TARA Writing Task: planning an argument in 40 minutes
Oxbridge Admissions Tests · Updated
The Writing Task asks you to choose one of three questions, with 40 minutes and a 750-word limit. UAT-UK does not score the essay; it sends the response to the relevant universities. The time split below is our practice suggestion, not an official requirement or marking rubric.
First 5 minutes: choose an argument you can develop
Identify exactly what the question asks you to judge. Can you develop two distinct reasons and a serious objection? If you can only produce slogans or disconnected examples, compare another question.
Write your position in one sentence and state its limits. Acknowledging an exception does not remove your position; an unrestricted claim is often harder to defend.
Next 5 minutes: make a usable outline
Give each paragraph a claim, then add its reason, example and connection to the conclusion. Merge paragraphs that merely restate the same point.
Original practice prompt: should universities make recordings of every class publicly available? Consider wider access alongside classroom privacy, then explain which settings might justify exceptions. Practise the reasoning, rather than memorising a reusable essay.
Allow around 25 minutes for the draft
Give each paragraph one main job. Explain what an example establishes. Choose an objection that could genuinely challenge your position and respond to it, rather than dismissing a weak version of the opposing view.
Do not add a new argument just to approach the word limit. If the draft is short, check for missing reasoning; if it is long, remove repetition and irrelevant background.
Final 5 minutes: check the reasoning before the phrasing
Read the question and conclusion together. Have you answered the same question? Check that terms remain consistent, examples support the claim and 'sometimes' has not silently become 'always'. Then check sentences, spelling and word count.
Adjust this 5 + 5 + 25 + 5 routine through practice. Keep both your first and revised drafts so a teacher can see how the argument changed, not only the polished version.
Official sources and scope
Official information was checked on the date above; check current requirements before booking. Practice routines are our suggestions. We are independent of UAT-UK and the universities.