How Hard is it to Get Into Oxford University?

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In this weeks episode I attempt the Oxford Admissions Test for mathematics. I attempt to learn to pass the exam as quickly as possible. We set the pass mark at 60% (60/100) as applicants who score 60 have a 70% chance of getting an interview.
Thank you to Dr Tom Crawford for his help here. Check out his work:
‪@TomRocksMaths‬
www.seh.ox.ac....
Want to try the exams for yourself? Here they are, solutions included. (I sat papers 2016 (scored 37) and 2018 (scored 62)): www.maths.ox.a...
My name is Mike Boyd and I make videos documenting my process of learning stuff really fast! Subscribe for more upcoming videos and feel free to tell me what you'd like me to learn next in the comments.
Twitter: / mikeboydvideo
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[@TomRocksMaths]

Proud teacher alert over here. Mike smashed it.

[@alvinmwangi1]

I imagine you’re a super genius, like Einstein reincarnated

[@youseemcorrectandmaybeimso6371]

Wait so mike smashed that teacher.

[@joga25713]

Found you! By the way when is the interview for mike? 🤣

[@atomic4650]

Legend!

[@Camborou]

@@alvinmwangi1 Tom’s my Tutor, can confirm he is mega genius

[@MrrMe]

“But how hard is it to get in here” *pulls out lock picking kit*

[@galvan6242]

This is lock picking lawyer and today we are breaking into a really flimsy 1000 year old school.

[@fannerbuoy3688]

Click on 1, 2 is binding

[@Deznspel]

no its lock PEKING (scottish intensifies)

[@xtdycxtfuv9353]

Fannerbuoy 36 click on 3 annnd we're in.

[@hea1307]

Pog

[@Marzyart]

I expected an oxford math teacher to be old, strict with a poker face

[@Blue-pk4ny]

well I guess some normal-lookin' decent people still exist on this world!

[@surfaceten510n]

more chance if you'r a wokey blokey type

[@not_herobrine3752]

Thats what most of us asians were brought up to believe

[@lutfisksoppa2122]

@@Blue-pk4ny normal looking no

[@axelnils]

@@surfaceten510n People with liberal politisk views tend to be smarter, so sure!

[@kallanjamon5928]

Tom is the example of don't judge a book by its cover.

[@TomRocksMaths]

[@miratparmar1545]

@@TomRocksMaths wait you're actually him? Wow.

[@sobiasaifullah7433]

Hi, comment before this blows up

[@sobiasaifullah7433]

@@TomRocksMaths omg sic

[@Brotmaschine08]

Mhm... but the cover seems very likable and genuine

[@RealEngineering]

My biggest insecurity is my memory. I have always struggled in exams because my long term memory is so poor. I was good at math/engineering because it was understanding based, but this gives me anxiety. I know for a fact I would struggle.

[@everby9998]

Oh hey thats the guy who makes youtube videos or something idk

[@Apersonl0l]

Relatable :)

[@pirate6616]

@@everby9998 lmao what

[@edwinshaji2846]

@@everby9998 yh just a guy that makes youtube videos or something with over 2.7 mil subs, or idk, just some guy

[@fluidcultist2591]

Yeah that's my struggle, I can understand and apply concepts but when it comes to straight memory I struggle

[@ChrisRamsay52]

What a GREAT video idea!! Miss ya bud!

[@chosenpanda9414]

Hello Chris!

[@So.expensive]

Miss u too sir.😝

[@fransenascano6983]

You just can magic the exam right

[@zoew_]

i feel like another collab in the future NEEDS to happen omg

[@fin.animations]

Same I missed him too!!!

[@FrenchGuyCooking]

I feel you anxiety Mike ! I studied Maths for years, but I would just be terrified to take a math exam today. I feel like I got nothing left 😂

[@bongocat5223]

I just sat this exam and well, it wasn't fun

[@augustinl5512]

my favorite youtuber enjoys my other favorite youtuber. Amazing

[@masuta9192]

bonjour Alex!

[@MayaEatsBooks]

ALEX!!!!

[@lucidqt4696]

Salut! Haha

[@bend4137]

He is probably the opposite of what I thought an Oxford math teacher would look like and I love it

[@TomRocksMaths]

[@berrym7776]

I' pretty sure miles dads my maths teacher- tom doesnt exactly replicate him tho-

[@pavelzhelezov4086]

I through he'll be like Dumbledore from Harry Potter. Wow

[@iamhill1032]

i thought he has too much hair for a math teacher

[@zekeken7671]

Sheesh he replied to u

[@Wolfiyeethegranddukecerberus17]

Can't believe they built an entire school based on that dictionary

[@Hi-xu9xn]

Repent of your sins and follow Jesus Christ Almighty

[@kyuwtf-]

@@Hi-xu9xn shut up.

[@hashirhussain8052]

@@Hi-xu9xn no

[@loanswashere.]

@@Hi-xu9xn wait are you serious

[@abhiramatluri4870]

@@Hi-xu9xn imagine not having anything better to do than try to advertise your religion to people that just want to watch a video. you're no better than youtube

[@the.learningproject]

The look of disappointment on that professor’s face whenever he marked an incorrect answer gave me anxiety 😂

[@neelpuligundla7288]

It gave me PTSD

[@hlogilehlogonolo5438]

@@neelpuligundla7288 bro😂😂

[@OHOE1]

Next primeminister

[@wamfaj3423]

100%

[@adityaandaleeb4426]

IFKR?

[@alex-nh9hv]

The math teacher looks like the guy you could hang out all day, everyday.

[@TomRocksMaths]

[@UnclBerry]

@@TomRocksMaths lol

[@adelali1001]

This gay has A pokemon ball tattoo ! Hell yeah

[@alex-nh9hv]

@@adelali1001 i think they're two actually :) (*pokeball)

[@tanaypatel109]

@@TomRocksMaths guys breaking stereotypes.

