ETON interview questions

[AJ0005]

Hello, my 10 year old son has been invited for an interview with ETON in January 2021.
To those of you who've been there, done that:

1. What type of QUESTIONS should a 10 year old expect at ETON?
2. What are some DO's and DON'Ts during the interview?

Many thanks for your help in advance.

Why the CAPITAL letters?

Not sure why you needed the capital letters lol, but google has some articles on Eton interviews, plus there's a few other MN threads if you go in search. Good luck to him!

Just bring your GOLD credit CARD and proof of FAMILY TREE and you SHOULD be okay.

And DON"T forget the CLOTH OF GOLD masks.

OP, what year is your boy starting at Eton? Because at his age I would have expected him to start in September 2023. In which case the ISEBS are being sat from October with results coming out in December. While I am aware of interviews in January, I was not aware they had sent out results and interview invites already. When did your DS sit his ISEB?

Thanks to all those who replied with some useful advise. You've all been very supportive and helpful. Bye mumsnet

Hey AJ0005! Don't go away please. If you're serious about sending your boy to ETON, you may as well get used to the diarrhoea that's being exuded here. It happens all the time but there's nothing more serious than people exhibiting their jealousy and wishing they have your good fortune. Do a search on the query here on MN - I've written volumes on the subject over the years.

I agree with @peteneras

She has been on here for ages as her DS was a scholar there and she is alway up to date with Eton.

Sorry if my questions come across as patronising, this was really not my intention as I wondered if I missed something regarding the interview letters.

Good luck to your DS, @AJ0005

The interview is very general and they are looking for your child to speak not cower with stage fright. Expect questions probing their interests and just generally getting a handle on their personality. They are not at all laborious and children find them easy. Well, easy as long as they are bright and interested children !
Nothing to worry about other than general interviewee skills.

You don’t need to worry about your family tree at this stage, I kid you not that the school already know about this stuff if needed . I know lots of children who have gone and without exception, they are either very, very bright/capable/high achievers in what ever fields they are into (academics , music whatever ) OR they are very, very well connected. The ones I know who have gone there recently that fit the latter bill (titles , royalty connections etc) have found the academics very tough. It is not what is what academically 20 odd years ago (when it was ,Old Etonian father/son etc). It really has moved on for 90% of their intake.
They just won’t select dim children or even average children (unless they come with a title!).
Either way you don’t need to worry and you can’t prepare for it. Your children is either in camp one or camp two. If not in either camp, then there’ll be no offer.

Hi, AJ0005,
Don't worry about negative messages!
Many don't know that about 20% of Etonians are extremely bright children who are receiving financial help! Any bright boy has a chance to try for Eton, the parents just have to try if they believe in their boy!
Back to your question, I found this thread quite useful: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/1394585-Interview-questions-Harrow-eton-indies-in-general
Good luck for the interview and hope to see you there as my DS is going too .

It was a long time ago now, but there are no questions as such, and they aren't out to trip him up.

What they are looking for are bright sparky boys who can talk intelligently about subjects that interest them, and can explain why they like the things they like, and can give thoughtful answers to the questions they are asked.

My DS talked about his circus skills - it doesn't have to be highbrow

Circus skills circus skills - so cool. I'm assuming he got offered a place?

Not sure how I wrote that twice!

@paiop

Eventually yes! He was put on the waiting list because of his poor performance in maths, but they did mention that he impressed at interview!

Maybe Katy 1213 has had a child that was not accepted at Eton ...hence the stroppy reply !! Ignore and good luck to your son .X

AJ005 - I’m so sorry to see you had those negative first replies. You are a parent who has been offered an amazing opportunity for your son and you are quite rightly exploring it further.
To answer your question, my son had an interview there a couple of years ago. He had a relaxed experience - more of an informal chat . Clearly there’s more behind this than ‘informal’ but they know that to find out the true 10 year old they have to be relaxed. My son was offered a place and started last September.
Do not be put off by the inverted snobs. Eton is now a thoroughly modern school that’s offers a phenomenal amount of funding and places to deserving boys who otherwise couldn’t afford to go. They just don’t shout about it.
Go for it!

Do they weight interview more than iseb and Eton list test ? The interview was around 15 mins as they said in the email.

How did the interview go on zoom? Was it an informal chat?

I wonder if they will shortlisted another round after the interview or those who has done the interviewed will go to the ‘Eton list test’ in March automatically?

Yes, they all interview and then do the Eton test in March.

Oh thanks. The interview in zoom
Is a inform chat around 15 mins only