Most private sixth form colleges will interview prospective students before offering a place. The interview is rarely the formal, high-pressure experience families fear. It is a conversation, usually with the principal, an admissions tutor, or a head of sixth form, designed to see whether the student is a good fit for the college and whether the college is a good fit for them.
That said, being well prepared makes a visible difference. Students who arrive having thought about their subjects, their motivations, and their future direction come across as engaged and serious. Students who arrive cold can still do well, but they miss the chance to present themselves at their best.
If your child has an interview coming up in the weeks before GCSE exams begin on 11 May, or during the summer term, this guide will help them prepare. It covers the questions that come up most often, what interviewers are actually assessing, and how to answer in a way that is honest, thoughtful, and memorable.
What a Sixth Form Interview Is For
Before getting into specific questions, it is worth understanding what the interview is trying to achieve. This shapes how you should prepare.
Private sixth form interviews generally serve three purposes:
- Assessing academic readiness. Can the student handle A-level work? Have they thought seriously about their subject choices? Do they understand what the next two years will involve?
- Assessing motivation and fit. Why this college? Why private sixth form? What does the student hope to gain from the experience?
- Giving the student a chance to ask questions. A good college treats the interview as a two-way conversation. They want the student to leave informed, not just evaluated.
Colleges are not trying to catch students out. They are trying to understand the person in front of them. The best preparation is not memorising scripted answers; it is knowing yourself well enough to speak honestly about your interests and goals.
The Questions That Come Up Most Often
The exact wording varies, but most private sixth form interviews cover a similar set of themes. The questions below are the ones you are most likely to encounter.
| Theme | Typical Questions |
|---|---|
| About you | Tell me about yourself. What are your interests outside school? |
| Academic motivation | Why have you chosen these A-level subjects? Which is your strongest subject and why? |
| College fit | Why this college in particular? What attracted you to private sixth form? |
| Future direction | What do you want to do after sixth form? Have you thought about university? |
| Self-awareness | What is your biggest academic weakness, and how do you plan to address it? |
| Current events | Is there a recent news story you have been following? What do you think about it? |
| Reading and curiosity | What have you read recently outside of school work? |
| Questions for us | Do you have any questions about the college? |
Not every interview will cover all of these, but most will touch on the majority.
How to Answer the Most Common Questions Well
The principle that runs through every answer is this: be specific, be honest, and show evidence of thought. Vague or rehearsed answers rarely land well. Concrete examples and genuine reflection do.
"Tell me about yourself"
This is the opener. It sounds simple but it is where many students fumble because they try to summarise their entire life in thirty seconds. You do not need to.
A strong answer picks two or three things that matter to you and expands on them briefly. School, a subject you love, an activity outside lessons, something you have learned recently. The interviewer is looking for a sense of who you are, not your full CV.
Example opening: "I am in Year 11 at [school]. The subjects I enjoy most are history and biology, and outside school I play in a local orchestra and help at a community food bank on Saturdays. I am looking forward to sixth form because I want to take subjects I have chosen for myself rather than ones the curriculum requires."
That answer is specific, honest, and gives the interviewer several natural follow-up questions.
"Why have you chosen these A-level subjects?"
Interviewers want to know that you have thought carefully about your choices. A weak answer is "they were my best GCSEs" or "my parents suggested them."
A strong answer connects each subject to genuine interest or a considered future direction. If you are choosing your combinations, our guide to the best A-level combinations for 2026 is a useful starting point, and the most popular A-level combinations shows what other students actually pick.
Example: "I chose Maths, Physics, and Chemistry because I am considering engineering at university, and these are the core subjects for most engineering courses. I also chose Economics as a fourth subject because I am interested in how markets work and it gives me an option if I change direction."
If you are still uncertain about your direction, say so honestly. "I am interested in the sciences but I am not yet sure whether I want to go into medicine or engineering, so I have chosen subjects that keep both options open" is a better answer than pretending to a certainty you do not have.
"Why this college?"
This is where preparation shows. Interviewers can tell immediately whether a student has researched the college or simply sent the same answer to five different places.
