The Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) makes up part of the selection criteria to be offered a place at a medical school in the UK. Each university uses a variety of factors to assess students, with different weighting given to the applicant’s performance at MMI interview.
A comprehensive approach to MMI prep should include familiarising yourself with different types of MMI questions, engaging in real mock interview scenarios, and utilising interview coaching resources.
Remember, MMI interviews are a unique type of interview used by medical schools to assess a variety of skills, so knowing what to expect on interview day is essential.
Check out our specific medical school advice to find out how the medical schools you’re applying to rank their applicants. We have used all of our experience and expert doctor team to write these tips that should hopefully help you in your MMI preparation.
Interview preparation is made easy with our top MMI tips guide, giving you everything you need to smash your Mini Multiple Interviews in 2024, with model answers.
With medical school interviews approaching soon, we’re here to help!
Top 10 Tips For MMI Interviews Summary:
Learn About The Medical School You’ve Applied To
Understand The Types Of MMI Station Questions You May Face - including role play, calculation, prioritisation, problem-solving, ethics, and communication/teamwork
Train Your Verbal And Non-Verbal Communication Skills
Have A Solid Grip On Your Medical Ethics - Revise your knowledge of medical ethics including the 4 pillars of ethics, NHS core values, confidentiality and Gillick competence.
Reflect On Your Personal Experiences - Use frameworks like Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle to discuss your personal experiences and how they have framed your perception of medicine.
Keep Up To Date On NHS Hot Topics And Medical News
Take Your Time To Answer
Actively Listen And Carefully Answer
Work On Common MMI Questions
Practise, Practise and Practise Mock MMIs!
👉🏻 Read more: Medicine Interview Topics 2024
MMI Interview Tip 1: Learn About The Medical School
Having a decent background knowledge about the course at the university you’ve applied to is vital to your MMI interview. Interviewers will easily be able to spot a candidate who hasn’t done their research.
So what exactly should you know? Don’t worry we’ve got you covered:
The structure of the course - is the course you’re applying to a traditional or integrated course? If you’re not sure of the difference, check out our handy guide on medicine course structures.
The style curriculum of the course - is the course a spiral curriculum or a strand curriculum? Why does this matter to you - does one better reflect your learning style?
The course teaching style - is it a lecture teaching style, a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) style, or a combined style? Again, what does this mean to you?
Unique features of the medical school - Is there anything in particular about that medical school in particular which makes you want to go there?
Campus vs City University - Demonstrate your knowledge of the university itself, and why this suits you.
👉🏻 Read more: Medicine Application Guide For 2024
Interview Tip 2: Understand The Different Types Of MMI Station Questions You May Face
Have a clear understanding of all the different types of interview questions that you can be asked in your MMI. By having practised and understood the major types of stations, you avoid the chance of being caught off guard in the real thing - this is an important part of interview prep!
Want a quick refresher on the types of stations in MMIs? Look no further:
Role Play Stations - these stations will provide you with a scenario, in which you will need to interact with a role-play actor, and demonstrate your communication, empathy and interpersonal skills.
Calculation Stations - these stations are designed to test your mathematical ability under pressure. The questions will be at the level of GCSE Maths and will likely be in the context of a clinical scenario, such as drug dosing.
Prioritisation Stations - these stations will provide you with several options, and you will be asked to triage them into an order that you feel is most appropriate.
Problem Solving Stations - in these stations, you will be presented with a sheet with some information on it and will be asked to talk through what the sheet is showing you. This may require data interpretation or problem-solving skills.
Why Medicine Stations - This is a typical MMI station and is almost guaranteed to come up in your MMI. In these stations, you will face some questions about your motivations to study medicine. They may refer to your work experience or personal statement. They will expect you to demonstrate your passion for medicine and healthcare.
Personal Questions Stations - these questions tend to reflect those which may be seen in a job interview, such as “What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?”.
Ethics Stations - In these stations, you’ll be faced with an ethical dilemma, where you need to make a decision. In these stations, you may be asked to discuss the scenario in the context of your ethical principles.
Communication and Teamwork Stations - In this station, you will be asked to communicate to an interviewer how to perform a task, such as tying their shoelace. This station tests your ability to effectively and clearly communicate, as well as your patience, understanding and interpersonal skills.
👉🏻 Read more: MMI Mock Interviews 2024
Interview Tip 3: Train Your Verbal And Non-Verbal Communication Skills With A Tutor
The way that you communicate will tell the interviewers a lot about your professionalism. Therefore, ensure that throughout the interview you are polite, and respectful and are putting your best foot forward! We also recommend students introduce themselves by name, as they enter the station and thank the interviewers as they leave the station.
