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University Admissions

Interested in reading PPE at Oxford?

PPE at Oxford

The primary conviction undergirding PPE is the belief that learning great modern works of social, economic, political, and philosophical thought would not merely transform the intellectual lives of students, but positively impact nations and societies in turn. While students study all three subjects at the beginning of their degree, they may drop one later. Not surprisingly, PPE is a highly popular and extremely competitive programme of study. Nor can it be studied everywhere, especially as Cambridge does not have an exact equivalent.

Admissions Requirements for PPE

The entrance requirement for PPE at Oxford is AAA. While there are a range of subjects that prospective applicants will have studied at A-Level, the more customary subjects include (but are not limited to) Maths, Economics, History, Politics, and English Literature. If your school provides instruction in philosophy and theology these can also be suitable A Level choices.

 

Applicants are also required to take the TSA, which is a Thinking Skills Assessment. The TSA is a computer-based test divided into two parts. Part 1 is a 90-minute, multiple-choice test that measures problem-solving skills, including numerical reasoning, as well as critical thinking skills, which includes understanding of arguments and reasoning using everyday language. Part 2 is a writing task, that aims to evaluate one’s capacity to order ideas in a concise and clear way and communicating them effectively in writing. Questions for Part 2 are not subject-specific, and applicants must answer one question from amongst four options.

Which Colleges Offer PPE at Oxford?

Almost every college at Oxford offers PPE. The intake for each college can differ however, with some colleges only admitting two or three PPE students a year, while others may admit as many as ten or more. While it’s vitally important that applicants put time into thinking about which college suits them personally, it is also necessary to consider which college one may have a stronger chance of admittance, as some colleges will be oversubscribed for PPE.

Top Tips for Getting into PPE

More than 2,000 people apply to read PPE at Oxford each year. Of those, roughly 30% (or 700) are shortlisted for college interviews and roughly 11% (250) are offered places. As such, the need to excel in every aspect of your application is of paramount importance, which includes everything from crafting your UCAS statement to making your college choice, TSA practice and conducting interview preparations.

 

At Think Tutors, our team of remarkable, industry-leading professional tutors, consultants, and education directors are expertly equipped to help optimise your potential. Many of our team have studied at Oxford and include successful PPE graduates. Together we can partner to help you or your child to excel in every aspect of the admissions process.

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University Admissions

What to expect from medical school interviews?

Interviews for medical school are broadly split into two very different formats. The traditional, panel based interviews and Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) type interviews.

Panel Interviews

Panel interviews generally involve between two and four panel members quizzing you for 20 minutes to half an hour.  Panel members will range from senior doctors and nurses to junior doctors and sometimes even medical students themselves. Panel interviews will focus on your motivation for studying medicine, your reason for choosing that university and your specific qualities that make you suitable to study medicine.

Multiple Mini Interviews

MMI interviews involve a selection of short, one on one interviews undertaken on a circuit of interview stations. Some of the MMI stations will focus on similar aspects to a panel interview but some stations will be task focused and involve mental maths calculations, role play simulation and ethical discussions. MMI interviews are generally much longer than panel interviews and can last over an hour.

 

MMI interviews are generally considered a fairer assessment of candidates as you are given more opportunity to sell yourself and your overall score will be based on the opinion of a wider group of people. On the other hand, MMI interviews can be more gruelling and require you to stay focused and alert for far longer.

How can I prepare for medical school interviews?

Regardless of where you apply, there are some key tips to help you maximise your changes of acing the interview:

 

  • Understand the universities course structure and be able to talk about why you want to attend that specific university.
  • Reflect on your work experience. Think of things you saw that you felt were examples of good qualities in a doctor.
  • Read the news. The NHS is constantly in the news and being informed about current issues stories will help you demonstrate your interest in being part of the medical profession.
  • Read the GMCs “Good medical practice” which outlines the qualities that UK doctors should have.
  • Know your ethics. A classic interview question is asking you to evaluate an ethical situation in medicine and so it is essential to know your beneficence form your non-maleficence.

