Test taken: Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA)
Number of interviews: 2
Time between interviews: A day
Length of interviews: 20 minutes
Online interview: No

For the first interview I was quite nervous but less than I expected as I had been talking to other interviewees all day the day before and it was really welcoming. There were also current students to walk you to the right room and talk with. Free tea, coffee and biscuits also helped. Sat outside the room on a bench for five minutes to wait for the previous interview to finish which was probably the worst bit just sitting in silence watching the odd person walk past. Was reassuring to see the person leaving looking relaxed. I got asked into a small office type room and two tutors introduced themselves. They each had different specialities and explained I would spend ten minutes going through some questions/problems with each of them and if I had any questions at any point I could ask. We were actually on sofas with some paper on a coffee table so it was very relaxed. One tutor was next to me another across from me so it didn't feel me vs them. They explained the questions very clearly and they started with very familiar A-Level topics. The questions got harder but still mostly A-Level difficulty until there was something I didn't recognise so they explained it and I continued to try the question. I had a few blanks and they eventually filled me in so I could move on so it didn't feel like it went great but I think they understand people get nervous. The second interview felt much better. I was given a model and asked a very open question to begin with which was different. There was a whole topic I hadn't done but they explained it and I really enjoyed the questions and it didn't matter that I didn't know it because they got to see me learn which is just as good a test. I was much more relaxed having had an interview already and I tried to get as much as possible out of it as if it was a lesson rather than a test and actually learnt some interesting stuff. I didn't get asked once about my personal statement.

Went over A-Level content, re-read a chapter of a book I mentioned in my personal statement (didn't get asked on personal statement though, but that's luck). I had no practice interview but I had to do a speaking presentation near to the time at school which really helped with my confidence and was a topic I used in my personal statement. The key thing is knowing A-Level content and maybe a bit extra from your own reading but if you don't know something that's a great opportunity to show how you can learn, so don't worry about knowing everything because they will try and give you something new anyway.

Practice papers

When you're there don't lock yourself in your room- if you want to revise/prep personal statement things do it before you go. I'm a shy person but it really helped to think about the interviews as little as possible and meet/talk to people instead. For the interviews themselves try to relax and enjoy it, show a real interest in your subject and don't be afraid to ask questions.