Natural Sciences (Physical) @ Christ's, Cambridge in 2017

Interview format

2x interviews (30 mins each)

Interview content

Dicussed favourite physics topics, books mentioned in my personal statement, and worked through a multi-step chemistry question.

Best preparation

Mock interviews, using Isaac Physics, and Chemistry Olympiad questions.

Final thoughts

Try your best to keep calm.

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

I had 2 interviews, each lasted around thirty minutes. One was on physics and chemistry, the other was on physics and maths. Each interview was with two interviewers.

What happened in your interview? How did you feel?

In the physics and chemistry interview, we discussed a diagram of forces. I was then asked to defend the answer I gave about my favourite topics in physics, and discuss a formula related to the topic. Then we worked through a multi-step chemistry question. In the physics and maths interview, I was asked questions about both of the books in my personal statement. Then there were several maths questions, and finally a long question about circuits.

How did you prepare?

I found working through some practice interview questions really helpful. I just Googled Cambridge Natural Sciences interview questions and got my parents to ask me some. Having mock interviews with teachers I didn't know well also helped. Using Isaac Physics [Editor's Note: Isaac Physics is a project designed to offer support and activities in physics problem solving to teachers and students], and Chemistry Olympiad questions to prepare for tackling questions on new topics.

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

The best thing you can do is just stay as calm as possible. It's much easier to answer well when you're relaxed but focussed, whereas if you let nerves take over, even simple questions seem more difficult.