Example Interview Questions With Sample Answers

Example interview questions with sample answers
When planning your answers to admissions interview questions, it's important to show a strong
understanding of the school's values and your own personal goals. The following are a few
common school interview questions with example answers for your reference:
Tell us about what you do outside of school.
Admissions officers ask this question because they often look for students who understand the
importance of keeping a balance between schoolwork and outside activities. This is also a great
opportunity to demonstrate key interpersonal skills, such as leadership, communication and
teamwork. In your answer, use examples of your hobbies and interests to highlight your
openness to experience.
Example: "Outside of school, I'm part of a local hockey team. We meet twice a week for training
and friendly matches. Playing hockey has really taken me outside my comfort zone. Through the
sport, I have made new friends, improved my fitness and developed stronger communication
skills."
Describe a time when you managed a challenge effectively.
In your academic life, you may encounter obstacles. Therefore, admissions officers typically
want to know how you cope with adversity and manage stress. This is a crucial quality that can
help you throughout your work and personal life. Training these skills early in life gives you an
added advantage over others. To approach this question, think of an example that demonstrates
your problem-solving skills. Describe the situation you were in, the task you had to complete,
the action you took to mitigate the problem and the results you achieved.
Example: "Last time, I was really struggling with math. It made me feel nervous because I knew
the topic would come up in our exam. I tried going over the topic in greater detail in my class,
but I still didn't feel too confident about my skills. Soon, I realised that my nervous attitude was
preventing me from asking more questions in class. Changing my attitude, such as being more
patient with myself, improved my focus. I noticed that I made fewer mistakes in my calculations.
Who are the people you most admire?
The influences you have can shape your thinking and ambitions. Thus, an admissions officer
might ask you about the people you admire because it exemplifies the character and values you
would like to cultivate for yourself. It shows them your definition of success, whether it's money,
fame or hard work. In your answer, share what you learnt from observing this person. Feel free
to talk about a public figure, mentor or family member.
Example: "The person I admire most is my dad. I admire his ability to balance his work life and
our family life. Despite his driven nature, he always prioritises our needs first. As I earn more
responsibility in my own life, I hope I can follow his example."
What talents and gifts can you bring to our school?
Schools usually want students who can bolster their reputation in the public eye. This way, they
can attract more talented students and teachers, who can enrich the school culture with stories
of their unique experiences. Talking about your interests and how you intend to be an active
member of the school community shows admissions officers you intend to take ownership of
your educational experience. As you structure your answer, remember to align your interests
with the school's mission to present yourself as a good fit for them.
Example: "From my research, I found that your school has a prestigious art department with a
rich history of alumni who have excelled in the art industry. As an aspiring artist, I think joining
your school artistic activities can help nurture my talent. I also hope to learn from your art
teachers to improve my skills and confidence.
Do you know what you want to be when you get older?
This question seeks to examine your future vision and your ability to set smaller targets to attain
this goal. Share with the interviewer why this role interests you and how your studies can help
you achieve this career ambition. However, if you aren't certain about your future profession,
feel free to talk about the industries that appeal to you and the kind of leader you hope to
become.
Example: "Currently, I don't have a profession in mind, however, I notice that I have a gift in the
sciences. I enjoy the process of observing our environment and testing distinct hypotheses to
make better sense of our world. The science industry appeals to me because it has improved
many lives. As a future leader, I hope to use my knowledge to give back to the wider
community."
Tips on preparing for a school interview
Review the following tips to improve your interview skills and increase your chances of success
during a school interview:
Arrive on time. Being punctual reflects positively on your character. It shows that you're
considerate of others' time and effort.
Dress appropriately. For a school interview, it's best to dress neatly, as it suggests how you may
carry yourself during a regular school week. Wear a formal outfit to show respect for your
interviewer.
Do some research in advance. Browse the school's website to understand its values and
teaching philosophy. This way, you can decide whether they are a good fit for your learning
style.
Plan your answers. Write a list of common interview questions and outline your answers for
each. To appear natural in the interview setting, try to remember the key points you want to
convey so that you can be flexible in your approach to different questions.
Practise your answers. Conduct a mock interview in front of a mirror or with a friend so that you
can feel more comfortable in this high-pressure situation. Ask for feedback so that you can
improve your interview skills.
1. What steps do you take to overcome academic challenges?

