Top 21 Med School Interview Questions In 2024 [With Answers]

It is no wonder that medicine is the most sought-after profession in this world and doctors are treated and considered next to god. Our world has faced and experienced so many medical emergencies and similar situations, which has further enhanced the importance and stature of medical workers. This is the primary reason that such professionals enjoy a high salary, lucrative incentives, and at the same time a strict and tough competition for the openings/vacancies. A person aspiring to get a job or even become a medical professional has to pass and undergo a tough routine or schedule.

On average one out of five vacancies are rejected by prominent medical schools and if you have got a chance to appear in an interview process treat it as an opportunity and try to seize it with proper and sincere preparation.

21 Best Interview Questions To Study

1) What Are The Different Stages Of Animal Tissues?

This question tests your knowledge and understanding of the core principles of biology and tissues.

Sample Answer

Sir, there are 5 stages of animal tissues, which are:

• Cells: The smallest unit of the body
• Tissues: Collection of cells
• Organ: Collection of tissues
• Organ system: Collection of organs
• Organism: Collection of several organ systems

2) Explain The Two Types Of Glands?

This question is related to the core principles of biology, which must be at your fingertips, so as to excel in an interview session organized by a med school.

Sample Answer

Sure sir. The two types of glands found in humans are:

Name of gland	Features	Examples
Exocrine Glands	These types of glands have special ducts attached to them. These glands produce and leave their secretions or juices into this duct. The secretion so released will reach an organ through these ducts.	Salivary glands, Mammary glands, etc.
Endocrine Glands	These types of glands do not have any duct attached with them and hence they release their secretions directly into the bloodstream. These are also known as ductless glands.	Pancreas

3) Explain The Body Of A Neuron and Its Transmission Methodology?

This question tests your knowledge of the tissues and their cells.

Sample Answer

Sure sir. Neurons are the cells of the nervous tissues which are commonly found in the brain and the spinal cord. The cell body of a neuron can be divided into three parts, which are, Dendrites, Cell body, and Axon. The primary purpose of neurons is the transmission of messages towards the brain as well as from the brain. In order to do so, neurons follow the procedure of diffusion of neurotransmitters. One neuron is attached and connected with another neuron using a junction, known as a synapse. The message is passed from one neuron to another, through the diffusion of neuro-transmitters.

4) Name And Explain In Brief The Four Types of Tissues Usually Found In Human Beings?

This question tests your knowledge and understanding of the various types of tissues.

Sample Answer

Yes sir, The four types of tissues found in human beings are:

Name of the tissue	Features	Example
Epithelial Tissue	This type of tissue provides a tight covering to our organs and stores fat, so as to contribute towards homeostasis.	Skin
Connective Tissue	This type of tissue holds the other tissues together and is surrounded by non-living materials.	Blood
Muscle Tissue	It refers to the tissues found in the muscles.	Muscles in and around bones
Nervous Tissue	These tissues are found in the spinal cord and brain. These tissues help in the transmission of messages and for this purpose ions flow in and out of them.	Brain

5) Explain The Functioning Of the Heart?

This is a conceptual question that would test your knowledge and understanding in relation to the heart and its functioning.

Sample Answer

The heart found in human beings is four-chambered and consists of:

• Right Atrium, consisting of tricuspid valves
• Right Ventricle, attached to pulmonary artery
• Left Atrium, consisting of mitral valves
• Left Ventricle, attched to Aaorta

The functioning of the heart could be understood in the following manner:

• Initially, the deoxygenated blood from our entire body reaches the right atrium/auricle, where the superior vena cava and the inferior vena cava carry deoxygenated blood from the upper body and lower body respectively.
• Post this, high pressure is created in the right atrium, which forces the tricuspid valves to open and enable the flow of blood into the right ventricle.
• The blood-filled in the right ventricle is carried towards the lungs through the pulmonary artery.
• Lungs add oxygen to this blood and this oxygenated blood is now carried towards the left atrium via the pulmonary vein.
• The left atrium consists of bicuspid valves or mitral vales which gets opened due to creation of a high pressure and enables the blood to flow downwards towards the left ventricle.
• The left ventricles are attached with the largest artery found in human body, that is, the aaorta, which carries the oxygenated blood to the whole body.

