TARA Test Format: Sections, Questions and Timing

Quick answer

The TARA lasts 120 minutes and has three compulsory 40-minute modules: Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and the Writing Task.

Critical Thinking section

The Critical Thinking section asks students to analyse arguments. Questions may involve identifying a conclusion, spotting an assumption, recognising a flaw, or deciding which evidence strengthens or weakens a claim.

This section rewards close reading. Many mistakes come from rushing past one word that changes the meaning of the argument.

Typical question types may ask students to:

• Identify the main conclusion
• Find an assumption the argument depends on
• Decide which statement best strengthens or weakens the reasoning
• Spot a flaw in the way a conclusion has been reached
• Draw the safest inference from a short passage

Problem Solving section

The Problem Solving section tests quantitative and logical reasoning. Students may need to interpret tables, compare quantities, work through constraints, or reason from a short scenario.

The section does not require advanced maths knowledge, but it does require accuracy, organisation and confidence working without a calculator.

Students often benefit from writing down intermediate steps clearly. In a timed reasoning test, messy working can create avoidable errors even when the underlying maths is simple.

Writing Task section

In the Writing Task, students choose one question from three prompts and write a response of up to 750 words. A strong answer usually has a clear position, sensible structure and balanced reasoning.

This part is not about memorising facts. It is about whether a candidate can build and communicate an argument.

A sensible 40-minute approach might look like this:

• Spend a few minutes choosing the prompt and planning the argument
• Write a short introduction that answers the question directly
• Develop two or three well-explained points
• Consider a meaningful objection or alternative view
• Leave a few minutes to reread and correct unclear sentences

What is allowed in the test?

Calculators and dictionaries are not permitted. Rough work is completed using the materials provided at the test centre.

What does the timing feel like?

The multiple-choice sections allow a little under two minutes per question on average. The Writing Task leaves enough time to plan, write and review, but only if the student keeps moving.

Candidates do not need to spend the same amount of time on every question. A better strategy is to answer accessible questions efficiently, flag harder ones in the test player and return if time allows. TaraPrep's free diagnostic uses the same timer, navigator and flag-and-review workflow for rehearsal.

Common format mistakes

• Assuming the test is subject-specific
• Spending too long on one multiple-choice question
• Treating the Writing Task as a knowledge essay instead of a reasoning exercise
• Practising untimed questions only, then being surprised by the pace of the real test

Official sources

• UAT-UK TARA overview and test format
• UAT-UK TARA content specification