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 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.
Advanced TSA Preparation 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.
TSA Essentials Course Outline
Day 1 - Introduction to the TSA
- Overview of different question types (Critical Thinking and Problem Solving).
- Overview of exam format and examiner expectations.
- Recommended resources and materials to help improve overall performance.
Day 2 - Practice questions of all types (Section 1)
- A closer look at each of the question types (Critical Thinking and Problem Solving).
- Attempts at small batches of questions under timed conditions to get a feel for speed and proper exam technique.
Day 3 – Challenging question types (Section 1)
- Review of challenging problems and question types.
- Group discussion to encourage sharing of helpful strategies and alternate approaches to difficult problems.
Day 4 - Essay (Section 2)
- Overview of typical essay titles.
- Overview of exam format and examiner expectations.
- Suggestions regarding format, structure, writing style and planning.
Day 5 – Essay practice and review (Section 2)
- Review of exemplar essays from previous years.
- Opportunity for timed practice and feedback.
Detailed feedback: An end of course report is sent on completion detailing the student’s achievements and areas for further work.
Advanced TSA Preparation Course Outline
Day 1 - Critical Thinking (Section 1)
- Deep dive into all of the critical thinking question types and strategies for each.
Day 2 - Problem Solving (Section 1)
- Taking a closer look at a range of numeric and spatial reasoning questions, and strategies for solving.
Day 3 - Timed practice and opportunity to go through unsolved problems (Section 1)
- Extended timed practice. Students will be asked to bring a list of their own challenging or unsolved problems to the discussion.
Day 4 – Improving your TSA essay (Section 2)
- How to write an effective and well-reasoned Section 2 essay.
- Planning tips and suggestions for more persuasive writing.
- Dealing with and responding to counterarguments.
Day 5 - Timed practice and opportunity for essay feedback (Section 2)
- Students will be asked to write a complete Section 2 essay (30 mins), which Callum will provide feedback on.
- Final questions relating to any aspect of the exam, from admin queries to specific TSA problems.
Detailed feedback: An end of course report is sent on completion detailing the student’s achievements and areas for further work.
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).
- Maximum Class Size: We teach in groups of no more than 10 with the average number in our classes being 5
- 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 in September 2023
- Session Length: Each session will be 2 hours long
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