Contact Us

If you have been invited to a medical school interview, pat yourself on the back because many people don’t make it this far. Interviews can be hugely daunting, and it sometimes feels like they could ask you any question under the sun. Luckily, with enough preparation and the right knowledge you will have all the tools you need to show them why you would make a brilliant junior doctor.

 

For any help and support with the application and interview process including arranging mock interviews and practice stations, please contact us.

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University Admissions

How to prepare for the UCAT exam

You should start preparation for the UCAT exam between two and three months before your exam date. On average you should spend between four and six hours a week on your revision and this will naturally increase the closer you get to the exam.  Here are some simple ways in which you can structure your preparation for the UCAT.

Understand the Structure

The UCAT exam is a two hour exam split into five sections. The first four of which give you a score out of 900. Each of these four sections are worth the same number of points and the average of these scores will become your final score. The last section, a Situational Judgement Test (SJT) is graded between bands 1-4 with 1 being the best and 4 being the worse. Each final score will therefore be a score out of 900 and a banding for section 5 (SJT). E.g. 759 – Band One.

 

Learn the Theory

One of the most challenging aspects of UCAT preparation is working out where to begin. Each section tests a different mental skill and it can be daunting trying to work out exactly what each question is asking. This is especially important for the SJT section. To ace this part of the UCAT you have to understand the rules and regulations that govern how doctors work and the ethical principles on which all medical decisions are based. This is where tutoring can be incredibly useful as our tutors can help you navigate this maze and make sense of each UCAT section. We can help you understand the variations on each question type.

Reflect on your Mistakes

One of the most challenging aspects of UCAT preparation is working out where to begin. Each section tests a different mental skill and it can be daunting trying to work out exactly what each question is asking. This is especially important for the SJT section. To ace this part of the UCAT you have to understand the rules and regulations that govern how doctors work and the ethical principles on which all medical decisions are based. This is where tutoring can be incredibly useful as our tutors can help you navigate this maze and make sense of each UCAT section. We can help you understand the variations on each question type.

Finesse your Exam Technique

The best advice I received before taking the UCAT exam was to practice under exam conditions. That meant, phone away, use the computer calculator and keep my timing strict. The more you practice under exam conditions, the fewer surprises you’ll get on the day. One of the easiest ways to drop points on the day is to run out of time on a section because you’re not used to doing questions under the right time pressure.

Take Mock Exams

A big challenge of the UCAT exam is sustaining focus for two hours straight. In the three weeks before your exam you should practice running through whole past papers under exam conditions. The more of these you do, the fewer surprises there will be on the day and the less mentally tiring the exam will be.

Contact Think Tutors

Overall, with the right planning and tailored practice you can shift the UCAT from being a source of anxiety and stress to being a huge asset for your medicine application. Having a UCAT tutor can go a long way to helping ease this burden and provide personalised support that is tailored to the unique way in which each student thinks. If you would like to learn more about how a UCAT tutor can help achieve your goals, please contact us.

 

 

 

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University Admissions

Writing a personal statement for medical school

Structure

While every personal statement will be different, most will have a recognisable structure. Contained in your 4000 characters will be the answers to the following three questions.

 

  1. What qualities do you possess that will make you a safe, ethical and professional doctor? These are you attributes.
  2. What is it about medicine that attracts you? This is your motivation.
  3. What have you done to understand the world you’re trying to join? This is your perception of medicine.

 

Each paragraph of your personal statement should answer one of the three questions above. For any support or help in navigating this process including tuition for UCAT and BMAT exams, interview preparation please do contact us.

Content

The content of your personal statement is, as it’s title suggests, personal.  This is a good thing as it gives you a certain degree of flexibility and the opportunity to speak honestly about yourself. While the words you put to paper are your own, you would be foolish not to reference these key personal statement topics.

