Test taken: PAT

Number of interviews: 3

Skype interview: No

Time between each interview: 1 day

Length of interviews: less than 30 minutes each

The interviews were all were all on technical subject questions, apart from one question at the begining of the third interview, which asked how I tackle difficult topics, etc. It was split into one mathematics interview and two physics interviews. Typically we covered two or three questions which were explained to me verbally before I attempted them on the paper provided.

In the first mathematics interview I felt as though I had to be helped along aquite a lot but I never got completely stuck, more of that to follow. We attempted a graph sketching question and a longer question that I don't think I can describe at all without giving away. On the whole I thought it was alright but definitely not an 'Oxford' standard interview given the help I needed.

The second two interviews were a mess, I felt constantly on the back foot and really struggled to think clearly. Both the interviews were built around a simple bit of physics emerging from a problem that was completely new to me. It's hard to say how much of this came from my own head but I was a bit taken a back by the hostility of some of the interviewers. I don't think they acted inappropriately but when all the advice online says how friendly they are I would prepare yourself for the case were they don't come across as pleased to see you. They definitely recognised I was struggling and rephrased the questions, or out right told me the answer to some parts, until I understood and we were able to move on though. The questions were hard, although even the ones I really struggled with during the interviews made sense afterwards, so I'd say to have faith that outside of the interview you would be more than capable of getting the answer. The test is whether you can get the answer under this pressure.

I did quite a few, but not all, of the past papers available online. Online past past papers for the PAT are probably a must. I'd say they make great interview prep tool, as you just need to get used to tackling new hard problems, the BMO (British Mathematical Olympiad) and MAT are good likewise. I liked to play a game of talking through problems I did in preperation for the interview as though it was the interview, specfically if I was stuck and brainstorming what approach I could take.

If you can get your school/college to run a practice interview then definitely do so. Looking back, I would like to have done more than one, because it was the only thing close to the pressure of the real thing, but there might not be the resources to do so.

I completely underestimated how nervous I would be in the interviews. I don't know how I could have better combated my nerves but I would certainly try and prepare yourself for them somehow. Maybe planning to do something in Oxford, even if it is a just walk round the city, to clear your head somewhat would be worth more than some last minute cramming. With the content of the interviews I think I could have been a lot less prepared in terms of subject knowledge and a lot more prepared mentally (although possibly the best way to feel mentally prepared is to know the subject matter, that's up to you to figure out). Having said that I got an offer having thought that 2/3 interviews were a complete disaster so my main advice would be not to assume that what feels like a failed interview from your point of view actually is.

Having said that I think the interviewers must be able to look past those nerves for the qualities they really want. If you're interested in the problems and with their help are able to follow the arguments they're putting forward, you will hopefully be succesful.

The other advice I would give is that 3/4 of my interviewers didn't go to Oxbridge so it really isn't everything. Getting in is a measure, albeit a competent one, of how someone else perceives your potential at a young age. It's much better to focus on achievements you have some control over. Try to be the best physicist you can; don't try to get into the best university.