UPDATE: This article was originally posted on January 20, 2020. It has been updated with new information and tips below.
With its location in the Silicon Fen, Cambridge Judge is at the top of the list for an increasing number of applicants who seek to pursue (or continue pursuing) a high-impact, global career.
However, with a practical yet innovative curriculum that gives students ample opportunity to incorporate hands-on learning into their MBA experience, competition to join Cambridge’s elite MBA is more difficult than ever.
That’s why we’ve prepared this guide to help you use your Cambridge admissions interview to stand out. We’ve rounded up not only our best tips but have also included sample interview questions to ensure you give your Cambridge application your best shot.
How the Cambridge interview works
As one of the oldest and most elite business schools in the world, landing an interview with Cambridge is no easy task.
Thus, if you have passed to the interview phase of the Cambridge application process, congratulations! This is already an exceptional achievement.
Cambridge interviews tend to be friendly yet still highly rigorous. In the interview, the alumnus or alumna is still trying to gauge how solid your motivations for wanting to pursue an MBA are, how deeply you have thought about why the Cambridge Judge MBA is right for you, and if you fit well with the program’s focus on self-reflection.
Interviewers often ask many standard MBA interview questions, as well as numerous follow-up questions intended to probe your motivations for making certain decisions.
Our clients who have interviewed with Cambridge in the past say that the interviewer was very friendly and demonstrated a genuine interest in their answers. Cambridge advises candidates to view the interview as a two-way conversation, and this style is very consistent.
For some clients, questions were far more personal in nature, covering topics like their childhood and family upbringing. Other clients reported their interview was more focused on educational and professional achievements, so make sure you’re ready for anything when you interview with Cambridge.
Who will interview you?
Cambridge has a rich tradition of alumni conducting admissions interviews. This year, your interview may take place virtually or in person. If you end up interviewing online, this will not damage your application in any way.
Will the interviewer have read your application?
Yes. The interviewer will have received an info packet on you that includes your essays and CV but not your GMAT/GRE scores.
How long will the Cambridge interview last?
30 minutes. It is not likely to exceed this.
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Who is Cambridge Looking for?
(Photo courtesy of Cambridge Judge)
“The MBA is a broad management degree designed to develop deep understanding, practical application and vital interpersonal and leadership skills. Inspired by the University of Cambridge tradition of tutorial discussion and debate, the MBA delivers a lively and engaging learning experience in an intensive one-year programme.” Cambridge Judge Admissions
Every year, Cambridge literally searches the globe (more than 43 nationalities are represented) for outstanding professionals given the honor of joining its annual class of ~220 students for its 1-year MBA program. With a strong emphasis on diversity, there is no “typical” Cambridge student, yet the average admitted student of the Class of 2027 has a GMAT score of 700 and 6 years of work experience.
Beyond the impressive statistics, though, Cambridge is looking for candidates who want to make a positive impact on the world through their careers. That’s why, in addition to strong academic performance (demonstrated through the GMAT and university grades), Cambridge seeks candidates who possess the following qualities:
We want people who:
- have excelled in previous academic achievements (top 25 percent of the class in their undergraduate degree)
- are highly motivated and ambitious, thrive under pressure, and have already exhibited clear progression within their career
- have had some international experiences through their work and have a global outlook
- are confident, creative, and innovative, with strong interpersonal and collaborative skills
- have an interesting and varied life outside their work
How can you prepare for your interview?
Though no interview is 100% predictable, Cambridge interviews do tend to center around a fairly standard list of MBA interview questions. As such, we have prepared some model questions below that previous candidates have received in their past Cambridge interviews.
What questions are asked in the Cambridge MBA interview?
The questions below are drawn from our clients’ interview reports, as well as from sites like clearadmit.com. Though these are not all the potential questions you could possibly receive during your Cambridge interview, preparing for these (and any follow-up questions you think you might be asked) should give you a very solid foundation for your interview.
STARTING UP QUESTIONS
- Tell me about yourself. (Expect follow-up questions)
- What do you do in your current job?
- Why did you choose your university?
- What was your undergraduate experience like?
