MMI and FSA
While both YLL and LKC conduct interviews in an MMI format, the schools differ in terms of the number of stations and the duration spent at each station. YLL calls their interview Focused Skills Assessment (FSA). Regardless, the interview skills for both FSA and MMI largely remain the same.
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Once again, do click on the highlighted words for helpful links to videos.
What does LKC mention about its MMI?
On the right is LKC's official description of its MMI process
"Interviews at LKCMedicine will consist of Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI), where candidates will undergo several one-to-one interviews with different interviewers, designed to assess a candidate’s aptitude and suitability for the MBBS programme. Applicants invited for the selection interviews will complete a series of eight mini interviews, each lasting approximately five minutes, conducted consecutively in eight separate interview rooms.
Dress comfortably, appropriately and smartly for the MMI.
During registration on MMI day, you will be grouped into groups of eight and given a colour-coded lanyard indicating the MMI session you are assigned to. After the welcome address, all candidates in your group will be ushered to the eight interview rooms. Wear the lanyard at all times during the MMI. We will collect the lanyard from you after you have completed the MMI.
Candidates will sit outside the eight MMI rooms until the bell sounds giving them time to read the scenarios which are placed on the chairs located outside the rooms. After two minutes, you will be prompted to enter the room and begin your five-minute interview. This cycle will be repeated until every candidate has gone through the eight stations.
Most of the time, there will be only one interviewer in each room. In certain scenarios, there might be a simulated patient (actor) in the room.
At each station, you will be given a score (maximum five marks) by the interviewer. At the end of the session, your scores at the eight stations will be collated and you will get an overall score out of a maximum of 40 marks."
What does YLL mention about its FSA?
On the right is YLL's official description of its FSA process
"The FSA assesses the candidate’s aptitude for Medicine and if the candidate’s values align with NUS Medicine. All candidates would have met the required academic threshold prior to being shortlisted; we do not test candidates on their academic or medical knowledge during the FSA. The duration of the FSA ranges from 90 – 120 minutes. Candidates will go through a series of 5-7 stations, which will comprise a mixture of the following:
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Role-play Station
You will have both the interviewer and the trained actor in the station and will be assessed on how you engage with the trained actor. Do not attempt to act with the actor; just be yourself and engage with the actor.
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Task Based Station
You will be given a few tasks to complete within a specific timeframe. The objective is to complete as many tasks as possible.
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Group Station
In a group of 3-5 candidates, you will be assigned a task or activity to complete. The objective is to complete the task/activity within the given rules and timeframe.
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Interview Station
Your interviewer will engage with you to draw out your motivation and aptitude to study medicine. It may be an interview format or the assessor may post you a scenario for discussion
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There is no preparation required for the FSA as academic knowledge will not be tested. Candidates are encouraged to stay calm and be themselves as they go through each station."
Disclaimer!
As medical students we know that in healthcare confidentiality is of utmost importance. We hold ourselves to the same standards and values even when not in school or at the hospital. The advice below from seniors, in no shape, way or form, represents or alludes to any of the questions that we were asked during our own interviews. Rather, take the following sections as advice on how we prepared for our interviews and what helped us in the weeks leading up to it. Hopefully, the advice helps all of you as well.
Resources
MMI/FSA is not a novel intreviewing process just used in LKC and YLL. Which is a good thing if you think about it. It just means that there are a vast number of resources out there which have helped thousands of medical students get through the same experience that you will be going through in a few short weeks. We have compiled a list of websites, books and videos below that we personally found helpful during our preparation for the interviews.
From our very own seniors
One of the best ways to learn is to learn through others' experiences. Some of our very own seniors have spent years compiling their journey as a pre-med and med student. They do have their own websites which you can check out through the links in "Our Seniors" page on this webiste. For the purposes of this section, their articles and advice specifically for MMI can be found below.
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The Lowkey Medic
The Lowkey Medic has a page specifically dedicated to MMI and FSA. They have done an amazing job at trying to separate and categorise the different MMI questions you may potentially face. They also have a free 400+ compiled question bank linked in their page. Do take some time to look through their page and also have a shot at trying to answer the questions on their page by timing yourself. Do read through their tips at the bottom of their page before doing so. We do know that trying to answer these questions by timing yourself may feel weird but trust us when we tell you that practicing makes the process easier (and less weird). The questions, examples and linked resources on their page gives you plenty of opportunity to put yourself in the shoes of a MMI/FSA candidate and gather your thoughts on how you would answer these questions.
Online and Offline Resources
Final Advice
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Practice interview questions and roleplaying with your family and friends — an outsider's perspective can show you things you don't even realise about yourself!
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Work on expressing your ideas and your desire to do medicine
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Ask yourself many questions to gain clarity on why you want to do medicine
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Read up about Singapore's healthcare system and government initiatives or policies
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Stay calm and confident during the actual interview.