[@peeper2070]

Let me vent: 1. Personal statement 2. Entrance exams 3. Get lucky with the interview shortlisting (if you’ve made it this far I genuinely am saluting you right now) 4. Do well in the interview 5. Get shortlisted for 2nd interview 6. Do well in the 2nd interview 7. Be lucky enough to be drawn from a final shortlist of thousands to get a conditional offer 8. Still be sane enough to do well in your final exams The 8th part is the easiest. Edit 1 year later: 4 Nov 2021, failed at stage 2 after dedicating thousands of hours of preparation across 3 years, even throwing a pandemic into the mix for good measure. Edit 2 years later: 16 April 2023, severe depression for 2 years even before academic failures at 3 universities. Now in my 1st year at an average UK university.

[@jameshowlett2694]

2nd interview? My friends only had 1 and got in

[@magdalenageorgieva6048]

@@jameshowlett2694 It's two, three or sometimes even four interviews but they don't shortlist you for those based on performance on previous interviews. Normally when you go there the first day they tell you how many interviews you'll have... and in most cases you have to be excellent on at least two of them.

[@jameshowlett2694]

Magdalena Georgieva well law and PPE only required one interview, so I think this guys exaggerating slightly

[@aliyanhussain3999]

@@magdalenageorgieva6048 nope I applied this year (didn’t get in though lol) you have more than one interview but each one is for a separate college at oxford

[@Kai-uj8tg]

@@aliyanhussain3999 it depends on ur subject. I applied for Japanese, got interviewed at the faculty and the college I chose and that's it. Some people get more than one interview at different colleges also, and some, like if ur doing a joint honours, can have as many as 4 or 5 interviews.

[@minds2363]

“I started doing what students do best...cramming an entire syllabus, the day before the exam.” I feel personally attacked.

[@AsianBoah]

Brother I envy you. I didn't even read a single paper of syllabus

[@flowerdolphin5648]

Me too, I start cramming the day of, usually, like one, two hours before 😂

[@rainytree3630]

He is not wrong

[@raneshubham6180]

Are we really gonna ignore how cool that math teacher is?

[@TomRocksMaths]

[@gab3635]

Oh wow he actually replied to u

[@raneshubham6180]

@@gab3635 yea☺️

[@raneshubham6180]

@@TomRocksMaths ☺️☺️

[@alexw7629]

Yeah I was expecting him to be a maths student before he said

[@staneagle1070]

He is not what I’d imagine an oxford maths teacher to look like, which probably makes him a really good teacher

[@TomRocksMaths]

[@idfwurudy6169]

@@TomRocksMaths I did not expect it aswell, you look crazy young

[@SamirJM]

@@TomRocksMaths I used to get bad marks when I was in high school, the teacher made me hate the whole subject and I can't forget when she told me if one day you choose to study math instead of any other topic, i'll retire, thanks for the positivity and the inspiration, i didn't meet you IRL, but your words inspire people

[@umarraymond8499]

@@TomRocksMaths Hello 👏 trust you're doing well and staying safe?

[@umarraymond8499]

@@SamirJM Hello 👏 how are you doing?

[@MarioDuarteMD19]

Just a little interesting thing I noticed about the professor, similar to how the left side of the brain is better suited for logical deductions and the right is more for creative capabilities, the tattoos on his arms follow the same premise, with the right one having art and the left having numbers. Thanks for attending my Ted Talk.

[@amandaf4907]

actually-- interesting enough, the right brain controls the left side of the body; and vice versa. Nice little fun fact for you! :)

[@funwithariyan7347]

cool

[@swiftlymurmurs]

Heya, neuropsych student here, I'm very sorry to report that the "right brain creative, left brain logical" myth is sadly very incorrect. There are some differences between the two brain halves, notably the left brain is most adept at language, but a distinction that global and strong just does not exist

[@TheEvilCheesecake]

Half brain theory is outdated pseudo science.

[@phr3ui559]

Ok

[@mastershooter64]

next video: learning theoretical physics in 4 years and becoming a researcher at oxford

[@Name-ul8es]

He should make theese a series.

[@scarlett1639]

I’d be with him the whole way

[@francescofulghieri9608]

damn nice job, that’s worth being proud of

[@BHwithMinecraft]

“This is Day One, Hour Zero”

[@silly-goose]

In the first scene, I could almost imagine Tom Scott casually strolling by.

[@gordonramsdale]

He didn't go to oxford

[@oldadoggy5873]

@@gordonramsdale username checks out

[@jellyjake8317]

r/rareinsults

[@gordonramsdale]

@@oldadoggy5873 I mean he went to York what is the problem with saying that.

[@paused2gud688]

​@@gordonramsdale It was more of a joke than a fact/guess

[@CharlRae]

“How hard is it to get into Oxford University?” *pulls out crowbar* “let’s find out”

[@sayidm.akbarmurs.2285]

🤣🤣🤣

[@CharlRae]

@@harrisadnan8155 yeah I saw that after I posted this. It was original.

[@CharlRae]

@@harrisadnan8155 no I commented without reading comments. Tbh I would imagine it’s the first thing a lot of people thought of. You can come up with the same idea without copying it, you know?

[@doggo9421]

Calls the proffesor from money heist : hey we’ve been challenged to something

[@autocorrect2313]

@@harrisadnan8155 cmon man not everything you see is copied

[@Ads_Snaps]

him marking the paper without an answer sheet is single-handedly the biggest flex I have ever seen

[@advickprosankto]

Why the hell do you need answer sheet for MATHS !!!

