Cambridge Computer Science interview 2026: dates, questions, format and success rate
How Cambridge interviews for Computer Science, varies by college, 7-18 Dec 2026: the format, the questions reported for it, and the practice interview built on them.
Figures from undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk, checked 18 October 2026.
At a glance
- When: 7-18 Dec 2026 (Winter pool mid to late January 2027)
- Format: Panel interview, Varies by College (Two or three interviewers in subject interviews)
- How many: Varies by College (1-2 in the department's examples)
- Length: Varies by College (e.g. 25 min each at Caius and Peterhouse; one 30-40 min at Churchill)
- Who's interviewed: Shortlisted applicants
- Before it: Test of Mathematics for University Admissions (TMUA), pre-registered admission test
How the Cambridge Computer Science interview runs
- Before: Test of Mathematics for University Admissions (TMUA), pre-registered admission test; If you're applying to Peterhouse or Trinity you will also need to take the Computer Sciences Aptitude Test (CSAT)
- Interviews: Varies by College (1-2 in the department's examples), 7-18 Dec 2026, varies by college
- Each one: Varies by College (e.g. 25 min each at Caius and Peterhouse; one 30-40 min at Churchill), with Two or three interviewers in subject interviews
- In the room: Working through a problem (mostly maths)
- They assess: "Academic potential", in the university's own words
Applied: 1,739. Offered: 163 (2025 cycle (applications from Sep 2024 for entry in Oct 2025 or deferred 2026)).
Questions asked
- Official sample question: Tell me about binary searches. What about their efficiency?
- Official sample question: You are given 10 boxes, each large enough to contain exactly 10 wooden building blocks, and a total of 100 blocks in 10 different colours. There may not be the same number in each colour, so you may not be able to pack the blocks into the boxes in such a way that each box contains only one colour of block. Show that it is possible to do it so that each box contains at most two different colours.
- Official sample question: ‘The game of chess will be played perfectly by the computers of 2020’ What is the meaning of this statement and is it likely to be true?
Every question reported for this course is open with a free account.
Cambridge Computer Science interview FAQ
When are Cambridge Computer Science interviews in 2026?
7-18 Dec 2026 (main period).
Online or in person?
Varies by College, as a panel interview.
How long is each interview?
Varies by College (e.g. 25 min each at Caius and Peterhouse; one 30-40 min at Churchill). Varies by College (1-2 in the department's examples).
Is there a test?
Test of Mathematics for University Admissions (TMUA), pre-registered admission test.
Related
- Oxford Computer Science interview
- Oxford Computer Science and Philosophy interview
- Oxford Mathematics and Computer Science interview
- Imperial Computing (G401) interview
- Imperial Computing (G400) interview