We will be running two TSA Courses. One is designed to teach students the essentials to prepare for the TSA and one designed for students who are in the final stages of preparing for the TSA.
TSA Essentials Preparation Course
Course Description
This course is designed for students required to sit the TSA (Thinking Skills Assessment) as part of their university application: https://www.admissionstesting.org/for-test-takers/thinking-skills-assessment/
No prior experience of the exam is required. However, we would encourage beginner students to at least familiarise themselves with some past papers, to get a feel for the exam format and different question types.
Course Outline
Day 1 - Introduction to the TSA and Critical Thinking/Problem Solving.
- Review of different question types (verbal, numerical, spatial etc.) Overview of Section 1.
- Recommended reading/viewing.
Day 2 - Practice questions of all types (Section 1), initially without time restraint.
- Later, attempts at batches of questions under timed conditions to get a feel for speed and how to apply exam technique.
Day 3 - Timed Assessment (Section 1).
- Review of challenging problems with group discussion of useful strategies and alternate approaches.
Day 4 - Essay section - essay plans.
- With a focus on directly answering the question and creating a compelling argument.
- Practice essay under timed conditions.
Day 5 - Timed essay feedback and review of exemplar essays written by students from previous years.
Advanced TSA Preparation Course
Course Description
This course is designed for students who are already familiar with the TSA and its requirements. Ideally students will have completed several practice papers already and will be finalising their preparation for the exam in November. This course is suited to students who are looking to increase their TSA scores. We will do a deep dive on all question types and Callum will provide tips, tricks and strategies to increase speed and efficiency. Callum will also provide feedback on a Section 2 essay.
Course Outline
Day 1 - Critical Thinking
A deep dive into all of the critical thinking question types and strategies for each.
Day 2 - Problem Solving
A closer look at a range of numeric/spatial reasoning questions, and strategies for solving.
Day 3 - Timed practice and opportunity to go through unsolved problems
Opportunity to complete a Section 1 paper. Students will be asked to bring a list of their own challenging or unsolved problems to the discussion.
Day 4 - Section 2 - Structuring and crafting of an argument
How to write an effective Section 2 essay with conviction. Planning strategies and advice on how to use evidence effectively.
Day 5 - Section 2 - Timed practice and opportunity for essay feedback/marking
Students will be asked to write a complete Section 2 essay, which Callum will provide feedback on. There will also be an opportunity for any questions relating to any aspect of the exam, from general admin queries to specific problems.
Course Tutor
Callum has been coaching students in the TSA and other Critical Thinking Assessments for the past four years. He has delivered this course in previous years, and has worked with a number of students who have been successful in these exams. Many have been invited to interview and ultimately offered places at their chosen institution. Callum has experience tutoring both sections of the exam, and has worked with students preparing for TSA Oxford (Section 1 and 2), TSA Cambridge (Land Economy, Section 1 only), and TSA UCL (ESPS, ISPS).
Course Details
- Maximum Class Size: 7
- Platform: Lessons will take place on Zoom, which is free and straightforward for students to use. A link will be sent out ahead of the course start date. Take a look at this video to see our online teaching in action.
- Age group: Year 13
- Session Length: Each session will be 2 hours long
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