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Design/Arrchitecture Cambridge Admissions Test

I’ve just recieved an interview for Design Cambridge and am sitting my admissions test next week. The example questions is quite vague, and I heard a previous question posed drawing objects. I am unsure what Cambridge is looking for in my work, how I should lay it out, how much detail in my drawings should I add (30min time limit).

If anyone could share their experience, or give an example of their work, that would be appreciated.

Also any interview prep too! I am wondering what kind of questions they will ask as Design is a new course.

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Reply 1

Original post
by Anonymous
I’ve just recieved an interview for Design Cambridge and am sitting my admissions test next week. The example questions is quite vague, and I heard a previous question posed drawing objects. I am unsure what Cambridge is looking for in my work, how I should lay it out, how much detail in my drawings should I add (30min time limit).
If anyone could share their experience, or give an example of their work, that would be appreciated.
Also any interview prep too! I am wondering what kind of questions they will ask as Design is a new course.
WAIT SAMEEEEE. I have mine next week too. I am particularly confused too as there is almost nothing. I recall one of their sample questions also being about drawing the room they are in, so there is clearly the possibility of them asking you to draw a space. I imagine they just want to see what you prioritise when representing something. I am lost on whether I should prioritise doing a more dynamic perspective or focus more on like detail, light yk. Pls tell me if you come to any new conclusions cuz babes I AM LOSSTTTT
A tracking form has been created so that you can see when interviews are being given out.

This is the link to this year's form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeQJr7K1L47KZcE-nMD5Zk3JPsEJyLTMFoSABbYaQ2f51aNog/viewform?usp=publish-editor

Please be aware you will need your TSR user ID to complete the form. If you don't know how to find this, click here.

This is the link for the spreadsheet containing 2026 form responses:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1U6K415ot2Daa02HqV40x8CiTVJlMnYWMhGkV7YHqk14/edit?usp=sharing

Note: All data you share is at your own risk, the forms and resources linked here are not controlled by The Student Room Group Ltd. If you have any issues, please tag a member of the Universities Volunteer Team. For more information please click here.

Reply 3

Original post
by kloyoona
WAIT SAMEEEEE. I have mine next week too. I am particularly confused too as there is almost nothing. I recall one of their sample questions also being about drawing the room they are in, so there is clearly the possibility of them asking you to draw a space. I imagine they just want to see what you prioritise when representing something. I am lost on whether I should prioritise doing a more dynamic perspective or focus more on like detail, light yk. Pls tell me if you come to any new conclusions cuz babes I AM LOSSTTTT


i asked and apparently there’s no set way they want you to draw. just try your best to convey as much detail in the time frame. odd though! what course have u applied for? good luck x

Reply 4

I also received an interview offer last week for design, which I was quite confused about initially since the drawing exam is this week. Anyways, I believe this test just wants to see how you express and interpret things in your way and style, so nothing particularly that you HAVE to do.
For the interview, I went to Cambridge open day a few months ago and talked to one of the design student. He advised that we should mention more on your interactive mindset and development if talking about a project. Hope this helps! And what college did you guys apply to? I applied to fitz!

Reply 5

Original post
by Anonymous
I also received an interview offer last week for design, which I was quite confused about initially since the drawing exam is this week. Anyways, I believe this test just wants to see how you express and interpret things in your way and style, so nothing particularly that you HAVE to do.
For the interview, I went to Cambridge open day a few months ago and talked to one of the design student. He advised that we should mention more on your interactive mindset and development if talking about a project. Hope this helps! And what college did you guys apply to? I applied to fitz!


cool i assumed so! good to hear there’s another design applicant (i’ve not met any others). i’ve applied to homerton!

Reply 6

Original post
by bitter-chaise
cool i assumed so! good to hear there’s another design applicant (i’ve not met any others). i’ve applied to homerton!


yea I could barely find any existing design student at the open day, so it was like a rare pull when I saw the guy. may i know what subjects are u currently taking?

Reply 7

Original post
by Anonymous
I also received an interview offer last week for design, which I was quite confused about initially since the drawing exam is this week. Anyways, I believe this test just wants to see how you express and interpret things in your way and style, so nothing particularly that you HAVE to do.
For the interview, I went to Cambridge open day a few months ago and talked to one of the design student. He advised that we should mention more on your interactive mindset and development if talking about a project. Hope this helps! And what college did you guys apply to? I applied to fitz!

WAIT WHAAAAAT I APPLIED TO DEISGN TOO
BUT WAIT IM BARE SCARED NOW NO WAY U ALREADY GOT AN OFFER
WAIT IM SO CONFUSED HOW DID U GET AN OFFER
before ur interview....
WOAH UR PORTOFLIO AND STUFF MUST HAVE BEEN AMAZING WELL DONE
i applied to pembroke!