Admissions interviewers may ask this question to determine whether you're prepared to solve
problems and succeed in challenging classes. In your answer, you can describe the resources
you've used to help you accomplish your goals in classes you've taken. You can also discuss how
you might resolve an academic issue if a resource wasn't available.
Example: "Last year, I was taking a challenging math class. To help ensure I maintained a 4.0
GPA, I spoke with the teacher during their office hours and asked for resources and extra help.
When my teacher wasn't available, I also visited the school's tutoring center."
2. Describe a time when you made an ethical decision at school. What did you do?
Interviewers may ask this question to understand how you respond to an ethical issue, such as
noticing a classmate cheated on an assignment. In your answer, you could discuss the steps you
took to approach your classmate about the situation. You could also describe how you
supported your classmate in completing their coursework, such as by offering to help them with
their homework.
Example: "Last semester, I noticed my friend had copied another classmate's homework. I
suggested they ask the teacher for extra help so they could complete the assignment on their
own. I also offered to tutor them to support them in reviewing the chapter and complete their
homework."
3. What's your favorite subject? Why?
This question helps the interviewer learn more about your academic history and interests. It
also allows them to learn more about your personality and recommend subjects the school
offers that you might enjoy. To ensure your answer is unique, consider focusing on how the
subject affects you personally.
Example: "My favorite subject is physics. I enjoy seeing the real-world applications of the
theoretical concepts we learn in class, such as gravity affecting a pencil rolling off of a desk. I
find it fascinating to learn about how the world around me works."
4. Why did you choose your major?
This question helps interviewers understand if you're prepared for success in your chosen major.
They may also ask this question to determine what motivated you to pursue a particular field of
study. In your response, explain why you chose your major and what you hope to accomplish
with it.
Example: "I chose English as my major because I've enjoyed reading my entire life and I love
analyzing the books I've read to learn how the author set a tone, told a story or described a
scene. I also think about how I could improve a book. My friends and family ask me to edit their
writing often, and I enjoy the process of proofreading and offering advice. I hope to become an
editor with a publishing house after I graduate."
5. What are your academic strengths and weaknesses?
An admissions interviewer may ask this question to understand what you excel at and what
areas might need some improvement. In your response, consider explaining how you plan to
enhance your skills to help you succeed in your studies. You can also discuss how you've used
your strengths to help you overcome your weaknesses.
Example: "In high school, I enjoyed engaging in extracurricular activities, but I sometimes
agreed to participate in so many events that completing my homework was a challenge. I used
my effective organization skills to improve my time management by using a daily planner to
keep track of my schedule. Now I schedule time for homework, extracurricular activities and
rest."
6. How do you manage stress in an academic environment?
Admissions interviewers often ask this question to predict how you might overcome obstacles in
a rigorous academic environment. Consider discussing healthy methods you could use to
manage stress and promote a positive mindset. You can also talk about how you've used these
strategies in the past.
Example: "When I experienced stress at school in the past, I found that pausing to take a few
deep breaths helped me to focus on what I was doing. I've used this tactic during exams this
semester, which has helped me improve my grades. If I experience academic stress outside the
classroom, I often go outside and take a short walk."
7. What time management techniques do you use?
Interviewers ask this question to ensure you're prepared to manage the time commitment of
attending classes, studying and completing homework, in addition to adjusting to a new school
and participating in school activities. In your response, show that you understand how to
balance your schoolwork and other commitments. You can also explain the methods you use to
manage your time effectively.
Example: "I manage my time by keeping a calendar on my phone, which syncs with my
computer. I enter the dates of tests and due dates of major assignments into my calendar, which
helps me remember to prepare for them. This way, I can plan out my week and devote my time
to the highest priority assignments."

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Example interview questions with sample answers

1. What steps do you take to overcome academic challenges?

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