Test taken: College-specific MML written test
Number of interviews: 2
Time between interviews: 2 hours
Length of interviews: 20 minutes
Online interview: No

1st interview, post-A level German. I was given 2 texts to read for 15 minutes before the interview — one collection of a few (short) poems and one page of prose. I remember understanding nothing of the poetry, but, fortunately, they told me to pick one text we would discuss and obviously I chose the prose. They picked my brains about vocabulary choices, tone and themes, encouraging me to contextualise it in German culture that I knew. Morphed into discussion of texts/films I had name-dropped in my Personal Statement. All of the above was in German until the personal statement questions which were in English. I had two interviewers, only one of whom spoke German; they were really nice. I somehow managed not to let myself get too nervous and so I relaxed into it pretty easily. The conversation ended up being about a bit of German history that I was/am extremely interested in so I was very lucky.

2nd interview, Ab Initio Russian. The Slavonic dept went for more of a 'good cop, bad cop' routine. Again, 15 minutes before the interview I was given a text, this time in English. They'd chosen a broader linguistic topic (i.e. translation and its limitations.) We discussed this, I argued my side and the Russian teacher argued the other. I was then given a sort of problem sheet — I very shakily knew the Russian alphabet so I was shown up a bit. But they did give me a chance to show what I knew. I had a few sets of Russian sentences, had to point out subtle differences and suggest what they were grammatically. I then had more personal statement questions on the Russian texts/eras I'd mentioned. They asked things like what significance does this text have in modern Russia, what did you make of the ending of this other text, just trying to get some sideways thinking on books I'd read. I have to admit the atmosphere was a little more severe — but that's the Slavonic department for you. My advice is to be brave, and hold your own.

I don't think I prepared for the test — but I would advise googling around to try to find specimen papers etc.

So I was very underprepared for the interview; my school didn't help and I didn't know how to help myself. I read those Guardian articles that give examples of Oxbridge questions and good answers to see the thought patterns.

I tried not overthink everything — I would really recommend this. I think they like to see some of the rawness and lack of polish, a more unfiltered thought process (for better or worse) that comes from not being over-prepared. I see now what they were looking for because the way they teach you is not dissimilar to an interview. If they know you've read a text, they want to see how you process different points of view. It's about being able to think on your toes and make connections, and to think out loud (very important.) If they ask some mad question, pick it apart out loud! Think of some potential answers OUT LOUD! It's unlikely you'll just have an answer, so show them you have seedlings of ideas.