What are Oxford interviewers looking for?

Obviously your school grades and predicted A Level grades are important, but if you've made it to the interview stage then your grades have proven to Oxford that you have the academic ability to study on an Oxford course. In the interview, interviewers are really looking for a passion for your subject and an ability to deal with challenges and problems. It's important that you read around your subject so that you can demonstrate your interest and commitment to your subject outside of school: read relevant news stories online, read books outside of class, and see if there are any events you can attend such as museums, exhibitions or talks related to your subject. Knowledge of your subject outside of the A Level curriculum will demonstrate your intellectual curiosity and subject passion.In the interview, you will also be faced with some intellectual challenges and problems that will be very different from your school classes, and will require you to think outside the box. Make sure you remain calm, take some time to think about the question, and don't be overwhelmed if you're not sure of the answer. Talk through how you would tackle the problem and the ideas you have. The interviewers are looking for an ability to think critically and deal with new challenges, rather than a perfect response.