Geography @ Queens', Cambridge in 2018

Interview format

GAA & TSA Section 1; 1x interview

Interview content

Interview 1: discussion of local area, human geography

Best preparation

Kept up to date with current affairs

Advice in hindsight

-

Final thoughts

Read news articles on geography-related issues

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: Geography Admissions Assessment (GAA) and TS section 1

Number of interviews: 1

Skype interview: no

Time between interviews: N/A

Length of first interview: 25 minutes

What happened in your interview? How did you feel?

My interviews started off with the two interviewers introducing themselves and explaining the format of the interview. They seemed very reassuring and friendly. Then asked to me talk about my local area, which was a nice opening question about something they know you can confidently talk about. I was then given a prop and asked to discuss how it encapsulates geography or is relevant to the subject. Next we discussed a big issue which had been in the news a few months prior to the interview. The interview was mainly human geography related as this was the speciality of the interviewers. There were, however, a couple of questions on physical geography, based on popular A Level topics. At the end of the interview, I was asked if I had any questions. The atmosphere was very friendly - the interviewers are aware that students are likely to be stressed and so did their best to reassure me.

How did you prepare?

Before the admissions assessments, I attended training sessions with maths teacher at school, which focused on the TSA. In preparation for the interview, I read through my geography a-level textbook briefly (i.e. revision) and kept up to date with current affairs. I also had a practice interview - if you have the opportunity to attend a mock interview, take it up! I did find that my preparation was not particularly helpful, as the only questions I was asked based on A Level content were quite basic and fundamental geographical ideas.

What advice do you have for future applicants?

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

I don't think there were many ways I could have prepared for my interview - maybe just read news articles on interesting geography related issues which you can bring into the conversation in your interview. This shows you take the initiative to learn about geography related things. I would also recommend that you don't worry about the disproportionately negative interview experiences outlined on The Student Room!