Oxford Mock Interview
Practice 30 Oxford interview questions covering academic rigor, tutorial-style discussions, and institutional values.
Question 5 of 30
What is your approach to problem-solving?
What You Need to Know
Entry Level
Community Answers
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 is designed to evaluate your critical thinking skills and creative thinking skills. How you answer will tell them how resourceful you are and whether you are self-managed in your studies. "Having good, strong problem-solving skills can make a huge difference to your career. Problems are at the centre of what many people do at work every day. Creative thinking is a way of looking at problems or situations from a fresh perspective and can be stimulated both by an unstructured process such as brainstorming and by a structured process such as lateral thinking."
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.
"I keep asking questions, out loud or in an internal dialogue. I don't believe in dead ends. The answer is always out there, waiting to be found. And if time doesn't allow, do your best and keep moving forward. But I don't believe in failure or defeat. Every problem has a solution, and I love a good mystery."
Interview Coach
Jaymie
A real coach, not AI. I read every answer myself and write back with personalized feedback.
Typically responds within 24 hours.
0 - Character Count
Unlock All 30 Oxford Questions
Prepare for Oxford's distinctive interview style with expert responses from admissions professionals.
Get StartedJump to Question