The University of Aberdeen uses the multiple mini interview (MMI) format. The interview has seven stations, each taking seven minutes to complete. There is a two-minute break between stations to allow candidates to move between them and to provide sufficient time for reading the instructions at the next station. The majority of stations have one interviewer, although, in some instances where role-play is used, there is a helper (usually a senior medical student) or actor present. Candidates are scored in each of the following areas:
Each station will also independently score communication and interpersonal skills.
Interviews will take place online for the 2022 intake. They will consist of an MMI, with 6 stations. The entire process is expected to take around an hour and a half. Selectors at each station will explore one core area or domain.
The MMI format requires the candidate to impress a larger number of people in a short time frame. Therefore, it is essential that you approach each station as a fresh opportunity to impress the interviewer, even if the previous station did not go as well as it could have. Using the two minutes between each station to recollect your thoughts and compose yourself before you begin the next interview is highly recommended.
Many of the questions that come up in the interview will not have a ‘correct’ answer. In these cases, the interviewers are often scrutinising your ability to reflect upon and discuss the diverse aspects of a problem. It is essential to verbalise your thought process by painting a picture of the issue, before making your position or opinion clear to the interviewer. In doing this, you are demonstrating that you can consider multiple viewpoints as well as your own (something that you will regularly face in medicine).
Learn the best interview strategies and practice with past interview questions & model answers.
General/Personal Statement Station: This station will involve typical interview questions regarding the attributes you possess such as your ability to work as a member of a team, your ability to take responsibility for your actions, honesty and be self-reflective:
Motivation and Insight into Medicine: This station will not only examine your motivation to study medicine but also your genuine interest in the medical profession and medical based topics. It may lead to questions along the lines of:
Role play Station: The candidate is given a scenario and is asked to work with the actor/helper to attempt to reach a solution. Specific Role Play Station examples and model answers can be found in the Online MMI Question Bank.
The General Medical Council (GMC): This station involves questions around the role of the GMC, the Good Medical Practice Guidance Book and why there are standard regulations for medical schools. It may also require the candidate to have knowledge of specific career paths e.g. becoming a GP/Consultant.
The Remote and Rural option offered by the university: This station probes the candidate’s awareness of Aberdeen-specific aspects of the curriculum such as the remote and rural option offered by the university. This may include comparisons between rural and urban practice, issues faced by rural GP’s, and the Regent and Student Pairing Schemes offered by the university.
Science/Medicine Station: A selection of recently asked questions in this station include:
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