Oxbridge Interview Preparation – 2025 Entry

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Interviews at Oxford and Cambridge are one of the most crucial stages of the admissions process. These interviews are designed to assess your academic potential, critical thinking, and how you approach complex problems. While they can seem daunting, the right preparation will help you showcase your abilities effectively.

Interview Dates for 2025 Entry

• Oxford Interviews:

Interviews for shortlisted candidates will take place in December 2024, with most being conducted online through MS Teams, just as in recent years .

• Cambridge Interviews:

Cambridge interviews are also expected to take place in December 2024, though the exact format (in-person or online) may depend on your college .

What to Expect at an Oxbridge Interview

Interviews at both Oxford and Cambridge are conducted by academic tutors who will likely teach you if you’re admitted. They’re not trying to catch you out, but instead, they want to see how you think. You might be asked questions about your personal statement, your subject knowledge, or be given an unseen problem to solve.

Key Points to Expect:

• Subject-Specific Questions: These questions are designed to test your depth of knowledge in the subject you’ve applied for, as well as your ability to think critically and reason logically.

• Problem-Solving: In many cases, you’ll be given unfamiliar problems, and the tutors will observe how you approach and work through them.

• Personal Statement Discussions: Be prepared to talk about anything you’ve mentioned in your personal statement. If you’ve mentioned books, articles, or research, ensure you’re familiar with the details.

Top Tips for Interview Success

1. Practice Thinking Aloud: The tutors are more interested in how you think than whether you arrive at the correct answer. Practice explaining your thought processes as you work through questions.

2. Mock Interviews: Participate in mock interviews, ideally with someone who has experience with Oxbridge-style questioning. These can help you get used to the format and reduce anxiety.

3. Review Your Personal Statement: Make sure you can discuss everything in your personal statement in depth. If you mentioned a book or research paper, be ready to answer follow-up questions about it.

4. Stay Calm and Composed: It’s normal to feel nervous, but remember that the tutors are looking for intellectual curiosity and potential, not perfection.

5. Prepare for the Unexpected: Expect curveball questions that test your ability to handle uncertainty. Don’t worry if you don’t know the answer right away—take a moment to think and then explain your approach.

How We Help You Prepare

At The Oxbridge School, we provide tailored interview preparation services that include:

• Mock Interviews with experienced tutors.

• Subject-Specific Guidance to help you prepare for questions in your field.

• Interview Strategy Sessions to help you understand the best way to present your ideas under pressure.

Upcoming Interview Preparation Deadlines

• Mid-November 2024: Most students will be notified by this point if they’ve been shortlisted for an interview.

• December 2024: Interviews take place across Oxford and Cambridge.

Whether you’re applying for Medicine, Law, PPE, or any other subject, our team of experts will provide you with the guidance and practice you need to succeed.

Oxbridge Past Interview Questions: Medicine, Law, and PPE

Preparing for your Oxbridge interview is a critical step in the admissions process. Below are some real interview questions for Medicine, Law, and Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) at Oxford and Cambridge. These questions can help you get into the right mindset and give you an idea of what to expect.

Medicine Interview Questions:

1. What is the purpose of DNA?

2. If there was only one bird flu vaccine left, who would you give it to: you or me?

3. How would you design a brain?

4. Why do we see things in the colours we do?

5. What are ulcers?

6. Why is high blood sugar a problem in diabetes?

7. How do bacteria develop antibacterial resistance?

8. If you were the new Secretary of Health, how would you improve the NHS?

These questions are designed to test both scientific understanding and ethical reasoning. Be prepared to think critically and explain your thought process logically.

Law Interview Questions:

1. How important are jury trials?

2. Should a male have rights equal to those of a female in IVF treatment?

3. If A gave B £100 thinking it was a loan and B accepted it as a gift, should B give it back?

4. If a man is stuck in a burning building and he promises to give you all his money if you help him escape, is he legally obliged to keep his promise?

5. What is the difference between intention and foresight?

6. Would it be possible to have one legal system for the entire world?

Oxbridge Law interviews often focus on ethical dilemmas, legal reasoning, and hypothetical scenarios, testing your ability to argue persuasively and logically.

PPE (Philosophy, Politics, and Economics) Interview Questions:

1. Is society greater than the individual?

2. What is the difference between power and authority?

3. What is the point of privatisation?

4. Is democracy the best system?

5. Why do we need government?

6. Would you support the privatisation of the NHS?

7. What is the biggest economic problem facing Britain today?

For PPE applicants, interviews are meant to challenge your understanding of political, economic, and philosophical concepts. Be prepared to defend your answers with clear reasoning and evidence.

These past interview questions can help guide your preparation and give you an edge during your Oxbridge interview. At The Oxbridge School, we provide tailored mock interviews to ensure you feel confident and ready for your big day.

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