2 x 20 min interviews
Was made to feel at ease when prompted by their questions so the discussions or conversations would just flow.
Watching studio visits on 'Tate:shots youtube' was one way to explore the different avenues of contemporary art and also allowed me to hear real artist speaking about their work and lives etc. Being familiar with some artists or books on art will help make the discussions more 'sophisticated' but equally useful was being able to talk about your own everyday experiences in the arts at school or home.
Hearing from the Art School about the materials meant I had some idea of what to work with. However, the prompt for the practical outcome was only given out at the start of the 'test' so there was no need to prepare really.
Be yourself and honest with the interviewers
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: Practical Exam at Interview
Number of interviews: 2
Time between interviews: Only around 5 minutes sat outside an office. But could be a bit longer when sat in the common room.
Length of interviews: 20 minutes but felt shorter!
Online interview: No
Was made to feel at ease when prompted by their questions so the discussions or conversations would just flow. There were no really difficult or complicated questions and thankfully I never felt I was being quizzed on specific details on a personal statement (specific books, films or painters). The structure was more open and 'chilled' and as such cannot remember any standout questions. Just talk about what you like or are interested in.
Had no prepared answers but by just being happy to talk about art/paintings meant that the interview felt like a conversation and was free-flowing, easy going and exciting. Watching studio visits on 'Tate:shots youtube' was one way to explore the different avenues of contemporary art and also allowed me to hear real artist speaking about their work and lives etc. Being familiar with some artists or books on art will help make the discussions more 'sophisticated' but equally useful was being able to talk about your own everyday experiences in the arts at school or home. Don't worry about trying to fit a mould for what you think the interviewers are looking for!
Hearing from the Art School about the materials meant I had some idea of what to work with. However, the prompt for the practical outcome was only given out at the start of the 'test' so there was no need to prepare really. Just going in with an open mind and being relaxed helped massively.
My advice would be to be yourself and honest with the interviewers. Knowing your stuff helps to bulk up a conversation with bits of knowledge and 'future lines of enquiry' which you might explore in the course. But the key is to have a personality that is collaborative and workable in a studio environment and therefore can explore, discuss and invent. Also going in and being friendly is a good idea!