What’s the key thing that interviewers are looking for?

Interviewers fundamentally want to know whether you’ll be interesting to teach. “Supervisions”, or “tutorials”, are what makes the teaching at Oxbridge unique. A focus on regular, small group teaching is the hallmark of an Oxbridge education. Your interviewers therefore want to know how well you engage with discussion in this kind of setting.
Act interested: they want to see that you’re excited by your subject. Ask questions: demonstrate that you’re open to developing your own understandings. Read broadly around the subject but stake out a niche: if you can evidence in depth knowledge about a specialist area sometimes interviewers will let you lead the conversation. If you don’t always have an answer, don’t worry: humility can be a positive, and stating that you will go away and explore the idea further shows an eagerness that your interviewers will like.

DC
Answered by Daisy C. Oxbridge Preparation tutor

2100 Views

See similar Oxbridge Preparation Mentoring tutors

Related Oxbridge Preparation Mentoring answers

All answers ▸

How do I prepare for an Oxbridge interview?


A windowless room contains 3 light bulbs, each connected to a switch outside the room. You can flip any of the switches in any order. You can then enter and look at the lights, but not touch the switches again. Which switch controls which light?


What is faith?


How should I approach writing a personal statement?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning