Maths @ Pembroke, Cambridge in 2016

Interview format

2x interviews (30 mins); 1x test

Interview content

Began with A-level then increased difficulty & broadened

Best preparation

Mock interview

Final thoughts

Don't worry about mistakes

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

2 interviews, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The first was a half hour written test, followed by half an hour discussing the answers with a fellow. The second was a 2-on-1 interview consisting of a series of questions in direct succession. We were guided by student helpers to the Common room in between interviews and given directions to each room.

What happened in your interview? How did you feel?

Covered a range of topics starting with standard A-level ideas and then branching out. Felt challenging but mostly approachable. Questions would take about 5 mins to answer in total, and in the interview were often in stages. Topics included combinatorics, probability, dynamics, functions, sketching and algebra.

How did you prepare?

Probably my mock interview.

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

It's scary for everyone, but just try to be yourself and convey your ideas. It's hard to know how well it went but don't worry if you make mistakes - they're trying to push you!