A Student’s Guide to the MMIs

This section explains the Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) For Medical School Applicants in the UK. The Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) is a popular format used by many UK medical schools to assess applicants beyond academic grades and test scores. Instead of one long interview, you’ll rotate through a series of short, focused stations that test your skills, values, and suitability for a career in medicine.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know, from what to expect to how to prepare and perform confidently.

What Are MMIs?

MMIs consist of 6–10 short interview stations, each typically lasting 5–10 minutes. At each station, you’ll face a different task, such as:

• Answering a question or ethical scenario
• Engaging in a role-play
• Completing a practical or teamwork-based task
• Reflecting on personal experiences or current issues in healthcare

You may speak to a different interviewer at each station. Each station is marked independently.

What Do MMIs Assess?

MMIs are designed to test the core qualities needed in medicine, such as:

• Communication skills
• Empathy and compassion
• Ethical reasoning
• Teamwork and leadership
• Problem-solving
• Resilience and adaptability
• Motivation for medicine
• Professionalism and integrity

Common MMI Station Types

Here are the most common types of MMI stations you might encounter:

Personal Reflection

Questions like:

• Why do you want to study medicine?
• Tell us about a time you overcame a challenge.
• What makes a good doctor?

Top Tip: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for structured answers.

Ethical Dilemmas

Scenarios may involve:

• Confidentiality
• Consent
• Resource allocation
• End-of-life decisions

Top Tip: Show awareness of both sides of the issue, apply GMC principles, and explain your reasoning.

Role-Plays

You might interact with:

• An upset patient
• A friend with a difficult decision
• A colleague in conflict

Top Tip: Focus on empathy, active listening, and clear communication. Stay calm and professional.

Data Interpretation or Problem Solving

This could include:

• Analysing graphs or statistics
• Prioritising tasks in a high-pressure scenario

Top Tip: Talk through your thought process clearly. It’s about your reasoning, not the “right” answer.

Teamwork or Practical Tasks

Sometimes you’ll be asked to:

• Work with another applicant to solve a task
• Instruct someone to complete an activity
• Reflect on your role in a group

Top Tip: Be supportive, collaborative, and aware of others. Show leadership without dominating.

How to Prepare Effectively

1. Research the Format

Each medical school does MMIs slightly differently. Check their websites for:

• Number of stations
• Station length
• Types of tasks included

2. Practise Under Pressure

• Time yourself during mock stations
• Use role-play scenarios with a friend, teacher, or mentor
• Ask for honest feedback
• Work on answering concisely and confidently

3. Know Key Topics

• NHS values and structure
• GMC’s Good Medical Practice
• Basic medical ethics (autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice)
• Current healthcare issues (e.g. access to care, digital health, the role of AI)

4. Build Communication Skills

• Practise active listening and responding thoughtfully
• Be polite and professional—even in tricky scenarios
• Avoid memorised answers. Aim for genuine, structured responses

Top Tips for the Day

• Arrive early and bring everything required (ID, documents)
• Dress professionally and comfortably
• Read instructions carefully at each station
• Take a deep breath before entering – stay calm and composed
• If you struggle at one station, don’t let it affect the next
• Treat each station as a fresh opportunity

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Speaking too quickly or not listening
• Being too rigid or overly rehearsed
• Overcomplicating answers
• Focusing too much on medical knowledge – this isn’t a science exam
• Forgetting to reflect or explain your reasoning

Final Thoughts

MMIs might seem intimidating at first, but they’re also fair, diverse, and dynamic. They give you multiple chances to shine and to demonstrate the qualities that make you well-suited to medicine.

Prepare thoughtfully, stay reflective, and be yourself. You’re not expected to be perfect, just genuine, thoughtful, and compassionate.

You’ve made it this far for a reason. Believe in your preparation and trust the process.