Medical & Dental Interview Preparation Workshop

MMI, Structured and Semi-Structured Panel Interview Training for Australian Medical & Dental School Admissions

Prepare for your upcoming medical or dental school interview with NIE’s intensive interview preparation workshop. The program is designed for applicants who have received, or are expecting to receive, an interview offer for undergraduate or postgraduate Medicine, Dentistry and selected health professional programs in Australia and New Zealand.

Training covers the major interview formats used by universities, including Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI), structured panel interviews and semi-structured panel interviews. Students learn how to analyse unfamiliar questions, communicate clearly, develop thoughtful responses and perform effectively under interview conditions.

Upcoming Interview Workshop Dates

NIE offers workshops throughout the medical and dental interview season. Places are limited to maintain an interactive small-group learning environment.

Can't attend one of these dates? Students who cannot attend a suitable workshop, or whose preferred workshop is full, can undertake personalised 1-on-1 medical interview training .

What Is Included in the Interview Preparation Workshop?

NIE’s interview workshop combines instruction with extensive practical application. The aim is not to provide students with memorised answers, but to help them develop the judgement, communication skills and interview techniques needed to respond effectively to unfamiliar questions.

Students participate in activities including:

• MMI station practice
• Structured and semi-structured panel interview practice
• Individual and group role plays
• Ethical and situational judgement scenarios
• Communication and interpersonal skills exercises
• Personal reflection questions
• Motivation for Medicine and Dentistry questions
• Teamwork, leadership and conflict scenarios
• Professionalism and ethical reasoning
• Public, rural and Indigenous health discussions
• University-specific interview considerations
• Personalised constructive feedback

MMI Interview Preparation

A Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) generally involves a series of short interview stations. Each station may focus on a different skill, scenario or personal attribute.

Rather than relying on rehearsed answers, students need to interpret the question quickly, identify the relevant issues, organise their thoughts and communicate a clear response within a limited period of time.

NIE’s MMI preparation gives students repeated opportunities to practise this process while receiving feedback on their reasoning, communication, structure and delivery.

Panel Interview Preparation

Some medical and dental schools use structured or semi-structured panel interviews. In these interviews, applicants may face several interviewers simultaneously and be asked a combination of prepared and follow-up questions.

Panel interviews may explore motivation, personal experiences, ethical reasoning, communication, teamwork, resilience, knowledge of the profession and the applicant’s ability to reflect on their experiences.

Workshop practice helps students become more comfortable maintaining a conversation with interviewers, responding to follow-up questions and communicating naturally without relying on scripted answers.

What Skills Are Assessed in Medical and Dental Interviews?

Individual universities use different interview formats and selection criteria. However, applicants may be assessed across areas such as:

• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Empathy and respect
• Ethical reasoning
• Professionalism
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Leadership
• Conflict resolution
• Problem-solving
• Resilience and adaptability
• Self-awareness and reflection
• Motivation for studying Medicine or Dentistry
• Understanding of healthcare and professional responsibilities

Interview formats and criteria can change between admission cycles, so students should also review the current official admissions information for the universities to which they are applying.

Live Online and In-Person Workshop Formats

Online workshop requirement: Students must have a reliable internet connection and a functioning camera and microphone. Active participation is essential because the program involves live interview practice, role plays and direct interaction with the facilitator.

Personalised Interview Feedback

Interview performance improves through practice followed by meaningful feedback. During the workshop, students are given opportunities to answer questions individually and participate in MMI and panel-style exercises.

Students receive constructive feedback aimed at identifying strengths, areas requiring improvement and practical strategies they can continue applying before their university interview.

Who Should Attend?

This workshop may be suitable for:

• School students considering applying for undergraduate Medicine or Dentistry
• Gap-year and non-school-leaver applicants
• Applicants preparing for undergraduate and postgraduate medical and dental interviews
• Students expecting an interview offer and wanting to prepare early
• Students who have already received an interview offer
• Applicants preparing for MMI interviews
• Applicants preparing for structured or semi-structured panel interviews

Universities and Interview Formats We Prepare Students For

NIE prepares applicants for undergraduate, school-leaver, non-school-leaver and postgraduate medical and dental interviews across Australia and New Zealand. Training covers MMI, structured panel and semi-structured panel formats and can be adapted to the interview style and selection process used by individual universities.

Undergraduate Medicine and Dentistry Interview Preparation

NIE works with students preparing for undergraduate, provisional-entry, assured-pathway and other direct-entry Medicine and Dentistry selection processes at universities including:

Postgraduate and Graduate-Entry Medicine Interview Preparation

NIE also prepares university graduates applying through GAMSAT and other graduate-entry pathways. Australian graduate-entry medical schools and pathways involving interview selection include:

Postgraduate and Graduate-Entry Dentistry Interview Preparation

Graduate-entry Dentistry selection processes differ between universities. NIE provides interview preparation where an interview forms part of the relevant admissions pathway, including:

• University of Western Australia – Doctor of Dental Medicine: graduate applicants are shortlisted using academic performance and GAMSAT or an accepted equivalent admissions test, followed by an interview.
• University of Sydney – Doctor of Dental Medicine: interview preparation may be relevant for applicants applying through particular facilitated-entry pathways or where an additional interview is required as part of selection.

Important: Not every graduate-entry Medicine or Dentistry program that accepts GAMSAT uses an interview for every applicant or pathway. University selection criteria, interview formats and admissions requirements can change between admission cycles. Applicants should always confirm the current requirements directly with their chosen university.

Workshop Cost and Inclusions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an MMI medical interview?

An MMI, or Multiple Mini Interview, consists of a series of shorter interview stations. Each station may present a different question, scenario or task designed to assess particular qualities or skills.

What is a panel interview?

A panel interview involves an applicant meeting several interviewers at the same time. Questions may be structured in advance or may include follow-up questions based on the applicant’s responses.

Does the workshop prepare students for Dentistry interviews?

Yes. The core communication, ethical reasoning, situational judgement and interview skills developed during the workshop are applicable to both Medicine and Dentistry applicants. Training can also be adapted to course-specific interview considerations.

Does NIE prepare students for postgraduate medical interviews?

Yes. NIE prepares applicants for both undergraduate and postgraduate medical interviews, including applicants applying through GAMSAT and GEMSAS graduate-entry pathways. Preparation can be adapted to MMI, structured panel and semi-structured panel interview formats used by individual medical schools.

Should I start preparing before receiving an interview offer?

Students who believe they have a realistic chance of receiving an interview may choose to begin preparation before offers are released. This allows more time to practise communication, reflection, scenario analysis and interview technique without the pressure of a short preparation window.

Can I attend the workshop online?

Yes. NIE offers live online interactive workshops over two days. Students require a functioning camera, microphone and reliable internet connection so they can participate fully in role plays and interview practice.

What if my preferred workshop date is full?

Students can consider NIE’s personalised 1-on-1 interview training or the comprehensive workshop and 1-on-1 interview package .

Does NIE provide a medical interview preparation book?

Yes. NIE’s Interview Techniques resource contains extensive interview guidance and practice questions. Eligible first-time workshop participants currently receive a complimentary hardcopy with their workshop booking.

Workshop dates, locations, availability, formats and inclusions may change. Please check the current booking page before enrolment.