 

Why you want to be a doctor. This is generally how students will begin their personal statements and there is nothing wrong with that. Everyone will have a different motivation to study medicine and you do not have to have a challenging personal experience to justify you application. If you simply find the combination of biology and human interaction interesting then say that. Equally, if you were inspired by seeing an impressive doctor at some point then it is also ok to say this. As long as you are speaking truthfully it will come across in your personal statement and interview.

 

Work experience and volunteering. Work experience is an invaluable opportunity to see the reality of working in the NHS and you personal statement should rightfully highlight this. Crucially, your personal statement should not be a trophy room of various impressive shadowing opportunities you have completed. This doesn’t demonstrate why you would make a good doctor and whether you truly understand working in the NHS. Your work experience paragraph should instead focus on what you learnt and gained in your work experience. Was this watch an example of good communication skills? Was this a difficult ethical situation that you have reflected on?

 

Extracurricular activities. Being captain of you hockey team at school unfortunately does not automatically make you a good doctor. The key with your extracurricular achievements is to relate them back to important skills that doctors must have. For example, being calm under pressure or assessing and utilizing the different skills of a team.

 

Sometimes the hardest part of writing a personal statement is just getting started. Try writing some paragraphs on the topics listed above in as many words as it takes. Don’t worry about it being too long, it is always easier to cut it down afterwards.

Contact Think Tutors

If you need help from somebody who has written a successful personal statement before, or perhaps was involved in shortlisting candidates, please contact us.

 

We also offer tuition and expert advice on every major entrance exam, from Cambridge Law Test to the LNAT, MAT, STEP, BMAT, GAMSAT, UCAT, CAT, ELAT, GAA, HAT, PAT, MLAT, MML, OLAT, TSA and the Oxford Philosophy Test.

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University Admissions

Which medical schools should I apply to?

Start with the entry requirements

Close to 28000 students apply to study medicine in the UK each year. In order to help filter students each medical school will set its own entry criteria that students must meet in order to be considered for interview. This is usually a combination of GCSE grades, A level / IB predicted grades and the UCAT / BMAT score.

It is vital to understand the entry criteria as medical schools will not even look at your personal statement if you don’t meet their entry criteria. Conversely, understanding which medical schools you can apply to will help bring down the number of medical schools you need to research and choose between.

Research the shortlisting process

Unfortunately, meeting the entry criteria is not enough to be invited for an interview. For all students that meet the entry criteria, medical schools will then look at each students individual application (school grades, UCAT / BMAL score, personal statement, work experience) before shortlisting the top students for interview. Each university will have information on their website outlining their shortlisting process and which aspects of the application they rate the highest. No medical school is easy to get into but some the shortlisting process of some universities may play to your strengths more than others.

Understand the course design

Most medical schools combine classroom and lecture based learning with clinical placements where student learn on the job. The exact balance between clinical placements and lectures will vary between medical schools. If getting onto the wards as early as possible is important for you, consider universities like Nottingham that have clinical placements from Year 1. Conversely, if you are happier in a lecture hall or tutorial, universities like Cambridge or Oxford might interest you more.

Problem Based Learning

A minority of medical schools rely on Problem Based Learning (PBL) as a key teaching approach. PBL is a group based learning tool in which students are encouraged to do their own research and tackle problems in a small group environment with the help of an instructor. PBL isn’t for everyone and so knowing the medical schools that do and don’t use it is an important consideration.

Where do I want to live?

Does the idea of being at university 200 miles away from home sound like a nightmare? For many students, location plays a key role in choosing medical school as some students will be happy to compromise on certain aspects of a course if it means being close to home. If you don’t think you’re going to happy living in the city the medical school is based in then there is little point in applying.

To intercalate or not to intercalate?

Intercalation in the term for undertaking an additional, one-year science degree as part of you medical degree. Not all universities offer the chance to intercalate and an extra year at university means another year of student loans so whether you would want to intercalate should also be part of your process of choosing universities.

Contact Think Tutors

Whatever medical schools you settle on, remember to research the entry criteria, understand the shortlisting process, review the course structure, and ask an expert for some sound advice.

