www.PassMyInterview.

com
www.PassMyInterview.com

9
Welcome to your guide…

4
12
22 MEDICAL SCHOOL
08
:0

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS &

I D

ANSWERS
er
rd

Copyright © PassMyInterview.com. All Rights Reserved.

O

For personal use only.

MEDICAL SCHOOL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
 www.PassMyInterview.com

Q1. Tell us about yourself.
Sample Answer:
Over the years, I have been working hard to get myself in the position where I am today, which is
applying to medical school. Everything I do in my life is based on my long-term goal of becoming a
doctor. I am the type of person who always applies myself, and fully commits to each task or goal I am
working on. I am highly professional, supportive of other students, and I possess some of the natural
skills and qualities needed to become a competent and high-performing doctor. I also understand that to
be successful in life, you must work hard, make sacrifices, and be open to learning from other people
who are more experienced than you. I understand lots of talented people apply to medical school but I
believe I can bring a unique blend of knowledge, commitment, and total dedication to working in the
medical field. If I am successful in my application to study at this medical school I will work hard and I will
be a model student who also supports other students during their studies.

4 9
Q2. Why do you want to be a doctor?
Sample Answer:
12
I want to be a doctor because I am passionate about medicine. I want to work in a profession where I not
08
only get to make a difference in people’s lives through my work but where I also get the opportunity to
:0

directly influence and educate people to lead healthier lives. I also find the fact that, as a doctor, you
must always stay updated with medical developments. Being someone who enjoys reading and
D

researching, this is part of the role that I find appealing. I will find being a doctor both interesting and
I

stimulating and I will enjoy working in a pressurized environment where no two days are ever the same.
er

The goal of becoming a doctor is one that I have been working towards for several years now, and
getting into this medical school will be another step in the right direction.
rd
O

Q3. Why do you want to study at this medical school?

Sample Answer:
I want to study at this medical school for several reasons. The first reason is, the reputation for success
this school has is second to none. I only want to study at a medical school where I will be given the best
opportunity to succeed. If I apply myself, and I work hard, I believe I will achieve success. The second
reason I want to study at this medical school is that having researched the school in detail, it is clear the
lecturers have the student’s best interests at heart, they genuinely want you to succeed, and the
resources and equipment provided at the school appear to be exceptional. Finally, I want to study at this
medical school because I believe the studying environment I will be immersed in will be conducive to
constructive learning.

MEDICAL SCHOOL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
 www.PassMyInterview.com

Q4. Tell me why you believe you have what it takes to be successful at medical school?
Sample Answer:
Over the years, I have got to know myself pretty well in terms of my strengths and weaknesses, and how
I perform in certain situations. I am always careful to reflect on the things I do in life and what I have
achieved so far has ensured I have stayed on a path of continual development. The skills and qualities I
possess, I believe, will help me during my time here at medical school. I am a strong organizer and
planner and my time management skills are exceptional. This means I will always dedicate the right
amount of time to learning and studying. I am a good communicator which means I will be able to support
other students, learn from them and be a good listener during lectures. I have good ethics and values
and I am morally responsible. This means I will be a good role model for medical school. I am a good
team worker, so when it comes to group exercises I will contribute, involve other medical students and be

9
a good leader when required. Finally, I am resilient, confident, and flexible, and adaptable. All of these

4
skills and qualities will make me a good student for your medical school.

Q5. What can you bring to the medical school curriculum? 12

08
Sample Answer:
I will bring a positive mindset that will rub off on other students, a promise that I will commit fully to
:0

effective study and learning whilst I am at medical school, and a commitment to helping and supporting
D

other students during their studies. I can bring a good level of knowledge of medicine, a passion for
learning, and a promise that I will be a model student whilst I am here at medical school.
I
er

Q6. What are the most important skills and qualities needed to be a doctor?
rd

Sample Answer:
O

There are numerous skills and qualities needed to be a doctor. These include effective decision-making
skills that are in the best interests of the patient, a dedication to delivering first-class treatment and care,
and an unwavering commitment to the development of medicine and treatment. As a doctor you need to
be a good problem-solver, be able to work under pressure whilst managing a large workload, and
communicate with passion, empathy, and understanding. A competent doctor must take responsibility for
their professional development, set high standards for others to follow, be a solid leader and manager,
and have strong critical analysis skills along with a drive to always develop and progress throughout their
medical career.

