National essay competition finalist interview practice
A finalist interview testing authorship, the essay's central argument, evidence choices, counterarguments and ability to discuss the work clearly. Practise the 5 questions selection panels ask with follow-ups. Paid plans add scored feedback on every answer.
Free with an Intaviu account: 320 credits a month, at 10 credits a minute of practice. Private: interview creators never see them.
- 15 minutes
- 5 questions
- Scored feedback on paid plans
About the award
This interview gives a competition panel the chance to discuss a shortlisted essay with its writer. The panel may check authorship, probe the central argument, ask why particular evidence was used and see whether the finalist can reflect on objections and limitations in conversation.
How to prepare
- Reread the submitted version and mark the thesis, main claims and evidence supporting each claim.
- Review the reliability and relevance of the sources you relied on most heavily.
- Prepare to explain how your early outline or argument changed during research and revision.
- Identify a serious counterargument and practise responding to it fairly.
- Summarise the essay for a listener who does not know the topic or its specialist terms.
Common mistakes
- Reciting memorised paragraphs instead of answering the question asked.
- Treating every published source as equally reliable.
- Misrepresenting an opposing view to make it easier to dismiss.
- Introducing a new central claim that is not supported by the submitted essay.
What to expect
A real selection interview
5 questions the way selection panels ask, with follow-ups when an answer needs more.
Spoken, like the real thing
Speak your answers in your browser or the free desktop app, with live captions. You can ask the interviewer to repeat anything.
Scored on 5 areas
The things this interview weighs most. With a paid plan, your report shows how you did on each one.
A private report
On Plus, Pro and Premium: every answer scored, your strongest lines quoted and what to say differently next time. Interview creators never see it.
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