 

For any support or help in navigating this process including tuition for UCAT and BMAT exams, interview preparation please do contact us.

 

We also offer tuition and expert advice on every major entrance exam, from Cambridge Law Test to the LNAT, MAT, STEP, BMAT, GAMSAT, UCAT, CAT, ELAT, GAA, HAT, PAT, MLAT, MML, OLAT, TSA and the Oxford Philosophy Test.

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University Admissions

Top Tips for the UCAT Exam

The University Clinical Aptitude Test, or UCAT is a two hour online exam which acts as an entrance exam for many UK medical schools. Depending on which universities you hope to go to, achieving a high centile score can be the difference between being offered a place and not.

 

Preparing for the UCAT can take many hours and unfortunately revising is only half the battle, you still have to go out and sit the exam. Many students put hours and hours of work into past questions without giving any thought to the exam itself so here are five top tips in how to perfect your UCAT exam technique.

Timing is Key

The time allowance for each UCAT question is incredibly small. It is of the main reasons the UCAT is such a challenging exam. Given five minutes, most of us would be able identify the pattern and difference between two groups of shapes but doing in in under 15 seconds is a different matter. The timing per questions varies hugely between sections and it is critically important to know how much time you have per question in the real thing. The rough time per question in each section is as follows:

 

  • Verbal Reasoning: 44 questions in 21 minutes (28 Seconds per Q)
  • Decision making: 29 questions in 31 minutes (~1min per Q)
  • Quantitative Reasoning: 36 questions in 24 minutes (40 seconds per Q)
  • Abstract reasoning: 55 questions in 13 minutes (14 seconds per Q)
  • Situational judgement: 69 questions in 26 minutes (22 seconds per Q)

Get Comfortable with the Calculator 

The quantitative reasoning section of the UCAT relies on being able to do quick sums in your head. The more mental maths you can do, the less you’ll need the calculator and the more time you will have for the harder questions. Unfortunately, there will always be calculations you need to check or that you cannot do in your head. For these, the UCAT exam has a built in calculator much like the one on your computer. However, using this calculator is very different to using a hand held calculator or phone and is more time consuming. When you are practicing your quantitative reasoning questions, try using your computer’s calculator so that you can get comfortable using it quickly.

Practice Under Exam Conditions

The people that score the highest in the UCAT are not necessarily those that have worked the hardest, it’s those that have worked the smartest. The top decile students know what to expect on day of the exam and are not caught by surprise. The reason the there are no surprises for these students is that they have done their practice questions under exam technique. This means restricting yourself to the exact amount of time per question that you will have in the real exam.

Reset Between Sections

Some sections of the exam will be harder than others and you will never be equally strong at all sections. Remember, you final score is an average of all four sections. Try not to let one bad section throw you off your game. If you find that one section did not go as smoothly as you hoped, take a 10 second breather and reset, leave that section behind and focus on what’s ahead.

Use The Earplugs

Many exam centres in the UK will offer ear plugs to use when you take your exam. I would strongly recommend using these if you are offered. With the earplugs you can block out all the distracting noise to leave your brain 100% focused on each question. Like with every bit of UCAT preparation, don’t leave it to the day of the exam to try them out. Get some at home and try some practice questions with them in.

Contact Think Tutors

If you would like to learn more about how a private tutor can help you with your UCAT exam or medical school application, please do get in touch. We also offer tuition and expert advice on every major entrance exam, from Cambridge Law Test to the LNAT, MAT, STEP, BMAT, GAMSAT, UCAT, CAT, ELAT, GAA, HAT, PAT, MLAT, MML, OLAT, TSA and the Oxford Philosophy Test.

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GCSE

How To Help Your Child Excel in Their GCSEs or iGCSEs

The end of a child’s formative years of schooling, GCSEs and iGCSEs are taken when a student is in Year 11, and are often their first experience of major national exams.

