Oxford Mock Interview

Practice 30 Oxford interview questions covering academic rigor, tutorial-style discussions, and institutional values.

Question 17 of 30

Describe a time you faced a particularly difficult challenge. How did you overcome it?

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Kevin Downey
Kevin Downey

Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.

This question may seem similar to a previous question about making a difficult decision, but it is an entirely different question. Often interviewers will ask similarly phrased questions that seem alike yet are distinct and, in some ways, are a test of your attention to detail and how quickly you can think on your feet.

Think of a time you faced an obstacle that required you to be resourceful and how you overcame that challenge. The aim here is to showcase how well-equipped you are to face similar challenges in your academic pursuits at Oxford, with confidence in your abilities to succeed here.

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