MMI Prep Tips

10/28/2026

By Julie Cunningham, MA, CCC-SLP, licensed speech-language pathologist

Short answer: the best MMI prep is timed practice out loud. Use two minutes to read a prompt and plan, then answer for several minutes while a partner asks follow-up questions. Practice an organized way to think through scenarios, and work on your pace, your voice, and a quick reset between stations.

I coach applicants for MMIs on Zoom, with timed practice stations and feedback on how they sound. This guide covers how to practice for the MMI interview.

What the MMI Is Like

According to the AAMC:

  • The MMI is a series of 6 to 10 interview stations.
  • Each station starts with a two-minute prep period, and the conversation lasts five to eight minutes.
  • The whole interview can take nearly two hours.
  • Stations can include ethical scenarios, teamwork tasks, and scenarios with an actor or a standardized patient.

Formats vary by school, and some MMIs are held online, so check each school's instructions. For the format, station types, and sample prompts from schools, see this MMI interview guide.

How to Practice

  1. Practice out loud, under time. Set a timer for two minutes to read and plan, then answer. The AAMC's advice is to practice expressing yourself articulately and logically in a timed environment.
  2. Use a simple framework for scenarios. Name the issue, say who is affected, consider two or three options, then say what you would do and why. A framework keeps you organized when you're nervous.
  3. Practice with a partner. Ask a friend, mentor, or coach to read the prompt, listen, and ask follow-up questions. Follow-ups show whether you can think on your feet, so practice them on purpose.
  4. Record yourself. Watch one answer back and check your pace, your filler words, and whether your main point is clear in the first 30 seconds.
  5. Practice role-play stations. Speak to the actor the way you would speak to a real person: calm voice, short sentences, and words that show you're listening.
  6. Do a full mock MMI. At least once, practice several stations in a row, so you learn to reset between them.

How to Use the Two Minutes Before Each Station

  • Read the prompt twice. Find the question you're actually being asked.
  • Decide your main point or recommendation.
  • Pick two or three things to mention.
  • Plan your first sentence, so you start clearly.

Speaking Tips for Every Station

  • Start slowly. Your first sentence sets the pace for the rest.
  • Think out loud in order. If a prompt is hard, it's fine to share your thought process step by step. The AAMC mentions this too.
  • Pause instead of filling silence. A short pause sounds more thoughtful than "um." See how to stop overusing filler words.
  • Keep your voice steady. Breathe low and speak on the exhale, especially at the end of a long day of stations.
  • Finish with your point. End each answer by coming back to what you would do and why.

Reset Between Stations

A station that went badly doesn't decide the next one. Take one slow breath as you move on, and give the next prompt your full attention. My guide on how to calm your nerves before an interview has more on this.

Virtual MMIs

For a virtual MMI, set your camera at eye level, look at the lens when you make your key points, and speak a little slower than you would in person. See my Zoom interview tips.

Practice With Feedback

In admissions interview coaching, we run timed MMI stations on Zoom, including follow-up questions and role-play, and I give you specific feedback on your organization, voice, and pace. Coaching is $250 an hour, and the Planning Session is free.

See interview coaching

Common Questions

How many stations are in an MMI?

The AAMC describes the MMI as a series of 6 to 10 interview stations. The exact number depends on the school.

How long is each MMI station?

According to the AAMC, each mini interview includes a two-minute prep period, and the conversation lasts five to eight minutes. The whole MMI can take nearly two hours.

What is the best way to prepare for the MMI?

Practice answering out loud in a timed setting, with someone who asks follow-up questions and gives you feedback. The AAMC says the best way to prepare is to practice expressing yourself articulately and logically in a timed environment.

What should I do if I don't know what to say at an MMI station?

Take a breath and start by sharing your thought process: what the issue is, who is affected, and what you would consider. Thinking out loud in an organized way is better than a long silence or a rushed answer.



Go Back