The 13+ interview is a crucial component of the admissions process for many independent schools in the UK. It provides schools with an opportunity to assess a candidate's personality, interests, and suitability for their academic environment.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about the 13+ interview; from interview types and sample questions to expert tips from our 13+ tutor Ben.
What is the 13+ Interview and Why Does it Matter?
Interviews for 13+ entry usually take place after a candidate has performed well in their entrance exams. Think of it as the second stage of the assessment process. While they may appear informal, often taking the form of a conversation, interviews are a vital opportunity for schools to assess your child鈥檚 personality, interests, academic potential, and cultural fit.
The unpredictable element can make students and parents nervous but it is worth trying to embrace it! Interviewers from the school will not be trying to catch your child out but rather to facilitate a conversation. The 13+ interview allows schools to gain a holistic view of a prospective student. Beyond academic performance, interviewers are interested in a student's enthusiasm for learning, extracurricular interests, and interpersonal skills. It is an opportunity for students to showcase their personalities and for schools to determine if the candidate will thrive within their community.
What Do Interviewers Look For at 13+?
Interviewers aren鈥檛 there to catch your child out. They鈥檙e looking to have a conversation, a structured but friendly chat that helps them understand:
- A child鈥檚 ability to think critically and independently
- Interests and passions (academic and extracurricular)
- Curiosity about the world and engagement with current affairs
- Personality, values, and communication skills
- Suitability for the school environment, including boarding life where applicable
At the core of the interview will be a discussion of the child鈥檚 interests and hobbies, as well as both curricular and co-curricular interests. Get your child to think in advance about their favourite subjects, interests and what or who has inspired them. It is an opportunity to talk about what they love doing and it is worth them rehearsing a few lines that describe their interest in everything from reading (which books and why?) to languages and travel (which cultures inspire you and why?) or a particular hobby.
There may also be questions that give candidates the opportunity to show not only what they like about school life generally, including at their current school, but also that they have thought about the specific target school in question. Some schools ask children to bring in their exercise books.
Types of Questions Asked in 13+ Interviews
While questions can vary between schools, there are common themes that students can prepare for:
Personal & Reflective Questions
- Describe yourself in three words.
- What are you most proud of?
- What are you worst at in life?
- Describe your family in three words.
- What does your perfect day look like?
- Tell me about a time when you had to make a decision that was difficult or unpopular, but you knew was the correct thing to do?
- Where do you see yourself ten years from now? What about twenty?
- What qualities do you admire in others?
Academic & Subject-Based Questions
- What is your favourite subject and why?
- Tell me about a book or author you love.
- Have you ever used something you learned in school in real life?
- Which is your favourite subject and where would you hope to take it in the future?
Current Affairs & Critical Thinking
- What鈥檚 the most interesting news story right now?
- Do you think animals have rights?
- What is the biggest issue facing the world today?
Creative or Hypothetical Questions
- What would you do if you were US President for a day? What about Chinese Premier?
- If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money?
- If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Problem-Solving Questions
Some schools might include short mathematical puzzles or comprehension exercises. For example:
I bought a packet of fruit gums and ate 2 of them secretly in my Music lesson. At break, I shared one third of the remaining gums with my friends. I then finished the fruit gums, eating an equal amount in each of the next four lessons. What is the smallest number of fruit gums there could have been in the packet?
How to Answer 13+ Interview Questions Effectively
Encourage your child to:
- Be honest and authentic 鈥� Interviewers value genuine responses over rehearsed answers.
- Avoid answers that are too short 鈥� P.E.E: Whenever possible, avoid giving a monosyllabic answer (such as 鈥榶es鈥� or 鈥榥o鈥�). Focus on the use of P.E.E (point, explanation, evidence). Give your answer, explain why that is your answer and attempt to give an example to prove this: 鈥楧o you play any sports鈥� 鈥榊es, I love many sports, but rugby is my favourite. I have played it since I was six and I play twice a week at my school where I am in the A team, and I also play at the weekends with my friends鈥�. Remember that the interview is a short opportunity for you to tell the school a bit about yourself and to steer the conversation to highlight your strengths and achievements. This serves to give a fuller, more complete answer and prevents the interviewer from needing to ask further questions in order to get the information out.
- Give balance to your answers: Other than on certain academic questions, there is no right or wrong answer therefore you should not feel that it is necessary to choose one side or another in an open question. Instead, it can be good to talk through your logic and thought process, arguing both sides. 鈥淥n the one hand, I think this. But on the other鈥︹��
Practising with sample questions, like the examples above can help build confidence and fluency, but avoid over-rehearsing.
Group Interviews at 13+
Some schools conduct group interviews to observe how students interact in a collaborative setting. These may involve discussions, debates, or problem-solving tasks.
Preparation tips:
- Encourage your child to be a good listener, not just a speaker
- Promote teamwork, patience, and respect for others鈥� ideas
- Suggest they contribute confidently but avoid dominating the group
Boarding School Interviews at 13+
Boarding schools use interviews to determine if a student is ready for boarding school life. They may explore:
- Emotional maturity and independence
- Adaptability and resilience
- Communication with family and peers
- Interest in the school鈥檚 pastoral and co-curricular life
They may also want to speak with parents to discuss boarding readiness and build a mutual partnership.
Boarding schools will also be thinking about a candidates suitability for any appropriate boarding house, and will want to work with parents to establish a relationship which works for the child. After all, children will be spending months living and sleeping in the school environment and want to see that this will be a happy time for all 鈥� and that parents are going to assist in making that process work.
Questions Your Child Could Ask the Interviewer
Encourage your child to ask thoughtful questions like:
- What clubs or extracurricular activities are most popular?
- How are students supported when they first join the school?
- Are there opportunities to explore new subjects in Year 9?
- What do you love most about being part of this school?
Asking meaningful questions shows initiative and genuine interest.
How to Prepare Your Child for a 13+ Interview
Here鈥檚 a checklist to help your child prepare:
- Practice mock interviews with some of the varied question types above
- Discuss current affairs regularly at home
- Encourage your child to journal about their interests and opinions
- Help them research each school鈥檚 ethos, strengths, and standout features
- Get them comfortable speaking to adults (teachers, relatives)
The 13+ Common Entrance interview is not just a test, it鈥檚 a conversation with purpose. It's your child鈥檚 moment to go beyond the exam paper and show who they are and what they care about.
13+ Tutors
Each year Keystone supports many students preparing for the 13 Plus Common Entrance. The 13+ tutors we represent are experienced in the intricacies of the 13 Plus exams and how they differ between schools' assessments. We would normally recommend that preparation begins around 12 鈥� 18 months before the exams. Tutors will devise a programme tailored to the specific circumstances of the student.
For more details on how Keystone can help with 13+ preparation, please call the office for a chat with one of our client managers, or contact us via our request a tutor form.
13+ Common Entrance Mock Interviews
We also offer 13+ mock interviews. Interviews last for around 30 minutes and include questions relating to both the child鈥檚 character and academic ability. The emphasis of the interview will be tailored to the student鈥檚 target schools, based off feedback Keystone has received from previous students as to each school鈥檚 interview format. Following the interview the parents and students will be given verbal feedback on strengths and weaknesses.