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Medical school admissions offices are increasingly integrating online video platforms like Big Interview to evaluate candidates.

These tools use artificial intelligence (AI) to assess various aspects of your recorded video interview responses. In theory, this can help medical schools evaluate you more efficiently and objectively.

At the same time, it offers a unique blend of technology and personal insight that you can use to help yourself prepare for interviews.

Here are four major categories that Big Interview focuses on, along with our expert advice on how to excel in each.

1. Pace of Speech

The pace of speech measures how many words you speak per minute, aiming for a natural and comfortable range of 115 to 180 words per minute.

Our Advice:

• Practice Regularly: Record yourself answering common medical school interview questions multiple times to get a feel for different speaking speeds. Aim to find your sweet spot within the 115-180 words per minute range.
• Be Deliberate: Speaking too quickly can make you seem nervous or unclear, while speaking too slowly might come off as unsure or unengaged. Practice speaking deliberately, allowing yourself pauses for thought without rushing.
• Use Feedback: Utilize the AI feedback from Big Interview to adjust your pace. If you consistently fall outside the ideal range, practice slowing down or speeding up as needed.

2. Answer Relevance

Answer relevance assesses how well your responses align with the question asked. Staying on topic is crucial to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively.

Our Advice:

• Understand the Question: Before you answer, take a moment to fully understand the question. If needed, rephrase it in your mind to ensure clarity.
• Stay Focused: Keep your answers concise and to the point. Avoid going off on tangents that are not directly related to the question.
• Seek Human Feedback: If the AI consistently rates your answers as irrelevant, have a friend or mentor review your responses to provide more nuanced feedback.

3. “Um” Counter

This category counts the number of filler words (e.g., "um") in your responses, aiming for a minimal number to ensure clear and confident speech.

Our Advice:

• Awareness: The first step is becoming aware of your filler words. Record your practice responses and listen for these verbal tics.
• Pause Strategically: Instead of filling pauses with filler words, practice pausing silently. This gives you a moment to collect your thoughts and speaks volumes about your confidence.
• Slow Down: Speaking too quickly often leads to more filler words. Slowing down can help you eliminate unnecessary fillers and speak more clearly.

4. Vocabulary

Vocabulary evaluates the complexity and appropriateness of your language. You want to avoid being too simplistic or overly sophisticated.

Our Advice:

• Balance Your Language: Aim for a balance where your language is professional but still accessible. Avoid jargon that might confuse the listener but also steer clear of overly simplistic language.
• Natural Voice: Use words that come naturally to you. If you try to force sophisticated vocabulary, it can come off as inauthentic. Be yourself, but make sure your language is appropriate for a professional setting.
• Practice with Feedback: Review the list of "power words" provided by Big Interview and try to incorporate those that fit naturally into your speech. Avoid using words you wouldn’t normally use in conversation.

While Big Interview is a powerful tool to help you prepare for your medical school interviews, it’s important not to rely solely on its AI feedback. Balance your preparation by incorporating human feedback to get a well-rounded perspective on your performance. Remember, practice and self-awareness are key to mastering these categories and acing your medical school interviews.

- Ryan

For more tips and detailed strategies, check out our full conversation on Big Interview features HERE.