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Interviews ANZ›The fundamentals

The fundamentals

Learn different interview types and formats, and read our top tips for the run-up to your interview.
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The purpose of medical school interviews is to select the most suitable candidates for a career in medicine.

Future successful doctors will demonstrate:

  • Passion for medicine
  • Commitment to lifelong learning, medical research and service
  • Resilience (will not burn out)

Interviewers want to select future doctors who will be successful in their role.

Be honest with yourself as you prepare for your interview. Sharing genuine discussions will pique interviewers’ interest and demonstrate your potential to thrive as a medical student and future doctor.

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Interviewers evaluate candidates in three main ways. They’ll check that you’re committed to pursuing a career in medicine and assess your communication skills and stress response.

Review these criteria in more detail in the table below.

Click here to read the Key Assessment Criteria
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Medical school interviews have different formats and styles, depending on where you’re interviewing. Check your invitation letter to know what format to expect. You can also gather information from previous applicants or online forums.

Interviews vary in terms of the number of interviewers, level of disclosure (i.e., what interviewers know about you and your application before meeting you), and how questions are presented.

A diagram titled 'Types of Interviews' with three colored sections. The first section, in blue, labeled 'Format' with an icon of a chair, lists 'One-to-one', 'Panel', and 'Multiple mini-interviews (MMIs)'. The second section, in green, labeled 'Disclosure' with an icon of a magnifying glass, lists 'Open', 'Closed', and 'Semi'. The third section, in orange, labeled 'Style' with an icon of speech bubbles, lists 'Structured/directed' and 'Unstructured/conversational'. © Medify is noted at the bottom.

Regardless of the type of interview, you can be asked a mixture of open- and closed-ended questions.

Open-ended questions prompt more extensive responses, whereas closed-ended questions typically warrant ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers. Asking the interviewer whether you can provide further information for closed-ended questions is appropriate and shows confidence.

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Medical and dental school interviews are typically conducted in one of three formats: one-to-one, panel, or multiple mini-interview (MMI). Some universities use a mixed format, which combines different formats, often at different interview stages.

MMIs are the most common format. No university uses purely one-to-one interviews for undergraduate entry, so we’ll focus on MMIs and panel interviews.

The type of interview you face can differ depending on your entry pathway – for example the University of Auckland MAPAS (Maori and Pacific Scheme) have both panel and MMI style interviews.

Always double-check the format for the university you are interviewing at, as it may differ depending on the year and your entry pathway (post-graduate, special scheme, alternative pathway, etc).

The image is divided into two sections titled 'INTERVIEW FORMATS IN THE UK'. The left section shows a graphic of a panel interview with three interviewers sitting behind a desk facing one interviewee. Below, it is labeled 'Panel: Interviewed by more than one interviewer in a single session eg. Cambridge, Oxford'. The right section depicts MMIs with three interviewers at separate desks, and the interviewee moving between them, indicated by arrows. Below, it is labeled 'MMIs: Interviewed by different interviewers across several stations eg. Aberdeen, Imperial College London, Queen’s University Belfast'. At the bottom, there is a copyright notice, '© Medify'.
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The style of questioning and what the interviewers know about you (i.e., disclosure) varies between universities.

Interview questions and scenarios are usually presented in one of two styles:

  • Structured/directed: Questions are delivered in an organised, predetermined manner. The interview is meticulously scheduled with lots of closed-ended questions and timed responses.
  • Unstructured/conversational: Questions do not follow a set order and there is no specific timeframe. Typically, these are open interviews with lots of open-ended questions. The conversation flows organically based on your responses.

Stress interviews place interviewees under psychological pressure through, for example, a range of quick-fire questions. This approach can arise with both structured and unstructured styles.

In terms of disclosure, any interview format can be:

  • Open: Interviewers can access anything in your application
  • Closed: Interviewers do not know what is in your application
  • Semi: Interviewers have access to some information in your application

Your interview may feature a variety of formats and styles, so it’s important to be aware of these and prepare yourself to adapt well on the day.

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Familiarise yourself with the practical differences between interview formats. Knowing how each format works, the timescale, and the number of interviewers you will face can help you develop realistic scenarios to practise with.

All interview formats address similar topics and base knowledge, so your preparation for the content of your interview will be similar, regardless of the format.