[@chec3330]

69th like

[@theluckyidiot1435]

@@advickprosankto cause its hard I guess you’re just smart

[@romanmarshall602]

Mate, that is every tutor past the high school level, it's half their job.

[@Hi-xu9xn]

Repent of your sins and follow Jesus Christ Almighty

[@Weketeke]

Thats gotta be the coolest looking mathematician I've ever seen

[@tostupidforname]

ikr?

[@HahaYes]

Your opinion. In my opinion he is one of the wackiest/most stupid looking

[@TomRocksMaths]

[@hamselv5801]

@@HahaYes I reckon you're a fun person

[@bnbmike4731]

Most people who teach in oxford universities/colleges don't give a shit what they look like or do.

[@user-pe9qg3hg3k]

I'm even more proud of my cousin for managing to get into this place with a scholarship now.

[@boobies8658]

My grandpa graduated Oxford to work for nasa, and he could’ve drunk tea with the queen. He chose to ski in Switzerland instead lol

[@samisikdar5417]

@@boobies8658 lmao

[@lemone9639]

@@boobies8658 I like your grandpa

[@boobies8658]

@@lemone9639 i do too lol

[@amirakbari7282]

@@boobies8658 you do what you like what is the importance of drinking tea with another human .

[@naveen5126]

"You can eliminate the wrong answers and guess the one you think is right" Negative marking: I'm boutta end this man's whole career

[@NotSandhorst]

@Kolkonut ok, we get it, you're gonna get into Oxford

[@echod2]

@Kolkonut 🌫

[@naveen5126]

@Kolkonut lol I get all that, but that doesn't mean you WILL get 1.33 marks every question. Probability may or may not work in your favour, and you're literally taking chances when guessing which is not a good choice in an exam that will basically decide the course of your life. So my approach is to attempt a question only if you know the answer is right.

[@jfrankx7]

@@naveen5126 sometimes you gotta take risks to get what you want in life, there is no one answer that fits everyones situation

[@waynelin6238]

@@naveen5126 But Kolkonut's point is exactly that you can and should guess provided that you've narrowed the options down sufficiently. Of course it is situational based on how near you are to certain cutoffs (for example, if you know you are guaranteed to score just above the cutoff with your other marks already, then you are better off not guessing), but in most cases I think it is hard to argue that you shouldn't.

[@PapaFlammy69]

k

[@chalammvs5674]

R u here😭

[@hi-jh8mj]

@@chalammvs5674 um ok

[@howioffcapslock2643]

ayyyy

[@genericusername4206]

now we need zach to comment

[@sontapaa11jokulainen94]

Hmmm yes. Potassium.

[@sabeenjafri3440]

3:22 this guy is a teacher that teaches some of the smartest students in this world 9:30 this guy failed the exam to enter a college Looks really can be deceiving

[@imaankhalid]

That’s says it nicely!

[@phantomsniper1083]

..he took it without having studied of course he would fail?

[@randomrom747]

He didn’t study for it tho and after cramming he got in the 60s. If he got a week or so I’m sure he could get in the 70s or 80s

[@unusualhuman9374]

When he said "so im going to do what students do best.... And thats cramming an entire syllabus the day before an exam." I cried a little bit

[@SCP--mw7tx]

it's true though, i've crammed about 3 subjects in one day, in the past 3 weeks.

[@flamingaish]

@@SCP--mw7tx woah

[@lightimagay6370]

I crammed 15 chapters of math in 3 days. Got 75% ༎ຶ‿༎ຶ, which you know, you play stupid games you win stupid prizes.

[@oscarholloway850]

I just took my Oxford MAT two days ago... fingers crossed!

[@jeffrultonhampton1371]

Good luck!

[@AbdulRahman-lb7bv]

All the best !!

[@agentmeh1032]

Good luck man I wanna go to Oxford as well once I’m done high school

[@Apersonl0l]

Update?

[@rainytree3630]

Good Luck

[@CameronSandersonUK]

just how. just. I- I have no idea how you even have the mental capacity to even think about attempting these things a shot let alone actually doing them... AND well. like how many gifts do u possess?! mad lad. Keep smashing it man! ☺️

[@Plsdonts]

🙂

[@AxxLAfriku]

GAGAGAGAGAGA! I will now count to 3 and then I am still the unprettiest KZbinr of all time. 1...2...3. GAGAGAGAGAGA!!! Btw I have TWO very HOT GIRLfriends who I show off in my v*deos. Thank you for your attention, dear cam

[@Plsdonts]

🙂

[@Plsdonts]

🙂

[@Crowbars2]

Like Mike said, learning maths is a skill like anything else. I could definitely see almost anyone else doing what Mike does, especially if your job relies on learning new skills and making videos about them. And not just the skills Mike learns in the videos he does, but cinematography, editing, sound design etc. needed for making an entertaining video. I think if you get interested in literally anything, there's so much info available on the internet about every little facet of it. He has a series called "Average Mike" for a reason. At the end of the day, he's just some guy.

[@levince9315]

Imagine how confident and proud you’d be if you got more than 90% on that test.

[@shaistayousaf8731]

My parents will call be a failure. Quite sad.

[@linjix]

@@shaistayousaf8731 well if u get 90 on oxford exams and they call u a failure, they are probably just jealous or that retarded

[@ares0526]

@@linjix 🤐 _-ASIAN PARENTS-_

[@Meowshaaa]

@@shaistayousaf8731 lol same

[@shaq9116]

@@shaistayousaf8731 cap

[@alphaxalex1634]

Next video should be: how hard is it to get into Harvard University *video is 15 seconds long and has mike with a briefcase full of cash*

[@avipasikanti8438]

Lol

[@savingfoam7979]

Why? Harvard University is bad? Sorry I'm from another country...

