Cambridge University Entrance Interviews

Just before Christmas, hundreds of nervous sixth formers arrive in Cambridge for college interviews hoping to be offered a place at the University. The interviews take place in whichever college the student has applied. The form and conduct of these interviews will vary widely depending upon the experience and quirks of the college fellows doing the interview, the subject that the student has applied to study and the academic background of the applicant. The questions that might be asked have often become the stuff of urban legend – for example, would you rather be an apple or a banana?

The questions are aimed at getting the students to think and to identify those who can use their brains. It is very difficult to discriminate between students based on their predicted A-level grades as most are expected to get three or four A-grades so the interview is one of the ways to identify whether the students can think for themselves or have simply been spoon-fed and tutored to achieve high A-level grades. It is unlikely therefore that the students will be asked to regurgitate factual knowledge from their A-level syllabus. Of course, some of the questions will be aimed at putting the student at ease such as why do they want to come to Cambridge, which book are they currently reading, why do they want to study subject X? Most of the students will have prepared responses to these banal questions. The more discriminating questions might require the student to use their A-level knowledge and apply it to situations with which they are not totally familiar. For example, why does a car get more miles per gallon of petrol if the tyres are properly inflated? Why do you often find sand on the bottom of a swimming pool? What might account for the leaves still left on this tree in the autumn?

Some questions will not necessarily have a correct answer such as the apple and banana question, but are aimed at seeing whether the student can give a clear, reasoned argument. For example, what do you consider the greatest scientific discovery of the 20^th century? Antibiotics, structure of DNA, contraception, vaccination? There are lots of possible answers but the interviewer will be looking to see if the student can present an argument justifying their choice.

Of course the process is stressful and certainly not perfect. It possibly favours the more confident students but by asking off the wall questions that are difficult to prepare for in advance, it is hoped that all the applicants are given a fair chance that is not dictated by the quality of the school they went to.