New Zealand Interview Guides
New Zealand Medical & Dental School Interview Guides
Per-school interview guides for Auckland and Otago — Kira Talent MMI structure, Zoom interview formats, UCAT-ANZ context, Te Tiriti obligations, MAPAS and RRAS prep tips sourced from current New Zealand medical and dental students.
1 school using MMI3 NZ schools coveredUCAT-ANZ & Te Tiriti context
New Zealand interview landscape at a glance
- Auckland MBChB — fully asynchronous MMI via Kira Talent (8 stations, 7 assessed). UCAT-ANZ weighted at 15% (2027 entry; replaced by CASPer from 2028). MAPAS and RRAS equity schemes.
- Otago MBChB — no interview for HSFY and Graduate pathways (academic rank only). Alternative Category only: 40-minute structured Zoom interview. UCAT-ANZ is a pass/fail gate only.
- Otago BDS — structured Zoom interview required for all shortlisted applicants (~350 invitations). UCAT-ANZ removed from 2025 intake onwards. New Zealand's only dental school.
- GAMSAT — not used by any New Zealand school. UCAT-ANZ (Pearson VUE / UCAT-ANZ Consortium, July window) is the relevant standardised test where required.
Browse all New Zealand schools
Medicine (2)
Dentistry (1)
New Zealand interview preparation resources
UCAT-ANZ preparation guide
The Australia / New Zealand UCAT — format, the single July window, the current subtests, and how NZ schools use scores differently from one another.
Read the guideNew Zealand medical schools guide
Full entry requirements, UCAT-ANZ thresholds, HSFY / BHSc gateway structure, MAPAS and RRAS equity schemes, and how to choose between Auckland and Otago.
Browse schoolsOtago BDS — the only NZ dental degree
Entry requirements, HSFY academic thresholds, Zoom interview preparation, and the 2025 change removing UCAT-ANZ from BDS selection.
View dental guideBook a mock interview
Live mock interview with a tutor who knows the Auckland Kira Talent MMI and Otago Zoom formats. School-specific feedback and station debriefs.
Book nowFrequently asked questions
Do New Zealand medical schools use MMI?
Only the University of Auckland uses a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) for MBChB selection — delivered asynchronously via the Kira Talent platform. The University of Otago MBChB uses no interview for its main HSFY and Graduate pathways; only the Alternative Category uses a structured 40-minute Zoom interview. Otago BDS uses a structured Zoom interview for all shortlisted applicants.
Is UCAT-ANZ required for New Zealand medical and dental school entry?
UCAT-ANZ is required for Auckland MBChB domestic applicants (2027 entry; replaced by CASPer from 2028) and for Otago MBChB HSFY and Graduate category applicants (used as a pass/fail threshold only — not weighted in ranking). UCAT-ANZ is NOT required for Otago BDS (removed from 2025 intake) or for Alternative Category applicants at Otago MBChB.
Is GAMSAT required for New Zealand medical schools?
No. GAMSAT is an Australian graduate-entry test and is not used by any New Zealand medical or dental school. New Zealand schools use UCAT-ANZ (where applicable) and academic ranking.
What is MAPAS and who is eligible?
MAPAS (Māori and Pacific Admission Scheme) is a University of Auckland FMHS equity pathway for applicants with verified New Zealand Māori or Pacific whakapapa/ancestry who are NZ citizens or permanent residents. MAPAS applicants complete both the general MMI and a separate 5-station MAPAS Specialty Interview. The University of Otago operates a different equity framework under its Te Kauae Paraoa Māori health policy.
What is the RRAS scheme at Auckland MBChB?
The Regional Rural Admission Scheme (RRAS) is an Auckland FMHS equity pathway for domestic applicants who completed 5 or more years of primary schooling, or 3 or more years of secondary schooling, at a rural or regional school classified under the Statistics NZ 2020 Urban Accessibility framework. RRAS applicants follow the same MMI process as general applicants but are ranked in a separate rural pool.
What is Otago's HSFY and how competitive is it?
Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) is a Year 1 programme at the University of Otago, Dunedin, that serves as the primary entry route to MBChB and BDS. Applicants complete 7 prescribed papers; selection is by academic ranking on the average of the best 7 paper scores. The 2026 competitive range for MBChB General pathway offers was approximately 93–99 out of 100. No interview is required for HSFY MBChB applicants; BDS HSFY applicants must also attend a Zoom interview.
How do I book a mock interview for Auckland or Otago?
You can book a live mock interview with a NextGen MedPrep tutor who has first-hand experience of the New Zealand MMI or Zoom interview formats. Use the "Book a mock interview" button on each school's interview page, or visit the interviews booking page directly.