Complete Guide to the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) for Singapore Medical Schools
The Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) is a crucial part of the admissions process for NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS YLL) and NTU Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (NTU LKC). If you're applying for medicine in Singapore, understanding the MMI format, common question types, and preparation strategies can give you a significant advantage.
At MCC Global Education, we specialize in NUS & NTU medical school applications, helping students prepare effectively for the MMI and secure their place in Singapore’s top medical schools.
Here’s everything you need to know about the MMI process, what to expect, and how to prepare.
What Is the MMI?
The Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) is an interactive, station-based interview designed to assess soft skills like:
🔹 Communication & teamwork
🔹 Critical thinking & problem-solving
🔹 Ethical reasoning & professionalism
🔹 Empathy & interpersonal skills
Each candidate rotates through 6-10 stations, spending about 5-10 minutes at each station. You may encounter role-play exercises, ethical dilemmas, or problem-solving tasks.
Unlike traditional panel interviews, MMIs offer a fairer, more structured assessment—giving every candidate an opportunity to showcase their strengths.
How the MMI Works for NUS & NTU Medicine
🔹 NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (FSA - Focused Skills Assessment)
📌 Duration: 90-120 minutes
📌 Number of Stations: 5-7
📌 Assessment Areas: Aptitude for medicine, values alignment, soft skills
NUS Medicine FSA Stations May Include:
✔ Role Play: Interacting with an actor while being observed
✔ Task-Based Challenge: Completing specific tasks within a given timeframe
✔ Group Activity: Collaborating with other candidates on a task
✔ Interview Station: Discussing motivation, ethical dilemmas, or problem-solving
💡 Key Insight: The FSA is essentially an MMI with a different name. No academic or medical knowledge is tested.
🔹 NTU Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (MMI)
📌 Duration: 2 hours
📌 Number of Stations: 8 one-on-one interviews (5 minutes each)
📌 Assessment Areas: Understanding of medicine, ethics, science interest, empathy
💡 Key Insight: All NTU MMI stations are individual, without group discussions. Questions focus on your suitability for medicine, ethical reasoning, and interpersonal skills.
Common MMI Station Types & Sample Questions
💡 Note: Due to confidentiality agreements, we cannot disclose actual NUS or NTU MMI questions. However, these sample questions from international medical school MMIs can help you prepare.
1️⃣ Role-Play & Communication Scenarios
🎭 Scenario: You must communicate difficult or sensitive information.
✅ Example Questions:
You must inform a neighbor that their pet has passed away.
You are a team captain and need to tell a player they didn’t make the team.
You must explain to a friend why you’re canceling a long-awaited trip.
💡 Key Tip: Stay empathetic, professional, and clear in your communication.
2️⃣ Ethical Dilemma & Professional Judgement
⚖️ Scenario: You must navigate complex moral or ethical issues.
✅ Example Questions:
A 14-year-old requests birth control pills from a GP. What ethical issues arise?
A patient confesses they have HIV but haven’t told their spouse. What should you do?
You see a fellow medical student stealing equipment to "practice their skills." How do you respond?
💡 Key Tip: Use the 4 pillars of medical ethics in your responses:
🔹 Autonomy (Patient’s rights)
🔹 Beneficence (Doing good)
🔹 Non-maleficence (Do no harm)
🔹 Justice (Fairness & equality in healthcare)
3️⃣ Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking
🧠 Scenario: You must make logical, well-reasoned decisions under pressure.
✅ Example Questions:
You are in a survival situation. Choose five essential items and explain why.
A nuclear disaster occurs. You must select five people to save based on limited information.
You’re in charge of disaster response. Prioritize your team’s actions in an emergency.
💡 Key Tip: Demonstrate rational thinking, leadership, and decisiveness.
4️⃣ Giving Instructions & Explaining Concepts
📢 Scenario: You must guide someone through a task clearly and effectively.
✅ Example Questions:
Explain how to tie a shoelace without using gestures.
Give precise directions from one place to another using a map.
Describe how to assemble a piece of furniture over the phone.
💡 Key Tip: Use structured, step-by-step explanations to ensure clarity.
5️⃣ Medical Ethics & Healthcare Issues
🏥 Scenario: You discuss current healthcare challenges or medical ethics issues.
✅ Example Questions:
What are the biggest challenges in Singapore’s healthcare system?
Discuss your views on euthanasia and end-of-life care.
Should doctors have the right to refuse treatment based on personal beliefs?
💡 Key Tip: Stay informed on Singapore’s healthcare policies and ethical dilemmas in medicine.
How to Prepare for the MMI (NUS & NTU)
🎯 Step 1: Know Your Personal Statement & Portfolio
✅ Be ready to discuss your motivation for medicine, work experiences, and values.
🎯 Step 2: Practise Common MMI Questions
✅ Use mock interviews to practice structuring responses clearly and answering under pressure.
🎯 Step 3: Master Medical Ethics & Professionalism
✅ Read up on Singapore’s healthcare system, medical ethics, and case studies.
🎯 Step 4: Develop Strong Communication Skills
✅ Record yourself answering questions to refine your delivery.
🎯 Step 5: Improve Your Problem-Solving Ability
✅ Practise prioritization exercises, data interpretation, and logical reasoning.
Why MCC Global Education?
At MCC Global Education, we help students maximize their chances of getting into NUS & NTU Medicine through:
✔️ Mock MMI Interviews with real-time feedback
✔️ Personalized coaching for admissions & interview preparation
✔️ Medical ethics & healthcare workshops
✔️ Strategic guidance for writing a winning personal statement
🚀 Secure your spot in Singapore’s top medical schools with expert coaching!
📩 Book a FREE consultation with us today!
📧 Email: admin@mccglobaleducation.com
📱 WhatsApp: +65 81812406
🌐 Visit: www.mccglobaleducation.com
