Test taken: Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT)
Number of interviews: 5
Time between interviews: Around 1-2 hours
Length of interviews: 20-30 minutes each
Online interview: No

In my first interview we spoke mostly about the methodologies associated with scientific research. The tutor asked me lots of short questions which gradually led me towards showing what the most important aspects of research in medicine are. However, I also got a few questions which involved explaining some graphs and there was a stereotypical ‘wacky’, out-of-the-box question at the end! In my second interview I was given about 5 or 6 graphs and diagrams to speak about, and I had to suggest trends, draw flow schemes and draw extra information onto the graphs. My third interview was once again about providing explanations for a medical phenomenon, but I was also asked about my motivation, why I had chosen Oxford and about my work experience. In my fourth interview, we spent almost the entire time working through a very long maths problem (which was once again related to scientific methods in research!) and I was asked to draw several graphs. This was the only interview where I was asked about my personal statement, and even then there was only one short question. My final interview tested me on my knowledge of a common disease with the aid of physical tools to help me explain, and I had to work through a scenario and find the reason why a patient had fallen ill based on his activity over the last few days.

I revised my A-Level and GCSE notes but don’t worry about things that you haven’t covered yet in the A-Level specification- the tutors were really understanding when I said I hadn’t learnt something yet. I also ensured that I had a really basic understanding of what all of the major organs did, and I tried to broaden my knowledge of the history of medicine. I did lots of further reading into my areas of interest from my personal statement, using podcasts, articles, books, youtube videos, the BMA and documentaries to give me a really varied and balanced insight into the issues that interested me the most. I read the BBC health news articles every week and I practised interpreting and drawing graphs, because the interviews can be quite ‘application of science’ based. Mostly I read every interview question that I could find in interview books and on the internet!

I mostly used Medify to prepare for my BMAT - it gave me estimates of what my actual scores would be, which helped to identify my weak sections. I also asked a Biology teacher at my school to discuss some of the trickier medical ethics essay topics with me, to develop my breadth of knowledge and to give me alternative viewpoints. The biggest help is to do the entirety of each section in one go with a timer to make sure that you can work up to getting every question done in the allotted time. Even during your very first section, time yourself so that you get into the habit of working quickly!

I now understand that the interviewers are looking for someone that they will enjoy having in their tutorials- so smile and show that you enjoy being challenged! It’s even ok to make a joke or two during the small talk at the beginning or end of the interview. Show even when you have little understanding of a topic that you can apply your current knowledge and throw out any answer that comes to mind, even if it seems bizarre. I found that I was constantly being pushed until I had no more answers, so try to give as many as you can! For every question work from the bottom up, starting with the most basic knowledge that you have even if it seems too simple - show that you think in a way that is both logical but also creative. But most of all try to enjoy this unique experience!