Computer Science @ Sidney Sussex, Cambridge in 2017

Interview format

1x interview (20mins); 1x test

Interview content

Explanation of CSAT answers and personal statement

Best preparation

CSAT past papers

Final thoughts

Don't panic (& check both sides of paper!)

Remember this advice isn't official. There is no guarantee it will reflect your experience because university applications can change between years. Check the official Cambridge and Oxford websites for more accurate information on this year's application format and the required tests.

Also, someone else's experience may not reflect your own. Most interviews are more like conversations than tests and like, any conversation, they are quite interactive.

Interview Format

CSAT, then one interview with two interviewers (20 min.)

What happened in your interview? How did you feel?

The interview was immediately after I completed my CSAT. I was firstly asked to explain one of my solutions I thought was correct. Then I was given a task from CSAT I didn't solve during the test and with guidance from my DoS I managed to solve it. Finally, I was asked a few questions regarding my Personal Statement (such as programming language & projects)

How did you prepare?

I practiced the past year's CSAT (the past tests are available online)

Looking back, what advice would you give to your past self?

15 minutes before the end of CSAT I realized that some questions were also on the back side of paper. Fortunately I didn't panic and managed to complete two question from the second side. So my advice is don't panic.