GAMSAT Prep for Best Shot at the Interview
http://www.uaseducation.com/articles/868/1/GAMSAT-Prep-for-Best-Shot-at-the-Interview/Page1.html
Shantanu Sikdar
With over 8 years of experience in teaching and training, I have done extensive work in designing assessment tests and creating test content for a great variety of competitive exams. I am helping GAMSAT, UKCAT, Subject GRE, LNAT aspirants to succeed in their respective exams.
By Shantanu Sikdar
Published on December 28, 2009
The above pie charts will give you a fair idea of the challenge you are about to face once you have completed the written test. The interview round is an integral part of GAMSAT and the above representations are proof enough of this fact. Once you cross the hurdle of the written GAMSAT and get a call for interview, you have more than 50% chances to get an offer from the desired college! So what do you need to do to ensure your position in your desired medical college? Read on and you will get to know all that you have wanted to know for so long.
To give you a brief look of what you will be facing on the interview day, you will have 3 people interviewing you. Generally, of the three interviewers, one is an academic, one is a medical clinician and the third one is a lay member. The interview panel constitutes of mixed genders and a suitable mix of age groups. Beware since all the interviewers are trained professionals. If you think you can pass them by faking, you are WRONG. A normal round of interview goes on for 40 minutes which is followed by a discussion round of about 20 minutes. The grade range is Grade A, which means certain to be accepted, to Grade E, which means certain not to be accepted.
Now that you have a fair idea of what you are up against, the following tips and suggestions will help you to face the interview panel.
DO’s OF GAMSAT INTERVIEW
1. Practise: Yes, even for the interview round you have to prepare from beforehand. It may sound strange but you stand in a better position if you practice for the interview session, after all it is quite difficult to convey your character to a panel of strangers in a time span of 30-45 minutes. Take the help of your friends and form a group for performing mock interview sessions. Make a list of probable questions and interact with each other. Once you express yourself in front of your friends, you will see that later on you will be able to do the same in the presence of strangers. Moreover, these practise sessions can turn out to be fun; so you will be enjoying yourself while learning.
2. Stay updated: Read the newspaper regularly and stay updated about all the current events. Watching documentaries based on contemporary issues will also help you in developing your opinions to a great extent.
3. Portray your real self: Remember that the panel knows hardly anything about you and your ambitions. All that they know is that you have met the interview selection criteria and so you are there for the interview. This is the time to prove yourself and why you deserve to be in the medical college. So, interact with the interviewers confidently and honestly.
4. Highlight your attributes: You should give the interviewers the chance to ‘want’ you, so you must portray your strengths. Show them that you can think critically. In the scenario questions, provide proper justification for your thoughts and the choices you make.
5. Maintain eye contact: It is very important to maintain eye contact with your interviewers while you are presenting your arguments as it will help the interviewers to understand your strength of character. It will also reveal your sincerity and your determination to pursue a career in medicine.
6. Show enthusiasm: Show the interviewers why you want to be a part of that medical institute. Do some research on the institution’s background, campus information and learning procedures. Your enthusiasm and background knowledge is sure to create an impression in the interviewers’ mind.
7. Dress subtly: Remember that you are going for an interview and not a lecture in college, so dress accordingly. If you are uncomfortable or do not have a power suit then you needn’t wear it! Wear something formal. Do take some time to dress on the day of the interview.
DON’Ts OF GAMSAT INTERVIEW
1. Over rehearse: In your enthusiasm to prepare for the perfect interview don’t over rehearse as it might have a reverse effect on your interviewers. Rehearsed answers seem mechanical so it is best if you try an avoid it. Moreover it makes your answers sound irrelevant to the asked question, which in turn might raise questions on your sincerity. The interviewers are trained to identify students who give rehearsed answers, so BEWARE!
2. Become nervous: Don’t feel too very worked up about your performance at the interview. Practise sincerely as it will help you to overcome your nervousness.
3. Fake: Faking is a strict no-no for all interviewees. If you are caught lying or faking then be prepared for the worst as you will never get through. Your sincerity and perseverance are the only factors that will be appreciated by the panel. “Honesty is the best policy,” so have faith in your own capabilities and walk out of the interview believing that no matter what, you were true to yourself.
4. Be confrontational: Don’t be confrontational in your attitude. This may instigate the interviewers to become more probing. Answer each question logically and put forward your views in a polite manner. Acknowledge what the interviewer has to say. At the same time, give reasons for choosing a particular option over the others.
5. Fidget: Fidgeting is another action that is totally disapproved during any kind of interview. You are sure to be in the wrong books if you are constantly scratching or tapping your feet or anything else that will distract the panel. Fidgeting is often taken as a sign of nervousness, so be very conscious of your actions when you are in front of the panel. Moreover, fidgeting also depicts lack of discipline. Now, who will want a doctor who is undisciplined?
6. Hurry in your answers: Take sometime to form your answers, it is no crime to take a few seconds to frame your argument. This will only go on to show that you have formed your arguments logically and will create a suitable impression on the interviewers. But then again, don’t just take up too much of time doing so.
