De-Mystifying The Oxbridge Interview: What it really means to be interviewed at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge
Written by Rory Dunning
The Oxbridge interview has a reputation for being a rather rigorous process. Online research on the topic creates the impression of nervous students being held at the mercy of old-fashioned intellectuals, and tutors who take some strange sort of pleasure in asking questions like âWhat would you do if I were a magpie?â or âHereâs a cactus. Tell me about itâ. The reality is, however, that isolated examples of interview questions lose sight of the context in which they were asked, and provide an unfair idea of tutors and their intentions at interview. In this article, we will look at five common ideas about the interview and talk about the truths and falsehoods behind each one.
âThe interview is the most important part of the application processâ
TRUE
The interview is certainly the most important part of the application process because it acts as a mock âtutorialâ (as itâs called at Oxford) or âsupervisionâ (as itâs called at Cambridge). This allows tutors to see if they would enjoy teaching you as their student, and allows you to show them that you would thrive in a demanding academic environment. The interview is above all about showcasing the way that you think, and this is exactly what tutors are assessing at interview: they want to see if you can think dynamically and break down problems to reach logical conclusions. The interview is, however, only one part of a wider application process, which includes the handing-in of written work, the completion of a UCAS Personal Statement, the sitting of entrance exams (BMAT, MLAT, LNAT, HAT, ELAT, CAT etc.), and the assessment of your grades at A-Level/IB and IGCSE/GCSE. But, as the last step in the application process, it should be viewed as an opportunity to demonstrate in real life the passion that you have for your subject, as well as a chance to develop ideas that you may have mentioned in your Personal Statement and the written work you handed in. This, after all, is exactly what a tutorial is about: handing in written work that is then discussed, developed and re-evaluated after a back-and-forth with your tutor.
âTutors are looking for specific knowledge that shows youâre Oxbridge-worthyâ
FALSE
From our own experience, as well as that of our clients, the exact opposite is the case. The purpose of the interview is not to show off your knowledge of pre-learnt material, but rather to see how you think in the face of new and unseen problems. This often makes the interview feel challenging, but this is indeed the point. The tutors want to see how you respond to different challenges and are more interested in your workings than in your conclusions. The key here is to really practice thinking out loud: verbalising your thoughts whilst absorbing new information is exactly what theyâre looking for. Rather than spending time learning information that you think will impress, get yourself an Oxbridge-graduate mentor in your chosen subject who can test your ideas and challenge you into different ways of thinking.
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âSuccessful applicants feel that the interviews went wellâ
FALSE
In fact, we find the opposite to be the case. Often the more challenging an interview is, the worse it feels it has gone. But to be challenged deeply is the best sign that your tutor feels you can be tested and challenged in areas outside of your comfort zone. Tutors want to see how you respond to unfamiliar problems, and something that is unfamiliar often feels uncomfortable. But the key is to embrace this sense of discomfort and really just have a go at explaining things in the best way you can. Tutors are often more concerned with your approach to a problem than if you get the right answer.
âTutors are just trying to trip you upâ
FALSE
Tutors will certainly ask you hard questions but they are not intending to catch you out. Think about it - what would the point in that be? Theyâre there to find students who they would want to teach, not to make you feel useless. This misconception in part stems from the plethora of Oxbridge interview information online, which often highlights questions that sound ridiculous when taken out of context. Oxfordâs own mock interview material, released in 2017, does nothing to help this: the opening question for Biochemistry reads âLadybirds are red. So are strawberries, why?â Whilst a Brasenose College Professor clears up the thinking behind the question: âRed can signal either âdonât eat meâ or âeat meâ to consumersâŚIâm interested in seeing how applicants attempt to resolve this apparent paradoxâ, the question, in isolation, seems much more intimidating and unapproachable. The reality is that questions such as these arise from organic discussion in the context of the interview. Anyone thatâs ever done the real thing themselves can attest to it being more of a challenging intellectual conversation than a randomised interrogation with highly abstract questions.
âEveryone else interviewing is better prepared and has read more than meâ
FALSE
This is an idea that everyone falls prey to, especially when youâre dealing with the pressure that comes with Oxbridge interviews. Preparation is key, but thereâs no one way to prepare, nor is there a specific reading list of books you need to have covered. Sure, a lot of people doing the interview will have done their own preparation, but thatâs not to say itâs any better than your own. The key is to prepare intelligently and not overwhelm yourself with too much unnecessary information. A deep interest in fewer books/research papers/STEM topics goes much further than a claim that youâve read all of Shakespeareâs works or that you spent time with a Nobel Peace Prize Winner. Here at UpGrade, our aim is to tailor your preparation around your own interests and really try to get you to think in ways that will help you stand out at interview. There is by no means a secret recipe to interview success, but thereâs an undoubted and proven benefit in taking time to develop your interview technique with Oxbridge mentors over a considerable period of time. Weâd love to join you on your journey and truly maximize your chances of entry at Oxbridge or at any other top Russell Group University!