Eton College Interview Questions 2025/6
By Walter Kerr
Co-founder
In my Eton interview, I was asked whether there was anything in the news I was interested about. Current affairs remain central to the interview today; it allows the boy to direct the question to an idiosyncrasy of theirs. The question also showcases whether they have been over-tutored to trot out the same lines about Trump or Brexit. If you love David Attenborough, your answer should probably relate to the environment. And so on.
Here are 5 Eton interview questions boys have been asked in the last two years. They are deceptively simple.
1. "What are your thoughts about living and studying in a boarding school environment like Eton?"
This question assesses whether a boy understands what boarding life entails and if he's mentally prepared for the transition and whether he’d be comfortable away at home. Boys should demonstrate that they've considered the challenges and opportunities of boarding life; if they don’t, they won’t be suitable.
2. "How would you contribute to the Eton community?"
This question explores what unique qualities or skills a boy would bring to school life. Whether it's through sports, music, drama, academic pursuits, or leadership qualities, boys should be able to articulate specific ways they would enhance the school community.
3. "Tell me about a book you've recently read and what you thought of it."
Eton love asking this question; their questions are deceptively simple – it asks the boy to lead the conversation and to explore in depth areas of reading they like: non-fiction, fiction, Greek mythology or historical drama. Note: Percy Jackson is not an original choice of book.
4. “Why do you want to come here?”
Poorly prepared boys will trot out the same lines about how “brilliant the website looked” or “my mum has mentioned I’d be really suited here.” I’d mention the tour you went on, or something about the school that particularly interests you – the sports field, the chemistry lab, the first editions in the school library.
5. "If you could change one thing about your current school, what would it be and why?"
The alternative question is “if you were headmaster for the day what would you change at your current school?”
Final Thoughts
The interview is as important as the test, make no mistake about that. The Eton interview is simple insofar as they are very few logic questions; the challenge however is in that simplicity. House Masters who deliver the interviews want the boy to take the reins of the interview and lead it to where they haven’t been taken before. Remember, interviewing 800 boys is tedious – try and make yours a different experience!