Interview for access course - Scotland

MP14

I have applied to West Lothian College to do an access to Higher Education course with the intention to go on to do primary teaching. I have just found out today that my interview is Friday and I am soo nervous already. What should I expect? Should I take anything with me? I have not had an interview for anything for so long. I don't even know what I should wear?

Any help, hints or tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Oldernotwiser

Access courses are not always all that competitive but you might need to be prepared to do a literacy/numeracy test when you are there (or possibly later).

They will want to discuss your motivation and your understanding of what you're taking on and how you will combine study with any other work or home responsibilities you have.

Normally the interviews are informal and friendly as tutors realise that adult learners can be nervous and lacking in confidence.

Good luck.

[Deleted User]

Congratulations on your interview!

I'm sure you will be fine if you prepare, you will certainly feel more relaxed.

If you have previous qualifications - Scottish Highers etc bring proof of your grades with you if you have them. If you don't have the Scottish equivalent to GSCE's (I'm sorry I can't remember what they're called) or these were a very long time ago - you're likley to have to do numeracy and literacy testing, although this might not be on the same day as your interview.

Also start preparing what you would say if they asked you some of the typical questions - Why you want to do the course/teaching? What experience if any you have? (your answer can include life experience as well as employment) What you want to do in the future? How you will manage the course academically? (they're likley to ask this or something similar if you've been out of school, or other education, for a while)

By running over some some of these answer will help you feel more prepared, and also hopefully more relaxed at the interview.

Good luck

MP14

:TThanks for the replies guys.

MP14

The numeracy and literacy test is on the day. What sort of thing should I expect?

bestpud

I did a short comprehension test on the day - basically reading a short passage and answering 3/4 questions about it. IIRC we had about 20 minutes to do it but the tutor left the room so it wasn't under test conditions as such - they interveiwed two people at a time.

Then we did a computer based numeracy and literacy test on the first day of the course. That was to see if anybody needed extra support and many of the numeracy scores were abysmal!

It was all very relaxed and there is no need to dress up for it - I think I wore casual trousers and a blouse.

Good luck with it!

eklynne

I had to write a 500 word essay for my access course admission! *stress*
Although I'd give my right arm to be back doing 500 word efforts

bestpud

eklynne wrote: »

I had to write a 500 word essay for my access course admission! *stress*
Although I'd give my right arm to be back doing 500 word efforts

Was that as part of the interview or part of your original application?

We had to write a piece about why we wanted to do the course and our future plans etc but that was handed in with the initial application - I thought that was standard across access courses but I may be wrong...

Bigger the word count the better for me as I'm never short of words lol!

igaveupnowimback

eklynne wrote: »

I had to write a 500 word essay for my access course admission! *stress*
Although I'd give my right arm to be back doing 500 word efforts

Yep, me too! It's all 4000 word assignments at the moment and me the eternal procrastinator ends up doing them at the same time as the 2000 word ones just for the masochistic pleasure of it all !!! :eek: