Natural Sciences (Physical) @ Newnham, Cambridge in 2016

Interview format

2x interviews (30 mins each)

Interview content

First interview: chemistry topics; Second interview: physics topics

Best preparation

Interviews at other universities

Final thoughts

Apply to Cambridge, but make sure you love your other choices too

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 waited in the buttery (canteen) with some current students and other applicants. I had 2 interviews in 1 day - mine personally were both in the morning. They were both about 30 minutes and done by 1 interviewer. They were in the interviewers' offices, where I was led by one of the student helpers.

What happened in your interview? How did you feel?

1 chemistry interview - based on A level topics such as pH and analytical techniques.

1 physics interview - based on mechanics, with a couple questions about my personal statement and general questions.

After each I was asked if I had any questions.

How did you prepare?

Went first to interviews for natural sciences at other universities such as York and Leeds. The days there were more relaxed including group tours and lunches but the interviews there were great preparation and very similar to the Cambridge ones.

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

It's definitely worth applying to Cambridge for the experience, but it's best to make sure you love your other university choices too - they each have some great things to offer :)