Five quick wins for interview success
- Get ready for the common question types
- Nail a short, sharp self-introduction
- Show a clear plan for studies and life
- Do proper homework on the school
- Think critically and explain your views
1. Basic questions: prepare well, don’t sound rehearsed
Most UK school interviews cover three areas:
- General questions
- Academic/subject questions
- Critical‑thinking questions
Start with the general ones. Expect things like: your interests and activities, future goals, why this school, favourite and least favourite subjects, and whether you’re into sport or music. Make a list, jot down key points and examples—this is the easiest bit to prepare.
Big watch‑out: prepare, but don’t memorise word for word. Over‑scripted answers sound stiff and fall apart if the interviewer rephrases or digs deeper. Aim for bullet‑point prep, delivered in a natural, genuine, well‑structured way.
2. Self‑intro: win them over in under 30 seconds
First impressions matter. Craft a 20–30 second intro that:
- Leads with a highlight (a strength or a standout experience)
- Stays specific (don’t read your CV at them)
- Links to the school (how you fit their ethos or academic focus)
Some schools ask for this directly; otherwise, use it as a smooth jumping‑off point to your strengths.
3. Having a plan says something about the child
Especially key for Sixth Form. Schools like candidates who know where they’re headed—Medicine, Law, Engineering, or big passions like Debate or Model UN. Cover:
- Clear goals (short, medium, long term)
- Real steps (subject choices, relevant activities, experience)
- Thoughtful reflection (why it suits you, how you’ll test and refine it)
Still exploring? No problem—show a sensible process and proactive attitude.
4. Do your homework: show real interest
Good prep makes better conversations and proves you mean it. Try to:
- Attend the school’s summer programme to get a feel for the place
- Visit campus or join an Open Day/Open Morning
- Learn about facilities, courses and alumni; compare with other schools
- Bring strong questions about curriculum depth, teaching style, academic support and boarding life
Referring to first‑hand experiences in the interview is persuasive and helps you click with the interviewer.
5. Build critical thinking: handle curveballs with calm
Schools often throw in scenarios, abstract ideas or current‑affairs topics to test logic and articulation. Level up by:
- Reading quality news and long‑form pieces
- Discussing and debating regularly with teachers or peers
- Using a simple structure (define the issue → analyse from angles → state your view → handle counters → suggest actions)
- Doing mock interviews with feedback
This takes time—give it 6–12 months for real gains.
How to prepare: speed up with expert coaching
Top candidates often start 6–12 months ahead—brushing up on current affairs, practising thinking frameworks, drilling question types and doing mocks. With steady training, they can handle any question—and any surprise—with confidence.
Bottom line: with the right method, interviews are very doable
- Prep common questions; skip the script; speak naturally
- Keep the self‑intro short but strong
- Show direction with a clear plan
- Back up your interest with evidence and smart questions
- Train critical thinking for quick, clear answers
Want a tailored prep plan or mock interviews? Get in touch with Academic Asia. Our Head of Education, Giles Delaney—a former UK headmaster with 17 years’ experience—has helped countless students prepare for interviews TARGETING SCHOOL SELECTION, and even stretch for top‑tier offers.