Specific things you might reference:
- A particular subject strength the college is known for
- The class size or teaching approach
- Opportunities that stood out on the open day, if you attended
- Results in subjects you plan to take
- The university preparation support offered, particularly if you are aiming for competitive courses
Example: "I was impressed by how small the A-level classes are, and when I visited in March the students I spoke to all said they felt genuinely known by their teachers. I am also interested in the support the college gives for medicine applications, which matters to me because I am considering medical school."
Our guide to what to look for at open days can help you identify the details worth referencing in an interview.
"What do you want to do after sixth form?"
You do not need a firm plan. Many 15 and 16 year olds do not, and interviewers know this. What they do want is evidence that you have started thinking about it.
A good answer is honest about where you are. That might be a clear goal ("I want to study medicine"), a range of options you are considering ("I am drawn to history or politics, possibly leading to law"), or simply an honest uncertainty backed by what you are doing to explore ("I am not sure yet, but I am planning to use the summer to read around different subjects and attend some university taster days").
Vague non-answers ("I have not really thought about it") are the weakest response. Even if you have not decided, showing you have engaged with the question is what matters.
"What is your biggest academic weakness?"
This question is designed to see whether you can reflect honestly. The worst answers are either false modesty ("I work too hard") or a genuine weakness with no plan attached ("I am bad at essays").
A strong answer names something real and explains what you are doing about it.
Example: "Essay writing in English has been my weakest area. I get the analysis right in class discussion but I find it harder to structure my thinking on paper under time pressure. I have started doing timed practice essays at home and asking my teacher for detailed feedback, and my mock grade improved by one grade between January and March."
That answer shows self-awareness, initiative, and evidence of progress. That is what interviewers want to see.
"Is there a news story you have been following?"
This question comes up more often than students expect, and it frequently catches them out. The interviewer is not expecting expert analysis. They want to know whether you engage with the world beyond school.
Before the interview, pick two or three news stories you could discuss intelligently. These do not need to be world-changing events. A development in a subject you care about, a local story with wider implications, or a recent scientific discovery all work.
Have a view. Be willing to share why the story interests you. Avoid inflammatory or highly political topics unless you are ready to discuss them carefully.
"What have you read recently outside of school?"
Similar to the news question, this is about curiosity. You do not need to have read Tolstoy. You need to have read something.
Fiction, non-fiction, long-form journalism, a compelling podcast, a science book aimed at general readers: all are valid. What matters is that you can speak about what you took from it.
If you have not read anything outside school recently, say so honestly and mention what you are planning to read. Do not invent.
What Interviewers Are Really Assessing
Behind the specific questions, interviewers are looking for a small number of qualities. Understanding what they are helps you prepare more effectively than memorising answers.
Genuine interest in learning. Colleges want students who enjoy their subjects, not just students who perform well in them. Enthusiasm comes across in how you talk about what you study, not in how loudly you claim to love it.
Self-awareness. Students who can describe their strengths and weaknesses honestly make stronger sixth formers than those who cannot. The same applies to students who understand why they are choosing particular subjects rather than drifting into them.
Resilience and initiative. Private sixth form courses are demanding, and the transition from GCSE to A-level is significant. Interviewers look for evidence that a student responds well to setbacks and takes responsibility for their own progress.
Fit with the college culture. Every college has a particular character. Some prioritise academic intensity, others creative breadth, others all-round pastoral care. Interviewers know their culture and are trying to work out whether you would thrive in it.
Communication. Can you hold a conversation? Can you listen as well as speak? Can you answer a question that surprises you without falling apart? These are signs of a student who will engage well with teachers and peers.
Questions You Should Ask Them
Most interviews end with the interviewer asking whether you have any questions. Having at least two or three prepared matters, for two reasons. It shows genuine interest, and it gives you information that helps you decide whether the college is right for you.
Questions worth considering:
- How are A-level classes typically organised, and what is the average class size for my subjects?
- What support is available for students aiming at competitive universities?
- How does the college approach personal tutoring and pastoral support?
- What happens if a student finds a subject harder than expected in the first term?
