Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment (NSAA); 2x interviews
Interview 1: personal statement; Interview 2: biology and chemistry questions
Reflecting on work experience
Looked over A Level content
Be careful where you get your information from - don't believe unfounded rumours!
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.
Test taken:
Number of interviews: 2
Time between interviews: 1 hour
Length of interviews: 20 minutes
Online interview: No
I was asked about further reading I mentioned on my personal statement to do with work experience. I was also asked some maths questions, conducting experiments, harder biology and chemistry questions. It was relatively relaxed, I had a laugh with the interviewers, and really enjoyed the content. I found that chatting with other people waiting outside really calmed me down (and some of them got offers and I’m now at vet school with them!)
Reflections on work experience, further reading on cases that I’d seen, ensuring biology and chemistry knowledge was really sharp, drawing ideas with lateral thinking.
Looking over A Level biology and chemistry content, past papers, practising maths.
Please don’t be put off applying by any rumours from people who didn’t go or even apply to Cambridge! Do your own research, ask Cambridge students and enjoy the process! I was never a straight A* student or top of the class but ended up here - you’ll only know if it’s possible if you give it a try!