The interview question bank

An acting station: you talk to an actor as if the situation were real.

• Role-playIntermediate·MMI station · MD, DO, PA, Nursing, Residency

  Role-play: A patient's daughter, played by an actor, is angry that her mother has waited four hours in the emergency department. Talk with her.

  Communication · Empathy

  Practice this question now
  Show sample answerHide sample answer

  Sample answer outline

  1. 1Introduce yourself, sit down if you can, and let her finish. Don't defend the hospital yet.
  2. 2Name the emotion and apologize for the wait: "Four hours is a long time when you're worried about your mom."
  3. 3Ask what worries her most and whether her mother's condition has changed.
  4. 4Explain what you can, honestly: how triage works, without blaming staff.
  5. 5Agree on a next step: you'll check on her mother's status and come back with an update.

  What makes it work

  • Talking to the actor, not about them, is what role-play stations score.
  • Empathy first, information second, action last.

  Avoid

  • Narrating what you would do instead of doing it.
  • Promising a time you can't guarantee.

  Open the question page

• Role-playIntermediate·MMI station · MD, DO, PA, Nursing, Residency

  Role-play: Your patient, played by an actor, refuses a procedure you have recommended. Talk with them.

  Autonomy and consent · Communication · Empathy

  Practice this question now
  How to approach itHide

  How to approach role-play questions

  1. 1Talk to the actor directly, as if it were real. Don't narrate what you would do.
  2. 2Introduce yourself and find out what they know and feel before giving information.
  3. 3Name emotions out loud, then share information in small pieces.
  4. 4Agree on a next step before time runs out.

  We haven't written a sample answer for this one yet. Practice it out loud and the AI interviewer gives you feedback on your own answer.

  Open the question page