Multiple mini interviews (MMIs) explained
6 min read ยท updated 2026-10-02
Many medical and dental schools interview with MMIs: a circuit of short stations, each with a different interviewer and task. Because each station is scored separately, one weak station does not decide the outcome.
How an MMI works
Candidates move through a series of stations, often six to ten, each lasting a few minutes. A station might be an ethical scenario, a role play with an actor, a data or calculation task, a discussion about motivation for medicine, or a teamwork exercise. The format, number and length of stations vary by university, so read each school's guidance.
What the stations test
- โ Communication and empathy, especially in role plays
- โ Ethical reasoning: weighing options rather than reaching for a 'right' answer
- โ Insight into a career in medicine and reflection on experience
- โ Problem solving and handling data under time pressure
- โ Composure: recovering quickly from a difficult station
How to practise
Practise stations against a timer with someone who will give honest feedback, and between stations practise resetting quickly. For ethics stations, a simple structure (identify the issues, consider each person involved, weigh options, reach a balanced view) works better than memorised answers.
FAQs
How many stations are in an MMI?๏ผ
It varies by university; often six to ten short stations.
Can you prepare for an MMI?๏ผ
Yes, with timed practice stations and honest feedback, especially on communication and ethical reasoning.
Is one bad station a disaster?๏ผ
No. Each station is scored separately, so a strong performance elsewhere can balance a weak one.
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