Oxbridge 2025

[SnowFairy2000]

Let's start the journey here !!!

Wow, very cruel even if accidental. I think that sort of behaviour is actually banned under the Geneva Convention.

What's the 'pat down'?! DD also doing the TSA next week but abroad as on a school trip...

checking nothing up her sleeves, etc, I am quoting the email we got yesterday here:

Follow the check-in procedures
Before the Test Administrator can allow you to enter the test room, they are required to carry out several security procedures. This will include asking you to remove outdoor clothing and patting yourself down to demonstrate that nothing is concealed, for example within rolled up sleeves, under hair, collars or ties. The Test Administrator may ask to inspect glasses, jewellery or religious headwear. All checks are conducted visually and the Test Administrator will not physically touch you during these important security steps. If you feel you would prefer to undergo these check-in procedures in a private area, please make this known to the Test Administrator when you arrive. You can read more about security checks on Pearson’s University of Oxford Tests webpage.

After checking your name and the name of your Oxford admissions test on their schedule, the Test Administrator will ask you to provide your signature, using an electronic signature pad, to confirm that you agree to follow the candidate rules that you have just read. Also, your signature will be compared with the signature on the ID that you presented, as an additional way of confirming your identity.

Your photograph will be taken during the check-in process.

Thanks- just asked DD if she'd got that email!

They CAN check your glasses frames, but may well not. It is also feasible for them to check any visible tattoos on your arms for hidden formula, although unlikely. Checks are rare but random, not because your DC look dodgy, and could equally be requested from the driving test candidate standing behind them. Ensure your DC don't have a Galaxy Watch or similar as these are strictly banned.

The signature bit is like signing for post or a parcel. There is a black pad with a stylus attached. Your DC won't be able to see their signature. It frequently takes more than one attempt for the signature to register and for the photo to match. None of this is anything at all to worry about!

(BTW I'm nothing whatsoever to do with Pearson test centres. I have a very different career, but it means I have to explain the process regularly).

@HewasH2O They aren't allowed ANY watches.

Luckily (!) DS doesn't check his email regularly, so when he did, he could also see the "Oops" emails in his inbox. But even so...!

However, they all seem think that Apple & Galaxy aren't watches, so they don't count. Just wait for the posts in June - "My DC put their Galaxy watch in their pocket and it got spotted in their FM exam. What do we do?"

Offers here from Warwick, Exeter and Leeds which takes the pressure off a bit. Good luck to all doing their tests this week.

@Thedogismybaby @HewasH2O A really important point. My DC2 nearly lost her Oxford offer by wearing a sports watch (not a smart watch) in her English pre U. She knew the rules just completely forgot to take the watch off. An invigilator noticed it half way through the exam, removed it and she was allowed to finish the exam.

DC was very fortunate that in 2022 the Pre U rules said 'no smart watches' not 'no watches'. It was taken for inspection and school rang the the exam board who were okay and didn't impose any penalties but it was a terrifying hour and left DC (and me) very discombobulated. If she'd been taking an A'Level she might have lost 25% of her A Level mark.

So yes No Watches!

Can I ask which subject that’s for please ( or PM me if you’d rather not say)? Many thanks - Exeter and Warwick are two DC thought to add later. Thanks.

In totally the same boat here. DD applying for MFL and her friend doing Astrophysics has four offers! She’d like just one…

Not that person, obviously but my DD who is taking the Oxford exam this coming week has offers from York and Edinburgh, for Psychology (the integrated MSci at York). She has grades in hand, so both were unconditional. It does take the pressure off, certainly, and it gives her something tangible to get excited about.

So sorry @Justlurkingmostly I missed this. It's for history.

Oh many thanks indeed!

DD has so far applied for Oxford and Warwick, she had an offer for Warwick last week, with grades she should easily achieve. It’s a big confidence boost for her as she likes Warwick a lot.
She is going to a few more open days and then hopefully will make up her mind about her other 3 UCAS choices.

How was everyone’s experience of the HAT? DS2 was delayed by an hour and he said it was very disorganised but he feels it went well and is now ready to focus on the essay and hopefully the interview. School are setting up a couple of practice interviews after half term.

Everyone sitting exams today will be in the same boat, so your DS took the best route of sitting tight and getting on with it. It was the same right around the country and affected all of their professional exams too, from pharmacy to accountancy

My ds was fine with the delay and said the paper itself was one of the 'nicer' ones. He is usually fairly positive after an exam and then the doubts creep in, but hopefully having the potential interview to prepare for will give him something else to focus on.

Mine had her HAT in Bath today and said there was no delay. She is refusing to talk about the test, just delighted it's over!

DS did the HAT today - no delays this afternoon in London. Better not tell him that some thought it was ok as he said it was horrible! Just the TSA to go on Thursday now.

I have one of those, who refuses to talk about things. Her test is on Thursday I shall prepare myself for a wall of silence thereafter...

DC just got an offer from Bristol - having put in a PS that had nothing to do with the subject they applied for there. So when they said they didn't read the PS they were telling the truth.

I think it does depend on subject. My DD had a strange question sent to her from Bristol's admissions dept which could only have come about if they had read her PS thoroughly.

Oh yes, it definitely depends on subject - should have said this department (a big one) said it didn't read PSes