Erm.. I went for my interview on 3rd March for Early Childhood
For the essay (I guess it varies for different interview dates and timings). Mine is on migrant workers. My essay question is quite broad in the sense that you need to write your thoughts about it. So it will be closely link to the article that they will give you. There is no right and wrong answer in that sense (maybe just to know how much you understand about your topic and if you did research beforehand). For research wise, watch the video and newspaper article that is attached in the email! It will help! Do some read up on the background of the topic will definitely help you understand better.
^ TIPS: Please report to the venue early! I went 30mins earlier than the starting time. But there is already a few people already there!
When you enter the computer lab, you will already be given a clipboard (3 papers: information on your cognitive test, essay article, and a worksheet thingy for you to fill in). My advice is please spend that 30mins of reporting early to really read the article thoroughly. Maybe you can mentally make a summary of the article because you will only get the question when you are about to start the essay (not beforehand). If time allow, please jot down notes that you memorise beforehand (if you did) on that article paper (should be have space one). In case you get nervous when it starts or mental block! Just be prepared that you will feel the stress because there will be a countdown timer at your computer to track the time used for the essay. Once it hits zero seconds, it will automatically submit for you (so really must within that 30mins). There will be a lot of keyboard noise because you all will be sitting side by side, so the stress is definitely there! So please come early to settle down and really calm yourself down. There are people who reach only 10 mins before the actual interview timing. So they literally need to rush through the entire thing (reading of article). The question will only be revealed when the timer starts (30mins include reading the question LOL) so do as much as you can (like reading and highlighting the article before the actual start)
Oh! and PLEASE DO NOT DIVE INTO THE WORKSHEET THINGY (its a worksheet for you to fill in things like what do you know about the course you applied those kind of questions!) Its not as important because you only need to submit that for the 1-for-1 interview which is like the last part? The interviewer will probably give you time to fill in afterwards. So priorities your article and essay part first. As much as you will feel damn stress hearing the people typing away... and (if) you have mental block, try to focus and take time to re-read the article if needed. To be honest, I didn't write really long for my article. I saw people writing like super lengthy and paragraph their work very nicely. But I still managed to get into my course. Perhaps, try to write straight to the point? After all, 30 mins not very long considering that you still need to read and analyze the question before you actually start typing! Anyway I feel that the person who read our essay have ALOT more to read too, so they will read really quickly? So I don't see the point in writing until super nice (MY OWN OPINION). Unless time allows then of course please do so! I suggested that because I had a mental block and writing straight to the point actually reduce the time usage for me. (Ignore this if you don't think it work well for you ^^)
Next round would be cognitive test, it is NOT A MUST to finish everything. So don't stress yourself. Just do as much as you can. I think they see your accuracy too la, not really on speed! But its super easy and is MCQ so should be okay de!
For the group interview round, yall will be brought to this room (1 group about 10 people?) Then yall will need to wait for the prof or lecturer to conduct it. Again, it will be the same topic as what you research earlier. Depends on your interviewer, some might narrow the topic down or guide you along the way! Mine didn't; he just came in and said something along this line "I guess yall have already read through your article and watched the video about migrant workers. Yall can start discussing now". So mine is literally anything about migrant worker (so won't get out of point in that sense). So yall will have to discuss on what view point to take on! is it the debating style? or do yall want to talk about the living conditions and low wage thingy about the migrant workers? Totally depend on you guys! I think the grp discussion, just want to separates people who have like good leadership? and if you really take time to listen to what others say? or are you really defensive and rude?
Leadership can be shown in areas like... if you guide your group during the discussion? Because my interviewer seems very open on the things we discuss (didn't narrow the topic down).. so there is one guy started the discussion by asking how we should start our discussion with. What viewpoint? This kind sure is those very good leadership one!
FYI, they see your participation level too, so please at least say something (its a big grp discussion so it won't be easy!) but for our grp, we actually make sure everyone at least say something so that the prof won't single anybody out. Because its an interview afterall, so confirm there will be desperate ones who will keep on talking (nothing wrong about that).
TIPS: Just make sure that what you say is something that is good (or shows that you actually did your research?). You can talk less, but if its quality stuff then its good!
Group discussion really depends on how the prof wanna conduct it! But I think its kinda important part among the 4 stages of interview process because I think theres more grp work kind of thing in SUSS (if you get to study there)!
Anyway, when you reach the grp discussion room, if your interviewer is not here yet.. Please go talk with the people in your group. Everyone will be equally nervous! So by chit chatting with them, you won't feel so tensed up! And who knows? you might find someone who actually applied for the same course as you! And if yall chat with each other beforehand, yall will feel less awkward during the grp discussion (I feel!)..
Hope this helps! GOOD LUCKK!!!
