Natural Sciences (Physical) @ Murray Edwards, Cambridge in 2019

Interview format

Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment; 2x interviews.

Interview content

Problem-solving questions based on previous knowledge.

Best preparation

Practice answering questions out loud.

Test preparation

Do practice papers and look over your A-level syllabi.

Final thoughts

Ask follow questions if you are confused!

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

Test taken: Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment (NSAA)
Number of interviews: 2
Time between interviews:  30 minutes
Length of interviews: Unknown 
Online interview: No

What happened in your interview? How did you feel?

The questions usually cut straight to the topic. Most involved solving a question using some spare paper for notes. The interviewers adjusted the questions according to what I had or hadn't already done in school.

How did you prepare for your interviews?

My friend's Dad helped me preparee as he used to help with mock interviews. That was about it, one of my science teachers also gave me a question to try and answer orally. 

If you took a test, how did you prepare?

Use practice papers and look over the A Level syllabus.

What advice would you give to future applicants?

Practise what you know, they will let you ask questions but it is best if you can apply your knowledge to what you know and be honest if you haven't learnt the rest. Don't be afraid to ask for clarification if you are confused!