Thinking Skills Assessment , 2x interviews
Source-based questioning (using photos), Questions related to current affairs
Went over personal statement
Completed past papers
Make sure you have a base of geographical knowledge outside of A-Level
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:
Number of interviews: 2
Time between interviews: 30 minutes
Length of interviews: 30-45 minutes
Online interview: Yes
Consisted of being shown pictures and being asked to relate them to certain topics, as well as being asked hypothetical questions regarding certain scenarios. Personal statement wasn't mentioned but this varies between colleges. There wasn't any pre-reading either but they will test your geographical knowledge.
At the end they will ask if you have a question - good idea to prepare one in advance to use as a backup if you can't think of one on the spot. They will also typically relate the questions and images to current issues e.g. this year it'll probably cost of living at some point. At the end they will also ask a question intended to throw you off, usually hypothetical.
General advice - make sure your room is well lit if it's online so that they can see you, keep noise and distractions in the background to a minimum and try to relax and unwind before it - treat it like preparing for an exam.
Went over my personal statement again to make sure I was familiar with what I'd mentioned, had
Practice papers mainly, also practicing past essays and attending support session
The interview is mainly looking to see that you have a genuine interest in geography, but also to test that you have a base of geographical knowledge outside of just that which you have learned at A-Level, and knowledge of current affairs.
The tutors also want to see that you can make links between different topics and think critically about topics. They also want your opinions and thoughts not just facts.