The same goes for non-verbal communication. Ensure you maintain strong eye contact, demonstrating your engagement and attentiveness. Use open and approachable gestures, avoiding crossing your arms or legs. You can demonstrate active listening through nonverbal cues such as nodding, and reacting with appropriate facial expressions, such as smiling.
Summary of Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication Tips for MMI Interviews:
Introduce yourself by name - We recommend introducing yourself in a format similar to “Hello, I’m Joe Bloggs, lovely to meet you”.
Refrain from using slang or curse words - We’d hope this would be obvious, but for some students, this might be your first-ever interview. Whilst the interviewers aren’t expecting the Queen’s English, you should aim to be fluent and professional in your speech.
Remember your P’s and Q’s - Remember that the whole MMI station paints a picture of the sort of person you are, and interviewers are looking for characters who are respectful. Thanking your interviewers for their time as you leave the station demonstrates this.
Show you’re listening - Use open body language. There’s substantial evidence that positive body language during an interview has a positive impact on the interviewer’s perception of the candidate. Therefore, avoid slouching, practice making good eye contact and smiling appropriately!
It is fundamental that you practice this with a medicine interview tutor - and one of the best ways to prepare for your interview alongside common MMI questions.
Interview Tip 4: Have A Solid Grip On Your Medical Ethics For Medical School Interviews
There are several concepts that you should have an understanding of for your medical school interviews. The most important of these, we have listed here for you:
4 Pillars of Ethics
Interviewers will expect you to be able to list the above and demonstrate an understanding of how these apply in practice in the field of medicine. You should be able to apply them to ethical scenarios to aid your decision-making and justification.
👉🏻 Read more: Ethical Medical Interview Questions
Interview Tip 5: Reflect On Your Personal Experiences
MMI Interviewers will want you to reflect on your experiences which have led you to pursue a career in medicine. This might be personal experience of the NHS services as a patient, or relative of someone being treated, from work experience or from a role model that you have.
Reflection is a skill that you will be required to work on throughout medical school and in postgraduate training, so having a good structure for answering a reflection question will set you apart from other candidates.
We recommend using Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle:
Description - What happened?
Feelings - What were you thinking and feeling when it happened?
Evaluation - What was good and bad about the experience?
Analysis - What does this mean for you, what have you learnt?
Conclusion - What would you do differently next time?
Example of a Reflective MMI Question and Model Answer:
“What did you do for your work experience, and what did you take from it?”
For my work experience, I volunteered at a local care home over the summer for three weeks. I helped with a variety of tasks, including helping residents with their meals, getting dressed, and personal hygiene. I also helped to organise activities and outings for the residents. I had the opportunity to work with a variety of individuals with different needs and abilities, varying from late-stage dementia to Parkinson’s disease and mobility issues.
I felt a sense of satisfaction and fulfilment from volunteering at the care home. I enjoyed being able to give my time and provide company to some of the residents who didn’t have visitors. I learned a lot about the importance of compassion and empathy. I also learned about the challenges and rewards of working in the healthcare field, as I witnessed both emotionally rewarding and challenging situations.
One situation in particular highlighted the intricacies of looking after dementia patients, as one resident became aggressive when staff attempted to give him his medication. I was amazed by how the staff managed to de-escalate the situation. They gave him some space to calm down before explaining to him later why he needed the medication.
By this time, he was much calmer and happily took the medication. The staff showed a lot of compassion towards the patient, and discussed with me the importance of putting yourself in the resident’s shoes - for him, he was confused, and scared and this presented as aggression and anger.
The experience was overall positive. I was able to learn a lot about caregiving and the elderly population, as well as develop my interpersonal and communication skills. However, there were some challenges. I was not always sure how to handle certain situations, and I sometimes felt overwhelmed by the situations I saw the healthcare workers face. That being said, I feel that with more exposure to these situations, I may become more confident.
Volunteering at the care home was a valuable learning experience. I learned a lot about the elderly population, caregiving, and myself. I am grateful for the opportunity to have volunteered, and I would encourage others to do so.
I plan to continue volunteering in my community, and this experience has furthered my interest in a healthcare career.
👉🏻 Read more: Common Medicine Interview Questions for 2024
Interview Tip 6: Know Your Personal Statement Inside Out
Some medical schools may ask you about your personal statement in an MMI station. Therefore, you should be very familiar with what you wrote. Make sure that you’re able to discuss in detail each part of your personal statement, including any books that you’ve claimed to have read!
In this station, the interviewers may enquire more about your work experience. As with reflection stations, it’s important that you discuss what you learned from the experience, rather than just describing what you did or saw.
Alternatively, interviewers may use your personal statement to begin the discussion about your motivations for studying medicine, so ensure that your reasoning aligns with what you wrote previously!
