Land Economy @ Sidney Sussex, Cambridge in 2018

Interview format

TSA Section 1; 2x interviews

Interview content

Interview 1: personal statement, logic questions; Interview 2: subject-related questions

Best preparation

Kept up with the news, especially developments in areas of subject-related interest

Advice in hindsight

-

Final thoughts

Remember the interviewers don't expect you to answer every question perfectly

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

Test taken: Thinking Skills AssessmentSection 1

Number of interviews: 2

Skype interview: no

Time between interviews: 5 minutes

Length of first interview: 25 minutes; Length of second interview: 25 minutes

What happened in your interview? How did you feel?

In the first interview, I was asked about my personal statement and had to expand upon several things I had mentioned. This was followed by more general questions which were loosely based on my subject but primarily focused on logic. The room atmosphere was generally quite informal; it became almost like a conversation which made me feel more comfortable.

The second interview was solely focused on subject-related questions. The questions were fun to think about despite being complex.

How did you prepare?

To prepare I did a number of mock interviews, with my tutors at Sixth Form. I then made notes on what went well and what needed to be improved upon prior to my actual interview. I also revised my A Level syllabi using flashcards I had already made. The best thing I did was definitely keeping in touch with the news. This was because having real world examples can help you explain your ideas in the interview. I also found it useful to look at the subject prospectus in detail to gain an understanding of the modules available within the degree. The interviewers want to know that you’re interested in the course you applied for.

What advice do you have for future applicants?

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

To my understanding, the interviewers are looking for enthusiasm about the subject; ability to think on the spot; and genuine curiosity to learn. It’s easy to feel intimidated in the interview situation, but try to remember the interviewers are primarily interested in the ways you think, not your ability to answer every question correctly.