Sixth Term Examination Paper (STEP), 2x interviews
Interview 1: questions about problem sheet, then problem-solving questions; Interview 2: quickfire questions about topics studied in Year 12
STEP support programme, mock interview
STEP support programme, practice questions
The interview will likely be very academically-focused, so prepare for that
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: Sixth Term Examination Paper (STEP)
Number of interviews: 2
Time between interviews: c.20 minutes
Length of interviews: c.45 minutes
Online interview: Yes
Before my first interview, I had an hour and 15 minutes to complete a problem sheet (in front of a camera) which I then scanned in. Most of the first interview was discussing my solution to these questions and asking a few related follow-up questions (i.e. what happens if we change this condition to this), at the end of my first interview I was given some tough but interesting problem-solving questions.
The second interview was mostly quickfire questions, less related to problem-solving and more application of topics studied in maths/further maths Year 12, including an applied mechanics question at the end.
For each interview I had a professor from the college interviewing me with a PhD student silently observing the 2nd interview, the interviewers were both very relaxed and helped ease my stress, they were both very patient while I was explaining my answers and gave me enough time to think in silence before I answered a question.
The STEP support programme foundation modules helped improve my problem solving skills massively, which came in very useful for my interviews. I also had a
In Year 12 I completed the foundation modules on the STEP support programme which was useful for improving general problem-solving skills. In Year 13 I started by completing the past paper questions on the STEP support programme and after receiving my offer Christ's college paid for an online tutor who I had to complete questions for and have a 1 hour call with every week
I was very surprised with how academically focused my interview was, if you're applying for a STEM subject at least don't expect much discussion and don't worry about questions regarding your personal statement, why you applied etc. The interviewer is looking for you to show off your talents, so don't worry about having to think of an answer to something not relating to that.