Advice for Interviewees

The Interview Process at Aberdeen

The Admissions procedure at Aberdeen involves the detailed assessment and scoring of a range of aspects of an application, including academic attainment/predictions, UKCAT, the UCAS written application then subsequent interview performance.  Applications are ranked against all the others received for that year's entry and those who score sufficiently well achieve an interview.   This score then contributes to the overall score that a candidate may achieve, when offers are made to the highest scoring candidates.

Interviewees are invited by letter, giving the time, date and location of the interview at the Medical School and must confirm attendance by a designated deadline.  If we do not receive a response by this deadline it will be assumed that an interview is not required and the slot will be cancelled. 

Also included with the invitation are other documents:

  • an interview help sheet giving an outline of the day and travel and accommodation information.   
  • a work experience/voluntary work form to confirm activities declared on the UCAS application.  This form is to be returned at interview.

On arrival, interviewees are given an Occupational Health questionnaire that must be completed and returned directly to OH within a 2-week time schedule.

All interviewees are offered a tour of the teaching and clinical facilities with a current Medical student guide. 

Non-attendance of a schedules appointment normally results in the withdrawal of the application..

Student Interview technique

Some schools are able to designate time and resources to developing these skills in their students.  Should this not be possible, students can access resources themselves (see Further Resources) as well as search for current 'user guides' and publications that discuss Medical Admissions

Some general points may be worth mentioning:

  • First appearances can be very important.  The Selectors have made time in their very busy working schedules to interview students.  An initial favourable impression is gained if we feel the student has also taken trouble over their meeting with us.  Candidates should consider carefully about what they wear, given the professional nature of the career they hope to embark upon
  • Interviewees should greet each the Selector appropriately at the initial introductions
  • From 2013, the interview process will change to that of the Multiple Mini Interview format.  Each candidate will be 'interviewed' five times for seven minutes, by five different selectors in turn as they rotate through five separate interview questioning stations. The total interview experience will last for 40 minutes.  Students should try to keep answers succinct, so the interviewer can discover as many of their attributes as possible!
  • WE DO UNDERSTAND THAT STUDENTS ARE OFTEN VERY NERVOUS and do try to put them at their ease. The interview is NOT an exercise designed to make interviewees feel bad about themselves, but is a process from which we hope to reveal their finest points!
  • An initial welcome will give candidates an overview of the MMI process and time will be given over at the end of the MMI session for the answering of candidates' questions. 

Preparing for Interview

You may find the following information useful to help you understand what Selectors are looking for and how you might prepare for your interview

What types of questions will I be asked?

Many questions that will be covered in the five MMI stations are available in the public domain.  Although the exact wording may vary, you may find it a useful exercise to be familiar with some questions and to consider your own responses that are based upon your own thoughts and experiences, rather than quoting existing text and the opinion of others.

There are many ways that Selectors may explore the five questioning domains that form part of an MMI.  You may be asked to:

  • Discuss your preparation for entry to Medicine e.g.
    • of research into undergraduate curricula 
    • your research then understanding of the implications of a medical career
    • your experience of caring or other environments
  • Consider a new situation and discuss your thoughts
  • Outline any learning points from previous experiences
  • Reflect upon your own and others' skills and abilities
  • Consider your potential contribution to the care of others

You should be aware that for some questions, there will not be a 'correct' answer – simply that your ability to reflect upon and discuss diverse aspects of the problem, may be under scrutiny

Given that the pre-interview scoring system selects candidates who appear to have sufficient academic potential, the interview is not intended to:

  • test your academic knowledge
  • include questions directly related to your school curriculum. 

Are all candidates asked the same questions?

The same categories of questions will be used on each of the seven days that the MMI is run.

How will my answers be scored?

You will be scored in several areas including:

  • Your ability to express your ideas freely and coherently
  • How well you use your existing knowledge to formulate answers to unknown areas
  • Your ability to follow a reasoned argument and to formulate an opinion
  • The degree to which you are prepared for questions
  • Your ability to discuss different aspects (advantages & disadvantages) of a problem / situation
  • The degree of motivation, commitment, reflection and sensitivity demonstrated
  • Your insight into working with others

Each station will also independently score your communication and interpersonal skills

How can I ensure that I answer questions well?

The more research into a medical career using many resources you have undertaken, the better you will be prepared to answer questions confidently and to interpret the unexpected

Undertaking interview practice with different 'interviewers' will help build your confidence in your ability to perform in unfamiliar circumstances, as will frequently practising answering different interview questions