2 x 30 min interviews
Describing a biological object, analysing experimental data, personal statement
Went over A level biology content, reread personal statement and ensure I was able to discuss it
If you need to go back and correct yourself do it!
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.
Test taken: None
Number of interviews: 2
Time between interviews: Around a day
Length of interviews: About half an hour
Online interview: No
My first interview began with describing a biological object that was put in front of me, they then began to ask me questions based on it. It moved on to analysing some experimental data they gave me and suggesting an explanation for what had happened. If I’m honest the atmosphere was quite intense, the interviewers did push me quite hard but I could always stop if I got stuck and they would help me out- they were also understanding that I hadn’t covered certain topics at my school. At the end of the interview, they asked me about certain topics I’d written about in my personal statement, so my main advice is to be able to speak confidently on anything you mention as I was a bit caught out. The second interview had almost the same structure- describing an object and answering questions on it and then analysing experimental data. This one was more relaxed and felt more like just a chat- it really does depend on your interviewers and how confident you’re feeling as by then I was less nervous.
To prepare I went over the A Level Biology I had learned up to that point and made sure I understood it fully. I also read my personal statement through again and made sure I could answer questions about things I’d mentioned in it- e.g books and documentaries. I also reread a book I’d mentioned as it had been more than a year since I’d read it.
My main advice is to take your time to think about your answers- the interviewers are in no rush and want to hear your best shot. If you need to go back and correct yourself do it! I now understand more that the interviewers want to see your way of thinking and how you work things out so explain all your steps of thinking clearly- even if you don’t end up at the right answer! Make sure you can speak confidently and passionately about the things you’ve mentioned in your personal statement as these really show your love of the subject. Lastly, everyone always thinks it’s gone awfully, so don’t be worried or disheartened if that’s the case.