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The image is titled 'Panel Interviews' and is divided into three sections. The top section is labeled 'Timescale' with an hourglass icon, in a blue background, stating 'Typically 20–30 minutes.' The middle section, on a green background with gear icons, is labeled 'How they work' and lists 'Multiple interviewers,' 'Series of questions,' and 'Closing questions.' The bottom section, on a purple background with an icon of people at a desk, is labeled 'Interviewers' and includes 'Typically 2–3, sometimes 4+,' 'Chairperson, admissions tutor, clinicians, medical students and others,' and 'Different priorities.' At the bottom, there is a © Medify watermark.
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The image is a graphic titled 'MULTIPLE MINI-INTERVIEWS (MMIS)' and is divided into three columns. The first column, in green, is titled 'How they work' and lists: Multiple interviewers across 6–8 stations, Task, scenario or question stations, Different traits per station. The second column, in blue, is titled 'Timescale' and lists: 1–2 minutes reading time, 8 minutes per station, 45–75 minutes in total. The third column, in purple, is titled 'Interviewers' and lists: Clinicians, academic staff, medical students, laypeople and others. The graphic includes icons corresponding to each column's theme and is labeled at the bottom with © Medify.
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The more time you invest in your interview preparation, the better. Feeling that you’ve done everything possible to prepare will ease nerves and boost confidence on the day.

An image depicting three triangular segments labeled 'Practical Steps for Interview Success'. The top inverted triangle is blue with the label 'Start early' and an icon of a calendar. Below it, text reads 'Begin preparing when you first apply or when you receive your invitation'. The left triangle is purple with the label 'Research' and an icon of a magnifying glass over a document. Below it, text reads 'Read about the medical school’s programme and review your application and personal statement'. The right triangle is green with the label 'Create a preparation schedule' and an icon of a checklist. Below it, text reads 'Organise and plan your preparation in advance'. The image is credited to Medify.

Prepare effectively for your interview by engaging in mock interviews at least a month in advance, reviewing practicalities a week in advance, and keeping calm and sticking to the plan on the day.

Create your own preparation schedule to enhance your practices and your experience on the day.

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The months leading up to your interview are the most crucial in terms of interview preparation.

This is when you’ll do most of your research, draft responses to common questions, and participate in mock interviews.

Use the checklist below to guide your research and interview skills practice.

The image features a painting of a person sitting at a desk under a calendar labeled 'November,' with notes and papers on the wall. Below the image, there is text titled 'THE MONTH(S) BEFORE' and a checklist with tasks: 1. Collate a list of common questions and draft bullet point responses. 2. Practise giving responses. 3. Participate in mock interviews. 4. Request comprehensive feedback. 5. Research the medical school. 6. Research teaching staff and check their areas of interest. 7. Familiarise yourself with the venue (make trips there in advance). 8. Plan your outfit and wear it while you practise. The image is © Medify.
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As your interview draws closer, it’s important to continue with mock interviews and gather as much feedback as you can. You’ll also want to think of practicalities, like travel arrangements and what to take with you on the day.

Use the checklist below to guide practical preparations the week before your interview.

An image with a painting of a person holding papers and a bag, set against a pink background. Below the painting, there is a checklist titled 'THE WEEK BEFORE' with the following items: 'Continue mock interview practice,' 'Have your outfit ready,' 'Confirm travel plans, check for disruptions and have a backup ready,' 'Confirm who is travelling with you to your interview,' 'Create a practical checklist of things to take with you,' and 'Sense-check your outfit, travel plans and list of items with a trusted friend or family member.' At the bottom right, it says '© Medify.'
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The day before your interview should be used for final read-throughs and checks and calming your nerves.

Use the checklist below to support final preparations the day before your interview.

An illustration titled 'THE DAY BEFORE'. The image shows a person sitting cross-legged on a bed, with eyes closed, under a bright yellow wall. Below the illustration is a checklist with items: 1) Review your application portfolio, 2) Read medical news, 3) Double-check the items you have packed, 4) Check for travel disruption, 5) Calm your nerves and centre yourself, 6) Avoid doing too much, 7) Aim to get plenty of sleep, 8) Double-check your alarm clock. © Medify is noted at the bottom.
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On the day, prioritise positivity, and trust that all of your preparation will pay off. Having comprehensively prepared over the past weeks and months, you can now look forward to meeting interviewers and showing your best self.

Review the checklist below for some practical and self-care tips for the day of your interview.

The image is divided into two sections. The top section is an illustration of a woman in a blue dress holding a brown handbag, walking against a background split between blue and beige colors. The bottom section contains a checklist titled 'ON THE DAY' with the following items: 1. Get up in plenty of time, 2. Take a refreshing shower, 3. Ensure you look well-presented and feel comfortable, 4. Eat and drink well, 5. Take regular bathroom breaks, 6. Arrive early, 7. Switch off your phone when you arrive, 8. Be kind to yourself and enjoy it. The bottom of the image has the text '© Medify'.
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