 

At the core of a GCSE and iGCSE education is Maths, English and Science (Chemistry, Physics and Biology). The periphery is comprised of Geography, History, ICT, Religious Studies, Art, Music, Economics, Classics, Latin, Modern Languages and more. Students are expected to take between eight and ten, with the top students learning up to 12.

 

GCSEs and iGCSEs are a particular challenge because the breadth of material to be covered, and mastered, is always high. The purpose of this insight therefore is to simplify the route to success by shedding light on our top tips for helping children excel in their GCSEs.

 

With 100% success rate of grade improvement across the board at GCSE level, Think Tutors are expertly placed to deliver bespoke tuition to students of all abilities. Please contact us to find out how we could help your child.

Understand how they learn

Each child learns differently, so the first step to GCSE or iGCSE success is for them to work out how best they learn. While a visual learner might respond best to making mind maps, graphics and highlighting their notes in different colours, kinaesthetic learners may need case studies to demonstrate theories, and tangible examples to improve retention.

 

Understanding a learning style is based on not only a child’s cognitive approach, but also the environment they typically learn in. We are commonly asked questions such as: Can they work outside? Are typed notes better than written? How long should they spend revising? Our answer is always the same – it depends on the child’s learning style.

 

We recommend spending some time trying out different methods of learning, and enlisting the help of a mentor or tutor who has experience with a variety of learners. Think Tutors’ tutors and mentors all have at least 5000 hours experience, having tutored for over five years full-time.

Set Goals and Plan

Establishing sensible goals, planning how to achieve them and sticking to the plan is the next step to GCSE success. Whilst all top students know what they want to achieve, working out how to do it is often a challenge.

 

When it comes to goal setting, every student is different. What is important to remember is that an appropriate goal should be realistic, time-bound, achievable and measurable. Success is there to be celebrated and failure to be learnt from, so it’s vital to have an idea of where a student is.

 

With so many subjects to balance, planning is important both in the days, weeks and years leading up to coursework deadlines and final exams. When considering the entire year, our education consultants recommend using online calendars to your advantage, so you are aware of your child’s deadlines. In the months leading up to the exam or deadlines, create timetables which include regular testing, scheduled rest days and time to go back over learned material;  the more detailed the better.

 

It should go without saying that mental and physical health are to be prioritised – this can be achieved also with planning. We recommend that daily routines should encompass a healthy balance of physical, mental and academic stimulation. These are not only skills important for conquering GCSEs and iGCSEs, but also for any challenges which a student might face in the future.

Contact Think Tutors

Wherever a student’s starting place is, Think Tutors are willing and able to help. We are motived by the fact that every student can improve with the right support, and routinely demonstrate how elite professional tutors and expert mentors can offer bespoke solutions to suit each learner. Please get in touch if you would like you find out more.

 

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School Admissions

5 Top Tips for Online Independent School Interview Preparation

Pursuing independent school entrance requires a considerable level of organisation. With most families applying to three or more schools, the ISEB Pre-Test to consider, and entry points from 7 or 8 plus, to 11 plus, to 13 plus, parents are often challenged by the competing deadlines and overall intensity of the assessment process.

 

If your child is fortunate enough to reach the interview stage, a coveted place is within their grasp, but far from guaranteed. This insight will therefore consider Think Tutors’ 5 Top Tips for Independent School Interview Preparation.

What do the interviews consist of?

It is important to begin with a caveat: no two interviews are the same, even at the one school. Whilst the objectives are the same, to work out whether a student is the right ‘fit’ for a certain school, the methods are entirely different.

 

Some schools have the student prepare answers to set topics or questions, whereas others have a list of themes which they loosely stick to. Some focus on hobbies, and less on academia, whereas others are intensely focused on academic pursuits. For advice on specific schools, please contact us.

 

At the time of writing, however, interviews are mostly online, and conducted by either a housemaster, admissions staff, or teachers. With this in mind, there are a number of ways to prepare for the big day.

