Sixth Form Interview Tips: Questions, Answers and Nerves

7 min read · Aura

The best sixth form interview tips are simple: know why you picked your subjects, have one example ready for each of the common questions, prepare two questions to ask them, and walk in like you already belong there. A sixth form interview is usually a friendly chat to check you're on the right courses, not a trap. Show them you've thought about it and you're most of the way there.

If you know your answers but your nerves make you mumble, shrink or stare at the floor, Aura finds exactly where your aura leaks in rooms like this and gives you one small move a day to fix it: Find my aura leak.

What a sixth form interview is really for

Before any sixth form interview preparation, get this straight: it's not a job interview and it's rarely a test of how clever you are. Most sixth form interviews (school sixth forms and sixth form colleges) are there to:

• Check your subject choices make sense for you and your predicted grades.
• See if you understand what studying A levels, BTECs or T Levels involves.
• Get a feel for your attitude: are you motivated, organized, going to show up?
• Answer your questions and help you settle in.

Some are 10 minutes, some are longer; some are one-to-one, some happen with a parent in the room. If you're in Year 11 and nervous, remember: they want students. They're not looking for reasons to turn you away.

How to apply for sixth form (quick recap)

Most applications ask for your details, predicted grades, subject choices and a short personal statement. For how to write a sixth form application statement, keep it simple: why these subjects, what you've done that shows interest (clubs, reading, part-time job, projects) and what you might want to do after. The interview often builds on what you wrote, so reread it the night before.

Common sixth form interview questions and how to answer them

Here are the questions that come up most, with a simple structure for each answer: point, example, link back.

"Why do you want to come to this sixth form?"

Weak: "Because it's close." Strong: "I liked the open evening, especially the psychology department. The teacher showed us past projects, and the class sizes seemed small, which I think suits how I learn."

"Why have you chosen these A levels?"

Give one real reason per subject: something you enjoy, something you're good at, or something that links to a future plan. "I've always done well in maths, and I want to keep physics open because I'm thinking about engineering."

"What are your strengths?"

Pick two, and prove each one. "I'm organized. I keep a revision timetable and I've stuck to it since Year 10."

"What do you do outside of school?"

Anything counts: sport, a part-time job, looking after siblings, gaming, making TikToks, reading. Say what it taught you.

"What do you want to do after sixth form?"

It's fine not to know. "I'm not 100 percent sure yet. I'm thinking about uni for something science-related, but an apprenticeship interests me too." Honest beats made-up.

"How will you cope with the jump from GCSE?"

"I know it's more independent study, so I'm planning to use free periods properly and ask for help early."

Questions to ask at a sixth form interview

Always have two questions ready. It shows you're serious. Some good ones:

• "What do students who do well in this subject tend to do differently?"
• "How much independent study is expected each week?"
• "What support is there for UCAS or apprenticeship applications?"
• "Are there any clubs, trips or enrichment linked to my subjects?"
• "How are free periods usually used?"

Avoid asking things you could find on the website in five seconds, like the start date.

What to wear and how to walk in

What to wear to a sixth form interview

There usually isn't a strict dress code, so smart-casual is the safe move. Think: clean trousers or a skirt, a plain shirt, blouse or smart jumper, and clean shoes. Some students wear their school uniform, which is fine too. If you want to look put together without spending much, our guide on how to look expensive on a budget is all about fit and grooming.

How to walk in

• Knock or wait to be called, then walk in at a normal pace.
• Smile and say "Hi, I'm [name], nice to meet you."
• If they offer a handshake, give a firm (not crushing) one and make eye contact for a second.
• Wait to be offered a seat, then sit back in the chair, not perched on the edge.
• Put your bag on the floor, not on your lap.

These tiny moves happen before you've answered a single question, and they shape how the whole interview feels, for you and for them.

Here's the thing: you can memorize every answer and still lose it in the walk-in, the handshake or the eye contact, and nobody's there to tell you which. Aura's 16-question quiz checks six leaks, from shrinking when you walk in to a voice that gets lost, and turns yours into 14 small daily moves with a nightly check-in, so you've actually practiced before the day. Find my aura leak

Handling nerves in the room

Sixth form interview nerves are normal. You're 15 or 16 and talking to an adult who's assessing you. Here's what helps:

• Breathe out slowly before you walk in. Longer exhales help you settle.
• Pause before answering. "That's a good question" plus a breath is totally fine.
• Slow down. Nerves make everyone speed up. If that's you, try the drills in how to talk slower when nervous.
• Say when you need a second. "Can I think about that for a moment?" sounds mature, not weak.
• It's okay to say you don't know. "I haven't thought about that yet, but I'd probably..." is a great recovery.

Is a sixth form interview hard?

For most people, no. It's mostly a conversation. The only hard part is the nerves, and preparing two or three examples for the common questions takes most of that away.

After the interview

• Say thank you as you leave: "Thanks for your time, it was nice to meet you."
• Write down what they said about next steps, conditions or entry grades.
• If you're offered a conditional place, make a note of the grades you need.
• Don't replay every answer all night. You did the thing. Most interviews feel worse from the inside than they looked from the outside.

If your next big speaking moment is an exam, how to be confident in an oral exam covers GCSE speaking and the Spoken Language Endorsement.

Walk into your sixth form interview with aura

These sixth form interview tips work best when your body language matches your answers. Aura's two-minute quiz shows exactly where your aura leaks, gives you an aura tier and a plan of 14 moves (one small thing a day to do, say or wear), plus a streak to keep you going. You pay once, there's nothing to cancel, and it works on laptop and phone.

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FAQ

What questions do they ask at a sixth form interview?

Common sixth form interview questions include why you chose that sixth form, why you picked your subjects, your strengths, what you do outside school and your plans after sixth form. Prepare one example for each.

What should I wear to a sixth form interview?

Smart-casual is safest: clean trousers or a skirt, a plain shirt or smart jumper and clean shoes. Your school uniform is usually fine too.

What questions should I ask at a sixth form interview?

Ask about independent study, support for uni or apprenticeship applications, and enrichment linked to your subjects. Avoid questions the website already answers.

How do I prepare for a sixth form interview?

Reread your application, prepare answers using point, example and link back, and practice out loud with someone. Plan two questions to ask and pick your outfit the night before.

Can you fail a sixth form interview?

It's rare to "fail" one, since they're mostly about checking your course choices fit you. If they have concerns, they'll usually suggest different subjects or talk through your options.