Other than academia, what does the interview test?

Also, was anyone on TSR admited even without studying their desired course in high school?

I heard that many of the questions concern your study at A-level/IB. But, as I was deprived of the opportunity to opt for Economics, I don't know what kind of questions to expect really.

What other types of questions might they ask? Also, was anyone on TSR admited even without studying their desired course in high school?

It would be like A-level law though.

On the black list.

First of all, I really appreciate those of you offering help. I believe this is the reason for TSR to be created, that is, to help each other out.

I know the question appears ridiculous at beginning but can't you consider it for a second?

Yes, Cambridge tests academic ability above all, but what is academic ability? It is, for the most part, based on what you learned in school. Therefore, even though they will certainly aim at your analytical abilities etc., much of the interview I presume will equally involve crucial knowledge.

I already researched quite a lot, and that is precisely what prompted me to post this question: most of the topics during the interviews I discovered seem to center applying LEARNED theories to real life situations. Although it is arguable that this may have resulted from the applicants' previous experience in the course, I have not yet come over many cases in which knowledge is not essential.

First of all, I really appreciate those of you offering help. I believe this is the reason for TSR to be created, that is, to help each other out.

I know the question appears ridiculous at beginning but can't you consider it for a second?

Yes, Cambridge tests academic ability above all, but what is academic ability? It is, for the most part, based on what you learned in school. Therefore, even though they will certainly aim at your analytical abilities etc., much of the interview I presume will equally involve crucial knowledge.

I already researched quite a lot, and that is precisely what prompted me to post this question: most of the topics during the interviews I discovered seem to center applying LEARNED theories to real life situations. Although it is arguable that this may have resulted from the applicants' previous experience in the course, I have not yet come over many cases in which knowledge is not essential.

You see, the reason that I'm asking is because this IS my RESEARCH. My questions my appear absurd, but believe me, I feel no less when browsing through the American University section of the forum; therefore, let’s be a little mutually tolerant shall we? And as Einstein once famously put, common sense is just a collection of prejudice one gathers by the age of 18.

By the way, I do think that knowledge is the gold-crust on the chalice to success. After all, knowledge is virtue, and virtue, knowledge.

I don't know what subject you're applying for, but "knowledge" wasn't tested in my English interview. I was tested on the way I thought - not "learned theories", mind you, just the way I absorbed information, processed it, and then formed answers based on it. Frankly, if knowledge were what was tested, I wouldn't have gotten in, and I daresay others who would've been rejected would. At this stage, at least for Arts subjects, where students are coming from so many varied backgrounds, it'd be self-defeating to accept candidates on simply "what they know". To be blunt, anyone with a good teacher, a decent learning environment and access to a library can gain knowledge without too much trouble - it takes motivation, flexibility and a certain amount of balls to make that knowledge into something worth reading. Thus (in my opinion!) it's pointless to assign ability - or lack of it - to your educational background. Everything I learnt that has so far been of use to me at university I taught myself in my own time - I took extra qualifications, I attended university lectures at my local university, I read books my teacher hadn't mentioned. Sure, my knowledge increased, but so did my ability to think critically - I grew aware that was I was learning inside the classroom was pretty small fry, academically speaking.

Also bear in mind that every interview will be tailored to you and how well you do. You cannot accurately guess how your interview will go by looking at past questions - they weren't aimed at you. Yes, you will be quizzed on knowledge, because the interviewers will assume that with your enthusiasm for the course you will have some - which is no unreasonable assumption, is it? But they will also, to put it simply, test your ability to think - part of which will be how you get to grips with unfamiliar ideas.