Some students think medical school interviews are like another science exam. They cram biology and chemistry facts, expecting detailed recall questions. But that’s not what interviews are about.

✅ Yes, some awareness helps

• You should be able to talk about healthcare issues in the news.

• You might be asked to explain basic concepts in simple language.

• A general awareness of medicine and the NHS is useful.

❌ But science recall isn’t the focus

• You will not be asked to regurgitate A-level biology.

• What matters is how you think and how you communicate.

• Interviewers want to see empathy, reasoning, and professionalism, not a textbook recital.

Even in data interpretation or problem-solving stations, the key is your logical approach, not perfect recall.

🧾 What interviewers actually score

• Clarity: can you explain things simply?

• Reasoning: can you weigh up evidence fairly?

• Communication: can you get your point across without jargon?

💡 Strategies for preparation

• Read a health news summary once a week (BBC Health, NHS updates, BMJ News).

• Practise explaining a scientific idea to a friend who doesn’t study science.

• Focus on structure and reasoning over memorising facts.

✅ Key takeaways

Interviews aren’t science exams. Know the basics, stay up to date on health news, but spend most of your prep time on communication, empathy, and reasoning.