No test; 2x interviews
Interview 1: Unseen pieces of music and text; Interview 2: personal statement, aural test
Speculate about questions in interview, speak to other people and think critically about reading
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Don't panic and don't feel judged!
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: None
Number of interviews: 2
Skype interview: no
Time between interviews: around an hour
Length of first interview: 20-30 minutes; Length of second interview: 20-30 minutes
In the first interview, I was asked to discuss my thoughts on a previously unseen piece of music and a text I had been given about half an hour before. We talked about the context that the piece of music was written in. I then had to speak about my opinion on the text and to the extent I agreed or disagreed with the writer's line of argument.
In my second interview, there was more discussion about my personal statement and I was able to elaborate on what I had written. I was asked to think of some other examples contrary to my thoughts outlined in my personal statement.There was also an aural test in this interview.
To prepare, I tried to think about potential questions and I how I would answer them if I were to be asked them at interview. It was also very useful to speak to
It sounds like a cliché but don't panic, and don't feel judged by the interviewers.
My expectations of the interview were exceeded, as the interviewers and all staff and students were helpful, and my interviews were both in beautiful old buildings.