Applying for PPE and mock interview practise

Mock Interview Practice

I offer mock interview practice, specifically for the PPE course. Usually, I like to offer a one-hour session. This usually involves 45 minutes of interview and 15 minutes to go through answers and offer suggestions. (Purchase Mock interview – though best just to contact directly) If you find it helpful, some candidates like to have a 2nd or third interview

If you are interested in arranging a mock interview, please contact me here.

During the interview:

• I will ask questions based on your personal statement
• I ask questions which may get asked in PPE
• Ask questions on (unseen) stimulus material, such as graphs, extracts and short quizzes.
• Identify areas of weakness and things to improve on.

Readers Question: Basically I wanted to ask you about the PPE course, as you have obviously studied it. I’d really appreciate it if you could advise me on my AS subjects, whether they’d be suitable for PPE: English Literature, History, Politics & Economics. I’m particularly worried about not having Maths as a subject. I did phone the Oxford Admissions department and was told it shouldn’t matter if I haven’t studied Maths at AS, but I should be wary there is Maths involved in the Economics side. The thing is I’m just “okay” at Maths, I expect an A at (i)Gcse when I get my results, but I just can’t imagine being good enough to study it at university, yet I’m sure PPE is the course for me!

The first year, you do all three subjects. The first-year economics is based on A-Level economics. In the first year, there is not any significant maths apart from GCSE style maths. After the first year, you need to choose 8 options (you can drop one subject or do all 3). I choose 3 Economics and 5 Politics. The economics I chose were

• Microeconomics
• Macro Economics
• Development Economics

When I did PPE, I don’t remember ever having to use calculus or anything like that. However, recently, Oxford have standardised their economics courses and increased the content of maths; if you want to specialise in maths, you will need to be comfortable with the mathematics content. Definitely A Level maths will be a help for the economics side of PPE.

It is an advantage to have A-Level economics – though they definitely don’t require it. If you have done A-Level economics, it makes the first year a lot easier. Your A-Level textbook will be useful, so definitely take it with you.

I found logic (part of philosophy) very difficult. It’s kind of mathematical but not the maths you study at A Level. I dropped logic at the first opportunity.

Also, I’d appreciate if you could advise me on anything at all that I can do from now, to increase my chances of getting into Oxford to study PPE.

Develop knowledge of current economic issues e.g.

Try to see issues from a non-standard perspective. Develop opinions on subjects and practise articulating them. This is what the interview will be focusing on.

Read more from around the subject

• You don’t need to read complex and tedious books like Das Capital by Marx and Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith. Read short introductions to people like Keynes, Friedman, Marx. If it was me preparing, I’d read something like ‘Marx for Dummies’ to grasp the essentials of his thought.
• See: Recommended economics books

Responding to Data

it is possible you will be shown data or article and asked to comment. So general reading is good practise

How much theory do I need?

The interviewer won’t expect you to give detailed economic theory, they are more interested in how you think, structure answers and potential. I wouldn’t worry about trying to insert theory into answers unless it comes naturally.

Get Interview Practice

The interview counts for a lot. Many can get three A’s so it is in the interview where they select candidates. I do a few ‘mock interviews’ and am often surprised at the low standard of potential applicants in interviews. Join a debating society or something like that.

Game Theory

With Oxford economics becoming more mathematical, it is a good idea to have a general understanding of game theory.

Combination of topics

It can be good to be aware in a general sense the interconnectedness of three subjects, but don’t force the connections.

Tips to Come Across Well in an Interview

• Be smart and presentable. Simple is better than exotic or fashionable.
• Make sure you answer the question they ask.
• Don’t worry if they ask a question where you have no idea. It is OK, to say, I don’t have much knowledge on that topic. That probably comes across better than making something up.
• Be confident and be prepared to have opinions, but don’t come across as arrogant.
• If interview is online, do a test run, and make sure lighting and audio is OK.