History @ Queens', Cambridge in 2021

Interview format

History Admissions Assessment (HAA); 2x interviews

Interview content

Interview 1: source-based questioning; Interview 2: Questions on personal statement, One general question

Best preparation

Went over personal statement and submitted work; Practised interview technique

Test preparation

Went through practice papers; Used a book of sources

Final thoughts

Read widely; Explain your thought process

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: History Admissions Assessment (HAA)
Number of interviews: 2
Time between interviews: 40 minutes
Length of interviews: 20 minutes
Online interview: Yes

What happened in your interview? How did you feel?

I honestly can't remember too much, but my first interview was a real shock and I was given 12 or so sources and asked to speak about one at random. I found it really difficult but I'd say with things like that just to slow down and speak aloud- they want to hear your thought process.

My second interview was much more in-depth. My personal statement had mentioned an interest in the Stuarts, but also in feminism, so I was asked some difficult questions surrounding the two. I was only asked one general question- and that was something to do with why I actually want to study History.

How did you prepare for your interviews?

I prepared by reading through my personal statement and trying to work out what questions they could possibly ask me. And then I thought about how those questions could lead to other aspects of History.

I'd say what's most important is that you look at things you've mentioned and submitted and then expect them to ask you around that quite widely. For example, my A-Level coursework was on the Stuarts and the Civil War, and I ended up being asked about how the English courts compared to the French.

I also did something so silly but I did this YouTube video thing where you have to make eye contact with someone on the screen (automated) and I'd say practising looking into the camera and stuff makes a real difference when it comes to online interviews.

If you took a test, how did you prepare?

I didn't really know how to prepare- I remember using the practice papers on the Cambridge website and then I basically went to my local library and took out a book of sources. Then I went through those sources and my textbooks and got my younger sister to pick me two at random and then I'd have to write about them.

What advice would you give to future applicants?

I wish I'd read a little more widely from the summer before I applied- it's so easy to read 10/20 pages a day and it makes such a big difference.

The interviewers are definitely looking for you to explain your thought process- don't panic and if you find a question hard then stop and start to break down the question itself. I found that I didn't answer a few questions but I did take time to speak aloud through the question. For example, 'well firstly we have to think about what 'social distinctions' really mean before I can continue'