TSA or PAT

27 replies

7yeardraughtmustchangesoon · 19/11/2025 12:46

Or maybe both?

DS is thinking about either Economics or Physics at Oxford. Loves the sciences but also humanities and probably looking at Econ or PPE or similar.

Anyhow, re the tests - PAT and TSA - which one is less 'trainable' (if that makes sense)? DS is quite good at logic, problem solving and doing tests he's not prepped for so thinking it might be best if we go for one of those rather than one that is more based on 'attainment/knowledge'.

Also, how soon can you do the first attempt? I know it's early as they are in Y11 but if really super far off the cut off score (or potential to get there with some practice), we thought we'd nip the Oxbridge dream in the bud early.

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7yeardraughtmustchangesoon · 23/11/2025 16:35

SilkiePenguin · 23/11/2025 16:25

It says here the most common A levels for PPE - 58% have Economics, 97% maths, 46% history, politics is also a popular choice. Economics is shared with E&M - on PPE after year 1 they can go down to 2 subjects - I think Economics is dropped often when they find the Maths difficult.

Maths is compulsory for E&M and I think about 50-60% have FM as well. Probably from private the majority will have FM for E&M. DD just has A level Maths and finds the Maths fine in Economics but says its challenging in finance though not sure if FM would have made that better or not. That's something she could drop at end of year 1 and you only need to pass year 1, its 100% finals. If you fail an exam in y1 twice you are out but that's quite unusual - if special circumstances you can have a third attempt but have to have a year away from Oxford. Then next exams that count are finals.

I don't know how many on E&M have Economics A level but suspect it would be very high like 90% - when I did Economics at Cambridge almost everyone had it and its still the same today (90%ish) so although its possible not to have it I would not recommend that. DD didn't have it but she had self taught GCSE Economics and grown up with me working as an Economist. It didn't cause issues in the interview though having Economics A level also shows interest and gives you chance to see if you like the subject. Though I disliked the A level and loved the degree as it was much wider and there was a lot of studying countries, politics and history and development. For PPE I think they recommend Maths and a essay based subject which can be History but also could be a subject like Politics. Economics is probably borderline on being classed as an essay based subject, its more technical but has some writing. I would just go for what interests him most and hope he gets a place - I think he will.

https://www.ppe.ox.ac.uk/sitefiles/ppe-admissions-2024-25-further-statistics-final-0.pdf
https://www.ppe.ox.ac.uk/sitefiles/ppe-handbook-fhs-2025-27-v01.pdf

Edited

Thanks again. Yes, this is what we felt instinctively with Econ - and from seeing the admissions data - but the Headmaster sort of threw us (and DC) saying Econ not needed! Politics also a possibility and, it's true, more essay based.
I guess we need to see how the GCSEs go first!!

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SilkiePenguin · 23/11/2025 16:53

Yes see how GCSEs go and how his interests change or stay the same. I did politics A level and loved and found it very useful for my Economics degree, more useful than History as it went up to current day and politics was an option on the course. What they talk about can be a good indicator of where their interest lies. E&M tend to be interested in the economy, maths, sometimes politics / development and how to make a successful business.

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