Interview questions - share your experiences
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Interview questions - share your experiences
Arising from another thread about preparing for school admission interviews, I thought it would be interesting to hear from people what kind of questions their DCs have been asked at interview.
After watching the Cutting Edge programme 'Too Poor for Posh School?' the other week, I jotted down a few that were asked by the headmaster at Harrow, but they were pretty ordinary:
What's your greatest achievement at [activity - in this case chess]?
Why did you start playing the [instrument]? Have you done any grade exams?
Do you read? [poor child sounded really surprised to be asked that one!]
What interests have you got?
What's your behaviour like at school?
Why are you interested in a school like this?
Would love to hear some funny stories, if any - could do with a laugh today.
After watching the Cutting Edge programme 'Too Poor for Posh School?' the other week, I jotted down a few that were asked by the headmaster at Harrow, but they were pretty ordinary:
What's your greatest achievement at [activity - in this case chess]?
Why did you start playing the [instrument]? Have you done any grade exams?
Do you read? [poor child sounded really surprised to be asked that one!]
What interests have you got?
What's your behaviour like at school?
Why are you interested in a school like this?
Would love to hear some funny stories, if any - could do with a laugh today.
I keep notes on in word of anything useful I stumble on this site or anywhere else. Its so hard to find it when you need it. Sorry guys I cant give copyright who exactly said it bit here are some bits I have on my word notes that other members have shared.
Tipsy I think this definately came from youDS had his interview today at Habs.
Group discussion - had to describe a picture of uncle Sam ?!
No mental arithmatic.
Asked about hobbies.
Read a passage and answered some questions on it.
Asked which other schools he applied and why he wanted to go to habs.
Eye contact, put his hand out for a firm hand shake - none of this wet, limp hand malarky! If he gets asked a question that he has the perfect answer for make him pretend to be thinking first before he blurts it out as it will seem rehearsed. I told DS not to be a "Yes Sir, No Sir" at his Eton interview as they want kids that have a bit of gumption. In reality he is a "Yes Sir, No Sir" boy so at least he won't get into trouble when/if he goes there!
Favourite subject/ current book reading/ favourite book, film/ Hobbies(not watching TV/playing PSP/DS)/Why do you want to come to this school/ What could you contribute to the school/What do you want to be when you grow up/ Reading a passage and being asked comprehension like questions/ more puzzles / current events- think Haiti earthquake and perhaps poor weather and upcoming general election/ If you could be anyone for a day../ If money were no object...
Impossible is Nothing.
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13+ rather than 11+:
If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?
You invent a new religion: what would you call it and name one central rule it would have?
What is the greatest problem facing the world?
Describe a future invention and how it would affect our lives.
Especially for Muffinmonster:
Q: What is adolescence?
A: The period between childhood and adultery.
If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?
You invent a new religion: what would you call it and name one central rule it would have?
What is the greatest problem facing the world?
Describe a future invention and how it would affect our lives.
Especially for Muffinmonster:
Q: What is adolescence?
A: The period between childhood and adultery.
Exams are formidable for the best prepared. The greatest fool may ask what the wisest man cannot answer.
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We can add:
1. being shown a group of pictures and asked which one they liked and why. The pictures ranged from pictures of celebrities and animals to more thought provoking pictures eg. war, destruction of the rainforest and a road sign .
2. have you visited the school before in any other context?
3. is being nice to other people important?
4. which instrument would you like to be and why?
1. being shown a group of pictures and asked which one they liked and why. The pictures ranged from pictures of celebrities and animals to more thought provoking pictures eg. war, destruction of the rainforest and a road sign .
2. have you visited the school before in any other context?
3. is being nice to other people important?
4. which instrument would you like to be and why?
Good lord, what a weird question! Whatever are you supposed to say?which instrument would you like to be and why?
'A flute because I like people blowing over my mouth';
'A violin because I love getting on people's nerves by making a sharp whining sound';
' A double bass because then I would be more comfortable being this big',
' A trombone because I could make rude noises without my parents telling me off'.
' a drum because...' actually, no I will not write what I was about to put there!