[@uhoh5464]

savingfoam its the U.S. so basically you can do whatever you want so long as you have the money

[@georgeb2160]

You either have to be rich or black to get in. Or both

[@glenrothwell6608]

The reason so many ex prime ministers came from oxford is because their families paid for it

[@PhilipGreenShow]

Such a great video Mike, throughly enjoyed!!!

[@bannedaccount8492]

The video was hard

[@koketsobaholo7]

Good news!!!!!!!!! For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life. John 3:16 GNB bible.com/bible/296/jhn.3.16.GNB “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:15 CSB From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 4:17 CSB Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send Jesus, who has been appointed for you as the Messiah. Acts 3:19?-?20 CSB

[@NoobGamer-1233]

598 likes rrrghhh

[@2teethPogZa]

Wait, how are ya here? Definitely forgot about ya lol

[@all-caps3927]

Agreed

[@eshaansarkar2017]

The type of tatoo a mathematician from Oxford University is having shows that they don't judge people's abilities by their outward appearance or they believe that you have to dress in a typical style for a required profession

[@jack_edwards]

💀💀💀

[@adriennagel6569]

Better take notes Jack hahah

[@bowie3299]

Ok

[@user-vr8fs8gg6h]

Who tf are you

[@parmavioIets]

IM IN TEARS PLS DFHGJ

[@parmavioIets]

@@user-vr8fs8gg6h a rlly smart studytuber who was rejected from oxford

[@KadeSpeiser]

I’d do a lot of things for KZbin but MATH!? Now that takes balls

[@itzsaturnmc9927]

Your channel is using Sub bot idiot

[@fluggernuggets9834]

@@itzsaturnmc9927 calm down

[@itzsaturnmc9927]

@@fluggernuggets9834 his view is like soo low then how he has soo much sub

[@itzsaturnmc9927]

@@doug9778 y e s :D

[@itzsaturnmc9927]

╭∩╮you╭∩╮

[@swagmeister5323]

i got into oxford a week ago to read Chinese, and i’m super excited. the application process was gruelling, and the interviews were incredibly nerve-wracking but i came out of them feeling pretty confident. on the 10th i found out that i got an offer from the uni!! happy to see this video knowing that i somehow managed to get in, and a big good luck to all future applicants!!

[@uzidle]

I just got in to read Law, what college will you be at?

[@swagmeister5323]

@@uzidle university college! :)) what about you

[@uzidle]

@@swagmeister5323 Queen's! It's so exciting.

[@mllex00]

@@uzidle have you some advices for me to get into oxford university ?

[@uzidle]

@@mllex00 Work hard, practice the entrance exams and think creatively.

[@captainreed3740]

This guy has pokeballs tattooed on his arm. He's a cool teacher.

[@TomRocksMaths]

[@AkariInsko]

@@TomRocksMaths oh hi

[@samitsamizealousbros7881]

@@TomRocksMaths please teach me !!!

[@fryz]

@@TomRocksMaths hey man, really enjoyed your parts in the vid! Definitely gonna check out your channel, you seem like a dope guy!

[@koketsobaholo7]

Good news!!!!!!!!! For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life. John 3:16 GNB bible.com/bible/296/jhn.3.16.GNB “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:15 CSB From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 4:17 CSB Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send Jesus, who has been appointed for you as the Messiah. Acts 3:19?-?20 CSB

[@spooderthelongneckspider8994]

This guy managed to get a 60 after a day's worth of studying This guy's learning skills are impressive

[@k.k5041]

he did engineering, most of it was likely just going over topics he already learned before.

[@nate8699]

@@k.k5041 its easier to relearn things if you already have learned them once

[@jholotanbest2688]

That guy has five years of engineering that has a lot of math in it. Most likely he just re-learned what he already knew which quite a bit easier than learning for the first time.

[@bernardosantos8020]

69 likes, godly

[@sunrayyourmom]

Yeah its almost like that's his entire channel

[@adambrittain8101]

The only exam I ever did where getting 50% felt like an achievement.

[@Hell_nahiris]

did you get a interview ?

[@777Mikos]

Let me just say that Tom is one hell of a character. Someone you'd expect to be a grunge rock band front man, not an Oxford prof :D

[@TomRocksMaths]

[@treyarched]

@@TomRocksMaths surely in 6 years ill be seeing you at oxford

[@seppeswart7277]

He could be both

[@user-pl9yq3fc8u]

@@treyarched gl

[@treyarched]

@@user-pl9yq3fc8u no idea what i was yapping on about

[@bot_bot7065]

It’s not that hard to get in Oxford just walk trough the door

[@Blue-pk4ny]

Nah, might as well bring a crowbar, lockpicking-set and a door breacher due to security

[@pranitp.29]

k

[@wow-rs2kn]

who let this kid on youtube

[@mohamedbou6405]

Nah bro they have a security system

[@Blue-pk4ny]

@@mohamedbou6405 I heard they've got yeet- seeking missiles and BMG 12.7mm Cal. Turrets.

[@Crowbars2]

This has given me an idea for another video. A teacher of mine once claimed that she completed her whole Biology A-Level in 3 months, when she was trying to get a teaching job after getting a PGCE. That's got me wondering... How long would it take an average person, with an average name like Mike, to achieve a full A-Level in a subject they know little about? Mike, you have a lot of different videos regarding what the best way to learn is. I was wondering how it would work in practice over a relatively long period of time like 1 or 2 months. What grade would average Mike get if he tried to get an A-level in a subject he knew very little about, if he had 1 or 2 months to study for it?

[@josephbrennan370]

I want to like this comment 5000 times. This is an absolutely brilliant idea!!!!

[@josephbrennan370]

I might just comment here again to give this comment some traction

[@jinjunliu2401]

If totally left to themselves, the average person would not finish as great discipline is mastered by very little people. Only thing that could push them is real motivation, like your teacher had and Mike for learning in general.

