TIME FOR THE OXBRIDGE INTERVIEW

Almost ready to set off? If your Oxbridge interviews involve an overnight stay, pack something that will take your mind off the challenges lying ahead. For some people, that will be a thriller, for others Rescue Remedy or their favourite chocs.

Once up, try to enjoy meeting fellow candidates (who may become fellow students), rather than just viewing them as potential rivals. Some will have read books or explored subject areas you hadn’t even heard off, but don’t worry now. Interview questions can usually be handled by drawing on a variety of material.

If a personage or term mentioned really baffles you, check it out quickly on Wikipedia, but don’t spend hours trying to catch up. You want to stay fresh enough to display your own knowledge and engage with new ideas.  

While doing so, remember the two key interview skills: giving yourself time to think before you reply to a question is one. Answering the question actually asked (rather than the one you would like it to have been) is the other. Also, interview questions are meant to be hard, so don’t despair if you got the odd answer wrong. Have a good trip!