History Interview-style Questions

Note: Oxford and Cambridge do not publicly release any interview questions because they often reuse questions across application cycles. Below are interview-style questions of suitable difficulty that will help you prepare for your Oxbridge interview.

Question 1

Imagine we had no records about the past at all, except everything to do with sport. How much of the past could we find out about?

Question 2

Can the American political system be compared to the feudal system of the medieval age?

Question 3

Was it more detrimental or beneficial to Elizabeth I's image to align herself with the Virgin Mary?

Question 4

What are the parallels between totalitarian control in the Nazi state and forms of control in the western world today?

Question 5

How can one define a revolution? How would you organise a successful revolution?

Question 6

How would a biography of a major political figure written while they are alive differ from one written after their death? Which would be the more accurate assessment of their contribution to history?

Interview Tips

  • Think out loud: The interviewer will be assessing your ability to think through complex problems. They can only do this if they know your thought process.

  • Be familiar with your syllabus: The interviewer can ask you a question from any topic you have been taught already in your A level/IB syllabus.

  • Practice: There is no better way to prepare than to practice.

For comprehensive guidance, visit our Oxbridge Interview Guide.