[@nathanvanderriet209]

An A-level is maybe a quarter, probably a bit less, of a years credits at a decent university. 1-3 months for a reasonably well educated individual sounds pretty on the mark (this coming from a guy who sat and bombed the MAT that Mike got a 62 on, so I'm sure he'd manage)

[@jinjunliu2401]

@@nathanvanderriet209 I'd say it's rather 1 month instead of 1 quarter in uni

[@KaiWills]

Just finished my LNAT test for Oxford and can say the whole process is absolutely insane. I’m not even a quarter way through the process just yet, I’ve sent my Personal Statement, my UCAS profile and my LNAT results off to universities, but there are so many more steps that are out of your control. I’m wishing the best for everyone taking any early examinations for universities, because my college administration didn’t give a shit about us and I was set a Psychology assessment the day before, English Lit and Lang homework the day of, and 2 English Lit and Lang assessments the day afterward, with Personal Statement touch ups in between. Teachers were forced to set assessments before the same deadline as the LNAT deadline (Oct 15th), so I don’t blame them, and most of them actively took time off just to read through my statement drafts. Hoping people get the lenience they deserve when going through difficult times like the early admission process.

[@admiraloverdone]

HAT for me^^ (watching this because I’m waiting for an interview email, lmao) and I totally agree. It was actually pretty bizarre to see that most British universities didn’t have the same number of hoops to jump through o-0

[@KaiWills]

@@admiraloverdone you’ll be getting your email soon I bet! I’ve gotten mine, but I’m hoping the best for you!

[@admiraloverdone]

@@KaiWills Yes! I just got an interview from Corpus! :D Best of luck to you too!

[@KaiWills]

@@admiraloverdone That’s amazing! So happy for you! I’m sure we’ll both do amazing in the interview

[@ysd-xi6pe]

what was the result?

[@magnusbruce4051]

Dr Crawford is absolutely correct in what he says about learning maths. My dad (a retired maths teacher) described it like a path in the countryside. When you don't walk along it often, it gets overgrown and it's really difficult to traverse. But if you do it every day, or every week, or every month, it remains clear and easy to go through. I know in my prime (pun not intended) I could have studied maths (or physics) at Oxford. I got the grades to do it and found it interesting. But I actually studied physics at a different university and have absolutely no regrets about that decision. I've since done a masters and ~95% of a PhD, part of which included helping to teach maths to undergrads. I love teaching maths that is engaging and relevant to studying physical sciences. For me, when maths is beautiful, I love it, but I love it more when mathematical concepts are relevant to the real world. That just blows my mind time and time again.

[@jeanmichel4269]

8:23 is a mistake it equals to 0 because e^x is a constant when you derivate by y

[@mannosblack7129]

Haha i just saw it and wanted to comment it too :D

[@tostupidforname]

@@mannosblack7129 yeah same :D

[@Leonxdxdxd]

I thought the same haha

[@Plsdonts]

Ok :S

i was not sure if i was having a stroke or if i forgot really everything from calculus ahahaha

[@christopherbrown6395]

I’m failing integral calculus but this made me feel better

[@jimcanterak7349]

"But... how hard is it to get here?..." *Calling Lockpicking Laywer* "... As a student I mean." *OH*

[@emersonsims9503]

All Maths teachers when you get something wrong, but they don't want to offend you: "Interesting approach..."

[@TomYourmombadil]

“Pi/4?...... alright.. well, thank you for telling us your answer. Anyone else have an answer? A different answer maybe?”

[@vinzcastro9304]

@@TomYourmombadil PI is 314? Huh, interesting approach...

[@emersonsims9503]

@@vinzcastro9304 🤣🤣🤣

[@ricklost9155]

My teacher has a different approach...

[@RosaHernandez-ql8nu]

I know this is old, but I love this video. I'm no math prodigy, but in high-school I went from consistently failing math to applying to a mathematics program in university simply through studying and practicing my basics and building up. I wish more people were less afraid and just practiced, it's not special to be good at math, it's just practice

[@harshitchoudhary5613]

Mike: How to get better at math Me: Don't Say that word Tom: Practice Me: -__-

[@hlogilehlogonolo5438]

😂😂

[@sunrayyourmom]

Yeah yeah I know

[@mslagisaga8889]

Yep

[@jaspreetsidhu5708]

Math is a pretty beautiful subject when it clicks. It's it's own language and its universal. I killed my calc courses. Even to the point where the exams couldn't be scaled otherwise I would throw the curve way off. Work at it and it'll click one day. And when it does how you see things and life will be so easy.

[@hlogilehlogonolo5438]

@@jaspreetsidhu5708 maths is hell on Earth

[@samuelmario1733]

that's not how i imagine the teacher in oxford. the teacher is actually cool btw

[@TomRocksMaths]

[@haroldshepherd3613]

yeah haha

[@ZaberAnsaryOfficial]

Grumpy old english dude with thick glasses haha

[@BooksAndShitButNotLiterally]

A lot of them are really nice and are very keen to talk to you about their research! It's an awesome place to be (depending on the college).

[@rafaybs2536]

@Marwa Izem he said grumpy that’s something a good teacher wouldn’t be

[@fabricioorrego5783]

Just wanted to say at 8:20, the derivative of e^x is equal to e^x when it's with respect to x. Here it's the derivative with respect to y of e^x, so it'd be 0. Nothing big, cool video as always!

