Interview information – Fastrack Preparation for Higher Education
Congratulations on being invited to attend an interview at Edge Hill University. This page gives you all the information you need for preparation for your interview
Important information
To make sure that you are ready for your interview you need to ensure that you have completed the essential tasks below.
Please note – your interview will be for both Fastrack and your subsequent degree programme.
To prepare for your interview it is essential that you complete the following the 3 steps below:
Watch the short video introduction to the Fastrack programme
Read Important information about demonstrating English language skills
Read your essential interview preparation information
“Don’t be nervous. Make sure you read all the information on the website and anything the Fastrack team provide. The interviews are really relaxed and it’s nice that the questions are geared towards getting to know you.”
Michelle (Former Fastrack student now BSc (Hons) Business and Management student)
Please click on each of the three drop downs to find essential information you’ll need for your interview.
1. Watch the short video introduction to the Fastrack programme
2. Important information about demonstrating English language skills
All Fastrack students are required to show a level of competency in written English. This will be determined either by proof of an existing qualification or, if you are successful in your interview, through sitting the Fastrack Literacy test.
Providing proof of qualifications
If you already hold and have access to the certificates for a relevant qualification please scan or take a picture of them and send them to [email protected], prior to your interview.
Relevant qualifications include:
Level 2 Literacy
GCSE English/English Language Grade C (4)
If you are successful in your interview and have not provided adequate verification you will need to sit the Fastrack Interview Literacy Test. Please notethat the Literacy Test is not a formal qualification and will not meet the English Language requirements for progression onto your chosen degree pathway.
During the test, you will need to be able to work undisturbed. The test should take no more than 1.5 hours, but we will allow up to two hours for any additional requirements or technical issues you experience.
You will be required to use a laptop or PC If you do not have this, you maybe able to use your local library or we can arrange for you to attend the Ormskirk Campus to sit the test.
How the test will work
You will receive two emails. One with test instructions and a separate one with an individual link to the test questions. Please do not use the link until you are ready to take the test. Your link is time stamped and the two hours you must complete the test will start from the moment you click the link.
The test is completed in this way on the basis of trust that it is your own work. You are welcome to use the functions of Microsoft Word such as spell check. You are also able to use the internet. Submitted answers will be checked to ensure that they do not contain text that has been copied from other sources.
It is important that you complete this test on your own so that we have a true representation of your literacy skills. The Fastrack Programme is an intensive programme of study and applicants are required to be able to demonstrate that they are able to study effectively at this level.
There are 2 sections to this test. You must complete all sections.
You will see a point score against each question. You are required to achieve at least 50% in each section of the test.
The final comprehension section of the test contains considerably more points, and it is recommended that you allow the most time to this section.
Revising for the test
The five sections of the test are as follows. we recommend that you read all of this information and were necessary take some time to revise the different topics.
Homophones
Homophones are words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings.
You will need to know the differences between words such as
there, there and they’re
where and were
your and you’re
Verb tenses
Verb tenses show when an action took place, as well as how long it occurred. The main verb tenses are the past, present, and future.
For this section you need to understand simple verb tenses of past, present and future.
Examples of this are
Past Tense – I helped the girl.
Present Tense – I help the girl.
Future Tense – I will help the girl.
Spotting Mistakes
This section will continue to look at the correct use of verbs in simple sentences. You will be given a series of sentences that may or may not contain an error. You will be required to rewrite the sentences correctly.
There should only be one or 2 words that need changing. You do not need to look for a different form of words.
Punctuation
For this section you will need to understand how to use
Full stops
Commas
Apostrophes
Exclamation marks
Question marks
Comprehension
This section is the biggest part of the test, and we recommend that you allow yourself the most time for this.
This section will be assessing several skills including.
ability to read and extract information accurately.
The fluency and accuracy of your written work.
Your ability to communicate information, ideas, and opinions clearly and effectively.
Ability to follow instructions.
Proof reading skills.
You will be required to read an article and then answer several questions. The answers to these will be found in the test. However, you should write your answers in full sentences using your own words.
You will then be asked to complete 2 short pieces of writing of between 80-100 words.
You will be asked to write a piece highlighting the positives of the contents of the article and persuading a reader of this point of view.
You will then be asked to identify and write about possible negatives relating to the contents of the article.
Additional requirements
Please note allowances will be made for applicants who have a recognised Specific Learning Difficulty (SPLD) or Disability. We may request evidence such as a previous education statement for this.
We will also take into consideration applicants who think they may have an SPLD but have never been formally tested or do not have the relevant evidence.
If this option is taken and we subsequently offer you a place, then you will be invited to arrange an informal assessment with the SPLD team at the university, prior to the start of the Fastrack Programme. This will allow us to ensure you have adequate support in place during the Fastrack Programme.
If you require a different format for this test, please email [email protected]. You will be required to provide evidence, such as an educational support plan.
As the test requires you to demonstrate a competency in English, no additional allowances will be made based on English as a second language.
3. Read your essential interview preparation information
Important preparation information can be found below, please select the course you are interviewing for to find out all the details.
Please note that for some subjects you will be following the same interview pathway as standard undergraduate applicants. If this is the case, you will see information asking you to reply via UCAS track or to use your UCAS ID number to login to your interview. As you have not applied through UCAS, please do not worry about this. Please just reply to your interview email if you are unable to attend.
Interview arrangements and preparation may differ between courses, so please ensure that you select the correct course.
If you are unsure, please contact us 01695 657143
Please note that students looking to complete the Early Years pathway will be following the Primary interview and pathway while on the Fastrack programme.
We look forward to meeting you for your interview.
If you have any questions or special requirements that you would like to discuss with us prior to your interview you can contact us in the following ways:
