Natural Sciences (Physical) @ Magdalene, Cambridge in 2020

Interview format

Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment (NSAA), 2x 25 minute interviews

Interview content

Interview 1: open-ended Physics and Chemistry questions, involving rates of reaction and graph-sketching Interview 2: Chemistry and Maths questions

Best preparation

Isaac Physics Interview prep session, mock interview, practice questions

Test preparation

Practice questions (including science ones from BMAT) then timed past papers

Final thoughts

Don't be scared to ask for clarification

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: 10 minutes
Length of interviews: 25 minutes
Online interview: Yes

What happened in your interview? How did you feel?

My first interview was Physics/Chemistry focused. I was asked one question by each interviewer and we spent about ten minutes working through it. Both were fairly open-ended - I would complete one part then they'd follow up with something related or based off of something I mentioned. The first question asked about rates of reaction, with a mix of questions specific to A-level content and also just general intuition. The second question focussed on graph sketching.

The second interview was on Chemistry and Maths. The Chemistry question stuck fairly closely to an A-level topic (although harder!) and Maths I was asked to solve an integral. This interview felt closer to testing me on the stuff I'd learnt in school (and applying it to more challenging scenarios). I remember getting a few things wrong here and having to ask for definitions (on terms I probably should have known but interview nerves!) but it's important to know they're not looking for perfection.

I wasn't asked about my personal statement at all or any general questions. I also wasn't told what subjects each interview would cover, but you can get an idea by looking up your interviewers to see their area of study. I also had technical difficulties in the first interview which they were quite patient with but did make the whole process a bit stressful. Once I got going I felt I could relax more.

How did you prepare for your interviews?

Attended an Isaac Physics Interview prep session (free! aimed at state school students) which went over solving more Oxbridge style questions as well as general tips. I also was fortunate to have a mock interview through school with a former Oxbridge student, although I think the most helpful part of that was just practicing explaining my work as I went (I also did this when I solved questions alone). I then did some of the more challenging Isaac Physics questions. For the at-interview exam I had access to one past paper which I worked through in detail.

If you took a test, how did you prepare?

Did all the questions I could find (BMAT questions are the same if you just select the relevant science), then did the past papers timed

What advice would you give to future applicants?

The questions are hard but you're meant to be able to at least get part way - they're not trying to catch you out! If you're completely unsure try talking through your working from basic stages, even if you don't think you'll get an answer at all. The worst thing to do is just sit and panic! Also don't be scared to ask for clarification and if you've never come across something before you can ask for a definition.