1. Enlist the help of a tutor

Think Tutors’ professional tutors are both experts at building confidence, and au fait with the requirements of independent schools across the UK. From Eton and Harrow to Latymer Upper, our tutors have not only been through the system themselves, but have remarkable success rates when given enough time with a student.

 

We also provide advisory services for school entrance as a whole, in a relocation context if you are based outside the UK, or if you know which schools you would like to apply for, we can create a tuition schedule to suit your family. Please enquire if you would like to find out more.

2. Consider their surroundings

It is vital for a child to be in an environment where they will be content to sit still for between half hour and an hour. Fast internet, a clear desk with comfortable chair in a well-lit room are just a few ways to help the interview go as smoothly as possible.

3. Practice conversation

Converse, rather than rehearse. Good interviewers will pick up on rehearsed answers, and try to put the interviewee off their rhythm. Students who have practiced conversing, and can easily address a topic in multiple ways, come across far better than students with precisely prepared answers.

4. Learn about the school

Interviewers will be looking for genuine enthusiasm for going to their particular school, and one of the best ways to achieve this is to learn about the school. From Wellington College’s five ‘I’s: Inspired, Intellectual, Independent, Individual and Inclusive, to Harrow’s core values: courage, honour, humility and fellowship – it is vital to be able to demonstrate a knowledge of where they are applying to.

5. Encourage students to be themselves

Finally, personality is important. Interviewees should not be afraid to talk about themselves, their hobbies, favourite subjects, and hopes and dreams when leaving school. Whilst ambition can play well, honestly in this case is always the best policy, as interviewers will want to know how your child fits into the school community.

Contact Think Tutors

If you would like to find out more about how Think Tutors can help your child gain admission to your target schools, please contact us. We also offer tuition for ISEB Pre-Test, 7 or 8 plus,  11 plus, and 13 plus.

 

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GCSE

GCSEs vs iGCSEs

GCSEs and iGCSEs are studied by all students in Year 10 and 11, and are comprised of a combination of ‘core’ subjects, such as English, Maths and Science, and ‘periphery’ subjects, like Geography, History and Art. Internationally respected, they are likely the first major exams taken by students, and as a result, a cause for stress in parents and students alike.

 

As a parent, you might be confused about the difference, and ultimately, be wondering which is better for your child. The purpose of this insight therefore is to explain some of the key differences between iGCSEs and GCSEs, including location, coursework vs exams, and grading. If you would like to learn more about how to help your child succeed in their GCSEs, please contact us.

Where are they available?

Most independent schools in the UK only offer GCSEs, studied over the course of two years in Year 10 and Year 11. Whilst some UK schools also offer iGCSEs, this is primarily to international students.

 

Contrarily, private international schools outside the UK can only offer iGCSEs, sat at the same time as the GCSE exams.

 

If you have any questions about relocating to the UK, Think Tutors provide international tuition, legal guardianship, and are practiced at assisting families with their move to the UK, minimising interruptions to education.

Coursework vs Exams

Although subject choices are the same for both GCSE and iGCSE, the method of assessment is largely different. GCSEs contain large coursework components, with students being challenged to write

 

On the other hand, iGCSE subjects on the whole do not rely on coursework as a method for testing. Pupils are examined either on their performance in end-of-year exams, which are comparatively more important.

 

Depending on your child’s learning style, this could be an important distinction. If you would like to learn more about how your child can learn more effectively, please do get in touch for an assessment.

Grading

Finally, for students undertaking GCSEs since 2017, the traditional A*-G grading system was replaced by a numerical 1-9 scale, with the highest grade, 9, as the equivalent of an A**. Although there was confusion when this change was announced, it has since been accepted by students and teachers alike.

 

CIE iGCSEs, on the other hand, are graded by the traditional A*-G system, in which the best students achieve A*s. Whereas, Edexcel and Oxford AQA offer 1-9 grading in line with the UK system.

Contact Think Tutors

Think Tutors’ network of professional tutors and mentors are practiced with the requirements of both GCSE and iGCSE, and are specialists at helping your child achieve their full potential. If you are relocating, or simply curious about how tuition can help get the best out of your child, please contact us. We also offer A-Level, ISEB Pre-Test, Mentoring, and  University level tuition.

