TMUA: How does it work and how important is it?
View ProjectPaper 1 is usually easier conceptually while Paper 2 contains many key terms and ideas which most applicants find confusing. Use the Logic and Proof notes for the TMUA as there is a considerable amount of information in there that is unique and specific to the admissions test. You could create flashcards on the key points of interest, or just read through and make notes. Just try to learn it like you would for any final A-level exam, so really try to push yourself.
“I read through the notes and made notes on the meaning of each term and the examples provided – you will struggle to do well on the past papers without a sound understanding here and will probably be wasting them if you do them without sufficient prep – once you have a clear understanding of each term, begin Paper 2 practice” (Danny)
There is a finite number of past papers for TMUA – if you are preparing sufficiently, you will need to do more papers – we would recommend:
- Section B of the ECAA (old Economics admissions test)
- ENGAA Paper 1 (ignore physics questions)
- MAT multiple choice questions (first ten questions of each paper)
- Once you have done these and exhausted the TMUA past papers, redo the questions you have got wrong repeatedly until you get them right!
The scoring system has slightly shifted from our year (2024 entry). Percentile-score matching is roughly aligned above 7.3 and below 2.5. However, there is a divergence from 2.5 to 7.3 – the raw difference in score peaks at around 1 at the 65% percentile – a score of 5.3 was essentially equivalent to a score of 6.3 the year before. A score of 6.5 in 2023 entry is roughly equivalent to a score of 5.5 in 2024. A score of 7.0 in 2023 was roughly equivalent to a score of 6.4 in 2024. Assuming the score conversion algorithm does not change (this may be dodgy!) in years ahead, any score above 5.5 is solid while anything above 6.4 will be highly competitive.
However, the score is not the most important thing, as performing well at interview will outshine your score. So do not wrap yourself around a specific score, instead focus on just doing as best as you can and then doing well at interview stage.
There is a huge variation in TMUA scores across our Economics cohort – in 2024 cycle terms, some people achieved over 7.5 while others achieved 4.0 or less – different colleges will likely weigh the importance of your score differently and tailor it to your application, for example, if you don’t do Further Maths, a high TMUA score will be vital to showing your ability for mathematics.
YouTube is a great source of guidance also. R2drew2 has gained a (huge) amount of fame through his exceptional TMUA videos. TMUA-style mock papers can also be found.
If you are super interested (like us), view the WhatDoTheyKnow Freedom of Information requests about TMUA scores by college – it may be wise to tailor your college choice depending on how confident you feel about the TMUA and the average offer holder score for each college although this does vary quite a lot each year.
Some might also say that if you are placed in the pooling system post interview, a strong TMUA score will help you to stand out and be given an offer by another college since it is a more objective indicator of your ability relative to the interview so if applying to a very competitive, central college with a high chance of pooling be weary of this!
Consistent and targeted practice will boost your performance – expect lower scores at the start, especially for Paper 2 (“I got something like 6/20 in the first practice paper 2 I did but ended up getting 7.2 in the real thing” (Danny)). This will change with sufficient practice.
TMUA breakdown (2024):
College (2024)
Avg
Christ’s
6.59
Churchill
6.72
Clare
7.23
Corpus Christi
5.77
Downing
6.88
Emmanuel
7.06
Fitzwilliam
7.14
Girton
6.73
Gonville and Caius
6.34
Homerton
6.38
Hughes Hall
7.02
Jesus
7.46
King’s
6.60
Lucy Cavendish
6.47
Magdalene
6.87
Murray Edwards
5.93
Pembroke
6.67
Peterhouse
6.45
Queens’
7.40
Robinson
6.55
Selwyn
7.14
Sidney Sussex
6.67
St Catharine’s
6.68
St Edmund’s
6.23
Trinity
6.74
Trinity Hall
7.16
