How to prepare for McMaster’s MMI in 2025-2026
1. McMaster MMI Format:
McMaster’s Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) consists of several stations. At each station, the applicant is given a unique scenario/question to respond to within a limited time. The applicant then moves on to the next station with a different interviewer until all the stations are complete. Each interviewer scores the applicant using a standardized rubric. After all the stations are completed, the scores at each station are combined to produce an overall score for the applicant.
Traditionally, the McMaster MMI has used a 2:8-minute format, with 10 stations. This means that there are 10 stations; each station lasts a total of 10 minutes; 2 minutes are granted for reading the prompt, and 8 minutes are granted to respond to the prompt. The 2:8 format includes transition time, so the entire interview lasts about 1 hour and 40 minutes!
Sample McMaster MMI Circuit*
Station 1: Rest
Station 2: Acting station
Station 3: Current problem in society
Station 4: Situational question
Station 5: Ethical question
Station 6: Rest
Station 7: Personal question
Station 8: Ethical question
Station 9: Personal question
Statin 10: Acting station
*Station breakdown may vary.
2. Scoring Basics:
Source: Admissions Manual for Interviewers, McMaster University, Undergraduate Medical Program
The rubric used in the McMaster MMI assesses several competencies, including communication skills, critical thinking, and ethical decision-making. For each criterion, there's a specific score, and the interviewer assigns a score based on the applicant's response to the scenario or question.
The McMaster MMI scoring process evaluates both the applicant's cognitive and non-cognitive skills, including professionalism, empathy, and cultural competency. It provides a comprehensive evaluation of the applicant's suitability for the medical program.
In short, the McMaster MMI is a rigorous evaluation tool used by medical schools to select the best candidates for their program. It's designed to be a fair, objective assessment of the applicant's competencies, and it allows interviewers to evaluate a range of skills to produce a comprehensive evaluation of the applicant's suitability for the medical program.
3. Preparing for the MMI:
You might be wondering, how do i prepare for the MMI!? In short, you’ll still want to prepare for standard medical school interview questions, such as “why do you want to be a doctor?” because those questions are likely to show up as a specific MMI station. However, due to the format of the MMI, you’ll also want to have a working knowledge of the following topics, amongst others:
A basic understanding of Canada’s Healthcare System
The CanMEDS Roles
The social determinants of health
Indigenous health in Canda
Racism, subconscious biases, etc.
Preparing for these types of questions will have you feeling like a rockstar on medical school interview day. Practicing with friends is a great way to get honest feedback on your interview style, the context of your responses and any other ways you might be able to improve your delivery.
Final Thoughts
Finally, once you’re ready for professional medical school interview coaching, have a look at our multiple mini interview (MMI) preparation services. Here at Canadian Premed, our main goal is to make this application cycle your last; we’d love to work with you.
