Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions (TARA) Guide

How to register for the TARA

WHEN IS THE TARA IN 2025?

The first sitting of the new TARA will be on Wednesday the 15th and Thursday the 16th of October. The second sitting will be on Monday the 12th and Tuesday the 13th of January. Please be aware that if you are unavailable on these dates there is no way to change or make up the test, so do ensure that you clear your calendar for the relevant testing dates.

WHEN IS THE DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION?

The TARA, like many UK university Admissions Tests, requires applicants to register in advance of sitting the test. Applicants for the first sitting will have to register between the 31st of July and the 29th of September to be able to sit the test in October 2025 (although the deadline for many access arrangements is the 8th September, so be sure to register early if you’re likely to need special arrangements of any kind!).

Applicants wishing to sit the test in January 2026 must register between the 27th of October and 19th of December 2025. The deadline for access arrangements for January sittings is the 1st of December.

An applicant can register themselves on the UAT-UK website here. Simply follow all of the instructions, be sure to note down your candidate number, and select your test date and test centre. Since slots can get booked up, we recommend registering as far in advance as possible to give you the greatest likelihood of sitting the test on the date and at the test centre that best suits you.

If you’re struggling to keep on top of dates and deadlines, head to our website to download our free University Application Calendar, which features registration deadlines and test dates for all major UK admissions tests, as well as other key dates such as UCAS deadlines, interview dates, open days, and more.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO TAKE THE TARA?

UCL has confirmed that there will be a fee for the TARA, but has yet to specify the amount. Other UAT tests cost £75 for UK and Ireland applicants, and £130 for overseas students.

Tips for Success in the TARA

HOW CAN I PREPARE FOR THE TARA?

Since the TARA is a new test, practise materials are yet to be released through official channels. Official TARA practice tests will be available here from May 2025; until this point, the amount of preparation one can do is limited.

Whilst we wait for more official information, there are a few tips we can give you, based on other similar tests, which can help you improve the key skills that will be tested in the TARA:

1. Practise with TSA past papers and sample questions. The TSA is used for similar courses as those for which the TARA has been proposed, meaning the skills measures should be relatively similar. Check out our guide to the TSA for links to past papers and more top tips on preparing for critical thinking and quantitative reasoning admissions tests.
2. Practise with LNAT and UCAT papers. Whilst the LNAT and UCAT are designed for law and medicine-related courses respectively, they both have sections based on logic and reasoning which could be useful in preparation for the TARA.
3. Get used to UAT's online testing platform. Being prepared for the style and format of the test itself can make a huge difference when it comes to feeling relaxed and performing your best on the day of the test. That's why we recommend visiting this website and having a look at sample ESAT and TMUA papers.

WHAT IS THE BEST STUDY GUIDE FOR THE TARA?

Since there is not much information on the TARA, we cannot point you to a useful study guide or materials at this stage aside from those listed above. However, at Oxbridge Applications, we pride ourselves in providing up-to-date advice and unrivalled expertise; we will be updating this page as soon as we hear more information from UCL, UAT, or any other universities planning to use the TARA as soon as we hear it. 

If you are unsure about the TARA, or any other UK university admissions test, our expert consultants are ready and waiting to discuss your situation in a confidential, one-to-one consultation.

How to Pass the TARA?

The best advice we can offer to succeed the TARA exam is to begin exam preparation as early as possible and practise often.

START EARLY

Since no specific subject knowledge is required for the TARA, challenge yourself to begin working through similar past papers and familiarising yourself with critical and quantitative reasoning-style questions as soon as possible. Once the official TARA materials are released, work your way through any and all sample materials in order to get a feel for the test itself.

REFLECTION

Reflect on your personal strengths and weaknesses. No two students should have the same revision strategy for the TARA, since you all have varying abilities. Once sample materials are available, try to identify which parts of the paper you find easier and which you find more difficult; this should help you strategically plan your preparation.

DON'T RESTRICT YOUR PRACTICE MATERIALS

Don’t restrict your practice materials. Whilst official sample materials for the TARA (once released) will be the most accurate way to familiarise yourself with the test, there are plenty of other resources on which you can draw. As per the list in the above section, try looking into various other critical thinking and reasoning admissions tests, such as the TSA or certain sections of the LNAT and/or UCAT.

COLLABORATION 

Work with a friend or teacher to discuss questions and identify your own personal revision goals. Working with others can be a huge motivation and keep you on track in the weeks and months leading up to the test. We have specialist tutors who can work with you one-to-one to refine your test technique.