[@bobbertonsmivelton7019]

wot

[@Lo33y_]

actually it would be e^x dx/dy like how d/dx of y^2 = 2y dy/dx

[@brienfoaboutanything9037]

True about University of Oxford: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYialZidn9aImsU

[@callumpearson2061]

jakd nighegatr is right, it’d be e^x • dx/dy by the chain rule. maybe you’re thinking of the partial derivative of e^x with respect to y, which would indeed be 0

[@Abstract_zx]

glad im not the only person who noticed that

[@theaidanator]

I sent my Oxford application in last month! Fingers crossed 🤞

[@mlady747]

So did a couple of my friends! Good luck!!

[@therealdave06]

Good luck!!

[@theaidanator]

@@mlady747 awesome! Which colleges? I went for st Hilda’s

[@josephbrennan370]

What did you apply for?

[@mlady747]

@@theaidanator I actually don’t know!!

[@smersmer1855]

If _the_ Mike Boyd got a 37 (albeit without studying), we all know _we_ ain’t getting in.

[@FathiZaynMuhamad]

Lol you give up already

[@ten_cents]

@@visualdivider639 he did engineering. But u he didn't study though

[@cowboy2006]

Yeah but he hadn’t studied or prepared at all

[@tubax926]

@@cowboy2006 with a month of prep you could easily get 60-80 if you already completed your upper education. I don't think it's hard to pass it imo you just need to not suck and to put some effort in and treat it like a challenge

[@fabmoneyy]

we arent studying either, but instead are watching youtube videos like this one

[@pivottech8881]

Tom and Mike are two people who I do look up to. Genuinely good guys and encourage you to get good at something at your own pace. And tom also makes maths quite exciting.

[@odd4606]

Recently took my Oxford exam - still waiting for the results - wish me luck.

[@TomRocksMaths]

Good luck!

[@youssefyasser7999]

Good luck

[@benguman2231]

Good luck! Im really curious if you could tell me when you find out!

[@francesurieta1424]

good luck!!

[@xryaku2475]

Ez dubs you got it

[@jacobmastrogiovanni6057]

Mike when he came out of the womb: this is day 1, hour 0

[@georgecooper3438]

This comment deserves way more likes!

[@Mike_Toreno]

Learning how to walk, Day 1 hour 0

[@karolpasternak9833]

With that Scottish accent of his

[@abhinavdey1219]

oxford university, a university which stood for 1000 years, man it sends shivers down my spine

[@pixadavid]

This video actually got the date wrong - 1096 is the earliest proof of its existence, but there is no known foundation date. You could say Oxford is older than history.

[@historicfactss]

@@pixadavid Buddy you should search about Nalanda University,it is way older than Oxford

[@jamjarface3686]

As someone who is currently studying Advanced Higher maths in Scotland. This video was very inspiring and very helpful!

[@marcusyip1491]

Best of luck with your exams! I did my advanced highers two years ago, I'm sure you'll do well!

[@jamjarface3686]

@@marcusyip1491 Cheers mate :)

[@tomjohnson2001]

One question: why?

[@advayiyer1805]

I am too, taking any other subjects?

[@Tenthmused]

Just failed my math test after studying for hours, feel like giving up but this definitely has improved my mindset for the next test.

[@TomRocksMaths]

Don't give up, you got this.

[@wt4261]

Never give up even tho if you did not see this video “The struggle you are in today is developing the strength you will need for tomorrow”

[@flaks109]

@@TomRocksMaths hey what do you think about JEE advance entrance exams in India

[@captainhd9741]

You might be studying the wrong way. There is a method on how to study right for example sleep normally because sleep is important and also you have to see when you stop taking in information. This could be after 40 or 50 minutes like for a lot of people. After that time take a 5 or 10 minute break refreshing your mind quickly

[@kj2532]

You should’ve studied more, about 7 months

[@bobspianosbffl]

8:23 d(e^x)/dy = 0 Guess you'll never forget that again with everyone commenting about it 😂

[@euler73]

Came here to write exactly this

[@tibicalistru8757]

Here to point this out too

[@coolmonkey619]

Wait what

[@BingtheLizard]

I'm going to go through and copy paste this response to all commenters who have mistakenly corrected the video with the wrong correction by falsely treating the 8:23 bit as a partial derivative. It is not a partial derivative (wrong notation for a partial derivative). Correction: We say that y is a function of x and hence x is a function of y. That means that d/dy of e^x DOESN'T equal 0, but rather we employ the technique of IMPLICIT differentiation using the chain rule to solve and find that d/dy of e^x = (dx/dy)*e^x. In the case of partial derivatives, then perhaps yes, you can get 0, if say you have a function f(x, y). Differentiating f with respect to y would mean treating x as a constant and thus the partial derivative of e^x with respect to y would indeed equal 0.

[@BingtheLizard]

@@Elendrial Nope. You treat them as constants if you're finding a partial derivative, however the notation clearly indicates that we are not working with partial derivatives. Instead, we use implicit differentiation and the chain rule to get d/dy of e^x = (dx/dy)*e^x. NOT 0.

[@quantumzerelth9140]

Tom really doesnt look like someone who scored 10 A* at gcse and 5 As at A-level.

[@TomRocksMaths]

[@theoneabovemost7865]

@Rory Millard bro I wish you the best of luck

[@marinatedweasel5424]

5 a-levels? Ok I’m gonna go sit in a hole real quick

[@markn.7914]

Damn that’s impressive

[@amarachiokonkwo3859]

@@ObeseGorilla229 yea, but 5 A's are.

[@nirfman142]

Keep in mind it's an increase of 25 percentage points! It's actually a much bigger improvement than 25% since you started at 37. Not quite double but a hell of a lot better!

[@alexc4012]

Math is just a skill, well put. The people asking "when in my life will I ever use the quadratic equation again" don't realize they're improving their problem solving, logical thinking, etc.

