Test taken: CLT (Cambridge Law Test) (note - this test is no longer used)
Number of interviews: 1
Online interview: Yes

Before my interview, I was sent notes on a case and a sheet with an example statute and some different situations that could be applied to the statute. I had an hour to read and make notes on these before I spoke to the interviewers. I wanted more time, but it was absolutely fine that I didn’t have it.

The interviewers tackled each task separately while the other made notes; it didn’t feel like a 2-on-1, they were very friendly. We started on the case and I was asked questions about what I thought and given the opportunity to question something I didn’t understand. The questions got gradually harder to the extent that I was silent for almost a minute before answering one. We got to the stage where I struggled to answer what they were asking me at first but they prompted me with more information that helped me answer. I felt really nervous beforehand but I was much more relaxed when I started speaking to the interviewers and got stuck into the content. There were no trick questions, nothing like the myths you see all over the internet so trust what the uni says about its own interview process, they just wanted to have a conversation and hear what I was thinking.

At the end of the interview, they asked if I had any questions - I didn't. Then, clearly separate from the interview itself, they asked if I was set on deferring my place or if I would consider not taking a gap year. I said I would still much prefer to defer if I were offered the place, but that I would rather choose between no gap year and declining the offer than not getting an offer at all.

I watched the YouTube videos made by the university that explain the interview process and the Faculty of Law example interview. In the mock interview, they used a problem sheet that had some information on a case and the law for that case. You can access this to get a good idea of the kind of material you would be given before an interview. These were accurate and helpful.

I re-read my personal statement and made sure I was completely comfortable discussing anything on it. I thought about my answer to typical opening questions about why I wanted to study Law etc.

I read about 2 cases in the media to have an idea of a few current events relevant to the subject. Whilst I didn’t need to use everything I had prepared, I felt much more comfortable going into the interview knowing I had.

I used the Cambridge website and Faculty of Law website to find as much detail about the content of the test as possible. When I took the test, it was one essay, marked very similarly to the essay portion of the LNAT so I read advice on answering that essay as well as the CLT. The book ‘Letters to a Law Student’ had a useful chapter on the test and was a helpful book for applying in general. I also practised an essay under timed conditions. Some of the advice I found useful was that in school, most essays involve setting out both sides of the potential argument. In the CLT, argue it like a lawyer by choosing your side of the argument and focussing on that. It’s still very important to talk about the points that oppose your argument, but discredit them in favour of your own argument or discuss why they could be good points but aren’t as strong as the narrative you’ve taken. The book I mentioned explains this much more effectively. Also don’t be afraid to argue the less obvious answer to the question, even if you don’t agree with the argument you’ve put forward.

I had never studied Law before and there is no expectation that you should have. Therefore, for my interview, it was about demonstrating an interest in the subject and the skills to learn it.

Think out loud. If you're debating two answers in your head, do it out loud. Ultimately, the interviewers want to hear how you think. They're smart but not mind readers! The interviewers want to see if you can adapt and learn, as you would at the uni. Therefore, don’t be afraid to change your mind, to change your answer in response to new ideas proposed by the interviewers because as long as you can justify what you're saying then you're on the right track. They wouldn't want a student to endlessly defend the indefensible but equally, they will test every idea you put forward so if you have a reason for what you're saying, trust yourself and say why you think you're right. Take your time even if it feels like a year (which it will if you're nervous), it's worth it. Try and enjoy it, it's a chance to talk about something you're interested in. You'll have the opportunity at the end to ask questions. You definitely don't need to ask one. If it's something you could easily find online, don't ask it just for the sake of asking. But if you have a question that's not so obvious, go for it!

Finally remember, the interview is one part of the entire application, not everything rests on how well it goes.