Interview questions - share your experiences

muffinmonster · Post by **muffinmonster** » Tue Mar 23, 2010 5:30 pm

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.

sherry_d · Post by **sherry_d** » Tue Mar 23, 2010 5:34 pm

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.

DS 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.

Tipsy I think this definately came from you

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...

bromley mum · Post by **bromley mum** » Tue Mar 23, 2010 6:12 pm

1. Which other schools are you applying to?
2. Which one would you like to go to?
3. What is good about this school (DC was a Junior school student applying to the Senior school).
4. What are your favourite subjects?
5. What has caught your eye in the news this week?

Ed's mum · Post by **Ed's mum** » Tue Mar 23, 2010 6:59 pm

One was definitely: If you were given Â£100 what would you do with it, and why?

sherry_d · Post by **sherry_d** » Tue Mar 23, 2010 7:03 pm

Ed's mum wrote:One was definitely: If you were given Â£100 what would you do with it, and why?

Just asked this one out of curiosity and she would buy a mobile phone as she really wants one and if there is any change she would save it and spend it another time.

FirstTimeBuyer · Post by **FirstTimeBuyer** » Tue Mar 23, 2010 10:07 pm

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.

muffinmonster · Post by **muffinmonster** » Tue Mar 23, 2010 10:33 pm

FirstTimeBuyer wrote: Q: What is adolescence?
A: The period between childhood and adultery.

Sally-Anne · Post by **Sally-Anne** » Tue Mar 23, 2010 10:51 pm

I am moving this to the Independent Schools section because admission interviews only apply to Indies, not state schools. (Other than for exceptional boarding places.)

Sally-Anne

hamster · Post by **hamster** » Tue Apr 20, 2010 5:00 pm

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?

Amber · Post by **Amber** » Tue Apr 20, 2010 5:59 pm

which instrument would you like to be and why?

Good lord, what a weird question! Whatever are you supposed to say?
'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!