Free Interview Resources
Free practice questions, preparation advice, and expert insights for Chemistry interviews at Imperial College London.
Real Chemistry interview questions in the style Imperial College London asks. Try answering each one aloud before you reveal the hint.
How many different molecules can be made from six carbon atoms and twelve hydrogen atoms?
Problem-Solving
Hint
Start with valency and degrees of unsaturation, then separate rings, double bonds, cis-trans isomerism and chirality.
Draw a plot of pressure against volume for an ideal gas, then derive how pressure changes as volume changes.
Problem-Solving
Hint
Use the ideal-gas equation and decide which quantities are being held constant before differentiating.
Estimate the mass of air in this room. What would change if the room were filled with water?
Problem-Solving
Hint
Estimate the room volume first, then multiply by a reasonable density for air or water.
How many moles of water are there in a bottle of water?
Problem-Solving
Hint
Convert volume to mass, then use the molar mass of water.
Derive the Henderson-Hasselbalch relationship for a weak acid buffer.
Problem-Solving
Hint
Begin from the acid dissociation expression and rearrange using logarithms.
Structured interviews that combine technical problem-solving with motivation and personal statement discussion.
Imperial interviews vary by department. Engineering and Computing tend to be technical with problem-solving elements. Medicine uses a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format with several short stations. Most interviews last 15-30 minutes and may include a presentation or group exercise.
Interview Invitation
Late Nov
Arrival to Interview
Early Dec
Technical Question
Mid Dec
Decision
Early Jan
Interview Invitation
Late Nov
Arrival to Interview
Early Dec
Technical Question
Mid Dec
Decision
Early Jan
Explain the trend in bond length and bond dissociation energy for the halogens, and explain why fluorine does not fit the simple trend.
midHint
Separate atomic size from electron-pair repulsion and think about what weakens the F-F bond.
Why does the boiling point of water rise when salt is dissolved in it?
midHint
Think about vapour pressure and the difference between pure solvent and solution.
Discuss the bonding in benzene.
midHint
Compare a localised alternating-double-bond picture with delocalisation and equal bond lengths.
What determines whether an acid is strong or weak?
entryHint
Avoid saying only 'pH'; focus on dissociation, equilibrium position and conjugate-base stability.
What is the difference between entropy and enthalpy?
entryHint
Use examples, but define each term precisely before comparing them.
What is the difference between diamond and graphite? What are the similarities?
entryHint
Compare bonding, structure and electron mobility before moving to properties.
Why are transition metals often good catalysts and why are many of their compounds colourful?
midHint
Think about variable oxidation states, d orbitals and ligand-field splitting.
You mentioned an organic reaction from school. Explain its mechanism and then suggest what might change if one reagent or condition were altered.
midHint
Use curly-arrow logic and explain electron movement rather than memorised steps.
What is turning you on in chemistry at the moment?
entryHint
Choose a real topic and be ready to explain one chemical idea, not just why it sounds impressive.
Why do you want to study chemistry?
entryHint
Move quickly from enthusiasm to specific chemical problems you want to understand.
Why should we choose you for a chemistry course?
entryHint
Answer with evidence of teachability, problem-solving and sustained chemistry engagement.
How would you differentiate between salt and sugar without tasting them?
entryHint
Think about observable tests involving solubility, conductivity, melting behaviour and crystal structure.
Why is life carbon-based rather than silicon-based?
hardHint
Compare bonding versatility, bond strengths, chain formation and oxidation products.
Why are explosions a risk in flour mills, and what stops bags of flour exploding in a kitchen?
midHint
Think about surface area, oxygen mixing, ignition energy and confinement.
12+ weeks
8-12 weeks
4-6 weeks
1-2 weeks
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Further Reading
by Imperial College London
Official course information for the Chemistry MSci route, including course identity and structure.
by Imperial College London Department of Chemistry
Official departmental admissions information, including the interview format.
by Royal Society of Chemistry
A chemistry education resource for strengthening subject knowledge.
by Cambridge Chemistry Challenge
A problem-solving resource suitable for stretching A-Level-adjacent chemistry reasoning.
by Discover Uni
Course-level information for accreditation and graduate-outcome context.