Test taken: Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT)
Number of interviews: 5
Time between interviews: 3 hours
Length of interviews: 20-40 minutes
Online interview: No

My first interview (maths) was the hardest with some very difficult algebraic topic, I felt I struggled with this interview though after talking with other students I found that almost every struggled. It was a difficult one to start with especially as the tutor was quite stern and inexpressive, but I made sure to keep talking through my ideas and asking for help where necessary. I also took a quick break after to clear my head a bit, then practised some more questions to rebuild my confidence. My second interview (computer science) went much better than the first, the tutors were much more welcoming and I found the questions much easier. Although it was a computer science interview, the questions were mainly maths based, involving pattern recognition and problem-solving. They were generally shorter questions and we worked through about ten of them in the time. I found that I could work through the questions confidently and explain my ideas clearly. This was my best interview and I felt relaxed throughout (partially because it was conducted on a sofa in the tutor's house), which restored some of my confidence after the first interview. My third interview (computer science) was at a different college, and I felt that it also went quite well. The interview was structured as two longer questions with several parts, and these focused on an algorithmic approach to maths questions involving modular arithmetic that could be implemented by a computer. This was a challenging interview but I felt that I performed well as the question was well broken down into parts and the tutors were pleasant and provided help when necessary. My fourth interview (maths) was again at the second college, and it went relatively well. The tutors were also very pleasant and welcoming and I enjoyed the questions asked. Again, it was two longer questions with multiple parts, and it really felt like an interesting conversation about a more advanced topic concerning set theory. At one point I struggled with misunderstanding the question (I was trying to find a specific set but had only been asked if such a set existed) but the tutors were very helpful and explained the question again. My final interview (maths) was at my original college and I was invited back on the final day for another interview. I felt that this interview also went quite well, as I managed to spot the trick on a number theory question to simplify the equation. The tutors were very helpful, and explained a topic more thoroughly using an example when I didn't understand a limit question. Overall, my interviews were entirely academic and most were structured as two longer questions with several parts. I had one question on my personal statement that was intended more as an ice-breaker on an extra-curricular subject at the start of the interview than a formal question. The majority of the tutors were very pleasant and helpful with the questions and the interviews mostly felt like an academic conversation about interesting topics.

I made sure that I was confident with my Year 12 and early Year 13 maths. My school ran some sessions in preparation for interviews covering general questions on why I chose the course etc. and I attended a mock interview run by AMSP which was great practice. I found some past maths and computer science interview questions online and worked through several of them in practice, and to warm up just before the interview. I made sure that I knew and had read my personal statement so I could answer any questions on it. The most useful preparation was simply practicing more difficult questions from STEP and MAT papers to get used to approaching longer and more challenging questions. I also talked through questions with family and with some younger students I tutored at school to practice being able to explain my ideas clearly to other people.

Practice MAT and STEP papers, AMSP Problem Solving MATters courses run at Oxford University, AMSP A-Level Problem Solving classes, General maths and problem solving practice

My advice would be to make sure to be very confident on the year 12 and 13 subject material before the interview. It is also useful to practice answering longer and more challenging questions, in addition to practicing explaining answers to other people. Also, it is important to try to remain positive throughout the experience. Interviews can be very stressful and tiring, but try to treat each interview separately, they are all opportunities to prove your passion and interest for your subject. Finally, don't rush in the interviews: it is okay to stop and think about your answer for a bit, and don't be afraid to ask for clarification and/or help.