Q7. What do you do in your spare time?

MEDICAL SCHOOL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
 www.PassMyInterview.com

Sample Answer:
In my spare time, I like to keep myself physically fit and I visit the gym and go walking a few times a
week. This helps to keep both my mind and my body mentally and physically fit, and it also helps to
increase concentration levels, too. I enjoy reading both fiction and non-fiction books as this helps me to
relax. I have recently been reading the book Do No Harm by Henry Marsh which I have found
fascinating. Finally, in my spare time, I have been learning to play the guitar which is something I have
wanted to do for a long time now. I enjoy learning new things and it gives me a bit of time away from my
studies.

Q8. Describe yourself in 3 words.

Sample Answer:

9
I would describe myself as driven, passionate, and caring. I am driven to achieve my career and life

4
goals and every day I wake up I want to feel as though I am taking steps forward in pursuit of my goals. I

12
am also driven to ensure I make a difference to others in the work I eventually do as a doctor. I am
passionate about lots of things. First and foremost, I am passionate about medicine and getting into
08
medical school because again, this means I am closer to achieving one of my goals. I am also
passionate about improving health and wellbeing and I would enjoy the aspect of becoming a doctor
:0

where I will have a positive influence on other people’s lives. Finally, I am naturally a caring person. I
D

care about my family; I care about my friends and fellow students, and I will most certainly care about the
patients I am responsible for once I become a doctor.
I
er

Q9. How do you handle stress and pressure?

rd

Sample Answer:
O

I handle stress and pressure by focusing on what it is I need to achieve, and by when. By ensuring I have
a definitive plan of action in place for getting things done, and by blocking out any external distractions, I
am always able to achieve my goals. For example, if I had a very tight deadline to submit a dissertation, I
would decide what I needed to do in terms of the timeframe for getting the dissertation completed to the
right standard and how I was going to achieve that. I would then assess my work schedule and block out
sufficient time to get everything completed. Any external distractions or temptations would be blocked out
and I would be resilient in my pursuit to getting the dissertation finished. The only way to handle stress
and pressure successfully is to remain calm, to focus on what it is you need to achieve, and then making
sure everything is done on time and to exacting standards.

MEDICAL SCHOOL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
 www.PassMyInterview.com

Q10. What is your motivation to study medicine?

Sample Answer:
My motivation to study medicine comes from taking care of my sick grandmother a few years ago and
witnessing first-hand the great work the doctors and nurses did to care for her. I can remember seeing
how passionate they were during their work, and the level of commitment they afforded to my
grandmother's treatment and care. Having studied the role of a doctor I believe I have the natural skills
and qualities needed to be competent in the role. To be a great doctor you must be immensely
passionate about medicine, and above all, helping others to get better and to lead healthier lives.

Q11. What do you think will be the most difficult challenges of being a doctor?
Sample Answer:

9
I believe there will be numerous challenges of being a doctor, including making sure you keep your

4
knowledge and expertise up to date, making sure you attend various networking events that enable you

12
to contribute to the medical profession, and also ensuring you manage your workload effectively. Being a
doctor will undoubtedly be stressful at times, and it will be important that I look after myself both mentally
08
and physically so I can continue to perform to the best of my abilities for my patients.
:0

Q12. How do you plan to cope with the busy workload and the out-of-hours work you will have as
D

a doctor?
Sample Answer:
I

I will deal with this work by ensuring my family is aware of the commitments I will have as a doctor, by
er

making sure the medical team I am responsible for are equipped to assist me in my duties, and by
rd

ensuring my workload is managed correctly. A great way to manage a heavy workload and the stress
O

that comes with this is to keep yourself physically and mentally fit and to make sure you delegate tasks
effectively to the right people in your team who are qualified to do so. For example, I have noticed that
my local doctor's surgery has started offering patients the facility of using an online eConsult service.
This has helped the surgery allocate resources to where they are most needed and it ensures those
people who can be seen by a nurse, are seen by a nurse and not a doctor.

