Medicine interview candidate information - 2023 entry

This video describes the course at Leicester. Please feel free to watch with your friends and family.

We are running sessions with some of our current students where you can try out the Blackboard Collaborate system on the following dates. All the sessions will run from 7.00pm – 8.30pm GMT.

• Monday 5 December
• Thursday 8 December
• Monday 12 December
• Tuesday 13 December
• Tuesday 3 January
• Friday 6 January
• Monday 9 January
• Tuesday 10 January
• Tuesday 7 February
• Friday 10 February
• Monday 13 February
• Tuesday 14 February

Join as guest

Or you may choose to watch this video which discusses the platform.

What to do in advance

1. Please ensure you have returned your consent/ declaration form and academic certificates before the deadline.
2. Ensure you will have access to the following:
   • a device with good internet connection, a camera* and microphone
   • Google Chrome web browser (or Safari if iPhone or iPad but Chrome for Mac computers and laptops)
   • A room where you will be undisturbed
     
     *your camera must be on for the duration of the interview.
     You may wish to consult with your School about this


3. Please make sure you've read this section in full, and have watched the video to learn about Blackboard Collaborate and more about the interviews.

What will happen on the day

1. Make sure that any other audio using sites e.g. Zoom or YouTube on your device are turned off.
2. Do not have any devices that may cause interference nearby. NB Bluetooth ear phones do not seem to work well.
3. You will receive an email with a link to join the interview. Copy the link in your email and paste into your browser. If you will be using a Microsoft PC or laptop, you should use Google Chrome as the browser to access your interview. If you are using an Apple device, such as iPad or iPhone you will need to use Safari, for a Mac you will need to use Google Chrome.
4. You will be taken to the Collaborate site and asked to enter your Surname and UCAS ID. Please follow the instructions in your interview letter for the correct format to use.
5. You will need to turn on your audio and agree to share your video.
6. You will enter a Welcome Room where there will be other candidates. Depending on your bandwidth you may need to turn off your audio / video in this room (remember in all other rooms they must be on). We will give you a briefing and check your camera and microphone are working.
7. If there are issues the best option is to log out and in again.
8. If you are still struggling to access your camera and microphone try the following:
   
   a) You will see a camera symbol at the end of the URL, click on this symbol to allow access to your camera. Select allow.
   
   
   
   b) If that does not work click on the padlock symbol at the start of the URL and give permission there.
   
   or c)
   
   Whilst in Blackboard select the icon on the bottom right hand side of the screen.
   
   This will open the following ribbon:
   
   
   
   Click on the settings cog wheel.
   
   The following pop up will appear, you need to click on the camera and mic icon.
   
   
   
   Once you have done that the following will pop up:
   
   
   
   Please select the correct device from the drop down option
9. If these measures do not work try another device.
10. You may want to adjust your audio settings through settings cogwheel.
11. We will take control of moving you from room to room. As a participant there are limited things you can do.
12. There will be 6 stations. Each will be given a different room name e.g. station 1, station 2 etc. You will be automatically moved to the next station at the end of each station.
13. When you are being moved into your first room the screen will tell you where you are going. The first time you are moved can be a bit unnerving.
14. On entering the room the examiner will say hello and confirm your name. They will then show you the instructions for that station. You will have 1 minute to read them. You will then complete the station which will last a total of 7 minutes. Some of the stations may be split into a task eg reading and then questions; or watching a video then questions. The examiner will keep time, though time alerts will be posted on the chat.
15. The interviewer will put up any files, but you are able to alter the size of the font and scroll up and down yourself (see Video).
16. At the end of the 7 minutes the interviewer will stop and complete their marking. Whilst they are doing this please sit in silence. They will show the instructions again ready for the next candidate. We will then move you to the next room. Again the first time this happens it can be a bit unnerving.
17. At the end of the cycle you will usually leave the circuit from the last station unless you have to redo a station in which case we will take you back to the waiting room and sort this out. If you need to redo more than one station we will re-arrange your interview time.
18. To leave go to the 3 horizontal lines top left and then at bottom ‘leave session’.
19. Remember you have signed a declaration that you will not record or disseminate information from this interview. It would potentially be detrimental to you to help other candidates; and if we became aware of anything a probity issue requiring referral to our Fitness to Practice panel would ensue. Please also note that Moderators may join stations and listen in.

Check your technology

Watch the video above to familiarise yourself with the platform and how the technology works. If you have concerns about either your technology or being able to ensure a quiet, undisturbed environment at home we would encourage you to approach your school/college if applicable to support you in providing this.

Check your connectivity

Do ensure you have a good internet connection. Where possible, try and use a device that is plugged into the internet (with an Ethernet cable), as opposed to a wireless device.

Arrive in plenty of time

Make sure you are ready in plenty of time before the interview in case of any issues that may arise. Be sat down and ready to start in at least 15-20 minutes before you are due to log in (don’t log in early!) and have a comfort break in advance and a drink to hand.

Be prepared

Read, read and read the instructions for MMI so you know what to expect and how it will run. Please make sure that you have all your documents to hand that we will be requiring. If possible, try and have a practice couple of interview questions with a teacher or sensible adult to give you feedback on your performance. Practice really does help with performance and nerves. Make sure you are well fed and watered and get a good night's sleep so you are in best condition to perform well.

First impressions matter

Be polite and courteous at all times. Ensure you are dressed smartly and professionally – the interview may be online but the expectations remain the same. “Dress like you would like to see your Doctor dressed”. Try and remove any distractions from the background and keep it as simple as you are able.

Be aware of body language

Don’t be too fidgety and try to stay natural. It is ok to smile. It may be worth filming yourself practising to see how you come across. Try and maintain eye contact by looking into the camera.

Take your time

Try not to rush your answers. Speak clearly, and concisely and explain your reasoning and thoughts.

Always answer the question you have been asked

When under pressure or you have rehearsed too much, it can be easy to not answer the question being asked. Listen carefully and read all instructions so you know exactly what is being asked of you.

If you have a bad station, continue

Remember, every station is considered independently so if a station hasn’t gone as well as you may have hoped, park it and move on. Usually it hasn’t gone as bad you think and you don’t want it to effect the performance on your other stations. Keep your enthusiasm up throughout.

Be yourself

We want to know more about you, your goals and aspirations and your achievements. We don’t want you to be all the same – so be yourself and make your aim showing us the best of you. You have worked hard to get to this point.

Enjoy it and good luck!

We would be very grateful if you could please give feedback on your experience.

Offer making is a long process and we will continue making offers up until at least May. Please remember this is because of other institutions making their decision, you making your decisions and our requirement to stay within a strict Government enforced number cap.

We will be holding two Offer Holder Days in April and May.