hi, I have an interview on Saturday and wondering what everyone thinks my chances of being offered a place are. I have had a grammar school education and predicted to get all As in my gcses, but come from a privileged background, my mother is high up in the teaching profession and has a degree. I live in an affluent London borough, and hoping this wont go too much against me. I know less privileged kids get first priority, but does this mean there is any hope for me. does anyone know how many kids are being interviewed for how many places. cheers

Reply 328

Foodatastic

My interview went so bad, it started of as "Hello, why do you like maths?", that went nicely, I ripped through that question. Then he asked me what topic he should question me on, as stupid and nervous as I was, I simply said "Differentiation", the worst topic in Maths (That's the topic I am worst at, I was nervous to the point I said what came in my mind, which was that). Then he asked a question easier than the topic I chose, and I still got it wrong. First I did a completely stupid observational mistake which he pointed out, then he made the next step obvious, so I know what to do next. Then I got stuck again, where then he said one word and I figured out what to do. Then I used the wrong equation but then corrected myself before he can. Then I got stuck again, where he cleared it up, I did the calculation and got the answer. Done, then he said "well, times up, that's the interview over" and he stood up and escorted me out of the building. I am actually screwed.

Reply 329

Braidednightmare

I wouldn't worry. We always think it went worse than it actually did. Don't be concerned if some things went wrong, after all they'll remember that they're dealing with 15/16 year olds, it will be hard to find perfection.

Reply 330

Foodatastic

if im going to get an offer, its going to be on my predicted grades or my entrance exam, I do so much better in a question where I have time, and a lack of eyes looking at me while im doing it.

Reply 331

Foodatastic

My predicted grades are all As and A* apart from history that's a B, the predicted grades should be fine, but the interview, oh god...

Reply 332

Braidednightmare

Yes. Hopefully predicted grades have a huge weigh on who's selected. I don't think I did that well for the entrance exams. A lot the questions were left unanswered, so if I can do well on this interview that would be nice.

What do you think made the interview so difficult. Your nerves?

Reply 333

Foodatastic

not to mention that the question he asked was something I could've done easily with time, it was an easy question, its the nerves and the presence of a judging person infront of me. :'(

Reply 334

Foodatastic

Original post by Braidednightmare

yes it was the nerves, its the first time I had ever been in an interview, (never even had a mock interview), and the questions were completely different to what I expected. And I chose a damn hard topic of maths. thank god the teacher went easy, but I still messed it up.

Reply 335

Braidednightmare

Original post by Foodatastic

I think you still have a chance.

What do you mean the questions were different to what you expected?

Reply 336

Foodatastic

Original post by Braidednightmare

I think you still have a chance.

What do you mean the questions were different to what you expected?

I expected more psychological and lifestyle question, which I prepared for more. Didn't expect 15 minutes to be spent on one easy question which I mess up. He only asked why I like maths, what topic I want to be questioned for and then he asked a very "application of knowledge" question which required a massive range of my knowledge.

Reply 337

Braidednightmare

Original post by Foodatastic

In your defence, maths is quite a hard topic to be interviewed in.

Reply 338

Foodatastic

Original post by Braidednightmare

In your defence, maths is quite a hard topic to be interviewed in.

The thing is that the question was easy, if thought properly and application of knowledge was applied in a correct manner, its fine. The fundamental mistakes I did that destroyed practically the whole thing, and the presence of the headmaster just blocked my mind. The question was something I could've done with time and with confidence, both of which I lacked.