There's no separate test prep industry, but private secondary schools will have extra classes for people based on what they intend to apply for. They also prep the kids for the interviews, for instance with mock sessions. That kind of thing is not available to ordinary kids. There's a wealth of Oxbridge application experience that is basically what such schools sell. I'm currently looking at them as a parent.
Isn't this what was depicted in The History Boys? The extra class for kids who wanted to get into Oxford? Can't quite remember.
I don't know if you are from US or not, but the stuff over there cannot hold a candle to what happens in the US. I'm not saying it's totally meritocratic, but compared to US system, it is WILDLY more so for high performers.
I agree on that. There's no back door in the UK system, whereas the US system seems to be a front door with 1% acceptance plus a back door with maybe 40%. Choose your door with money.
In the UK system, even if you do have privilege, you still have to do the same exercises and the same work, and impress the same person to get in.
Isn't this what was depicted in The History Boys? The extra class for kids who wanted to get into Oxford? Can't quite remember.