English Literature Admissions Test (ELAT); 2x interviews
Interview 1: unseen work; Interview 2: discussion of A Level texts
Read up on A Level texts
Practice papers
Whether you're successful or not, you get the chance to talk to some really clever people!
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: 30 minutes
Length of interviews: 30 minutes
Online interview: No
My interviews were mainly discussion-based. Of course they asked questions to prompt the discussion, but they were most certainly open questions that lead on from my previous answers. I was surprised when they didn't ask me anything about my personal statement, but we did discuss my A Level texts and did some unseen work. I really enjoyed my first interview, when the discussion flowed, and I used points I'd previously planned, but my second interview was more
I mainly read up a little on my A Level texts, and just kept up the revision work. I thought about what I really wanted to say and practised with a friend. I was lucky that
I did multiple practice papers online - although this is not necessary - and read them back with a clever friend. It really helped me work out my timing, planning, and not be floored by the exam format.
Don't be afraid to ask them to repeat the question, if you're lost your thread halfway through an answer, or ask them what a word means - they want you to do well! Also try not to worry about it. It's very difficult to truly know how well you've done and it's difficult to completely prepare. Just try to enjoy the experience; whether you're successful or not, you get the chance to talk to some really clever people.