Free Interview Resources
Free practice questions, preparation advice, and expert insights for Physics interviews at Oxford.
Real Physics interview questions in the style Oxford asks. Try answering each one aloud before you reveal the hint.
A ball starts from rest and is pushed upward by a constant force for a fixed time. Sketch its velocity-time graph until it hits the ground.
Problem-Solving
Hint
Split the motion into the driven phase and the free-flight phase, then track the sign and gradient of velocity.
Sketch and analyse the function below; then differentiate it and consider what happens when the original function is squared.
Problem-Solving
Hint
Start with zeros, symmetry and limiting behaviour near the origin before attempting the derivative.
You are given a uniform rod of length L and mass M. How would you find the moment of inertia about its centre?
Problem-Solving
Hint
Set up a coordinate system with the centre at the origin. Consider a small element dr at distance r from the centre. Integrate.
A ball is thrown vertically upward with initial speed v₀. It passes a window of height h at times t₁ and t₂. What is v₀ in terms of g, h, t₁, and t₂?
Problem-Solving
Hint
Use the kinematic equation y(t) = v₀t − ½gt². The ball is at the same height twice (bottom and top of window); use this symmetry.
Explain how you would measure the resistivity of a piece of wire using basic laboratory equipment.
Problem-Solving
Hint
Resistivity ρ = RA/L. Measure resistance (using voltmeter and ammeter), length L (using ruler), and cross-sectional area A (using micrometer or diameter measurement). Consider sources of error.
Tutorial-style interviews with subject-specific problems, often involving unfamiliar material.
Oxford interviews typically take place at the college you applied to. You will usually have two or three interviews of around 20-30 minutes each, sometimes at different colleges if you are pooled. The atmosphere is meant to resemble a tutorial: the interviewer gives you a problem and watches how you reason through it.
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
Two masses M and m are connected by a string over a frictionless pulley. What is the acceleration of each mass?
entryHint
Apply Newton's second law separately to each mass. Remember that the tension T is the same in the string throughout, and the magnitudes of acceleration are equal.
A resistor of resistance R and a capacitor of capacitance C are connected in series to an AC voltage source V(t) = V₀ cos(ωt). Derive the impedance Z and describe the phase relationship between voltage and current.
hardHint
The impedance is Z = √(R² + (1/ωC)²). The current leads the voltage by a phase angle φ = arctan(−1/(ωRC)). Consider limiting cases: as ω → 0 (capacitor blocks DC) and ω → ∞ (capacitor acts as short circuit).
A string under tension T vibrates transversely. Show that the speed of a wave on the string is v = √(T/μ), where μ is the linear mass density.
midHint
Consider a small segment of string of length Δx and mass Δm = μΔx. Apply Newton's second law to the transverse motion, assuming small angles. Use dimensional analysis to guide your derivation.
What is the electrostatic potential energy of two point charges +q and -q separated by distance r?
entryHint
Use the formula for electrostatic potential energy: U = kq₁q₂/r. Think about the sign; opposite charges attract.
A satellite orbits Earth in a circular orbit at radius r. How does orbital speed depend on r?
entryHint
At orbital equilibrium, gravitational force provides centripetal force. Set GMm/r² = mv²/r and solve for v.
Choose one physics topic from your personal statement. What is the core physical principle behind it, and what assumption would break first if the situation became more realistic?
midHint
Avoid summarising the activity. Turn it into a physics explanation with a clear assumption and a possible follow-up calculation.
You mentioned a book, project, competition, or experiment. What did it change about how you understand a topic in mechanics, waves, electricity, or quantum physics?
midHint
Link the experience to a concrete model, equation, diagram, or limitation rather than making a general claim about interest.
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Final week
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Practice with a Oxford Physics graduate who's been through it.
Book Mock Interview →Watch & Learn
Shows the expected interview style: guided reasoning, corrections and explaining thought process.
Department-linked resource for seeing how a physics mock interview can unfold.
Works through real-style physics interview examples from current Oxford students.
Applicant-experience video useful for practising how to talk through past-style questions.
Good practice for modelling, symmetry and explaining an unfamiliar circuit problem.
All videos are the property of their respective creators.
Further Reading
by Steve Adams
A manageable popular-to-conceptual bridge, suitable for practising clear explanations of core ideas.
by Jearl Walker
Encourages interview-style curiosity about everyday physical phenomena and qualitative modelling.
by University of Oxford Department of Physics
Official long-term applicant support course with problem sets, webinars and interview preparation.
by Isaac Science
Oxford Physics recommends Isaac Science for maths and physics problem-solving practice.
by British Physics Olympiad
Oxford Physics recommends BPhO problems for challenging pre-university physics practice.
by University of Cambridge Department of Engineering / The Underwood Trust
Oxford Physics recommends this site as useful for interview-practice mathematics and physics problems.
by University of Oxford Department of Physics
The PAT is no longer the current admissions test, but the Department says past PAT material may still help with interview preparation.