Last-Minute MMI Confidence Boosters: The Exact 7-Day Crash Plan for your Interviews

It's December, the interview invites are dropping into inboxes, and a few nerves are completely normal – in fact, they're a sign you care deeply about this. But take a breath: the students who thrive in MMIs aren't the naturally fearless ones; they're the ones who prepare intelligently and consistently. Here at ProjectDoctor, we've guided hundreds through this exact stage, and we've seen time and again how a focused week can transform anxiety into quiet assurance.

This isn't about overwhelming yourself with endless reading. It's a streamlined, proven 7-day plan that builds genuine confidence. You're part of an elite community that prepares like this – and it works.

Day 1–2: Build Your Foundation

Start with two full timed circuits (grab our free high-yield practice set if you haven't already). Record yourself on your phone – yes, it's cringe at first, but it's gold. Play it back and note any filler words ("um", "like", "sort of"). Ruthlessly cut them. Speak slower than feels natural; it comes across as calm and thoughtful. First watch your video with the audio off- look for body language, positioning and eye contact. Then listen to it without video- look out for intonation or waffling. This is a golden exercise and shows you're actively reflecting and refining your technique: a valuable skill for future doctors.

Day 3: Master Role-Play Stations

Ahh the joys of role plays. The most feared station, often the worst scoring station- spend some time perfecting your technique and demeanour and this station can become your friend. Focus on breaking bad news and handling angry relatives or patients. Practise aloud in front of a mirror or a family member acting the part. Slow your pacing, pause after tough lines, and lead with empathy: "This must be incredibly difficult to hear." Opening empathy statements, clear introduction/confirming patient ID as well as confident eye contact and reassuring tone/body language go a long way.

Day 4: Refresh Hot Topics

Dedicate time to the big NHS issues: junior doctor strikes, physician associates, winter pressures, waitlists, MedTech and AI. Read one reliable article on each and jot down three balanced points. Show nuanced understanding, medicine isn't as black and white as you think – acknowledge pay erosion but prioritise patient safety.

Day 5: Nail Ethics

Run through core dilemmas like treatment refusal or confidentiality. Use our simple framework: acknowledge emotion, state the principle, reference GMC guidance, balance the four pillars, suggest practical steps. Empathy always comes first.

Day 6: Perfect Data and Communication

Take a graph or statistic and explain it to a non-medical family member as if they're a patient. Chunk information, avoid jargon, and always check: "Does that make sense?" or "What matters most to you here?" Use summarising to your benefit here.

Day 7 (The Night Before):

Light review only – no new material. Lay out your outfit (smart, comfortable – think business casual). Get an early night. In the morning, try the 4-7-8 breathing technique: inhale for 4, hold for 7, exhale for 8. It calms everything.

On the day, remember: interviewers are rooting for you to shine. You've done the work. You're ready. This community has your back – walk in knowing you're exactly where you need to be.

We're with you every step of the way. Stage fright, genuine confusion, burnt out? Drop us an email, we're here to help you.