6) How Many Chambers Does The Heart Of A Cockroach and Fish Consist Of?

This question tests your knowledge in relation to animal structures and their organs.

Sample Answer

Sir, Human beings have a four-chambered heart, however, a cockroach has a thirteen-chambered heart, whereas a fish has two-chambered heart.

7) Name And Explain The Three Types Of Muscles Found In Human Body?

This question tests your knowledge and understanding of the anatomy and exterior structure of the human body.

Sample Answer

Sure sir. The three types of muscles found in the human body are:

Name of the muscles	Features	Found In
Skeletal Muscles	These muscles are also known as striated or voluntary muscles. These muscles are attached to the bones through tendons and we can use them voluntarily.	In and around Bones
Cardiac Muscles	These muscles are involuntary and help in the proper functioning of the heart. These muscles work 24 hours and 7 days, but they never get fatigued, as these muscles do no produce any lactic acid.	Wall of the heart
Smooth Muscles	These muscles are found in the excretory organs of our body and consist of myofibrils so as to enable proper absorption as well as excretion of the food.	Intestines and Stomach

8) What Are The Medical Names Of The Red Blood Cells and The White Blood Cells?

This question tests your hold and grip on various medical terminologies.

Sample Answer

Sir these are:

• Red Blood Cells = Erythrocytes
• White Blood Cells = Leukocytes

9) Please Tell the Average Heartbeat, Blood Pressure and Time Taken By One Cardiac Cycle To Complete?

This question tests your knowledge and understanding of the basic readings and measures related to the human body.

Sample Answer

Sure sir. These are:

• Average Heart Rate: 72 beats per minute
• Normal Blood pressure: 80mm (systolic) – 120mm (diastolic)
• Time Taken by One Cardiac Cycle: 0.8 seconds

10) Explain The Functions Of Arteries and Veins In Human Body Along With The Exceptions If Any?

This question tests your knowledge and understanding of the blood vessels.

Sample Answer

Sir, arteries are designated with the role of carrying pure or oxygenated blood from the heart to the whole body. However, the pulmonary artery is the only artery that carries deoxygenated blood. Similarly, veins are tasked to carry oxygenated blood, from the body towards the heart, with the pulmonary vein being the only exception.

11) Plasma Is An Impotant Part Of The Blood. Explain Its Composition In Brief.

This question tests your knowledge and understanding of the connective tissues.

Sample Answer

Sir, blood, that flows in the human body is primarily composed of Plasma (55%) and Hematocrit (45%). The plasma portion of the blood can be divided into three parts, which are:

• Water: More than 90% of plasma is composed of water
• Electrolytes, Minerals, Nutrients, Hormones and Enzymes: All these items acccount for less then 2% of the total composition.
• Protien: Usually, 60 to 80 grms of protiens is contained in per litre of plasma. This portion can be further classfied into the following:
  • Albumin: Maintains blood pressure, also known as colloid osmotic pressure.
  • Globulin: Maintains immunity
  • Fibrinogen: Helps in coagulation and anti-coagulation of blood and acts as a clotting factor.

12) Which Type Of The White Blood Cells Is Dominantly Present In Blood?

This question tests your knowledge and understanding of the various types of cells and human blood.

Sample Answer

Sir, Neutrophil is the most dominant type of white blood cell and is approximately 50% to 70% of the total composition. After neutrophil, lymphocytes are majorly present in the white blood cells and their percentage is approximately 20% – 40% of the total composition.

13) Explain The Role Of Monocytes In Human Body?

This question tests your knowledge and understanding of the various types of cells and human blood.

Sample Answer

Sir, monocytes are passive types of white blood cells found in the human blood. Their primary and only purpose is to perform phagocytosis. Whenever a foreign object or body enters into our human system, monocytes, surround the foreign organism and eat it out, which is eventually flushed out through our excretory system. These are also known as soldiers of our bodies.

