Internal Medicine Training (IMT)
Candidate-contributed accounts of the IMT selection interview describe a clinical scenario station of roughly ten to twelve minutes — acute assessment and management, a short lay explanation to a patient or relative, and an SBAR handover — alongside an ethical scenario with about two minutes of reading time and eight minutes of structured discussion, and questions on motivation, preparation, achievements and professional values. Station order, timings and weightings vary between recruitment rounds and interview centres, so confirm the format published for your own round.
Format based on published 2026 recruitment guidance. Last checked: September 2026. This is general information, not advice about your application — always confirm details with the official source for your round.
Structure
The stations, reproduced with real timings.
The simulator keeps to these durations and moves you on when the clock runs out.
Clinical scenario
An acute medical scenario, often with ECGs, blood results, imaging or observation charts released as you go. Assess systematically, prioritise life-threatening problems, escalate early, then explain the situation in lay terms and give an SBAR handover.
Ethical scenario
A written professional dilemma with short reading time, then probing discussion: state the problem and ethical issues, consider patient safety, seek more information, reference Good Medical Practice, act within your scope, escalate, support those involved and document clearly.
Structured interview
Concise answers on why internal medicine, preparation and commitment, quality improvement, teaching, leadership, professionalism and self-awareness, with named examples and reflection.
Weighting
Where the marks sit.
Practice is weighted the same way, so your time goes where it counts.
What candidates work on here
- A rehearsed acute framework you can say out loud: A-E with actions, bedside then bloods then imaging, differentials, immediate and ongoing management, escalation and a treatment escalation plan
- SBAR handovers practised aloud until each section is distinct and numbers come easily
- An ethical scaffold: name the issue, patient safety, more information, Good Medical Practice, your own initiative, escalation, support and documentation
- High-yield tools you can name with a reason: CURB-65, qSOFA, Glasgow-Blatchford, Rockall, GRACE, CHA2DS2-VASc, ORBIT, Light's criteria and King's College criteria
Example questions
Original scenarios, written with clinicians.
Each question is mapped to the domains it assesses, so the summary you receive is specific rather than generic.
Clinical scenario
“You are the medical SHO on take reviewing an 85-year-old woman admitted after a fall who is drowsy with saturations of 88% on air. How do you approach this?”
A panel would listen for
A systematic approach, safe prioritisation and knowing when to escalate
Ethical scenario
“A patient's family object to a DNACPR decision the team believes is clinically appropriate. What do you do?”
A panel would listen for
A systematic approach, safe prioritisation and knowing when to escalate
Structured interview
“What have you done to prepare for internal medicine training?”
A panel would listen for
Structure, specificity and reflection
Practise this interview until it feels routine.
One free mock interview, no card required. Scores describe your practice performance only.
Start a free mock interview