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Test of Mathematics for University Admission

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The Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA) is a test used by universities in the United Kingdom to assess the mathematical thinking and reasoning skills of students applying for undergraduate mathematics courses or courses featuring mathematics like Computer science or Economics. It is usually sat by students in the UK, however students applying from other countries will need to do so as well if their university requires it. A number of universities across the world accept the test as an optional part of their application process for mathematics-based courses.[1] The TMUA exams from 2017 were paper-based, however since 2024 it has transitioned to being adminstered through a computer, where applicants may use an Whiteboard notebook to write their working out.

History

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The test was developed by Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing and launched in 2016. It was designed to assess the key skills that students need to succeed on demanding university-level mathematics courses, and assist university mathematics tutors in making admissions decisions.[2]

Durham University[3] and Lancaster University[4] began using the test in 2016, with the University of Warwick,[5] the University of Sheffield[6] and the University of Southampton recognising the test in 2017, and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)[7] and Cardiff University in 2018 [8]

Research indicates that the test has good predictive validity, with good correlation between candidates' scores in the test and their performance in their exams at the end of first year university study. There is also correlation between A-level Further Maths performance and performance in the test.[2]

Changes

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Before 2024, the test was administered by Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing, but since the 2024 round, it has been adminstered by Pearson Vue instead. Candidates now complete the exam in a Pearson test center, when the previously would have sat the test at their school or at a registered test centre. Under the new format, mathematical working is completed in booklets of laminated paper using whiteboard markers, where candidates may request new booklets for writing in when needed.

Test format and specification

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The Test of Mathematics for University Admission is a paper-based 2 hour and 30 minute long test, which is to be completed without dictionaries or calculators. It has two papers which are taken consecutively:

Paper 1: Mathematical Thinking
Paper 1 has 20 multiple-choice questions, with 75 minutes allowed to complete the paper. This paper assesses a candidate’s ability to apply their knowledge of mathematics in new situations. It comprises a core set of ideas from Pure Mathematics. These ideas reflect those that would be met early on in a typical A Level Mathematics course: algebra, basic functions, sequences and series, coordinate geometry, trigonometry, exponentials and logarithms, differentiation, integration, graphs of functions. In addition, knowledge of the GCSE curriculum is assumed.[9]

Paper 2: Mathematical Reasoning
Paper 2 has 20 multiple-choice questions, with 75 minutes allowed to complete the paper. The second paper assesses a candidate’s ability to justify and interpret mathematical arguments and conjectures, and deal with elementary concepts from logic. It assumes knowledge of the Paper 1 specification and, in addition, requires students to have some knowledge of the structure of proof and basic logical concepts.

Scoring

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There is no pass/fail for the test, however a higher score will generally improve the candidate's chances of being admitted to their university of choice. Candidates’ scores is the total number of correct answers given in both papers. As it is multiple choice, working out is not counted. Each question has the same weighting, and no penalties are given for incorrect answers. Raw scores are converted to a scale of 1.0 to 9.0 (with 9.0 being the highest). A score is also reported for each of the two papers (also reported on the 1.0 to 9.0 scale), but these are for candidate information only and do not form part of the formal test result.[10][unreliable source?]

Timing and results

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Since 2024, the test is made available twice a year, first in late October or early November and secondly in January (Previously, it used to be just in October). Entry for the test typically opens in September and candidates must be registered by early October. Results are released in late November. Candidates can access their results online and share them with their chosen institutions.

Preparation

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Students generally spend several weeks preparing for the TMUA exam. There are various different preparation materials available for students wanting to get ready for the exam such as textbooks, courses and online materials.[11] Completing past papers is generally agreed to be a highly effective means of preparing for the test, as they are directly representative of what the exam is like. The past papers are freely available from the exam administrator, and various other sources. Answer keys are also released alongside TMUA past papers.[12]

References

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  1. ^ [1] http://www.admissionstesting.org/images/302050-courses-accepting-test-of-mathematics-for-undergraduate-admissions.pdf retrieved 20 October 2018
  2. ^ a b [2] Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing. (2019) Test of Mathematics of University Admission trial – Durham University 2015. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge Assessment. retrieved 14 April 2019
  3. ^ [3] How to Apply, University of Durham website. Retrieved 19 April 2019
  4. ^ [4] Our Offers, Lancaster University website. Retrieved 19 April 2019
  5. ^ [5] MAT, TMUA and STEP, the University of Warwick website. Retrieved 19 April 2019
  6. ^ [6] Further Mathematics A Level, TMUA and STEP, The University of Sheffield website. Retrieved 19 April 2019
  7. ^ [7] Admissions Information, LSE website. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  8. ^ [8] Qualifications accepted by Cardiff University, Cardiff University website. Retrieved 19 April 2019
  9. ^ [9] Test of Mathematics for University Admission - Specification for October 2018 retrieved 22 April 2019
  10. ^ "TMUA Scoring: What Is A Good TMUA Score?". UniAdmissions: The Oxbridge Experts. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  11. ^ "TMUA Tuition Programme". UniAdmissions: The Oxbridge Experts. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  12. ^ "TMUA Past Papers Collection (2016 - 2021)". Exams Ninja. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
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