14) Blood Poured In A Test Tube Gets Coagulated, However, It Is Not Coagulated Inside Our Human Body. Explain The Rationale.

This question tests your knowledge and understanding of human blood.

Sample Answer

Sir, this is due to the presence of an anti-clotting factor inside our blood, which is known as Heparin. It does not allow the blood to coagulate inside our human body.

15) Explain the Clot Process?

This question tests your knowledge and understanding of the clotting factors and their working procedure.

Sample Answer

Sure sir. A clot process depends upon the 13 clot factors, which help in preparing a clot at the wounded site. A clot can be made in the following manner:

Name of the product	Participants
Thrombin	Prothrombin + Thromboplastin + Calcium
Fibrin	Thrombin + Fibrinogen
Clot	Fibrin + Platelets

16) Name The Process Of Breaking Down Of Amino Acids.

This question tests your basic biology.

Sample Answer

Sir, this process is known as the process of deamination. Under this process, amino acids are broken down into less toxic urea.

17) Name and Explain The Three Types Of Bone Cells?

This question tests your knowledge and understanding of the skeletal system.

Sample Answer

The three types of bone cells. having different functions in the human body are:

• Osteocytes: These are the mature bone cells
• Osteoblasts: These cells help in the formation of new bones
• Osteoclast: These cells destroy the existing bones

Our body experiences constant and consistent modeling and hence we need both osteoblasts as well as osteoclast cells.

18) Why You Chose Our Medical School?

This is a common interview question through which an interviewer wants to your level of seriousness and commitment towards the organization you have applied at.

Sample Answer

Being several decades-old medical school, with branches spread all over the country, this esteemed institution is serving more than 50,000 students. Almost all the students and pass-outs of this school get placed at prominent hospitals and medical institutions which further adds to the reputation of this prestigious college. I wish to be an alumnus of this college and aspire to call it my alma mater.

19) What Is Your Biggest Fear?

This is a trending interview question that helps an interviewer assess and evaluate your character and temperament. This question in no way demands your weaknesses, rather your genuine fears, which could be emotional as well as physical. Just be genuine while responding to this question and try to avoid generic answers.

Sample Answer

Sir, it would be too naive of me to say that I am not afraid of anything in this world. Height, and snakes, are no more daunting for me, however, I am really afraid and scared of not trying. There are always situations and circumstances when you try to perform and achieve something with all your heart, passion, and zeal, but still, you fail and are not able to get the desired results. This limits people as they get hurt and just stop trying. I am thoroughly and completely against it and I fear to ever imbibe such a creepy feeling.

20) Why Should We Select You As Our Student?

This is a common interview question and just another variety or way of asking about your strengths. It is necessary that you answer this question in a prepared and serious manner, as this question reveals a lot about your personality and approach.

Sample Answer

Sir, it is no wonder and special to say that, I have got a stronghold on biology, botany, and the entire human body, which is quite evident from my academic performance. I with the greatest strength at my command, want to express that I have a superior determination and passion to become a doctor, and being a determined and committed student, I believe, I would be able to become one, provided I get an opportunity at a prominent institution like yours. When selected, I could be another name on your long list of successful alumni.

21) Do You Have Any Questions For Us?

It is a common habit for interviews to ask this question at the fag end of an interview session. They conclude an interview session using this question which gives an opportunity to the candidates to ask a few questions from the interviewer in relation to the organization, its work profile, the working culture, and ethics, etc. Skipping this question can prove to be detrimental for your selection chances as it would be deemed that you are either an underprepared candidate or simply not serious enough for this opening.

Sample Questions

1. What are the various policies and schemes inteoduced by the organization for the welfare of its students?
2. Please share the school timings and the procedures for obtaining an emergency leave.
3. Do you have latest and modern equipment so as to teach medicine?
4. How many practical asssignments and lab sessions are assigned in a week to its students by the med school?
5. Please explain the passing criteria and minimum marks required to be obtained.

Download the list of questions in .PDF format, to practice with them later, or to use them on your interview template (for Med School interviews):

References

1. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12909-021-02712-w
2. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/6/3058