Interview Tip 7: Keep Up To Date On NHS Hot Topics During Interview Prep
Medical schools seek candidates who are not only academically strong but also informed about the broader healthcare landscape. Through reading about NHS hot topics, debates and challenges facing the NHS, you gain an appreciation for the context in which the NHS operates.
This is vital to understand the implications of a career in healthcare, and the factors affecting patients.
Upcoming Hot Topics for 2024 MMI Interviews include:
You can find all of these, and more, on our NHS Hot Topics Blog!
👉🏻 Read more: Current NHS Hot Topics in Medicine 2024
Interview Tip 8: Take Your Time To Answer
In the high-pressure MMI interview, it's easy to feel rushed to respond to questions quickly. However, taking your time to formulate well-thought-out answers is crucial for making a positive impression on the interviewers.
Instead, pause after each question to gather your thoughts and organise your ideas. Interviewers will not penalise you for taking your time if you come up with an insightful and well-structured response to their question! This demonstrates your calmness under pressure.
If you need more time to think, it’s completely acceptable to ask your interviewer to repeat their question.
Interview Tip 9: Actively Listen And Carefully Answer
Active listening is one of the basic skills that medical school interviewers expect from candidates.
One of the most common MMI interview mistakes is answering the question you want to answer, rather than the question that was asked.
Make sure that your response completely answers the question that was asked. Interviewers can tell when you’re trying to avoid answering, and this will reflect poorly on you.
Answering The Question Example:
“As a doctor you will encounter stressful situations, how do you cope with stress currently?”
How To Answer:
I have faced stress during my GCSE and A-level exams, and although this is contextually different to the type of stress faced in a healthcare environment, it taught me a number of coping mechanisms for handling pressure.
When feeling stressed, I prioritise self-care. For me, this means exercising and eating healthily. I find going outside into the fresh air is hugely beneficial for my mental health, and allows me to decompress and put my problems into perspective.
I think that having a strong support network is really important to deal with stress. I have a strong circle of friends and family who are a protective factor of my mental health and provide encouragement during challenging periods.
How Not To Answer:
Stress is common in the medical profession. I think I’ll cope well working under stress as a doctor due to my excellent resilience.
I built up resilience during my Gold Duke Of Edinburgh Award, where I was required to undertake a 4-night residential trip, as well as a 3-night expedition, and 12 months of volunteering. The physical endurance of completing these skills taught me the importance of resilience, and how it feels to give 100% to something.
In the above answer, the candidate avoids answering the question posed by the interviewer. Their answer describes why they WILL cope working under pressure as a doctor, rather than how they CURRENTLY cope. They also talk about resilience, and although they loosely describe that being resilient will help them, they don’t explain HOW resilience can help with stress.
Interview Tip 10: Practise, Practise and Practise Mock MMIs and Sample MMI Questions!
The most reliable method of ensuring success in your medical school MMI is practising. We recommend using our MMI example stations with friends and family!
We recommend practising stations in groups of 6 or 8, like you will sit in the interview, to try and build up your stamina and familiarise yourself with the pace of the stations. Always practice interview stations to time, to get a realistic impression of how the interview will feel.
👉🏻 Read more: 1:1 Mock MMI Interviews
More MMI Example Stations With Tips For Your Practice
Practice MMI Interview Question & Scenario 1
You are a third-year medical student on placement at a busy hospital. A 15-year-old patient, Sarah, has been diagnosed with a life-threatening condition that requires immediate intervention. However, Sarah is adamant about refusing the recommended treatment, citing religious beliefs that prohibit certain medical interventions. Her parents, who share the same religious beliefs, support her decision. The medical team strongly believes that the recommended treatment is the best chance for Sarah's survival.
Discuss your approach to the situation, considering the legal and ethical aspects. Please also address the communication strategies you would employ to ensure an effective dialogue with Sarah and her parents.
Tips For Answering:
Autonomy - consider Sarah’s age, and how this may affect her capacity to refuse treatment. Who has the overall authority to make medical decisions for Sarah?
Communication - Remember that discussions about best-interest decisions should be a conversation, and it’s important to understand where the parents are coming from. Think about what questions you’d like to ask the parents.
Practice MMI Interview Question & Scenario 2
You are the lead physician in the emergency department during a mass casualty incident. Multiple patients have been brought in following a major accident, overwhelming the resources available. You need to make rapid decisions about patient prioritisation for treatment and examination.
The following patients are currently in the ambulance bay, awaiting treatment:
An elderly woman who appears to be awake with no visible injuries.
A 50-year-old male with an open leg wound appears to be losing a large amount of blood, but he is awake and crying.
