Questions to Expect During a School Interview

We all know that the entire process of interviews conducted by schools is a taxing exercise. Most of us do not know what sort of questions will be asked and we do not know whether we need to give politically correct answers.

Parents, please remember that confidence is the key for success in all these interviews. My personal recommendation is that while answering the questions, it is advisable to be frank and forthright in your views. Make the interview team part of the process. Do not hesitate to tell them the support that you would need. Politically correct answers will reveal the callowness. Are we living in a perfect Utopian world? We do have our shortcomings and inadequacies. In spite of that, we have a desire to progress in life. So, if we accept our shortcomings and find out a way forward, that itself is a good effort. Do you agree?

For some questions that seek your contribution to the studies of your children, inform the school authorities that while you will do your best, you will also benefit from the collective wisdom of the school authorities. I reiterate – Make the school authorities part of your problem, if you have one.

Practice answers beforehand. Do not talk to too many people and get confused. I have seen some parents waiting anxiously in the queue and then pouncing on the parents who have completed the interview process to find out how the interview was. Parents please do not do that. Your anxiety and nervousness will show through. There is no need to have a patronising approach. After all, you are seeking admission for your children and not indulging in begging. Be bold and confident and adopt a positive approach.

One particularly important tip for parents is – If required; take an advanced sanctioned leave if possible while attending the school interview. Even while waiting for the interview, answering your mobile phones, talking loudly, giving instructions to your sub ordinates, answering your Emails on the black berry – these are strictly avoidable. If work is so important for you even at the time of an important event involving your children, how will you maintain an appropriate work-life balance in a way that contributes to the overall growth and development of the child? Parents, please ponder!

Last but not the least; be mentally prepared to have tons of patience. You have been given an appointment at 11 am but it is 1130 am and there is no sign of you getting the call. Be cool. Do not be restless. It will be advisable to carry a good book / read the newspaper and maintain a calm demeanour. Pacing the interview hall up and down, telling the school coordinators that you have to rush for a meeting with the boss – all these will go against your favour.

Nowadays, almost every school has a website. Before you go for the interview, keep yourself abreast of the events in the school by browsing through the website. You can go through the mission statement of the school, vision statement, scholarships given by the school for needy students, recognition won by the school/ its teachers/ its students, the pass percentage in Std X exams. If you are intelligent enough, you can use the information
available on the school’s website to your maximum advantage while answering some of the questions. This will win brownie points for you because the school authorities will realise and appreciate the effort that you have taken.

Here is a list of probable questions. Please note that this list is not exhaustive and only indicative.

1. Tell us something about yourselves and your educational background.

2. Both of you are working. How do you think you will be able to cope up with the demands placed on your child by the school like class tests, homework?

3. If both of you are away working, who takes care of your child during the after school hours?

4. Does your child have any specific health problem?

5. Do you have all the details of your child like blood group etc?

6. Is your child into any sort of extracurricular activity? If yes, can you explain?

7. We offer Kannada and Sanskrit as third language. Which one would you like to go for? Why?

8. Our school offers ICSE syllabus. Do you think your child will be able to cope up with the demands placed by the ICSE syllabus?

9. How will your child commute to school?

10. How far is your residence from the school? How far is your office? In case of an emergency, if we have to reach out to you, we want to be sure that you can reach out to your child as fast as possible.

11. Why are you particularly keen to get admission into our school?

12. Do you have any questions?

13. If you are a homemaker, will you be okay to spend some time supporting our teachers while conducting certain contests or exhibitions?

For answering question no.11, browsing the website of the school in advance will help. If the school authorities ask you – Do you have any questions, you need not reply in the negative. You can ask them some simple doubts that you have – these will look perfectly normal. For instance, if both of you are not familiar with the third language, you can ask the school if there will be extra coaching available for the same. Or you may ask queries about after school activities in the school. Keep your questions simple and smart.

Let me reiterate that confidence is the key to success in the interview. Be down to earth in your approach and your sincerity as a parent will clearly show through.

(Please share your admission interview experience as a comment below.)