Economics interview problems
Markets, data and incentives, reasoned step by step. Type your thinking, take a hint when you are stuck, then answer the follow-ups.
The problems
A cap on rents
FreeA city sets a maximum rent below today's market rent for every flat. What happens? Who gains and who loses?
Try it freeDiamonds and water
In the rehearsalWater is essential to life and diamonds are not. Why do diamonds cost far more?
Two cafés on a beach
In the rehearsalA beach is 1 km long, with sunbathers spread evenly along it. Two cafés, with the same prices, each choose a spot to win as many customers as they can. Everyone walks to the nearer café, and splits evenly when the two are equally near. Where do the cafés end up?
A minimum wage in two towns
In the rehearsalIn a country where towns set their own minimum wage, town A raised its minimum wage; town B, nearby, did not. The table shows fast-food jobs before and a year after. What can you conclude?
Should museums charge?
In the rehearsalShould a national museum charge for entry? Give the economic case each way.
Everyone saves more
In the rehearsalIn a recession, households become worried and all decide to save more. Does total saving in the economy rise?
A cheaper coffee
In the rehearsalA café cuts its coffee from £3.00 to £2.50, and sales rise from 200 to 260 cups a day. Each cup costs 80p to make, and the café's other costs stay the same. Did revenue rise? Did profit rise?
A storm and GDP
In the rehearsalAfter a storm destroys many homes, the country's GDP rises over the next year as they are rebuilt. Is the country better off?
Rehearse all 8
Hints, follow-ups and Mia's marks on every attempt, until 31 December.
Oxbridge Interview Rehearsal: two subjects
£199 once. No VAT is charged.
Rehearse every problem in two subjects you choose, with hints, follow-ups and Mia's marks, until your interviews.
- All 8 problems in each of your two subjects, chosen after you pay
- Hints when you are stuck, then the tutor's follow-up questions
- Mia's marks on every attempt: thinking aloud, using hints, checking, reasoning
- Your next problem picked from your weakest skill
- Every attempt saved, with re-attempts side by side
Access until 31 December 2026. Choose your subjects after paying. Full refund within 14 days, for any reason.
By paying you agree to our Terms and get access straight away, which ends your 14-day cancellation right.Oxbridge Interview Rehearsal: all subjects
£299 once. No VAT is charged.
Every problem in all seven subjects, for joint courses and for practising beyond your own subject.
- All 56 problems: Maths, Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, Economics, Law and PPE
- Hints when you are stuck, then the tutor's follow-up questions
- Mia's marks on every attempt: thinking aloud, using hints, checking, reasoning
- Your next problem picked from your weakest skill
- Every attempt saved, with re-attempts side by side
Access until 31 December 2026. Full refund within 14 days, for any reason.
By paying you agree to our Terms and get access straight away, which ends your 14-day cancellation right.What the universities say
“You may be asked to explore unfamiliar ideas, think through problems aloud or consider new perspectives.”
University of Oxford: Interviews“Students do make mistakes, and that's fine”
“It's not assumed that a less-talented student will need more help on any given problem”
University of Oxford: Sample interview questions“we may ask you to solve a problem and talk us through your thought processes”
Oxford Mathematical Institute: Interviews“Our tutors are not mind readers, so if you don't say anything our tutors can't tell what you are thinking!”
Oxford Computer Science: How to apply“the people interviewing you are interested in how you work out your answers and how you think”
University of Cambridge: Preparing for your interview