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Interview Preparation

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[Part 1] Applying to Oxford University: How to Write a Personal Statement. 40 Oxbridge interview questions. As this week’s theme is inequality I thought I would do something about those two venerable institutions – the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.

40 Oxbridge interview questions

There have been a lot of press features recently about the infamous Oxbridge Interview, famous for its obscure and often surreal questions that have terrorised students down the years. They are designed to see if you can think on your feet and as the saying goes: “When you walk into the interview, the fellow throws you a rugby ball. If you drop it or it hits you in the face, you are out, if you catch it, you are in, and if you drop kick it back, you get a scholarship.” I decided to look on the Internet to see if I could find some examples and here is my selection of forty of these questions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. The Daily Salty: Brilliant interview questions - how many can you answer confidently? Here's a list of brilliant interview questions by Oxbridge dons to prospective students.

The Daily Salty: Brilliant interview questions - how many can you answer confidently?

I am going to test these out on my son this weekend and report back. He is 11 years and 11 months and 27 days old so that has to be considered, but these 100 odd questions would be interesting to know. He attends the local council school so he is NOT a private schooled student. All this to be taken with a grain of piquant salt!!! Daily telegraphOxbridge 'prefers interviews to exam results'By Graeme Paton Education Editor Last Updated: 2:30am BST 17/09/2007 Oxford and Cambridge universities are increasingly relying on interviews to select the best students because A-levels and GCSEs fail to distinguish between bright and weak candidates, according to researchers. Test your lateral thinking with the Oxbridge Q&A As a result many applicants could see their fate decided by their responses to famously bizarre questions put by Oxbridge interviewers to test their knowledge and powers of reasoning.

Over 1000 past questions to help you prepare for your interview and get into Oxford. 7 curious questions Cambridge University asks candidates during interviews. It’s university application season again, with the 21 October deadline to applying to the prestigious Cambridge University fast approaching.

7 curious questions Cambridge University asks candidates during interviews

But if you were to get an interview at Cambridge, which last year saw 16,000 applications, how would you handle the interview process? Much like Oxford, interviewers will be looking out for ways to test your wits, so here are a few example questions to get your brain ticking.​ 1. Instead of politicians, why don't we let the managers of Ikea run the country? You may have to answer this if you’re interested in studying Social and Political Science. 2. Could marmalade be grounds for divorce? Potential Law students may have to tackle this conundrum if they want a place on the course. 3. Those wanting to study Medicine better have an insight into this question. 4. How much would you say a teapot was worth? Not so much a question, but an answer will be expected from Economics candidates. 5. This is an Australian magpie Picture: Getty Images. Could you pass a Cambridge University interview?

Prof Richard Prager, head of engineering at the historic university, said he wanted to try and "level the playing field" for hopeful undergraduates.

Could you pass a Cambridge University interview?

He has launched an online question bank, a sample of which we have selected for Telegraph readers, to prepare candidates for the notoriously difficult entry interviews which have become the stuff of legend. The questions, aimed predominantly at maths, physics and engineering students, give an insight into the fiendishly difficult tasks applicants have faced in previous tests.

They are on a new website, I want to study engineering, and include subjects as varied as goats, game show hosts, eyeballs, pirates and bungee jumps. Prof Prager said: "Some schools are more experienced than others at preparing their pupils for competitive engineering entrance interviews. How should I prepare? There aren't any special tricks to preparing for interviews, and interviewers can usually tell if an applicant has been over-rehearsed by well-meaning teachers or parents.

How should I prepare?

On the other hand, there are some things you can do beforehand which will, at the very least, make you feel more confident. Know what to expect Being familiar with what's likely to happen during your interview can help to calm a lot of nerves. To give you an idea of what to expect on the day, you may find it useful to watch our Interview films. Possible questions Keep in mind that you’ll be asked questions relevant to the course you’ve applied for, and about the information you provided in the written elements of your application. Therefore, think about questions that might be asked and how you would answer them – such as why you want to study at Cambridge, why you've chosen this particular subject, and if you have specific areas of interest. Re-read your personal statement and any written work Read around your subject. Sample interview questions. Guide to Oxford interviews. Interviews at Oxford. The Interview. Day 1 Helen Swift - A tutor's-eye view of Oxford University admissions interviews.

Day 2 Helen Swift - A tutor's-eye view of Oxford University admissions interviews. Day 3 Helen Swift - A tutor's-eye view of Oxford University admissions interviews. Day 1 Byron Byrne - A tutor's-eye view of Oxford University admissions interviews. Day 2 Byron Byrne - A tutor's-eye view of Oxford University admissions interviews. Day 3 Byron Byrne - A tutor's-eye view of Oxford University admissions interviews.