Key Considerations to Keep in Mind for TSA 2025 Preparation (Oxford)

N.B. The following dates are projected based on the standard TSA cycle pattern (e.g., 2024 cycle: registration 15 August – 4 October, test 24 October). For the most accurate scheduling, monitor updates on the official TSA Oxford website (ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/guide/admissions-tests/tsa) as the 2025 testing window approaches.

UCAS Integration: Ensure you input your UCAS Personal Identifier number into your TSA registration profile to link your test results to your Oxford application. You must sit the TSA before the UCAS deadline of 15 October 2025 for early applicants, typically on a fixed date in late October (projected as 23 October 2025). Results are sent directly to Oxford, so timing must align with this deadline, whether you submit your UCAS form before or after registering for the test.

One Attempt Rule: You are permitted to take the TSA only once per testing cycle, spanning from 1 September 2025 to 31 July 2026. A second attempt within the same cycle will be deemed invalid. Your TSA results are valid solely for the 2026 university entry year (Autumn 2026) and cannot be carried over to subsequent cycles.

Special Cases: For Oxford’s standard undergraduate courses requiring the TSA (e.g., PPE, Psychology), the testing schedule is uniform. Special arrangements (e.g., extra time for disabilities) may adjust your experience but not the test date. Always confirm specific requirements with Oxford’s admissions office, though the standard TSA timeline applies universally across its courses.

Book Early: Testing slots at Pearson VUE centres tend to fill quickly, particularly as the registration deadline approaches (projected as 3 October 2025). Scheduling your test slot in August or early September 2025, when registration opens (projected 15 August 2025), ensures greater flexibility and availability, allowing you to secure a convenient location and avoid last-minute stress.

Check University Deadlines: Oxford sets the TSA deadline as part of its application process, requiring completion on the designated test date, projected as 23 October 2025. This ensures scores are available for shortlisting before the UCAS deadline of 15 October 2025 for early applicants (Oxford interviews occur in December). Always verify the exact test date and registration cutoff with Oxford via ox.ac.uk, as minor adjustments may occur for the 2025 cycle.

Preparation: Official TSA practice materials, including past papers from 2008 and a specimen test, are available year-round on the Oxford TSA website (ox.ac.uk). A 2025-specific online practice test may be released by mid-2025—start familiarising yourself early. The TSA comprises Section 1 (90 minutes, 50 multiple-choice questions on problem-solving and critical thinking) and, for some courses like PPE, Section 2 (30 minutes, a writing task). No major format changes are confirmed for 2025, so past papers remain highly relevant—practice under timed conditions to build speed and accuracy.