extras.
Can I turn my mark into a TARA score?
No. TARA reports Critical Thinking and Problem Solving separately on a 1.0 to 9.0 scale, set after each sitting, and UAT-UK publishes no conversion from raw marks. Old TSA questions add a second unknown. Use the mark to find question types to fix, and your pace against the clock.
Why does each set get 40 minutes?
TARA gives 22 multiple-choice questions in 40 minutes for Critical Thinking and the same for Problem Solving, each on its own clock. That is about 109 seconds a question, almost the same as TSA Section 1's 108 seconds (50 questions in 90 minutes).
Sources
- UAT-UK, TARA preparation materials: TSA Section 1 papers and answer keys (checked 26 September 2026)
- UAT-UK, TARA test format (checked 26 September 2026)
- TSA 2023 Section 1 question paper (UAT-UK)