Japsimar- Japsimar
Brighton and Sussex University Interview Questions
About Brighton and Sussex Medical School
Brighton and Sussex Medical school is known for its dedicated clinical teaching and high student satisfaction.
BSMS combines proven, traditional methods with the latest innovations in teaching and research.
The quality of teaching is reflected in their consistent position among the top medical schools in the country. They prepare you to enter the ever-changing and developing world of healthcare and flourish. The course helps students develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to be a successful doctor.
INTERVIEW
MMI or Panel?
MMI
Interview format
The BSMS Interview is a 5 station MMI, with each station lasting for 9 minutes each plus 1 minute preparation time.
What to expect on interview day?
Interviews and other activities take place throughout the day and may run as late as 6pm. Dates offered for the interview are fixed and cannot be changed.
The initial welcome talk gave details of the course at BSMS, the interview process, the offer process and other information about the day.
If Covid-19 restrictions are still in place, admissions days will take place remotely via Zoom. Applicants will move from each breakout room in turn, until they have completed a
full circuit – this will take roughly one hour
Interview scoring system
At the end of the circuit the scores for each individual applicant will be collated and applicants will receive a global score for the MMI, which will then be used to offer places to candidates.
BSMS will assess each element of a discussion as either Excellent, Good, Average
or Inadequate, before issuing a mark out of 10. After the five discussions, the
candidate will then receive a global score out of 50 (combining their five marks out
of 10).
Successful candidates must score at least a ‘good’ at each station. Candidates are assessed on the following during the interview:
An understanding of the role of a doctor, the NHS, patients’ view, and multi-cultural society.
Personal qualities such as their commitment to studying medicine, analytical skills, conscientious, empathic, caring, resilient, ethical, team player and potential leader, good communicator, etc.)
Interest and enthusiasm, an enquiring and critical mind, and evidence of independent and self-directed learning
The range of extracurricular activities they have undertaken including an interest in arts, culture, and current affairs.
Interview months
BSMS interviews are held throughout December and January.
Examiner review
The stations feel like small discussions, not a quiz or test.
What to expect after the interview?
In 2019-20, candidates who received a score of 44 or above were called on the day to be made an offer, while candidates who scored below this would receive their offer in the subsequent weeks.
MMI results will be considered by the admissions board, with decisions being made from January until April 2022.
Interview tips
Visit the BSMS website for the interview format and what to expect on the day.
Focus heavily on the ethics of medicine.
Thoroughly read the core values and attributes document available on the website.
Write down and reflect on a few relevant experiences you have had.
Make sure you’re clued up on the six Cs and NHS Hot Topics for a month before the interview.
The quality of your answer is determined by the examiner's understanding of the answer so be coherent, fluent and structural in your speech.
Practice questions with friends and family.
Example interview questions
Motivation
Why medicine, or why would you like to be a doctor?
Why BSMS?
Values and skills
How do you demonstrate resilience and the ability to deal with difficult situations
Work experience
What, in particular, has stood out in your work experience?
What has your work experience allowed you to learn?
NHS
How is patient safety improved and how can it be compromised? How are safety standards assessed in hospitals?
How could you improve the NHS?
What is the biggest problem of the NHS?
What problems would you see daily as a GP working in Brighton?
What are the NHS values and why are they important?