Natural Sciences (Physical) @ Pembroke, Cambridge in 2014

Interview format

2x interviews

Interview content

Discussed various things from transition metals to energy

Best preparation

Mock interview, be ready to think on your feet.

Final thoughts

Nope

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 that were spaced out on the day, I sat in the JCR between them. One of the interviews focussed on my personal statement and Materials Science/Physics. One focussed specifically on Chemistry. Both interviews were with only one interviewer.

What happened in your interview? How did you feel?

Transition metals and d orbital splitting, resonance structures in one, something about the production of energy by a given object and about the different materials of other given objects in the other. I was scared at the time and absolutely baffled by transition metals stuff (I didn't know some of the things they were talking about).

How did you prepare?

My school made us do little groups where we talked about sciencey stuff but it was a mock interview I did that helped the most - but I really don't think prepping helps that much, you need to just be ready to think on your feet and ask questions!

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

Nope