MMI Interviews: Two Ways to Choke (and what to do about it)

You can choke while practicing and have a good laugh. But on the day, it may mean missing out on a place at an Australian graduate medical school. That’s no laughing matter, especially when you have worked so hard to pass the GAMSAT exam.

The MMI process is gruelling and stressful. So our workshops are gruelling and stressful. People choke.

 

Type 1 Choke: you have nothing to say
You are asked a question about a topic about which you have nothing to say. Silence descends. The room is tense . . . what should you do?

If you have nothing to say . . . you have nothing to say. The worst thing to do is to pretend you do and babble nonsense at your interviewer. It’s hilarious in tutorials and mock interviews, but a potential deal-breaker for the real thing.

Solution: come clean. Let the interviewer know that you don’t know anything about breast cancer screening, or prostate screening, or whatever they are drilling you about. This is a very important part of medicine. The worst thing you can do in med is pretend you know something when you don’t. People could be hurt or worse. Your interviewer will respect your honesty.

(Having said that, there are some questions about which your interviewer will be very disappointed if you have nothing to say. Suppose they ask you, “Tell me about an important health issue for contemporary Australia” and you have nothing to say on the topic, they’re going to wonder whether you are really interested in medicine.)

 

Type 2 Choke: nerves
You are asked a question. You have plenty to say, but your are so nervous that you choke. Silence descends. The room is tense . . . what should you do?

You are a human being. Human beings get nervous. Some more than others. But here you are in the (potentially) most nerve racking situation of your life. You should forgive yourself for being tongue tied.

Solution: come clean. Tell the interviewer how you are feeling. They understand. They’re not there to torture you–they are genuinely interested in what you have to say. You’ll be surprised how relieved you’ll feel just saying, “Sorry I’m very nervous”. In a few seconds (although it will feel like a lifetime), you’ll be talking up a storm.

But remember: slow and steady, good eye contact, and DON’T FIDGET. 

For more tips & tricks, check out our next blog article 5 Tips to Help You Ace the MMI Interviews.