Interviews

Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic (ASNC):

Candidates will be asked for one or two school essays.  These do not need to be related in any way to Anglo-Saxon, Norse or Celtic, since it is rare that anything directly relevant is studied at school.  Essays written in a foreign language (eg French or German A-level) are acceptable.   These should be essays that already exist, rather than something written specially for the occasion.  They should include teachers' comments and be photocopies rather than originals.  There are usually two interviews.  No specialist knowledge of the subjects taught in the Tripos will be expected, but interviewers will probe for linguistic ability, especially for candidates without a foreign or ancient language among their sixth-form subjects.

Archaeology and Anthropology:

Candidates will be asked to write an essay on a general theme within Archaeology and Anthropology when they come for their interviews.  These will be considered as part of the assessment.

Architecture:

A portfolio of work should be brought to the interviews in order to illustrate the candidate's interests, experience and ability in the visual and material arts. Normally drawing and painting form the basis of the portfolio, but other media such as sculpture and photography may also be included. It is usually sufficient for three-dimensional work to be exhibited in photographs. A sketchbook with ongoing drawings is particularly desirable and each candidate is encouraged to bring one along to the interview. It may be in any media (pencil, charcoal, crayon, etc) and should include a variety of subject matter. Applicants should be selective in assembling their portfolio, including what they feel to be most representative of their work, and what can reasonably be viewed and discussed within the time of the interviews.

Examples of AS/A2-Level or GCSE art (or equivalent) may be submitted, but creative work executed outside formal courses will also be welcome. It is important that the majority of work be recent, from the past year.

In addition, the Director of Studies will set a small exercise to be done at home and submitted in advance of the interview. This exercise will be sent out to all applicants the week after October 15th.

Classics:

A one-hour test, involving the translation of a passage in either Latin or Greek, together with a short essay on a topic of general interest that the candidate may wish to relate to his or her understanding of the Classics.  Two sixth-form essays (marked originals) are to be sent in advance (when requested). 

Candidates applying for the new four-year Classics course will be asked to attend a one-day workshop at the Faculty, consisting of some classroom teaching, a language aptitude test (no preparation or previous knowledge required), and a short interview.

Computer Science and Engineering:

You will be asked to take the Cambridge Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) as part of the admissions process. The test lasts 90 minutes, and will be taken as a pencil and paper examination on the same day as your interviews. The TSA assesses two kinds of thinking:

(i) Problem solving: reasoning using numerical and spatial skills

(ii) Critical thinking: reasoning using everyday written language

These general skills will be assessed by multiple-choice questions. In each case, a stimulus is presented, followed by questions and five options. The questions will not test your knowledge of any specific subject areas. You may not use calculators during this examination. Further information is available on the TSA Website.

Economics:

Two interviews.  Shortly before one of your interviews you will be given a passage to read.  This will form the basis for discussion in the interview.

English:

You will be asked to send in one copy of an essay on any literary text or topic (but not a practical criticism exercise), with your teacher's comments still on it, and two copies of a list of works of literature (not necessarily English) which you have read fairly recently; these may come up for discussion at interview. You will also be asked to sit a 90 minute written test. This requires no special preparation; it is designed to test the ability of candidates to think critically and to read and respond to a passage of literature perceptively. You will also be asked to comment on a passage of text as part of one or both interviews. Again, this requires no special preparation.

Geography:

School/college work to be sent in advance, in the form of essays or project work. Candidates taking Geography A2-level should send in one piece relating to physical geography and the other to human geography. For those of you not doing Geography at A2, the pieces can be in a related arts subject where you are endeavouring to develop an argument or put a point of view. The essays should include teachers' comments and be photocopies rather than originals.

Two interviews lasting 20/30 minutes each.  A passage will be given to the candidate 30 minutes before one of the interviews.  This will form the basis of discussion in that interview.

History:

You will be asked to send in two pieces of work in History - only two.  You must select your best two pieces.  There is a strong preference for History essays over document exercises.   Please note these should be marked essays, and it is essential that the assessors receive these by the deadline stated in your confirmation letter.

