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Top 10 Tips for Oxbridge Medical Interview Preparation
Just getting invited to interview at Oxford or Cambridge is a considerable achievement in its own right, but it’s no secret that Oxbridge interviews are amongst the hardest a prospective medical student might have to negotiate. Even so, there’s plenty of preparation you can do to give yourself the best chance of success – here are ten of our recommendations.
1. Revise your science
Scientific aptitude is the single biggest factor by which Oxbridge interviewers assess medical applicants. Therefore, the best way to prepare is by getting 100% clued up on the relevant content of your A-Level science syllabuses. For Biology, that means practically everything but plant biology and ecology; for Chemistry, it’s harder to know what to revise, but the fundamentals of physical, organic and inorganic chemistry could certainly all be relevant.
Thanks to the Supplementary Additional Questionnaire (SAQ), you shouldn’t panic over topics you haven’t covered yet, as it allows interviewers to tailor their questions to what you’ve been taught. That said, there are certain topics that simply won’t be off-limits – think biological molecules or major organ systems, for example – ask your teacher to skip ahead if these are timetabled for after Christmas.
2. Make use of online information
Just because Oxbridge interviews are different from those at other medical schools, doesn’t mean you have to guess in the dark as to what yours could be like. The two universities, not to mention specific colleges, provide plenty of information online about how they like to assess applicants, and you can even watch mock interviews for free. Additionally, there are numerous sources of interview questions that previous applicants have been asked – on forums and on the Medic Mind website!
3. Plug the gaps in your clinical knowledge
Your A-Level studies and general knowledge will already span most of the clinical cases that could come up for discussion in an Oxbridge interview. But if you’ve got niggling uncertainties about any of the big ones – heart attacks, Alzheimer’s or an infectious disease, for example – it’s worth doing a bit of research and making some notes. You don’t want to get caught out!
4. Prepare for questions involving unseen analysis
Oxbridge interviewers like to challenge candidates to analyse the unseen – from data in graphs or tables to objects (such as bones) and medical images (scans or histological slides). They don’t expect you to work out everything perfectly on your own and are more interested in seeing how you think and deal with the unexpected. However, if you’ve familiarised yourself with the basics of, say, how different bones are adapted for their functions, the process should be less intimidating.
5. Get suitable interview practice
You should try to organise at least one mock interview that imitates the Oxbridge substance and style – practice interviews for other medical schools probably won’t be similar enough. You can organise these with anyone you know who studied medicine or biological science of any kind at Oxford or Cambridge. If you don’t, though – as will be the case for most people – consider asking a member of the science department at school to try and replicate the interview experience for you.
6. Research your interviewers
Typically, a written invitation to interview will include the names of those interviewing you. Looking them up online won’t tell you exactly what’s going to come up (far from it), but it’ll put a face to a name and – based on their research or clinical speciality – tend to offer a good indication of the broad line of questioning they’ll pursue. Not only should this show you which topics to revise especially well, it’ll help you feel more relaxed going into your interviews. But don’t be thrown off if they ask about something totally different!
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premium7. Practise delivering long answers
A great way for Oxbridge interviewers to see how your mind works is to ask open-ended questions that demand longer explanations with limited interjection on their part. How does the heart work? Or: what can you tell me about water?
A couple of points or sentences won’t suffice here. So, build on your interview skills by posing such questions to yourself and improvising answers that cover at least four or five of the most significant points. You’ll get more comfortable with the sound of your own voice, too, which is no bad thing.
8. Explore beyond the syllabus
Reading beyond the A-Level basics is a classic piece of Oxbridge preparation advice for any subject. It certainly remains true for medicine, although there’s so much A-Level knowledge to test you on in the first place that you really don’t need to go overboard with this. Mentioning the latest scientific or clinical research on a topic can be a good way to show your enthusiasm for medicine, but not if your understanding doesn’t stand up to further questioning. A better strategy might be to read in more detail over specific areas of your A-Level course.
9. Set most of the usual prep to one side
One of the unique things about Oxbridge interviews is that they tend to ignore the staples of most other medical interviews – questions about why you chose medicine or their specific university, as well as questions on your personal statement, work experience or personal traits. For the vast majority of interviewees, none of these will come up. That’s not to say you should tempt fate and ignore them entirely in the course of your preparation, but chances are that you will be able to answer these adequately with minimal prior work.
10. Don’t worry over a question
It’s typical for dons to close out an interview by inviting you to ask any questions you may have. Some applicants like to prepare off-the-syllabus questions intended as a show of intelligence. While this certainly won’t harm your chances of success, it can be an unnecessary cause of stress. We advise doing what comes naturally to you – asking about something in the interview that’s piqued your scientific interest; making honest enquiries about the course, college or university; or politely asking nothing at all.
Frequently Asked Question
→What are Oxbridge medical interviews?
Oxbridge medical interviews are a part of the admissions process for medical schools at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. They are designed to assess a candidate’s academic ability, personal qualities, and suitability for the medical profession.
→How can I prepare for Oxbridge medical interviews?
Preparation for Oxbridge medical interviews involves extensive research and practice. You should familiarize yourself with the medical program and the university, as well as current medical issues and ethics. Practice answering interview questions out loud, and consider attending a mock interview session. It is also helpful to review your personal statement and be able to articulate your motivations for pursuing medicine.
→What types of questions can I expect in Oxbridge medical interviews?
Oxbridge medical interviews may include questions on science, ethics, and personal qualities. You may be asked to solve problems or analyze case studies, or discuss your motivations for pursuing medicine. It is important to be prepared for a wide range of questions and to be able to answer confidently and thoughtfully.
→What are the 10 tips for Oxbridge medical interviews?
The 10 tips for Oxbridge medical interviews are as follows:
Read and understand your personal statement
Familiarize yourself with medical ethics and current medical issues
Know your science inside and out
Practice answering questions out loud
Be prepared to talk about yourself and your motivations for pursuing medicine
Learn about the university and the medical program
Be confident and articulate
Listen carefully and ask questions
Dress appropriately
Be on time and polite.
→How important are Oxbridge medical interviews for admission to the program?
Oxbridge medical interviews are a crucial part of the admissions process and can heavily influence your chances of being accepted into the program. They are designed to assess your academic ability, personal qualities, and suitability for the medical profession. It is important to prepare thoroughly and present yourself confidently and thoughtfully during the interview.
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366 Comments
Jonathon PMedic Mind Tutor
21 April 2020
Great article! I had an interview at Oxford last year, and found it to be challenging. Its quite an experience, and you definitely get put out of your comfort zone. I sadly didn’t get an offer, but have an offer from Leeds 🙂