Interview Format Mastery

Building your interview knowledge base

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Distinguish between MMI and panel interview formats and their prevalence
• Navigate station rotation systems and manage timing effectively
• Understand interviewer roles and assessment criteria across different formats
• Recognize international variations in interview formats
• Analyse format differences to customise your preparation strategy

The Modern Interview Landscape: MMI Dominance

The medical school interview landscape has undergone a revolutionary transformation over the past two decades. What was once dominated by traditional panel interviews has shifted dramatically toward Multiple Mini-Interview (MMI) systems, with approximately 90% of medical schools now using MMI formats and only 10% maintaining traditional panel interviews.

This shift represents more than a simple format change – it reflects a fundamental evolution in how medical schools assess candidates’ suitability for the profession.

MMI vs. Panel Interview: Core Differences

Multiple Mini-Interview (MMI) System

MMIs were founded in Canada as a way of reducing the amount of bias inherent in traditional panel interviews. Research has since demonstrated that MMI performance is a much stronger indicator of student performance throughout medical school and clinical practice than traditional academic metrics like GAMSAT scores or GPA.

Key MMI Characteristics:

Structure: MMIs consist of between 5-10 stations, each lasting 5-8 minutes, with approximately 2 minutes between stations to read scenarios or questions.

Independent Assessment: Each station occurs in a separate room with a completely different interviewer, meaning each station represents a fresh opportunity to demonstrate your capabilities regardless of previous station performance.

1. Scenario Diversity: Stations includethree primary types:

• Question/Discussion Stations: Designed to assess communication skills, logical reasoning, and professionalism
• Scenario/Acting Stations: Test your ability to express empathy, interact socially, and solve problems through ethical, behavioral, legal, or professional scenarios
• Task/Collaboration Stations: Evaluate your ability to work with others and function effectively in teams

Psychometric Reliability: MMI systems provide more objective evaluation of candidates’ attributes and personality compared to traditional interviews, offering multiple sampling points that reduce the impact of single poor performances.

Traditional Panel Interview

Panel interviews, now used by only about 10% of medical schools, represent the older assessment model.

Key Panel Characteristics:

Duration: Typically lasting 40-45 minutes in a single session

Committee Structure: Usually involves three interviewers asking questions collectively

Question Format: Standard interview questions covering motivation, strengths/weaknesses, and university-specific interests

Single Assessment Point: Your entire interview performance is evaluated in one continuous session, making consistency crucial

1. Discussion Elements: Some panels include topic discussions designed to assessyour ability to adapt to new information and think under pressure

Online Station Rotation Systems and Timing Management

Online MMI Station Mechanics

Pre-Station Preparation:

• Candidates receive 1-2 minutes outside each station to read the scenario
• Some institutions allow note-taking during this preparation time
• Additional thinking time can be requested but reduces your interaction time with the interviewer

Online Station Transitions:

• Bell or signal systems coordinate movement between stations
• Strict compliance with timing upholds fairness across all candidates
• No opportunity to return to previous stations or preview upcoming ones

Time Distribution Strategy: For an 8-minute station, consider this optimal allocation:

• Minutes 1-2: Establish rapport, clarify scenario understanding
• Minutes 3-6: Core response, discussion, or task completion
• Minutes 7-8: Synthesis, final points, graceful conclusion

Timing Management Techniques

The Timing Framework

• Opening (10-15% of time): Quick introduction and scenario confirmation
• Development (70-80% of time): Main content delivery and interaction
• Closing (10-15% of time): Summary and transition preparation

Internal Time Tracking:

• Develop awareness of time passage without obvious clock-watching
• Use interviewer cues and natural conversation flow to assess timing
• Practice speaking for specific durations to develop internal timing sense

Adaptation Strategies:

• If running long: Prioritise key points and provide concise summary
• If finishing early: Ask for clarification or expand on important themes
• If interrupted: Gracefully acknowledge time constraints and offer brief conclusion

Interviewer Roles and Assessment Criteria Understanding

MMI Interviewer Functions

Station-Specific Evaluators: Each MMI interviewer focuses on specific competencies relevant to their station:

Communication Assessors: Evaluate verbal and non-verbal communication, listening skills, and ability to explain complex concepts clearly

Ethical Reasoning Evaluators: Focus on moral reasoning processes, consideration of multiple perspectives, and ethical decision-making frameworks

Collaboration Observers: Assess teamwork skills, leadership potential, and ability to work effectively with others

Empathy Assessors: Evaluate emotional intelligence, compassion demonstration, and appropriate response to distress or difficulty

Assessment Criteria Framework

Most medical schools employ structured scoring systems using:

Competency-Based Rubrics:

