Winchetser College

[jubileemum]

Are there any mums out there who have had a son who has applied late to Winchester College and been interviewed by the Registrar rather than a housemaster? I would be grateful for any information if anyone can help as I know very little about these interviews.

[happygardening]

I think the interview will follow a similar format even if the registrar does it and couple of short tests which they might have standardised now (when my DS was interviewed all HM's seemed to do different tests) and a lengthy chat which my DS found it informal and no attempt was made to catch him out. This is an extract from their website about the test:"The written test has two sections, each lasting ten minutes. The first deals with words, the second with numbers and codes. No specific preparation can be made for these verbal and
numerical reasoning tests."
Hope this helps and good luck.

[jubileemum]

Thanks for your reply happygardening. I have all the info on the written tests, but am still in the dark about the actual interview and what form that actually takes. Reading some of the mumsnet threads is all a bit scary really! Were the questions based on interests, current affairs or more factual questions...just wondering really.

[happygardening]

Ok this was quite a few years ago (well 4 actually but memories a bit crap). I think he was asked about his family, interests, where he went to school, what sports he played, why Winchester, why chosen house, do you like music/play an instrument, who he admired and why, I don't think current affairs was raised but might be wrong, nothing heavy or difficult/ confrontational unlike the St Pauls school one. He might have been shown around the house during the interview in fact am pretty convinced he was. When we went to pick him up we could hear him laughing with the HM in fact they were having such a good time we were asked to come back in half an hour! There's lots of stories about the interviews boys being asked to reassemble cameras demonstrate cold fusion on the HM's desk etc (only joking about the latter) but I think they're standardising them a bit more which some would argue is a shame.

[jubileemum]

thanks so much....that was more the sort of thing I was hoping the interview would be, it's just that there are so many things written on mumsnet...I may have to stop reading them now!!