Answer structures that work

Pick the shape before you speak

Examiners mark while you talk, so make your answer easy to follow. The Medical Schools Council's mock MMI guide (2019) asks interviewers whether an answer has "a logical structure, with discernible reasoning" or rambles. Imperial tells applicants to think before answering and to have a structure where appropriate. Four shapes cover almost everything:

• "Tell me about a time…": STARR (situation, task, action, result, reflection).
• "Why…?" or "What is your greatest strength?": claim, example, reflection.
• "Should…?", "What do you think about…?" and ethics: both sides, then a line.
• A role play with an actor: open, explore, empathise, explain, close.
• Signpost the shape in one breath: "There are two sides to this, and I'll finish with where I stand."
• Aim for one to two minutes, then stop and let them follow up. Stations are timed: Imperial gives you 5 minutes per station.

STARR for experience questions

Use STARR whenever you are asked about something you did. Keep situation and task short. Most marks sit in action and reflection, because that is where the examiner sees you.

• Situation and task, about 15 seconds: "In Year 12 I captained our netball team, and we kept losing the last quarter."
• Action, about 45 seconds: two or three things you did. Say "I", not "we": "I asked each player what was going wrong."
• Result, one line: what changed. "We won four of our last six games."
• Reflection, about 20 seconds: what you learned and do differently now. "I listen before I suggest a fix."

Claim, example, reflection

Use this for motivation and qualities questions. Make one claim, prove it with one specific example, then say what it shows or taught you. The Medical Schools Council advises preparing examples from work, volunteering, school and social activities. Here it is for "What is your greatest strength?":

• Claim: "I stay calm and organised when plans fall apart."
• Example: "When our Duke of Edinburgh group got lost, I got us to stop, check the map and agree one route."
• Reflection: "I learned that calm spreads. I imagine that matters on a busy ward too."
• The example does the work. One moment told well beats three qualities listed.

Both sides, then a line

Use this for opinions, debates, hot topics and ethics. Often there is no single right answer; the Medical Schools Council's sample stations ask candidates to weigh pros and cons. What scores is fair reasoning and a clear conclusion. Imperial says you can change your mind mid-answer, as long as you explain your thinking.

• Frame it: "This comes down to fairness against wasted appointments."
• Give the strongest case for, then the strongest case against, each with a reason. No straw men.
• Land your line: "On balance I think…, because…" Then say what would change your mind.
• In ethics, the line must also be safe: involve senior colleagues and follow the law. The Ethics module adds those steps.

The role-play arc

With an actor, follow the conversation's natural shape. It mirrors the Calgary-Cambridge guide, a widely taught consultation model. The Role Play module expands it into six steps: introduce, explore, empathise, explain or act, check understanding, plan and close.

• Open: who you are and why you are here. "Hi, I'm Sam. Is now a good time to talk?"
• Explore: one open question, then listen. "What's worrying you most?"
• Empathise: name the feeling, then pause. "It sounds like the waiting has been really stressful."
• Explain: plain words in small chunks, checking they have understood.
• Close: agree a next step together, summarise and ask if anything is missing.

How this comes up on the day

• "Tell me about a time you worked in a team." — STARR, with most of your time on your own actions and what you learned.
• "What is your greatest strength?" — claim, one specific example, then why it matters for medicine.
• "Should the NHS charge patients who miss appointments?" — both sides, then a line, plus what would change your mind.
• "You broke a camera you borrowed from a friend. Tell them." — open, explore, empathise, explain, close.
• "Can you say more about that?" — add one new idea or example; do not repeat the same point louder.

The words to use

STARR

Situation, task, action, result, reflection: the structure for questions about something you did. Keep the first two short; spend most time on action and reflection.

Claim, example, reflection

A three-step answer for motivation and qualities questions: make a point, prove it with one specific example, then say what it shows or taught you.

Both sides, then a line

The structure for opinions, debates, hot topics and ethics: the strongest case for, the strongest case against, then a clear conclusion with your reason.

Role-play arc

Open, explore, empathise, explain, close: the shape of a conversation with an actor. The Role Play module breaks it into six steps.

Signposting

Telling the examiner the shape of your answer before you give it, such as "There are two sides to this."

Model answer