TARA Past Papers and Free Practice Resources

Where to find TARA practice papers

Start with the official UAT-UK preparation materials. UAT-UK links to two TARA practice tests on Pearson VUE and provides archives of TSA and BMAT Section 1 papers. The Pearson tests reproduce the TARA test format and software; the older archives are papers from different tests with overlapping reasoning skills.

Use this page to choose a resource for a specific purpose. For a week-by-week routine, follow the TARA preparation study plan.

Official practice tests and legacy past papers

Browse our complete TSA and BMAT Section 1 paper list and score calculator for direct links to every paper and answer key in the UAT-UK archive, organised by year.

UAT-UK makes the older papers available because the reasoning components share a common history. Keep the original test labels when saving or organising them: a TSA or BMAT paper is not a past TARA sitting. Check the current TARA format before deciding how to time a practice session.

Free worked TARA questions and an example essay

An answer key tells you which option is correct. A worked explanation helps you identify why you chose another answer and what to change next time. Use these original TaraPrep teaching resources for focused review:

• Critical Thinking practice questions and explanations: interactive examples covering all seven question types.
• Problem Solving practice questions and worked answers: one teaching example for each of the three question types, with arithmetic and reasoning shown.
• Writing Task example essay and commentary: an original response, a short plan and paragraph-by-paragraph teaching notes.
• TARA maths topics and no-calculator preparation: check the underlying skills before adding time pressure.

These are independent practice materials. They are not official test questions or calibrated predictions of exam difficulty.

Take a free TARA mock test

The free TaraPrep mock test lets you attempt all three modules or choose an individual module without creating an account. After finishing, review your Critical Thinking and Problem Solving answers. Saving results and using AI Writing Task feedback require an account, as explained in the test flow.

Use a first attempt to identify where to focus your practice. If you repeat a paper, remember that familiarity with its questions can improve your result without showing the same improvement on unseen material.

How to review a practice paper

1. Attempt the questions before opening the answer key or explanation.
2. Record questions you guessed correctly as well as those you got wrong.
3. Identify the cause: misunderstanding the task, choosing the wrong method, an arithmetic error or running out of time.
4. Write one change to try on the next question, such as checking units or stating the conclusion before reading the options.
5. Practise that skill on fresh questions, then return to a timed mixed set.

Keep a short error log with the resource name and question number so you can revisit your reasoning. Avoid treating a remembered answer as evidence that you have fixed the underlying mistake.

Choosing additional preparation

Before paying for another resource, decide what your current materials are missing: more unseen questions, fuller explanations, timed mocks or feedback on writing. Our TARA question-bank comparison compares publicly stated prices, resources and feedback options, with links to the providers.

Official resources

• UAT-UK TARA preparation materials and paper archives
• UAT-UK TARA overview

Last reviewed against official sources 8 September 2026.