[@bilalmalik5002]

I guess so

[@bilalmalik5002]

@@xzox Its to do wit da Qwadwatic Formoola It is Oozed to get a Value for X and it gows like dis: X = -b + or - SqRt(b^2 - 4ac) all /2a I had half a stroke writing that

[@benguman2231]

Well, I’ve never really thought about it that way. Gives mathematics a whole new perspective.

[@columbus8myhw]

And also. Like. It's useful in engineering

[@xzox]

@@bilalmalik5002 Oi howp ure feelin better hafter your half a stroke.Half a stroke is better than nun.My eyes went all funny reeding ure replie.

[@bjjelly8818]

You’ve made it into Oxford university, now do a backflip.

[@Thisisahandle701]

It's traditional to do a backflip after getting in.

[@whowhatwhenwhyhow9265]

Lol 😂 good one

[@pranitp.29]

Lol

[@airblade8287]

@@Thisisahandle701 Comes to oxford with a broken neck

[@irvingchew1448]

i want to go to oxford so bad- in 2 years i’ll let u guys know if i got in. please god. haha-

[@sarojith658]

i will be waiting man, good luck :))

[@mr_bonespphd2330]

Good luck

[@williamnakad2903]

Good luck!

[@samisikdar5417]

Same, despite having decent grades I doubt I’ll manage 😅

[@vanex1043]

Keep us updated

[@aryansoni5117]

I just sat for my PAT (physics aptitude test) yesterday, and the paper was extremely difficult

[@DomsDesigns1]

Don't give up hope! The PAT was the hardest paper I had ever sat, I came out thinking that it was over. Somehow I still managed to get an interview. I didn't get a place, but in some ways I am glad I don't have the pressure of Oxford (and I have had a great time at my uni)

[@shanemurphy6130]

Yeah I did the ENGAA on Thursday and it was brutal. When I was talking to the people doing the PAT in my class, they said it was far harder than any of the past papers

[@aryansoni5117]

@@shanemurphy6130 If that's the case, maybe I might still get invited for an interview

[@fryderyksitnik7884]

I literally wrote that exam (MAT) this Wednesday. Paradoxically, my preparation looked very similar with 2 days instead of 1. Thus, I hope for a better score🙃

[@jamiebell2777]

Good luck!

[@icy1260]

scuffedabuzhrh 😂

[@mr_leviathan]

Personally I would love to see you learn how to draw. A goal I’d recommend would be something like life drawing or figure drawing as they typically require observation which is a key part in learning how to draw. There’s a lot of preconceptions about drawing being a natural talent but, like it’s mentioned with math here, I believe anyone can if they find the right way to learn, a way that suits them.

[@drewdogg416]

This guy seems like the most chill professor, who has put his profession to use. He knows what he's talking about, and is passionate about it. That's what a teacher should be, someone who is passionate about what they teach. Hopefully that's the kind of teacher I'll be one day

[@TomRocksMaths]

[@saswotlamichhane5862]

Tittle: How Hard is it to Get Into Oxford University? Answer: Oxford

[@aminahmuhammad7772]

lol

[@bnbmike4731]

I mean the colleges and schools are shit in oxford. But we have 2 good universities

[@rajendrantg3863]

Hehe true

[@pkfl5157]

@@bnbmike4731 true but my school is good

[@ЯнаДанаилова-х1э]

Honestly this is very inspirational and motivating. Even if you didn't go to Oxford or got excepted that doesn't mean you are dumb or less. With enough work and practice you can reach a very impressive level. So never give up, never think you are less and keep pushing! Wjere you went or your background doesn't define who you are or your potential. This is a thing I am now solely starting to learn myself but I still have a long way to go.

[@SageThyme23]

This just demonstrates how working class students are disadvantaged. They don't get coaching or private tutoring or might not even be aware of all the resources they have available to them to practice with. hes the exam same person and yet with tutoring and practice he changed his grade by 25%. now imagine that but the tutoring is over years

[@PaulKim]

2nd year math undergraduate at Oxford here. I got in with the 2018 paper that Mike took, and to prepare for that, I recall spending the entirety of my summer break doing past papers (and of course, somewhat despairing at first). After a tremendous amount of practice, I sat the exam and in fact finished it roughly 30 minutes before the end of the exam. (The fact that Mike crammed it in one single day and got 62 is very respectable for sure!) The point is that I whole-heartedly agree with the practice being one of the most important aspects of being better at maths. Great video! (Also, for those who apply there, the courses are not for the faint-hearted people, so make sure to toughen up before actually making the decision to come here!)

[@eugenes9751]

"you need to be taught maths in a way that makes sense to you"..... 1000000%

[@raulrostas7183]

I never imagined that an Oxford math teacher would be so... casual... nice...

[@TomRocksMaths]

[@siddharth2796]

@@TomRocksMaths hahahhaahahhaha

[@MeDoMeer]

Insane to know a friend of mine of my high school class got accepted to Oxford for Physics. Mad respect

[@Danuxsy]

I mean, it isn't hard if you have the right genetics and grew up in the right environment with the right parents and teachers. How much effort was due to him and how much was external factors?

[@kruemelkevin]

@@Danuxsy all I hear is mimi, I guess you're excusing all your failures caused by external factors? Work hard and get results

[@kidscast5842]

Quacksalber he was overkill because by his logic no ones success is due to their own ability, but he is not wrong in that if you are not smart you do have to work twice as hard

[@TitaniumTronic]

@@kruemelkevin Actually it is pretty accurate that your environment is a huge factor to how well you do in life

[@superrooster18]

@@TitaniumTronicye doesn’t mean he didn’t put in effort. I hate it when people see your 99% and be like ‘oh your Asian’ and ‘oh your just smart’

[@rubicon-oh9km]

It Tom was my teacher in high school I might've actually passed Trig and moved on to higher math and completed my undergraduate in chemistry. I had a garbage instructor and got very disinterested and moved on to a completely different study and career choice having nothing to do with math. Teaching, or should I say the QUALITY of teaching is immeasurable. Tom is a natural teacher and his students are blessed to have him.