Q13. Why do you think you will make the perfect student for this medical school?
Sample Answer:
I will make the perfect medical student because I am a conscientious, friendly, and hard-working person
who has ambitious plans for my future career as a doctor. I am someone who understands that success

MEDICAL SCHOOL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
 www.PassMyInterview.com

at medical school is entirely dependent on me, and my willingness to learn and dedicate the required
amount of time to my studies. Having the opportunity to attend this medical school is something I am very
proud of, and I do not intend to mess things up if I get the chance to study here. My sole intention for
attending medical school is to learn from the best lecturers whilst also taking advantage of the brilliant
resources that are available to me during my time here.

Q14. Medical school requires total commitment and dedication. How can we be sure you will
dedicate the right amount of time to your studies to ensure you pass the course?
Sample Answer:
Some people may attend medical school for the social aspect, and the opportunity to network and make
friends. Whilst I do hope I will make some solid friends and associates whilst I am here, there is no way I

9
am going to spend several years of my life at medical, only to get nothing out of it. I have studied the

4
course syllabus in detail, and I know there will be aspects of the course that I’ll find tough, which is why I

12
need to be committed to my studies during my time here. I feel I have the maturity and appropriate levels
of self-discipline to ensure my studies are targeted, in-depth, and of a quality standard. Everything I have
08
achieved in life so far has been obtained through hard work and commitment and I plan to do the same if
I am successful in my application to medical school.
:0
D

Q15. Which aspects of your academic studies did you find the toughest?
Sample Answer:
I

I found the initial planning stage of the studying quite difficult at first. It was difficult simply because I had
er

never had to create a plan before that ensured all of my study work was thorough, on point, and
rd

complete. However, after a few weeks of utilizing my study plan, it became much easier and I enjoyed
O

following a study structure because it gave me a feeling that I was continually moving forward towards
my study goals.

Q16. What’s your biggest achievement in life so far, and why?

Sample Answer:
It would have to be my academic results and how I improved throughout the two-year study period. To be
honest with you, some people didn’t expect me to do particularly well in a couple of the subjects, but I
knew that if I worked hard, dedicated quality time to study, and also immersed myself in the subject, I
could do well. My results have had such a positive impact on my attitude to work and study in general,

MEDICAL SCHOOL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
 www.PassMyInterview.com

and I now have the self-belief that I can go a long way in both my education and also my long-term
career plans of becoming a doctor.

Q17. What plans do you have in place to ensure your studies are effective whilst at medical
school?
Sample Answers:
I believe I know myself pretty well now in terms of what works for me whilst studying. I am a firm believer
that quality study is far more effective than simply sitting there reading for hours upon end. For me,
quality study involves creating mind maps and also writing down the key learning points from each
lesson. I also find that I am more effective at studying during the evening. This is the time of day my
concentration levels are at their greatest, as I found out during revision for my previous academic

9
studies. I already have a plan in place for making sure my studies are effective and that I make the most

4
of my time at medical.

Q18. What will you bring to medical school? 12

08
Sample Answer:
I understand that being at medical school is an important part of my development, but that you also want
:0

students who are going to work hard, achieve, and be positive role models in the process. I will bring an
D

ability to work hard, leadership skills, a desire to contribute positively, whether that’s being part of a
recognized club or society within the medical school, and being part of the wider academic debate during
I

lectures, practical exercises, and discussions in general. I feel I have a lot to offer and can assure you I
er

will contribute positively if I am successful in my application to medical school.

rd
O

Q19. Out of all the students we are interviewing, what makes you stand out?
Sample Answer:
I will put in the effort needed to pass the course and I will work hard to contribute effectively whilst in
class. I have a confident and magnetic personality which means I will be supportive of other medical
students whilst on the course. Whilst I would be predominantly here at medical school for my gain, I
would enjoy helping others to not only adapt to medical school life but to also help them in any specific
topics I might personally excel in. Conversely, I am sure there will be people on the course who will help
me if ever I need the support or guidance.