7. Overconfident or hesitant: Both overconfidence and hesitance have reverse effects on the panel. Hence, it is very important to strike a balance between the two.
GAMSAT interview is the next hurdle after the written GAMSAT. What do you do to ensure your position in the world of medicine? Read on to find out.
GAMSAT Prep for Best Shot at the Interview
The above pie charts will give you a fair idea of the challenge you are about to face once you have completed the written test. The interview round is an integral part of GAMSAT and the above representations are proof enough of this fact. Once you cross the hurdle of the written GAMSAT and get a call for interview, you have more than 50% chances to get an offer from the desired college! So what do you need to do to ensure your position in your desired medical college? Read on and you will get to know all that you have wanted to know for so long.
To give you a brief look of what you will be facing on the interview day, you will have 3 people interviewing you. Generally, of the three interviewers, one is an academic, one is a medical clinician and the third one is a lay member. The interview panel constitutes of mixed genders and a suitable mix of age groups. Beware since all the interviewers are trained professionals. If you think you can pass them by faking, you are WRONG. A normal round of interview goes on for 40 minutes which is followed by a discussion round of about 20 minutes. The grade range is Grade A, which means certain to be accepted, to Grade E, which means certain not to be accepted.
Now that you have a fair idea of what you are up against, the following tips and suggestions will help you to face the interview panel.
DO’s OF GAMSAT INTERVIEW
1. Practise: Yes, even for the interview round you have to prepare from beforehand. It may sound strange but you stand in a better position if you practice for the interview session, after all it is quite difficult to convey your character to a panel of strangers in a time span of 30-45 minutes. Take the help of your friends and form a group for performing mock interview sessions. Make a list of probable questions and interact with each other. Once you express yourself in front of your friends, you will see that later on you will be able to do the same in the presence of strangers. Moreover, these practise sessions can turn out to be fun; so you will be enjoying yourself while learning.
2. Stay updated: Read the newspaper regularly and stay updated about all the current events. Watching documentaries based on contemporary issues will also help you in developing your opinions to a great extent.
3. Portray your real self: Remember that the panel knows hardly anything about you and your ambitions. All that they know is that you have met the interview selection criteria and so you are there for the interview. This is the time to prove yourself and why you deserve to be in the medical college. So, interact with the interviewers confidently and honestly.
4. Highlight your attributes: You should give the interviewers the chance to ‘want’ you, so you must portray your strengths. Show them that you can think critically. In the scenario questions, provide proper justification for your thoughts and the choices you make.
5. Maintain eye contact: It is very important to maintain eye contact with your interviewers while you are presenting your arguments as it will help the interviewers to understand your strength of character. It will also reveal your sincerity and your determination to pursue a career in medicine.
6. Show enthusiasm: Show the interviewers why you want to be a part of that medical institute. Do some research on the institution’s background, campus information and learning procedures. Your enthusiasm and background knowledge is sure to create an impression in the interviewers’ mind.
7. Dress subtly: Remember that you are going for an interview and not a lecture in college, so dress accordingly. If you are uncomfortable or do not have a power suit then you needn’t wear it! Wear something formal. Do take some time to dress on the day of the interview.
DON’Ts OF GAMSAT INTERVIEW
1. Over rehearse: In your enthusiasm to prepare for the perfect interview don’t over rehearse as it might have a reverse effect on your interviewers. Rehearsed answers seem mechanical so it is best if you try an avoid it. Moreover it makes your answers sound irrelevant to the asked question, which in turn might raise questions on your sincerity. The interviewers are trained to identify students who give rehearsed answers, so BEWARE!
2. Become nervous: Don’t feel too very worked up about your performance at the interview. Practise sincerely as it will help you to overcome your nervousness.
3. Fake: Faking is a strict no-no for all interviewees. If you are caught lying or faking then be prepared for the worst as you will never get through. Your sincerity and perseverance are the only factors that will be appreciated by the panel. “Honesty is the best policy,” so have faith in your own capabilities and walk out of the interview believing that no matter what, you were true to yourself.
4. Be confrontational: Don’t be confrontational in your attitude. This may instigate the interviewers to become more probing. Answer each question logically and put forward your views in a polite manner. Acknowledge what the interviewer has to say. At the same time, give reasons for choosing a particular option over the others.
5. Fidget: Fidgeting is another action that is totally disapproved during any kind of interview. You are sure to be in the wrong books if you are constantly scratching or tapping your feet or anything else that will distract the panel. Fidgeting is often taken as a sign of nervousness, so be very conscious of your actions when you are in front of the panel. Moreover, fidgeting also depicts lack of discipline. Now, who will want a doctor who is undisciplined?
6. Hurry in your answers: Take sometime to form your answers, it is no crime to take a few seconds to frame your argument. This will only go on to show that you have formed your arguments logically and will create a suitable impression on the interviewers. But then again, don’t just take up too much of time doing so.
7. Overconfident or hesitant: Both overconfidence and hesitance have reverse effects on the panel. Hence, it is very important to strike a balance between the two.