[@garlicnan306]

"It is a horrendous result but am actually really chuffed with that" Honestly me in most of my tests.

[@oktapus]

Remember everyone, sometimes, people aren't always as they seem...

[@iamjustaduck7592]

How can he study for a day for a "fake" exam, while i can't even study 2min for a real one

[@engine_man]

I think he graduated an engineer. Plus as you get older it becomes easier to grasp concepts. I had to learn a new framework in about 2 to 3 days and because I'm already familiar with the programming language and I know how frameworks typically function it was a cinch. But back when I was a student I would have been stumped and probably given up.

[@Danuxsy]

It's based on many factors, some dominant ones being: Genetics, The environment you grew up in and the kind of teachers / parents you have.

[@StelfoxAlice]

This guy is an amazing teacher. I am not surprised by his intelligence, he encourages people and understands their needs within the class. Above all this he does it with good tattoos. Thanks for demonstrating their are many tattooed intelligent people out there.

[@TomRocksMaths]

[@sistergray977]

Imagen studying for hours/days/weeks to take the exam; but in the day of, your brain is like: *Hey we haven't heard of this song in a while, I should put it on repeat so you can't concentrate.*

[@BakersVault]

I'm a 26 year old man who is currently attending evening classes to get my GCSE (Secondary school level) Maths. This is on a completely different level but still very inspiring nonetheless. Thank you!

[@Forestgirl-yj3zw]

Good Luck! Hope it goes well for you :)

[@justicem5919]

plot twist: Hes trying to actually get into oxford

[@charliefranklin8523]

​@@candyjp1 bruh that's not how it works. You have to be fucking fabulous at your subject, and it's incredibly hard for everyone. It's always difficult to say to what extent racism exists in the admissions process, but if you look at the proportion of BAME students accepted, despite the stereotype, Oxford is actually pretty good compared to other top UK universities, and getting even better. Don't insult every white person who goes to Oxford by saying that it was "not to hard" for them.

[@vortexentertainment8975]

Charli Franklin chill

[@candyjp1]

@@charliefranklin8523 eton, Westminster, St. Paul's and Peter symonds college produce as many oxford students as 1800 public schools in the uk. (Very progressive)

[@candyjp1]

@@charliefranklin8523 kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGHYiX2hnKagjbc

[@kryptickiddo8481]

And the video is just the back up excuse if he didn't get in 😂

[@krar787]

8:19 تكون القاعدة لمشتقه e مرفوعه لأس معين =مشتقه الاس ضرب الأساس او الدالة كامله

[@fhnnbgnnggvbnjjj3404]

I do honestly love how civil the process is, guy tells them it's time, and he makes sure they are doing it and there to remind them why they are doing it. You can tell it's personalized for them to make sure everything is going planned. It shows how they let the students do the work, and that's awesome

[@clayel1]

Thought this dude was about to try to break a window Was not disappointed

[@daboverty1879]

hearing "thats not right" from the mathematician gives me chills

[@JosueMartinez-wd3yu]

@5:58 great point. Getting better though, I would say you have to love it. When you love whatever it may be, you don’t time doesn’t exist.

[@joepeterson2819]

I was accepted at Oxford to study decimals, but couldn't see the point!

[@QQ11131]

aha

[@nl1575]

ha ha

[@bardum.4458]

Mate keep these trashy Facebook jokes to Facebook

[@jojo._.586]

@@bardum.4458 sorry to break it to you but your line is just as trashy (not defending the joke)

[@QQ11131]

@@bardum.4458 i wonder how much of a dissapointment you are

[@mirzamunif]

Dr Tom Crawford is like the most interesting person I've ever seen. He is awesome

[@TomRocksMaths]

[@emiliorichards1174]

Person: so how many things can you do? Mike: take a seat, we are going to be here for a while

[@solchapeau6343]

He has put out more than one video "Can I still do these skills". He can no longer than 75% of them because they require constant practice.

[@dangerousnigga7023]

@@solchapeau6343 actually he can do 80 percent of those

[@oliverrussell2331]

I literally sat MAT 2020 the other week, some very good effort there mike!

[@p4inmaker]

"I categorically do not believe that there are people who can not learn maths." Oh boy am I about to shatter this mans worldview.

[@Blue-pk4ny]

How much I love dyscalculic

[@DanteCorwyn]

If Tom was my math teacher I might have actually have learned it. He's right in that you need to find an approach that works for you.

[@danpagsibigan4513]

To be fair. He had an Oxford Mathematician teach him for a whole day.

[@Will-ql2fl]

Lucky guy, I want that

[@aridamangautam]

He's _The_ Mike Boyd. I can bet you that none of us would get even 45.

[@kite485]

I wish our teachers were like this man i remember when I even tried in math my teacher ignored my questions and never really helped me. when I did anything she would literally just get mad at me for not using her method like man I wish we had a teacher like this, I hate math because of the teacher and many other subjects...

[@Ztrategist]

This video actually got me very highly motivated! I have for quite a long time now wanted to get to study a field that has a lot of mathematics in it but I'm not super good at math and I have felt like I can't make my dream of studying that field come true because of that. But after seeing this video I feel like it might be a possibility now! I just have to start practicing!

[@CrimeVaultUK]

Math is a skill

[@HZVideosOfficial]

You see Oxford University but all I see is Hogwarts...

[@sidhantsravanam7274]

Probably cause quite a few scenes were set around there. Like the quidditch one (I’m pretty sure).

[@codding32world50]

Same

[@calebjenkins3215]

Why does the video intro look and sound exactly like a Tom Scott video?😂