PPE Admissions SupportInterviews, the TARA and choosing a course

I've supported several students through Oxford admissions preparation, working on the critical thinking and problem-solving that the TARA now assesses, as well as essay-writing practice for the written task — two of the students I worked on reasoning sections with went on to receive interviews. I've also run interview preparation. I sat Oxford's admissions test myself before the TARA replaced it, and the reasoning skills it tested are exactly what the TARA's Critical Thinking and Problem Solving modules assess. I take a friendly but constructive approach to feedback, and I want to help each student reach their potential.

Over the last three years I've provided mock interviews for PPE and for other subject combinations involving Philosophy or Economics, supported applicants on improving their reasoning-test scores, and run more general sessions on university-level Economics and Philosophy — working with thirteen students in total. I don't know the admissions results of every student I've worked with, but I helped one secure an Oxford PPE offer in 2025. As a tutor I prioritise being flexible and adapting my teaching style to each individual student, to make every session as engaging and useful as possible. I also hope to help students gain a deeper understanding and greater enthusiasm for their subject, alongside improving their grades or securing a place at Oxford. I'm happy to answer any questions about PPE or the application process.

I supported two applicants through the Oxbridge admissions process this past cycle, one of whom was offered a place for PPE and the other for History and Economics, both starting in 2026. My support covers the full application journey: helping students explore and refine their subject interest, guiding wider reading around their chosen course, preparing them for the TARA, and working closely on personal statement drafts to help them find their own voice. I run interview practice using realistic Oxbridge-style questioning to build confidence in thinking on your feet and defending an argument under pressure. I have three years of tutoring experience across GCSE Science, English and Maths and A-Level History, English and Economics, and as a Laidlaw Scholar with the Oxford SDG Impact Lab I've developed research and communication skills I bring into every session. My style is patient and student-led — I break PPE's broad, interlinking demands into manageable steps.

I've tutored students in economics, history and politics, and run over twenty mock interview sessions, drawing on resources accumulated over years of tutoring and from speaking to other students and professors about the interview process. I've supported students to places at Russell Group universities including UCL, Durham and Warwick, and coached a student from a B to an A* in maths and politics. My approach is to give all-round support to the student and their family, beyond just the run-up to the interview or admissions test: I genuinely care about my students and I'm available every step of the way, from choosing where to apply, to pre-mock late-night jitters, to post-interview debriefs and everything in between. To me the single biggest variable in an admissions process is the student's approach and confidence — I bring out the best in each student so they can shine in admissions tests and dazzle interviewers.