TMUA test for Cambridge & Imperial (Computer Science) - how does it work?

[CanyonMoon]

So the TMUA is compulsory for Cambridge and Imperial (and maybe others? Warwick?) DS has booked the test which has to be done in the October session; that is all fine

Can anyone advise on how it works with the results? We can’t work out how it links up with UCAS; the test is booked through Pearson Vue but he wasn’t required to input the UCAS ID ref or anything. He’s getting anxious and fixating on that, rather than the test itself. He says he can choose whether to share the TMUA results with the other universities but can’t see what the mechanism is for that. Teachers have no idea…

Anyone have any insight - would be much appreciated!

I am aware that sometimes the exams required for Cambridge entry just result in either an invitation to interview, or a flat rejection, without mention of the results specifically. Also, I have read (on here somewhere) that you can retrospectively request said results. But this may well vary from exam to exam and university to university. I would give the admissions folks a call / drop them an email and ask. Hopefully someone else will come along with first hand experience.

From what I remember, after the test they give candidates a letter with a reference number on and this gives the results day info. I seem to remember it was about a month wait at least. In my child's case they got a good score (you can check the range online) and were invited to interview at Cambridge in Jan. A friend scored lower and got an instant rejection. Another friend was in between and got a rejection later on but no interview so personal statement was definitely a deciding factor. All had at least 3 x A* + 1A predicted applying for CS. There is an option to upload results on UCAS. My YP also emailed the proof of result to their other choices but they all replied to say they disregarded it when selecting for offers so it really was just for Cambridge. There was a TMUA practice book which my son really rated.

By the way it is not TMUA for Imperial. Think it is interview first then if they get through that it is STEP - results received along side A levels. Same for Oxford I think. I do know Imperial upheld their offer even with a lower STEP score for one of my child's college buddies (last year). Their interview also seemed to be very casual compared to Cambridge - which was pretty brutal (def. no small talk and laser focused on challenging TMUA style testing).

If memory serves, as it was compulsory for Cambridge they pay the fee, they get the results directly and you get an email with your results. I feel like the test was 4th November and the results were late Nov/early Dec. Invited to interview for Cambridge which took place in December. It was 2 x 35-40 minute interviews with 2 interviewers at each session and different ones from the first to the second. No pleasantries just straight into maths questions and see how your brain works to solve the problems given. Cambridge have an offer day in January where if you have got to that stage post interview then you are either offered or rejected on one set day.

Ds had all 4 offers from the other universities by mid November so before the results of the CTMUA and Warwick didn't ask for the results just offered on personal statement info.

You can find info on what they need under entry requirements and just google G400 (computer science UCAS code) then whichever university you want to look into.

Imperial is assessing CS applicants against the TMUA this year, not STEP, and, as OP is aware but PP may not be, the TMUA is being run by a different provider for the first time this year, so there appears to be quite a lot of uncertainty about admin processes, as these are different.

OP, I'd suggest that your DS emails Pearson, Cambridge and Imperial separately to seek clarification. Manage your DS's expectation by saying he may not get replies until after the test and the initial answers may not be very helpful, but at least he will have done what he can at this stage; then encourage him to move to focusing on exam prep.

I have two DC who sat the TMUA under the old test regime and, in the case of universities not requiring TMUA but revising offers on the basis of a good score, they submitted their UCAS form as normal, got the usual offer for that institution and then emailed the relevant uni admissions team after the results came out and then their offers were adjusted in the UCAS track to reflect a good TMUA score.

Thank you everyone. It would make sense if they get some sort of code once they’ve taken the test; that will help him put the admin side of things out of his mind for now! I will encourage him to send some email enquiries too

BTW Cambridge definitely don’t pay for it (as suggested above), although there was a possibility of a bursary for very low income families. It was £75 paid up front

On the UCAS application, under education, you can add TMUA etc. and the results as 'pending'.

It was unclear if once you had the results you could update this section once the form was submitted.

Only limited universities require the entrance tests- if they do, they automatically get the results.

Some universities don't require them but might give lower offers if you've done well in these tests. So check each course applied to, to see the individual university's stance. If they might be interested, email the admissions with the results.

I am not sure I agree with how these tests are organised and run and think they should be offered within schools for free rather than by a private company at a test centre, but that's probably for another thread!