- What are your short-term and long-term career goals?
- Name three firms you would like to work at after your MBA.
- Why did you quit your previous job?
- Why do you want an MBA?
- Why now?
- Why Cambridge?
- What will you bring to Cambridge?
- What other schools have you applied to? If you get into all of them, how will you choose where to go?
- Have you spoken with any alumni or current students about our program?
LEADERSHIP & TEAMWORK
- Tell me about a time when you didn’t get along with your team. What did you do?
- Tell me about one instance when you disagreed with your boss and how you handled the situation.
- What is your leadership style? Can you give me an example?
- Tell me a leader you admire.
- How would you handle a teammate who wasn’t pulling their own weight?
- How have you led a team through a period of significant uncertainty or change? What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?
MISCELLANEOUS BEHAVIORAL
- How would your friends describe you?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- Tell me about a time when you were pushed to your limits at work.
- Tell me about a time when learning something from someone else made you change your mind about a certain topic.
- Describe a situation where you used your network to achieve something.
- Tell me about a time you questioned the status quo.
- Tell me about a time you failed. What did you learn and how did you bounce back?
- What is one area where you recognize a need for growth? What steps are you taking to address this?
- In your opinion, what is the most pressing global challenge facing businesses today, and how do you see yourself contributing to solutions in this area?
CLOSING
- Is there anything else you would like us to know about you? / Is there anything you wish I had asked you?
- Questions for me?
We have found that answering real interview questions on the spot is a much better means of preparation than reading lists of interview questions for most candidates.
We highly suggest you take a look at mock interview questions and sample interview responses before your interview.
Our MBA Resource Center has dozens of real interview mocks from Cambridge, as well as detailed guides to help you prepare for questions ranging from “Why our MBA program?” to “Tell us about a time you failed.”
The Ellin Lolis Consulting MBA Resource Center is your one-stop shop to interview success. Click to join!
Finally, just because your interview will happen online doesn’t mean you can relax and assume your non-verbal cues don’t matter. Though body language is not as apparent on camera as in person, it’s still an important aspect of the interview you want to make sure to take charge of.
If you’re still not quite confident with your interview skills, our interview experts can help you craft your answers or prepare you for the Cambridge Judge interview through mock interviews tailored to your profile.
What to do if you get a question you haven’t prepared an answer for
Despite your most diligent preparation, you will almost always receive a question you had not prepared.
First, stay calm and take a deep breath. You have already made it this far in the process, and one question will not trip you up!
Second, make sure you directly answer the question the interviewer asked you. For example, if the interviewer asks you about a time you had to deal with a difficult manager, make sure to tell a story about a difficult manager and how you handled the situation.
If you’re having trouble thinking of an answer or an example to support your answer, however, take a drink of water to give yourself a few more minutes to think. If you really can’t think of an example from your personal or professional experience, you can use a hypothetical answer about how you would act in a certain situation.
Finally, assume that the interviewer is testing how you think on your feet and respond to questions you didn’t prepare in advance. Though your answer might not be as polished as if you’d had weeks to rehearse it, smile and confidently give your answer to show you can respond to any question they throw at you.
Effectively tell your story during your Cambridge interview
Interview preparation isn’t about memorizing answers. It’s about finding the through-line in your stories, the moments that reveal who you are and why you matter. It’s about walking into that room with the kind of clarity and confidence that makes admissions committees lean in and listen.
That confidence comes from practice. Not just any practice, but practice with someone who knows what they’re listening for. Leland gives you access to vetted interview coaches who’ve been on both sides of the table—former admissions officers who’ve conducted hundreds of interviews, current students who just went through this process at your target schools, professionals who understand what your post-MBA goals actually require. You can book one mock interview to test your stories, multiple sessions to refine your delivery, or comprehensive prep that covers everything from storytelling to school-specific formats.
The right coach doesn’t just give you feedback. They help you find your voice and cut through the noise. Leland matches you with experts who understand your schools, your background, and what you’re working toward. Because the room might be noisy, but your voice doesn’t have to be.
Find your interview coach here.
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