There will be two admissions interviews.  One will be based partly on the written work you have submitted, and the other will focus on a written text about an aspect of historical writing.   You will be given this text to read shortly before your interview.

History of Art:  

Two marked essays in different subjects to be sent in advance. One of them may related to the History of Art, but this is not a requirement.   In the interviews candidates will be asked to comment on reproductions of works of art and architecture.

Land Economy:

One marked essay in any subject and one piece of coursework (both with teachers' comments) to be sent in advance.

Law:

Applicants to Law will be asked to take part in the university-wide admissions test for law - the LNAT (no prior legal study will be necessary).  This test will take two hours and will have two sections: a multiple choice part assessing candidates' ability to read, understand, analyse, and make logical deductions from passages of text in formal English; and an essay. Further details can be found on the University website and the LNAT website. 

In addition, applicants will be asked to take a further 90-minute college test on the day of interview.  (no past papers are available).

Mathematics:

Candidates are given two interviews, one of which may include some questions of a more general academic nature.

Medical Sciences:

Many different factors are taken into account when applications to read medicine are considered. There are usually two interviews (both 25 minutes), one with the Director of Studies in Pre-clinical Medicine and one with the Director of Studies in Clinical Medicine. These will be directed towards assessing scientific aptitude and fitness for a medical career.

In addition, all applicants for Medical and Veterinary Sciences will sit the BMAT (BioMedical Admissions Test) administered at their schools/colleges. Information can be found on the BMAT website.

Modern and Medieval Languages:

You will be interviewed for each of the languages you intend to study at Cambridge, even those to be studied from scratch, when motivation and interest will be assessed.  There will be a short oral test (which will usually include reading a passage in the foreign language). We will also ask all candidates to take a short written test (approx 45 minutes).  Each college sets its own test based on a format agreed by all colleges.  At Clare you will be given a short non-literary passage in English, and will have to answer brief questions, one of which will involve use of one of the two languages you are hoping to study at Cambridge (no past papers are available).

Dictionaries are not allowed either for the written test or in preparation of the passage to be read and discussed at the interviews.

Music:

A one-hour written harmony test during the interview visit (you may be asked about this in one of your interviews).  The interviews will have five components: a short (3-4 min) instrumental or vocal performance; discussion of a short extract of music, which you will be given in advance of the interview (from the classical period); aural tests, keyboard tests and general discussion of your academic knowledge of music and your particular interests in the subject.  A school essay and harmony exercise (marked), to be sent in advance of the interviews. In addition, you are welcome to submit an original composition (written in the past year).

Natural Sciences:

You will be asked to do the Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) as part of the admissions process. The TSA assesses two kinds of thinking: problem solving (reasoning using numerical and spatial skills) and critical thinking (reasoning using everyday written language). These general skills will be assessed by multiple-choice questions. In each case, a stimulus is presented, followed by questions and five options. The questions will not test your knowledge of any specific subject areas. It is a 90 minutes test (paper and pencil), taken in College on the day of interview. Further information is available on the TSA website http://tsa.ucles.org.uk.

Oriental Studies:

Two essays in Arts subjects (at least one essay written in English) to be sent in advance. Some of these may be related in some way to Oriental Studies, but since applicants come from a wide variety of subject backgrounds, we do not make particular stipulations.

Philosophy:

As well as two interviews, candidates will be asked to take a one-hour written test. This will not require any special knowledge of philosophy, but will be designed to test aptitude for the subject.

Social and Political Science:

As well as an interview, candidates may be asked to take part in a new 90 minute (paper-based) pilot SPS Thinking Skills Test (Critical thinking questions), which will not require any special knowledge of the subject.

You will also be asked to send in one piece of school written work (an essay).

Theology:

As well as an interview, a one-hour written aptitude test, for which candidates are not required to do any specific preparation.

Veterinary Sciences:

As with Medicine, there will be two interviews, one with the Director of Studies in Pre-clinical Veterinary Medicine and one with the Director of Studies in Clinical Veterinary Medicine, and candidates will take the BMAT.