TSA; 5x interviews
2 or 3 different questions in each interview, most with some kind of diagram or handout attached
Revised chemistry and maths, researched a couple of new chemistry developments that were in the news at the time
Even if you have no idea what the answer to a question might be, try to explain your thought process
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: Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA)
Number of interviews: 5
Time between interviews: 5 interviews spread over 3 days
Length of interviews: Half an hour
Online interview: No
I was asked 2 or 3 different questions in each interview, most with some kind of diagram or handout attached. Each question was used to structure a 10-15 minute discussion in order to come to an answer. Tutors helped by asking leading questions to point in the right direction if needed. One interview ended on a brief question about how I had developed my interest for chemistry outside of the A-level syllabus.
I went over my A-level notes for chemistry and maths so far, and what we were looking at in classes then. It helped to have a handle on content I had covered so I could talk about that stuff. Don’t worry that you haven’t covered everything!! Tutors are understanding and will tailor questions to you- explain that you haven’t come across it before. I did a small amount of reading about what was in the news to do with chemistry at that time (this came up briefly but was not crucial)
Practice paper
As much as you can, try not to panic! Interviewers are trying to see how you respond to new information, so pay attention to what they say and try to think critically about it. Even if you have no idea what the answer to a question might be, try to explain your thought process.