• Communication Skills: Clarity, active listening, appropriate language use
• Critical Thinking: Problem analysis, logical reasoning, evidence consideration
• Professionalism: Appropriate behavior, ethical awareness, maturity demonstration
• Empathy and Compassion: Emotional awareness, appropriate responses, genuine concern
• Teamwork: Collaboration skills, leadership when appropriate, respect for others

Panel Interview Assessment

Panel interviews use holistic evaluation approaches:

• Overall Impression Scoring: General suitability assessment
• Specific Quality Ratings: Individual assessment of key competencies
• Comparative Ranking: Position relative to other interviewed candidates
• Consensus Building: Interviewer discussion to reach agreement on candidate evaluation

International Variations in Interview Formats

Australia

MMI Prevalence: Nearly universal adoption across Australian medical schools

Format Variations:

• University of Queensland: 8-station MMI, 2 minutes of reading time and 7 minutes of response time per station, with approximately 1-minute transition time between stations. Each station is conducted by a single interviewer
• University of Melbourne: 8-station MMI, with 5 minutes per station and a single interviewer per station. The total interview duration is approximately 50 minutes.
• Deakin University: Up to 10-station MMI, 5 minutes per station with a single interviewer per station.
• University of Sydney: 5-station MMI, each station includes 2 minutes of reading time followed by 7 minutes of interview.
• Monash University: 6-station MMI, with 2 minutes of reading time and 8 minutes of interview per station; scoring is completed between stations.
• University of Western Australia: Structured interview assessing multiple non-academic attributes across a series of stations (MMI-style)
• Flinders University: Notable exception using traditional panel interviews, conducted in a semi-structured format lasting 30 minutes with two interviewers assessing interpersonal skills, motivation, and decision-making.

Australian-Specific Elements:

• Strong emphasis on rural and regional healthcare commitment
• Indigenous health awareness assessment
• Public health policy understanding
• Cultural competency evaluation

New Zealand

Format Alignment: Generally follows Australian MMI models with local adaptations

Distinctive Features:

• Emphasis on Māori health perspectives
• Rural healthcare commitment assessment
• Community service orientation evaluation
• Cultural safety competency testing

United Kingdom

MMI Adoption: Widespread but with significant format variation between institutions

UK-Specific Characteristics:

• Station Duration: Typically 5-8 minutes per station
• NHS Awareness: Strong focus on healthcare system understanding
• Ethical Scenarios: Heavy emphasis on UK-specific medical ethics
• Communication Assessment: Particular attention to patient interaction skills

Notable Variations:

• Some schools use hybrid formats combining MMI stations with traditional panel elements
• Group activities incorporated into some MMI circuits
• Written stations included alongside interactive assessments

Ireland

Format Features:

• Similar MMI structure to UK schools
• Strong emphasis on rural and underserved population commitment
• Healthcare system knowledge specific to Irish context
• Cultural competency assessment including traveller community awareness

Singapore

Unique Adaptations:

• Multicultural competency heavily emphasised given diverse population
• Healthcare system efficiency focus reflecting Singapore’s healthcare model
• Technology integration in some interview formats
• Public health awareness particularly regarding infectious disease management

Format Innovation:

• Some institutions experiment with virtual MMI components
• Case-based scenarios reflecting Asian healthcare contexts
• Leadership assessment particularly relevant to Singapore’s healthcare system needs

Understanding Format Impact on Performance

MMI Advantages for Candidates

Multiple Opportunities: Each station represents a fresh start, allowing recovery from poor individual performances

Specific Skill Demonstration: Different stations allow you to showcase various competencies effectively

Reduced Interviewer Bias: Multiple evaluators reduce the impact of personality conflicts or individual biases

• Standardised Experience: All candidates face identical scenarios, guaranteeing fairness

MMI Challenges for Candidates

Rapid Adaptation: Quick mental transitions between different scenarios and evaluators required

Sustained Performance: Maintaining high performance across multiple stations demands significant stamina

Limited Recovery Time: Brief transition periods provide minimal opportunity to regroup after difficult stations

Format Unfamiliarity: Less intuitive than traditional conversation-based interviews

Panel Interview Considerations

Advantages:

• Natural Conversation Flow: More familiar interaction style
• Relationship Building: Opportunity to develop rapport with interviewers
• Comprehensive Discussion: Ability to explore topics in depth
• Recovery Opportunities: Can address concerns or clarify misunderstandings during the session

Challenges:

• Single Assessment Point: Entire performance evaluated in one session
• Interviewer Bias Potential: Greater impact of individual interviewer preferences
• Pressure Concentration: All evaluation pressure focused on one interaction
• Limited Skill Sampling: Fewer opportunities to demonstrate diverse competencies