Q20. What are your 3 greatest strengths that will help you succeed whilst at medical school?

MEDICAL SCHOOL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
 www.PassMyInterview.com

Sample Answer:
My 3 main strengths are, having the ability to work hard to study and learn what I need to pass. A desire
to continually learn, develop and also grow as a person, and finally, a friendly and approachable nature
that means I will be willing to help others to study and pass whilst here at medical school. I am someone
who enjoys a challenge and I feel I thrive in a pressurized environment where a need to perform is
essential.

Q21. What’s your biggest weakness?

Sample Answer:
My biggest weakness is the fact that I currently lack leadership experience. I understand that being a
doctor requires an ability to take lead, and I am certainly enthusiastic to do so when the opportunity

9
arises. One of my goals whilst at medical school is to take the lead during exercises if I am allowed to do

4
so. This is so that I gain the necessary experience needed to become a competent doctor.

12
Q22. That’s the end of your medical school interview. Do you have questions for us?
08
Sample Answer:
QUESTION – In your experience, what makes a successful student at this medical school?
:0

QUESTION – Are there many societies and organizations at medical school you recommend I get
D

involved in to help me improve my interpersonal skills and experiences?

QUESTION – If I am successful in obtaining a place at medical school, which books or materials do you
I

recommend I purchase to help me study more effectively?

er
rd

How to Use These Interview Questions and Answers:

O

These interview questions and answers are intended to guide you in your preparation for your job
interview. These questions have been picked by the PassMyInterview team because we believe
that they are the best representative of what you will face in your interview.

The sample answers in this resource are collated from years of experience and research in the
recruitment sector. The answers confidently display the appropriate qualities and competencies
that the interviewer expects from successful candidates.

MEDICAL SCHOOL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
 www.PassMyInterview.com

Read the sample answers carefully, and take note of what skills and competencies they
demonstrate. You might notice that, when the question asks for examples, the answer uses the
STAR method to construct the response:

Situation. Start off your response to the interview question by explaining what the ‘situation’ was
and who was involved.

Task. Once you have detailed the situation, explain what the ‘task’ was, or what needed to be
done.

9
Action. Now explain what ‘action’ you took, and what action others took. Also explain why you

4
took this particular course of action. 12
08
Result. Explain to the panel what you would do differently if the same situation arose again. It is
:0

good to be reflective at the end of your responses. This demonstrates a level of maturity and it
D

will also show the panel that you are willing to learn from every experience.
I
er

In order to get the best possible results, apply this system to your own examples and experiences
rd

in working life. These sample answers are intended to inspire you to create your own responses
to the questions.
O

Disclaimer:
PassMyInterview is not responsible for anyone failing any part of any selection process as a result
of the information contained within this resource. PassMyInterview and their authors cannot
accept any responsibility for any errors or omissions within this resource, however caused. No
responsibility for loss or damage occasioned by any person acting, or refraining from action, as a
result of the material in this publication can be accepted by PassMyInterview.

MEDICAL SCHOOL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
 www.PassMyInterview.com

Get more guides, books and training courses at the website www.How2Become.com.

IMPORTANT: All resources, products, content, and training from PassMyInterview is intended for
educational use only, as an aid to help you prepare and come up with your own honest answers. You
must not copy (plagiarise) these answers in your interview. Instead, follow the guidance near the end
of this pack under the heading “How To Use These Interview Questions And Answers” and use these
suggested answers as an educational aid to help you generate your own unique and honest answers.
PassMyInterview is not acting in conjunction with, or associated with, any third-party organisation.

Copyright © PassMyInterview.com. All Rights Reserved. For personal use only.

4 9
12
08
:0
I D
er
rd
O

MEDICAL SCHOOL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS