Oxford publishes sample interview questions as 2016 deadline approaches

Famous for its inventive and obtuse questions at the interview stage of the application process, the University of Oxford has released a sample of some of the questions would-be applicants are likely to receive when applying to the UK’s number two university.

Oxford conducts more than 24,000 interviews for 10,000 applicants in December each year and this is just one element of the Oxford selection process. Exam results, predicted grades, admissions tests and academic references all count towards receiving an offer.

Samina Khan, director of admissions and outreach at Oxford, said: “Interviews are not about reciting what you already know – they are designed to give candidates a chance to show their real ability and potential, which means candidates will be encouraged to use their knowledge and apply their thinking to new problems in ways that will both challenge them and allow them to shine.”

Do you think you have what it takes? Try the sample questions below and don’t forget our Oxbridge Service can fully prepare you for applying to the University of Oxford.

• Oriental studies: Can archaeology prove or disprove the Bible?
• Engineering: Place a 30cm ruler on top of one finger from each hand. What happens when you bring your fingers together?
• Experimental Psychology: Imagine 100 people all put £1 into a pot. Each person has to choose a number between 0 and 100. The prize goes to the person whose number is closest to 2/3 of the average of all of the numbers chosen. What number will you choose and why?

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