A 42-year-old female with a head injury is slumped against the side of the ambulance.
2 children who are crying loudly - they have no visible injuries.
Discuss your approach to prioritising patients in this high-stress situation, considering medical urgency, available resources, and ethical considerations.
Tips For Answering:
Triage - Remember the tips discussed in our prioritisation blog article. The sickest patients are often the quietest!
Discuss thoroughly your decision-making - At this station, there isn’t necessarily a right or wrong answer. The interviewers will be looking for how you justify and explain each decision that you’ve made. Be confident in the answers that you communicate, but interviewers may appreciate you pointing to the complexity of medical triage, and how your decision may change at any time as the patients’ conditions fluctuate.
Medical Ethics - interviewers will be impressed by your linking of answers to the principles of medical ethics, in particular the 4 pillars of ethics. In medical triage, there raises the ethical issues of justice and non-maleficence in particular. Consider how you could explain this.
Practice MMI Interview Question & Scenario 3 - How To Tie A Shoelace
In this station, you will work with the interviewer to help them tie a shoelace. The interviewer has never tied a shoelace before and has no idea how to do so. Please explain verbally, without drawing, demonstrating or gesturing, how to tie a shoelace. The interviewer will follow your instructions as you go. You have 6 minutes.
Tips For Answering:
This station tests your clarity of communication.
Chunking - Splitting the process into bite-size pieces for the interviewer to follow, will be much easier than describing in bulk and expecting them to follow. We recommend pretending that you’re reading a “how-to” guide online, breaking it down step-by-step.
Analogies and similes - For some concepts, it might be easier to come up with analogies or similes which the interviewer may be able to recognise to help them. For instance, when describing how to tie a shoelace, you may use phrases like “wrap the shoelace around your fingers, like you’re making a loop.”
Questions - Encourage the interviewer to ask questions and seek clarification throughout the instruction. You may want to adapt your communication style based on their feedback and understanding. Pausing and asking if the interviewer has reached this point okay, and asking if they’re ready to continue may be useful.
👉🏻 Read more: Confidentiality in Health Care
Medical School Multiple Mini Interview Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is an MMI interview, and why is it important for medical school admissions?
The Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) is an interview format used by many medical schools to assess candidates' suitability for a healthcare career. It evaluates communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and empathy skills. Success in the MMI is required for securing admission to medical school.
How should I prepare for my MMI interview in medical school?
MMI interview preparation involves understanding the structure of the MMI at your chosen university, practising with mock interviews, researching the medical school, and developing a strong grasp of medical ethics and current healthcare issues. Use our comprehensive guide for detailed tips.
Which UK medical schools use the MMI format in 2024?
In 2023, 35 out of the 44 registered medical schools in the UK use the MMI format. Refer to our handy table for a summary of medical schools using MMI and details about the interview format.
What are the key domains evaluated in MMI interviews for medical school?
MMI interviews assess candidates in areas such as communication and interpersonal skills, ethical reasoning, critical thinking, decision-making under pressure, and the ability to demonstrate empathy.
Can you provide tips for prioritisation stations in MMI interviews?
Prioritisation stations require considering medical urgency, available resources, and ethical considerations. Practice decision-making under pressure, discuss your approach confidently and link your answers to medical ethics principles.
How can I effectively communicate complex information in MMI stations without demonstrations?
Communication skills are crucial in MMI. Break down complex information, use visual imagery through verbal descriptions, encourage questions, and adapt your communication style based on the examiner's understanding.
What are some common MMI station types, and how should I approach them?
MMI stations include role play, calculation, prioritisation, problem-solving, ethics, and communication/teamwork. Understand each type, practice scenarios, and ensure you can effectively navigate different situations.
Why is reflecting on personal experiences important in MMI interviews?
MMI interviewers often ask about personal experiences to gauge your motivations for pursuing a medical career. Using frameworks like Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle can help structure your responses effectively.
Should I expect questions about my personal statement in MMI interviews?
Some medical schools may inquire about your personal statement in MMI. Be thoroughly familiar with your statement, discuss work experiences, and align your motivations with what you've written.
What are common MMI questions that can come up?
To ace your MMI, practice with a wide array of sample questions. These may range from ethical dilemmas, communication challenges, to scenario-based problem-solving tasks. Each medical school might have a slightly different approach to these questions, reflecting their unique MMI process. It's helpful to engage in online MMI practice and consult resources for sample MMI interview questions. This practice will help you think on your feet and effectively tackle any question or scenario you might face.
How can I stay updated on hot topics for MMI interviews?
Demonstrate up-to-date knowledge of healthcare issues by regularly checking NHS hot topics and medical news. This reflects your awareness of the broader healthcare landscape.
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