Medical School Interview: Tips on Reducing with Exam Stress

Research shows that most students suffer from exam stress. While some degree of stress can drive us to work harder, when the level rises, it could lead to negative consequences like depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. While the medical school interview preparation can be quite exhausting, students should take care of their mental and physical health during this time to ensure that they perform well in the exam.
Here are some tips on dealing with exam stress.

1. Eat Healthy and Exercise
One of the most important things that students ignore during exams is to stay fit and healthy. Eating light and healthy food and drinking lots of water and fresh juices will energise you and also save a lot of energy that would otherwise go into digesting junk and fried foods. Regular exercise is a great way to lower stress since it leads to the release of endorphins, which is the feel-good hormone. This will also help you to study for long hours.

2. Avoid Distractions
Keeping aside your smartphone and limiting the time you spend on social media might not seem important, but it will save you a lot of time that you can then invest in your medical interview training. Moreover, discussing your exam anxiety with your friends and chatting with them for hours might not help you at all. Each time the phone rings, it will distract you from your studies.

3. Learn to Manage Your Time
If you prioritise your time, divide up the topics and practice medical school interview questions, you will automatically feel confident. Make a timetable, include your nap and break times, and stick to this schedule. You will notice that sticking to your timetable will help you cover your syllabus on time and will definitely reduce exam stress.

4. Take Breaks
Preparing for the questions asked in the medical school interview is very important. However, studying for long hours without a break will only tire your eyes and your brain. Take 10-15 minutes to break after every two hours or so. Listen to some soothing music, meditate or do something that you love.

5. Get Proper Sleep
Research has proven that sound sleep is crucial for the healthy functioning of our body and mind. When you study for long hours and don’t sleep properly, stress levels automatically increase. Keeping to a sleep routine and taking a short power-nap in the afternoon will help you reduce exam stress.
Make sure you also enrol in a trusted medical school interview course, like that offered by iCanMed, where you can get help from experts who have vast experience in training students to crack the UCAT exam.

Tips on Answering the UCAT Interview Questions with Confidence

The old adage, “the first impression is the last impression,” is definitely true for all types of interview situations, whether it is for admission into a medical college or for being hired for a job. The key to making a good first impression is to appear confident. Here are some tips to help you answer the UCAT interview questions with confidence.

1.    Prepare to answer the common interview questions

In all your interviews, be it for UCAT or a job interview, you will be asked certain basic questions about your interests, personality and goals. Preparing appropriate responses for these questions is, therefore, a good idea. Be creative and make sure you communicate your point of view clearly to the interviewer. Go through the UCAT practice interview questions carefully to gain a better understanding.

2.    Showcase your strengths and achievements

It is important to realise that if you have reached the UCAT interview stage, you must have the required knowledge and skills. Now, you need to show these skills and your commitment to the course. You can check out UCAT practice books and improve your communication skills and confidence for this.

3.    Be honest

One of the most important characteristics that interviewers look for in a candidate is honesty. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know the perfect answer or don’t agree with the interviewer’s opinion. What matters is that you stay honest and you take a stand (albeit politely) for what you believe in.

4.    Be a good listener

The key to good communication is to listen. Only by listening carefully will you be able to understand what the interviewers wish to see in you. This will help you frame your answers accordingly. Repeating or paraphrasing the questions will show that you are a good listener and are paying attention.

5.    Relax and smile while answering the questions

You might be freaking out inside. However, you must remain calm on the outside. Be humble and polite while answering the UCAT interview questions. Have a smile on your face when you enter and leave the room. Avoid any arguments or heated discussions. 

Practising UCAT example questions before the interview will build your confidence and boost your morale. You can also consider joining a reputed coaching institute like iCanMed to gain better insight into the exam and interview through free UCAT practice tests.