Understanding the 11+ Interview Process
The 11+ interview represents a crucial component of selective school admissions in the UK, often serving as the final assessment stage after written examinations. Whilst academic performance remains paramount, interviews allow schools to evaluate qualities that standardised tests cannot measure: personality, communication skills, intellectual curiosity, and cultural fit with the school community.
Most independent and grammar schools incorporate interviews into their 11+ admissions process, though the format, duration, and weighting vary considerably between institutions. Some schools conduct brief ten-minute conversations, whilst others arrange extended sessions lasting thirty minutes or more. Understanding what schools seek and how to prepare effectively can significantly enhance your child's confidence and performance.
What Schools Assess During Interviews
Admissions tutors use interviews to evaluate several key attributes that complement academic ability. They seek evidence of genuine intellectual curiosity - children who ask questions, explore ideas, and demonstrate enthusiasm for learning beyond examination requirements. Communication skills matter enormously: the ability to articulate thoughts clearly, listen attentively, and engage in meaningful dialogue.
Schools also assess maturity and social awareness. Can the child discuss their interests with depth and enthusiasm? Do they show respect, courtesy, and appropriate behaviour? Can they cope with unexpected questions or challenging scenarios? The interview reveals how children think, respond to pressure, and interact with adults in formal settings.
Common Interview Question Types
About You and Your Interests
Schools frequently begin with accessible questions about hobbies, favourite subjects, books, or recent activities. These seemingly simple questions allow interviewers to assess enthusiasm, depth of engagement, and ability to discuss topics meaningfully. Questions might include:
- Tell me about your favourite book and why you enjoyed it
- What do you like doing in your spare time?
- Which subject do you find most interesting and why?
- Describe something you have learnt recently outside school
- What would you change about your current school if you could?
Academic and Thinking Questions
Interviewers often present problems or scenarios requiring logical thinking rather than factual knowledge. These questions assess reasoning ability, creativity, and how children approach unfamiliar challenges:
- How would you explain what a rainbow is to someone who has never seen one?
- Why do you think we have seasons?
- If you could invent something to help people, what would it be?
- How many tennis balls would fit in this room?
- What makes a good leader?
Questions About the School
Schools expect candidates to demonstrate genuine interest in joining their community. Questions explore motivation, awareness of school values, and whether the child has researched the institution:
- Why do you want to come to this school?
- What do you know about our school?
- What activities or clubs would you like to join here?
- How would you contribute to our school community?
- What questions do you have for me about the school?
Preparing Your Child Effectively
Building Confidence Through Practise
Regular practice conversations help children become comfortable discussing their thoughts and opinions. Conduct mock interviews at home, varying the questions and setting. Encourage your child to elaborate on answers rather than giving brief responses. Practise maintaining eye contact, speaking clearly, and sitting appropriately.
However, avoid over-rehearsing specific answers. Schools detect scripted responses immediately, and such preparation often backfires. Instead, develop your child's ability to think independently and express themselves naturally. Focus on building genuine confidence rather than memorising perfect answers.
Developing Broader Knowledge and Interests
Encourage reading widely beyond school requirements. Discuss current events appropriate to their age. Visit museums, galleries, and places of interest. Pursue hobbies with depth rather than superficially. Children who engage authentically with diverse interests naturally have more to discuss during interviews.
Encourage your child to reflect on their experiences. After reading a book, discuss what they enjoyed and why. Following activities, talk about what they learned or found challenging. This habit of reflection helps children articulate thoughts during interviews.
Teaching Interview Etiquette
Discuss appropriate interview behaviour: arriving punctually, greeting interviewers politely, making eye contact, speaking clearly, and listening attentively. Explain that saying 'I don't know' honestly is better than inventing answers. Encourage questions at the end - genuine curiosity about the school impresses admissions staff.
Practise handling unexpected or difficult questions calmly. Teach your child to pause before answering, think through their response, and speak thoughtfully. Schools value composure and considered responses over rushed answers.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Parents sometimes inadvertently create pressure by overemphasising interview importance or expressing anxiety about outcomes. Children perform best when they view interviews as opportunities to visit schools and learn about them, rather than high-stakes assessments to fear.
Avoid coaching children to provide answers you believe schools want to hear. Admissions tutors recognise inauthentic responses immediately. Similarly, discouraging your child from expressing genuine opinions or interests because they seem insufficiently academic or impressive rarely helps. Schools value authenticity and individuality.
Resist the temptation to accompany your child into the interview room unless specifically invited. Schools assess how children interact independently. Excessive parental involvement suggests lack of confidence or independence.
What to Expect on Interview Day
Most schools schedule interviews during the autumn term, often November or December. You will typically receive notification of your interview slot several weeks in advance. Some schools conduct interviews before written examinations; others afterwards, using interview performance alongside test results to make final decisions.
Arrive early to allow time for settling nerves and completing any registration requirements. Your child may wait briefly before being called. Some schools arrange group activities or campus tours whilst candidates await interviews. Others conduct interviews immediately upon arrival.
Interview settings vary. Some schools use formal offices; others prefer relaxed common rooms or libraries. Single interviewers conduct some sessions; panels of two or three staff members conduct others. Duration typically ranges from ten to thirty minutes, though this varies considerably between institutions.
Supporting Your Child After the Interview
Avoid interrogating your child immediately after the interview about what was asked or how they answered. Let them decompress and share experiences at their own pace. If they feel disappointed with their performance, reassure them that interviews represent just one component of the admissions process.
Remember that interview performance rarely determines outcomes definitively. Strong academic results can compensate for nervous interview performances, whilst excellent interviews alongside weaker test scores may not secure offers. Schools consider the complete application holistically.
How Taylor Tuition Can Help
Our specialist 11+ tutors provide comprehensive interview preparation as part of broader entrance examination support. We conduct realistic mock interviews, offering constructive feedback on communication style, answer development, and presentation. Our tutors help students build genuine confidence through practice and preparation.
We focus on developing thinking skills and articulation rather than rehearsing scripted responses. Students learn to approach unexpected questions calmly, structure answers effectively, and engage in meaningful conversation with adult interviewers. This preparation proves valuable not only for 11+ interviews but throughout their academic careers.
Beyond interview preparation, our tutors ensure students master all components of the 11+ examination process: verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, mathematics, and English. This comprehensive approach provides the best foundation for selective school success.
For personalised interview preparation and complete 11+ support, contact Taylor Tuition today. Our experienced tutors understand what schools seek and how to help your child demonstrate their abilities with confidence.