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University Admissions

Top Tips for History Aptitude Test (HAT) Success

The Oxford HAT (History Aptitude Test)

The HAT is mandatory for everyone applying to read an undergraduate degree in History at Oxford. The HAT is also necessary for those applying to History (Ancient and Modern), History and Economics, History and English, History and Modern Languages, and History and Politics. If that’s you, Think Tutors is here to help.

Cambridge History Admissions Assessment

For those of you who are interested in studying History at Cambridge the process is quite different, as it depends on the college to which you are applying. While some colleges may require applicants who are shortlisted for interviews to write a history admission assessment, others may not. For more information about the process and advice on how to excel you can contact us.

What is the Oxford HAT?

The HAT is a test of your historical thinking skills. It requires you to provide thoughtful reflections about a source without knowing about its context. As such, the HAT is not testing your substantive historical knowledge – so there’s no extra subject specific studying required – but it does measure the extent to which can think and write ‘historically’ about a source.

 

You might be asking yourself, what does thinking ‘historically’ mean exactly? It means being able to read a source carefully and critically; to adopt an analytical approach; to answer a question relevantly; to selectively use concepts and evidence to support an argument; to demonstrate originality and independent thinking—all while writing with precision and clarity.

 

This may sound like a lot to do on a test, but the following tips will help as a starting point, and our expert team of admissions specialists can help you excel toward the finishing line and beyond.

Get to know the HAT

The HAT is designed to challenge applications beyond their comfort zone. For that reason, you want to become familiar with the test format. This way you’re not surprised by its structure and style when you sit it. The best place to start is the HAT section of the Oxford website.

Mark schemes

As with any written test, you are writing for an audience. In this case it’s an admissions panel. Fortunately, you can know ahead of time how best to impress them by reading the mark schemes they use with examples from past papers. Become familiar with their expectations and practice accordingly.

Practice past papers

Speaking of practice, while each year’s test is unique, it follows the same format (first introduced in 2018). Practice, practice, practice. It’s essential for helping you become comfortable with unfamiliarity. But don’t just practice any old way. Access post-2018 past papers online and create test like conditions in your own home, limiting yourself to the allotted times. Review your answers according to the mark schemes and set yourself targets to help you succeed.

Review

While the HAT will likely give you a source from a period or place that you unfamiliar with, you can still look back over what you’ve learned since Year II and look for general themes and ‘big picture’ outlooks. Ask yourself what each topic was about? What changed during this period? Why did it change? How can you characterise the conflicts and movements that you studied? What caused them and how did they evolve or end? Ask yourself how you might describe the political, cultural, and religious life of the periods you studied?

Keep things clear

The HAT is not an exercise in rhetoric or eloquence. It tests your ability to write clearly, concisely, and cogently. Focus on writing precisely what you mean in a manner that is intelligible and informative. To that end, ask yourself important questions about the source, such as those relation to its creation, publication, and audience.

Take your time

It’s vital that you give yourself sufficient time in the test to read the source thoroughly, and for thinking and jotting down ideas along the way. The texts are supposed to be difficult, so don’t rush or become alarmed. Keep in mind that the different sections of the test are weighted differently. The first two questions are important, but they only account for 30% of your score, so ration your time accordingly.

Be yourself

The HAT is meant to test your analytical and writing skills. It is not an exercise in quoting from a source. Use your own words, paraphrasing where possible rather than quoting. This is important because the examiners want to be sure that you have correctly understood the material. At the same time, they are interested in learning about your own ideas, even if no teacher or book has offered something similar. Don’t be afraid to write what you think.

Partner with Think Tutors

Our team of leading tutors, mentors, specialists and education directors are not only experts in university admissions, but are also drawn from many of the best universities in the world, including Oxford. We offer bespoke assistance to match your unique needs and personal schedule and we can help you to excel in your university admissions and beyond.