- What do current students say they value most about studying here?
Avoid questions that are easily answered on the college website. Good questions show you have done your research and are probing the things that matter most to you.
Practical Preparation in the Week Before
In the final week before the interview, focus on four things.
Re-read the college website. Look at subject pages, the latest results, and any news. This gives you fresh detail to reference naturally in conversation.
Prepare short answers to the common questions above. Do not memorise word for word. Know the points you want to make and trust yourself to find the words on the day.
Practise with a parent or teacher. A short mock interview, even a ten-minute one, exposes weaknesses you cannot spot alone. Ask for honest feedback on clarity, pace, and eye contact.
Plan your logistics. Confirm the time, the location, how you are getting there, and what you will wear. Most colleges expect smart clothing, though rarely formal school uniform unless specified. If in doubt, ask the admissions team.
On the Day
Arrive fifteen minutes early. Bring a notebook if you want to take a few brief notes, though most students do not. Be polite to every person you meet, from the receptionist to the principal. First impressions start before the interview begins.
During the interview:
- Take a breath before answering. A two-second pause is not awkward; it shows you are thinking.
- Ask for clarification if a question is unclear rather than guessing what was meant.
- Give concrete examples rather than general statements wherever possible.
- Be honest when you do not know something. "I have not thought about that before, but my initial reaction would be..." is a perfectly strong response.
After the interview, a short thank you email to the admissions team is a courtesy that is noticed, though it is never required.
How Private Sixth Form Interviews Differ from State School Interviews
If your child has been through interviews at state school sixth forms and is now interviewing at a private sixth form college, a few differences are worth knowing.
State sixth form interviews often focus narrowly on grade predictions and subject choices. Private sixth form interviews tend to be broader, covering interests outside school, reading, and general intellectual engagement. The tone is usually more conversational.
Private sixth form colleges are also typically more flexible on entry requirements. Interview performance can outweigh a borderline GCSE grade, particularly if the student demonstrates clear ability and motivation. Our parent's guide to choosing a sixth form college covers this flexibility in more detail.
If the interview is part of a broader September 2026 planning timeline, it usually happens between January and July, with some late interviews taking place after GCSE results day in August.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a sixth form interview usually last?
Most interviews at private sixth form colleges last between 20 and 40 minutes. A shorter interview is not a bad sign, and a longer one is not necessarily a better sign. What matters is the quality of the conversation.
Should I wear school uniform to a sixth form interview?
Unless the college specifically asks you to, school uniform is not usually expected. Smart clothing is the standard expectation: something you would wear to a formal family event, not a job interview suit. If you are unsure, ask the admissions team before the day.
What should I do if I am asked a question I cannot answer?
Be honest. Say you have not thought about that before and then share what your initial reaction would be if you had to form one on the spot. Interviewers value honest reflection over rehearsed confidence. What they will not forgive is a student who pretends to know something they do not.
Do sixth form interviews affect the offer?
Yes, in most private sixth form colleges, the interview is a meaningful part of the decision. Academic results still matter, but a strong interview can secure a place for a borderline applicant, and a weak interview can be a concern even for a strong one on paper. That said, very few students are turned down solely because of an interview.
Can parents attend the interview?
This varies. Some colleges interview the student alone, some include a brief parent meeting either before or after, and some hold a combined conversation. The admissions team will confirm the format when they invite you. Where the student is interviewed alone, parents are usually invited to a separate discussion covering fees, pastoral care, and practical questions.
What if my child freezes or has a bad interview?
This happens occasionally, and good colleges handle it sensitively. If your child leaves the interview feeling it did not go well, a polite follow-up email explaining that they felt they had not represented themselves fully, along with a clearer summary of their interests and motivations, can sometimes be read alongside the original interview. Most colleges appreciate the initiative.
A sixth form interview is a chance for the college to meet the real student, not a perfect one. The students who come across best are those who are honest, prepared, and genuinely interested in what the next two years could offer them.
If you are still shortlisting colleges, our college directory is a useful place to compare options, and the open days guide covers upcoming visit dates across the UK.
Jonny Rowse
Education Editor