PPE Entrance Exam

Hello!

I'm a new member here, and I was just wondering whether anyone sat/knew someone who sat the PPE exam last year, and what it was like.
I do maths, not economics (I have done C1, am doing C2, M1), so I'm very worried about applying for a course which is a) difficult to get into :frown:

, and b) may require extensive economical knowledge in the exam ( I haven't done any statistics yet, either)
Please mail me any thoughts! :smile:

p.s. Is the HAT easier?? :confused:

Reply 1

WhatFreshHell?

2

Well if you aren't doing economics they can't ask you to do stuff you won't know, although obvoiusly any background knowledge you have is a plus. Anyway, Ecomonics is just maths applied to real life, isn't it?

Reply 2

RxB

1

Requires no economic knowledge. Look at the sample on the site: they're similar every year.

Reply 3

Jessie

9

Economics is not just maths applied to real life. There is a high maths content in all degree level economics because maths is useful in interpreting models and developing models. There are many different branches of economics e.g. You can't say that the issues of development in sub-saharan africa is just applying maths to economics. You won't get anywhere in Economics without Maths but if you want a subject that is basically applying maths to real life, i would suggest physics or engineering would be MORE, but not entirely, appropriate.

Reply 4

whauden

Queen_A

p.s. Is the HAT easier?? :confused:

HAT was, for me, more interesting than hard....

If you like history, and are good at source analysis and talking about historiographical concepts (amazingly I cant remember at all what it was about, but the specimen paper was similar), then it shouldnt be too hard.

Reply 5

nooneknows

It's funny how many people hover between PPE and History. I did, and eventually opted for History. Sorry to say it, but the HAT isn't easy. Furthermore, there's a fairly crucial difference. The PPE test is taken while you're at Oxford i.e. after you've been invited to interview. The HAT is taken in early November before you're invited to interview i.e. it's used as a factor in deciding whether or not you're interviewed. This means the HAT has, in my humble opinion, much more pressure attached to it. If you mess up the PPE test, but have two storming interviews you may well get an offer. If you mess up the HAT, your PS and submitted work alone may not be enough to avail you an interview. Food for thought...

Reply 6

Queen_A

OP

10

Thanks!
I had no idea that the HAT was sat before the examination, I really should think about that! I love history and politics, and I genuinely find philosopy and economics fascinating, but there's still a part of me that wants to choose MHP because it isn't as widely sought after.
I know you're not supposed to, but I want to keep the Oxford dream alive!
I think PPE is the more exciting choice..as I do History & politics at the moment, so I kinda know what to expect from the course. BUT....3 years of maths..I'm struggling with M1 at the mo - got full marks on C1 but am dreading mechs. :eek:

Subjects

istory, Government and Politics, German, and (least favourite) Mathematics

Reply 7

RxB

1

I don't think there's that much difference in how competitive MHP and PPE are actually - if anything, PPE's easier numerically to get into.

Reply 8

Jessie

9

Queen_A

Thanks!
I had no idea that the HAT was sat before the examination, I really should think about that! I love history and politics, and I genuinely find philosopy and economics fascinating, but there's still a part of me that wants to choose MHP because it isn't as widely sought after.
I know you're not supposed to, but I want to keep the Oxford dream alive!
I think PPE is the more exciting choice..as I do History & politics at the moment, so I kinda know what to expect from the course. BUT....3 years of maths..I'm struggling with M1 at the mo - got full marks on C1 but am dreading mechs. :eek:

Subjects

istory, Government and Politics, German, and (least favourite) Mathematics

You know you can drop economics after the first year? A lot of the less mathematically inclined, who incidentally usually only have GCSE Maths, do that, and also those who are more interested in philosophy and politics. And Mechanics won't help you a bit. Its the pure that's most important (and stats) and you seem to be doing very well in those. Just make sure that Mechanics doesn't let you slip below an A.

PPE Entrance Exam

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