Mastering the Multiple Mini Interview

Congratulations! You’re received an invitation to interview for medical school or another healthcare profession. By reaching this stage you are among a select group – you are one step away from gaining admission. (Copyright - Astroff Consultants Inc)

The final stage of the application process offers you the opportunity to shine and distinguish yourself from other qualified candidates; however, it can also be a highly stressful period marked by uncertainty and anxiety. Although these feelings are common among applicants to medical school, they are typically more pronounced among candidates facing Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI). (Copyright - Astroff Consultants Inc)

What is a MMI?

A multiple mini interview consists of a series of short, structured interview stations used to assess non-cognitive qualities including cultural sensitivity, maturity, teamwork, empathy, reliability and communication skills. Prior to the start of each mini interview rotation, candidates receive a question/scenario and have a short period of time (typically two minutes) to prepare an answer. Upon entering the interview room, the candidate has a short exchange with an interviewer/assessor (usually about 8 minutes). In some cases, the interviewer observes while the interaction takes place between an actor and the candidate. At the end of each mini interview, the interviewer evaluates the candidate’s performance while the applicant moves to the next station. This pattern is repeated through a number of rotations. The duration of the entire interview is about two hours. (Copyright - Astroff Consultants Inc)

Generally, the situational questions posed in a MMI touch on the following areas: (Copyright - Astroff Consultants Inc)

1. Ethical Decision Making;
2. Critical Thinking;
3. Communication Skills;
4. Societal Health Issues in Canada.

Although participants must relate to the scenario posed at each station, it is important to note that the MMI is not intended to test specific knowledge in the field of medicine. Instead, the interviewers evaluate each candidate’s thought process and ability to think on his or her feet. As such, there are no right or wrong answers to the questions posed in a MMI, but each applicant should consider the question from a variety of perspectives.

How can I prepare for a MMI?

Candidates typically exhibit anxiety in anticipation of challenging questions that may arise. Many people have difficulty formulating logical, cohesive, polished answers within the allotted preparation time prior to the start of each station. (Copyright - Astroff Consultants Inc)

How well you perform during the actual interview and whether you will ultimately succeed in gaining admission to medical school is in large measure linked to the preparation you do in advance. The most effective strategy to prepare for a MMI is to anticipate the types of questions/scenarios you will face and to practice your answers. Here are a few tips: (Copyright - Astroff Consultants Inc)

Understand the goal:(Copyright - Astroff Consultants Inc)
You should aim to answer the questions in a manner that demonstrates that you are capable of being an excellent medical student and thereafter, an outstanding physician. Make a list of the attributes that you believe are essential for success as a doctor, such as integrity and the ability to think critically. Practice integrating these key attributes into your answers.

Work on time management:(Copyright - Astroff Consultants Inc)
Many students experience difficulty with pacing and effectively answering the question in the allotted time. Remember that once the bell has sounded, the interview must end immediately even if the candidate is not finished. Therefore, proper pacing is essential. Practice 7 to 8 minute presentations in advance of your interview to get comfortable with timing. Ensure that you wear a watch that clearly displays the time (e.g. a digital watch) on the interview day, since you cannot rely on a clock being present in each interview room. Appropriately managing your time will give you the opportunity to end the interview in an organized and effective manner.

Listen carefully:(Copyright - Astroff Consultants Inc)
During the MMI, the interviewer will often provide prompts designed to direct you. Listen carefully to the cues provided so you can take advantage of any new information that may be introduced. The prompts may guide you to the specific issues that are the focus of each rotation.

Conclusion: (Copyright - Astroff Consultants Inc)
Although success cannot be guaranteed, your performance can improve significantly with knowledge about the interview process, strategies to avoid frequent pitfalls and knowing ways to sell yourself so that you get the place that you deserve. Poise under pressure can make the difference between achieving your goals and falling just short. As you get ready for the big day, consider including a mock interview as a key part of your preparations. Simulating what you are about to experience will help build confidence, allowing you to remain calm and more organized on the interview day.

Astroff Consultants Can Help
We offer mock interviews to help prepare you for your medical school interview as well as other healthcare professions. We assist with both Panel and Multiple Mini Interviews.

Our mock interviews are designed to alleviate the anxiety typically associated with this important step in the application process. We discuss strategies for answering the unique questions posed in medical school and other healthcare interviews and offer tips for managing stress. We also build confidence by providing detailed comments on the clarity of your responses as well as nonverbal cues such as body language in order to produce an overall winning impression.

About DR. Robert Astroff, BA, LLB, MA, PhD

Robert Astroff is the president of Astroff Consultants Inc. Prior to founding the company Dr. Astroff worked as an educator at the University of Toronto and Carleton University. Dr. Astroff received a Bachelor of Arts with Great Distinction from McGill University, a Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie University, a Master of Arts from the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University, and a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Toronto.
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INTERVIEW PREPARATION - OUR PACKAGES

STRATEGY SESSION: We meet with you one-on-one to discuss the fundamentals of the interview process and answer any questions you may have. We perform in-depth case studies of sample interview questions and provide strategies for answering difficult questions. This session serves as a starting point for your interview preparation.

CASE STUDY ANALYSIS: Designed for small groups of participants, we provide in-depth analysis of three case studies, including thorough examination of the problem and application of effective strategies for answering them. The goal is develop an approach for challenging questions using general principles that can be extrapolated to scenarios encountered in the real interview.

MOCK INTERVIEWS: We offer mock interviews in both Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) and Panel interview formats. A mock interview session is 90 minutes in length and includes:

Simulated interview: to practice answering different types of questions / scenarios that may arise; Debriefing session: to discuss strategies to improve your perfor- mance. We offer techniques for answering the unique questions typically posed in interviews and offer tips for managing stress. We also build confidence by providing detailed comments on the clarity of your responses as well as non-verbal cues such as body language in order to produce an overall winning impression; and Booklet: providing background information on current Canadian health care and ethical issues to assist you in your interview preparation.  The information contained in this article is of a general nature; specific recommendations will vary according to the unique facts of each situation.