Reply 8

Original post
by kloyoona
WAIT WHAAAAAT I APPLIED TO DEISGN TOO
BUT WAIT IM BARE SCARED NOW NO WAY U ALREADY GOT AN OFFER
WAIT IM SO CONFUSED HOW DID U GET AN OFFER
before ur interview....
WOAH UR PORTOFLIO AND STUFF MUST HAVE BEEN AMAZING WELL DONE
i applied to pembroke!

bro interview offer im acc being stupid omd
WELL DONEE
I GOT THE INTERVIEW OFFER BEFORE THE DRAWING ASSESSMENT THIGN?

Reply 9

Original post
by Anonymous
yea I could barely find any existing design student at the open day, so it was like a rare pull when I saw the guy. may i know what subjects are u currently taking?

woahh no way i didnr get to see anyone only architecture ppl! but also also my head of DT said they r prob also just like checking if ur portoflio drawings r upto par with yk the fast pace or work and that ur just not totally incompetant at drawing yk, cuz u have ur own style, they r not lkely to favour a certain "style" as long as its aesthetic, and clearly gets across a good represenation and isnt sooooo boring

Reply 10

Original post
by Anonymous
I also received an interview offer last week for design, which I was quite confused about initially since the drawing exam is this week. Anyways, I believe this test just wants to see how you express and interpret things in your way and style, so nothing particularly that you HAVE to do.
For the interview, I went to Cambridge open day a few months ago and talked to one of the design student. He advised that we should mention more on your interactive mindset and development if talking about a project. Hope this helps! And what college did you guys apply to? I applied to fitz!

I applied to fitz too!!! And I have my test tomorrow so this is all really helpful :smile:

Reply 11

Original post
by Anonymous
I also received an interview offer last week for design, which I was quite confused about initially since the drawing exam is this week. Anyways, I believe this test just wants to see how you express and interpret things in your way and style, so nothing particularly that you HAVE to do.
For the interview, I went to Cambridge open day a few months ago and talked to one of the design student. He advised that we should mention more on your interactive mindset and development if talking about a project. Hope this helps! And what college did you guys apply to? I applied to fitz!

I applied to fitz too!!! And I have my test tomorrow so this is all really helpful :smile:

Reply 12

Original post
by kloyoona
woahh no way i didnr get to see anyone only architecture ppl! but also also my head of DT said they r prob also just like checking if ur portoflio drawings r upto par with yk the fast pace or work and that ur just not totally incompetant at drawing yk, cuz u have ur own style, they r not lkely to favour a certain "style" as long as its aesthetic, and clearly gets across a good represenation and isnt sooooo boring

oooh thanks for sharing! I'm terrified for tmr bc 30min is rlly not alot of time to draw a room but maybe an object or two

Reply 13

oooh thanks for sharing! I'm terrified for tmr bc 30min is rlly not alot of time to draw a room but maybe an object or two

Reply 14

Original post
by kloyoona
WAIT WHAAAAAT I APPLIED TO DEISGN TOO
BUT WAIT IM BARE SCARED NOW NO WAY U ALREADY GOT AN OFFER
WAIT IM SO CONFUSED HOW DID U GET AN OFFER
before ur interview....
WOAH UR PORTOFLIO AND STUFF MUST HAVE BEEN AMAZING WELL DONE
i applied to pembroke!


i haven’t got an offer HAHAH, i wrote i had an “interview offer” so like ive been invited to interviews. best of luck for ur application, glad we’re in this together LOL💕

Reply 15

Original post
by Anonymous
yea I could barely find any existing design student at the open day, so it was like a rare pull when I saw the guy. may i know what subjects are u currently taking?


same i believe it’s not as popular as archi! luckily i had a few connections so was able to get some advice from current students. im taking maths physics and music (and EPQ)! wbu?

Reply 16

Original post
by exemplary-conga
I applied to fitz too!!! And I have my test tomorrow so this is all really helpful :smile:


good luck u and everyone!!

Reply 17

Original post
by Anonymous
i haven’t got an offer HAHAH, i wrote i had an “interview offer” so like ive been invited to interviews. best of luck for ur application, glad we’re in this together LOL💕


oops i thought that reply was to me!

Reply 18

Original post
by bitter-chaise
same i believe it’s not as popular as archi! luckily i had a few connections so was able to get some advice from current students. im taking maths physics and music (and EPQ)! wbu?


maths physics compsci and product design!! so my portfolio was very focused on design work and project development rather than artwork

Reply 19

Original post
by exemplary-conga
I applied to fitz too!!! And I have my test tomorrow so this is all really helpful :smile:


good luck to u!!!

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