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Oxford PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics) Students and Applicants

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Metropolitan
Is there a masonic handshake that you have to give the tutors as you leave in order to get an offer?


Yes .... it involves the subtle transfer of two rolled £50 notes.
Reply 261
Avatar for lljaneth
lljaneth
Tom Holder
Yes .... it involves the subtle transfer of two rolled £50 notes.


lol..i briefly considered bringing amazing cookies..
since i'm not overly familiar with oxford, can you give us an address for the tavern? and what timeish do you think it'll be?
hey,
I don't know any of you guys really, but I have an interview at Balliol next week and am def up for meeting up etc...I don't know anyone who'll be around from my school etc so I'm a lonely child:frown: !
where is this place though? and how would we all recognise each other?
Reply 263
Avatar for Trepur99
Trepur99
just off topic a moment, does anyone know whether the format for the ppe test is now question A, then a choice of question B and C or is it as it used to be where you had to do all three questions
Reply 264
Avatar for sjuthani
sjuthani
6
WillSen
just off topic a moment, does anyone know whether the format for the ppe test is now question A, then a choice of question B and C or is it as it used to be where you had to do all three questions

lol, off-topic! :p:

Last year had all three sections, A, B and C to do.
Reply 265
Avatar for Trepur99
Trepur99
ok, that's a shame. Just how hard was it to get it done in the time limit, because I have a specimin paper where you only need to do 2 questions but they're much longer than the three question papers. Does this mean it will be reasonably possible to finish in the hour?

Edit: Were the definitions that are in the specimin paper in the paper you did last year?
Reply 266
Avatar for sjuthani
sjuthani
6
I finished the test, but a lot of people came out saying they hadn't. I don't know whether they were telling the truth or not, but I do think that one of the key things they're testing you is exam technique and time management.
Reply 267
Avatar for jilliank
jilliank
Hey, I've got a question regarding the specimen test. How would one go around answering Q2:

differences between
a- faith, belief, opinion
b - radical, revolutionary, reformist
c - programme, plan, policy
d - reactionary, conservative, repressive
e - power, influence, authority

?

I've tried, but I've definitely not done it properly, so it'd be helpful to see how it 'should' be done :redface:
Reply 268
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Trepur99
Was the test you did last year, the same format as the one online? ie. Did it have the definitions bit like the internet specimin paper?
Thanks!
Reply 269
Avatar for sjuthani
sjuthani
6
Yep- that's the point of a specimen paper, that it resembles the actual test.
Reply 270
Avatar for jilliank
jilliank
plus i'm a little unclear as to the applications of a few words in the context they've been given, so any help would be really helpful :biggrin:
jilliank
Hey, I've got a question regarding the specimen test. How would one go around answering Q2:

differences between
a- faith, belief, opinion
b - radical, revolutionary, reformist
c - programme, plan, policy
d - reactionary, conservative, repressive
e - power, influence, authority

?

I've tried, but I've definitely not done it properly, so it'd be helpful to see how it 'should' be done :redface:


Ok in 2 minutes each - no dictionary .... GO!

a)
To hold an opinion on an issue is to take a position on it. To hold a belief on an issue is to take a strong position on it, from which you would not be easily swayed. To have faith on an issue is to take an absolute position on it, even in the face of contrary evidence. The three words are different strengths of taking a position on something, with opinion being the weakest and faith being the strongest.

b)
A radicalist exists before a transitional change in a regime, advocating change in a system. During the period of transition the radicalist may become a revolutionary, actively participating in such change. After the transition the revolutionary may become a reformist, desiring and acting to create a final regime by reordering the transitional one. The three words represent three peoples during different stages of "change" in a system.

c) A plan is a set of ideas on a set of actions to be taken in the future. When these ideas are agreed upon (by a committee or other group of actors) this plan becomes a policy, with agreement that such actions (the plan) will be taken on. A programme is when the set of ideas have been agreed upon and organised, with some degree of date-setting involved. A plan is agreed, becomes a policy and is put into action as a programme, the three words are the same set of ideas at different stages of its "life".

d) - pass - (you can do that right?:biggrin: )

e) Influence is a form of power which is a form of Authority. Authority is the ability to control ones actions, either due to their belief that your demands are legitimate or because you hold power over them. Power is the ability to make another person do something they would not otherwise do, either through force or through influence. Influence is the ability to sway ones ideas (to some degree or another) to alter their preferred actions (rooted in those ideas).

How's that for two minutes each?
just worked out what d was on about

d) A reactionary is one who accepts change only to respond to a new set of circumstances. A conservative prefers the status quo, but will make slow change as situations do. A repressive will attempt to all change, even in the face of changing circumstances. The three words correspond to different degrees of force of rejection of change.
are these definitions absolutely correct and in no way contestable? ie, if u put something that wasnt necessarliy the same idea u get it wrong?
no - definitions are approximate
What is the format of the interview(s)? Do all four people listed on the invitation interview me at the same time or what? :confused:
Reply 276
Avatar for tkane
tkane
1
london south
What is the format of the interview(s)? Do all four people listed on the invitation interview me at the same time or what? :confused:


Do people get told who their interviewers will be?!?!?! I didn't have anything about who will be interviewing me on my Pembroke letter...I hope a page isn't missing out :eek:
Reply 277
Avatar for lljaneth
lljaneth
i didnt get told who my interviewers will be either. nor has anyone else i know..hmm which college did u apply to?
Reply 278
Avatar for tkane
tkane
1
lljaneth
i didnt get told who my interviewers will be either. nor has anyone else i know..hmm which college did u apply to?


Pembroke College...
In Pembroke I expect Linda Yeuh, Gabriel Uzquiano and Stephen Whitefield will be interviewing you all at once. (Maybe Ken Mayhew instead of Linda Yeuh).

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