IMT Interview Questions: Internal Medicine Training
What questions are asked in an IMT interview?
Expect questions on why internal medicine, managing an acutely unwell patient, escalation, communication, ethics and decision making, teamwork, audit and quality improvement, and your commitment to the specialty. Every panel writes its own questions, so practise the themes, not word-for-word answers.
The interview format, stations and scoring are set by the national recruitment office and can change each year. Check the current applicant guidance rather than older forum posts.
How do you answer IMT questions?
Use a structured approach to clinical scenarios (assess, resuscitate, investigate, treat, escalate), explain your reasoning, state your limits and say who you would call.
What do panels look for?
Safe prioritisation, clear thinking under pressure, insight, teamwork and professionalism.
Practice questions with short model answers
These are original practice questions. Use your own experience, not these words.
1. Why internal medicine?
Model answer: "I enjoy the breadth, the reasoning involved and caring for people with several conditions. During my medical placements and foundation posts I liked looking after acutely unwell patients with a team."
2. A patient's early warning score has risen. What do you do?
Model answer: "Go to the patient, assess airway, breathing, circulation, disability and exposure, repeat observations, start immediate measures within my competence, and escalate to my senior using the trust's escalation process. I would document my findings and plan."
3. How would you approach suspected sepsis?
Model answer: "Recognise it using the trust's sepsis screening tool, start the time-critical steps in the local pathway, which typically include cultures, fluids, antibiotics and monitoring, and escalate early. I would follow current national and local guidance and not rely on memory alone."
4. A senior asks you to do something you think is unsafe. What do you do?
Model answer: "Raise it politely and clearly with my reasons, ask for clarification, and if concerns remain escalate through the appropriate route. Patient safety comes first."
5. How do you approach a discussion about resuscitation status?
Model answer: "I would be sensitive, ensure the right senior is involved, follow the trust's policy and relevant frameworks such as ReSPECT, respect the patient's wishes where they have capacity and document the decision."
6. Tell us about an audit or quality improvement project.
Use a real project. Cover aim, method, results, what changed and your role. Do not overstate your part.
7. How do you handle a disagreement with a colleague in another specialty?
Model answer: "Speak respectfully, focus on the patient's needs, share my reasoning, and agree the plan with the responsible consultants."
8. How do you cope with a night shift when you are stretched?
Model answer: "Prioritise by risk, ask for help early, delegate where appropriate, document and hand over clearly. I look after my own rest and wellbeing."
9. Tell us about a time you made a mistake.
Use a real example. Cover what happened, openness, learning.
10. Where do you see your career?
Model answer: "I want to complete core training, develop in a medical specialty, and contribute to teaching and improvement."
Quick facts
IMT selection format, scoring and dates are published by the recruitment office. Check the current guide.
Clinical pathways change. Use current national and local guidance.
The practice questions here are original, not leaked or official.
Healthcare Interview Prep is independent of the NHS.
This is general interview preparation, not clinical advice.
Practise IMT questions
The General Internal and Acute Medicine question bank has 40 original practice questions with full model answers. The first 8 are free to read. The full bank is £4.99, one-off, with 12 months' access and no subscription.
Related guides:
Frequently asked questions
What is IMT?
Internal Medicine Training is the UK postgraduate training programme for doctors entering medical specialties. Check the current structure on the official recruitment site.
Is the interview format fixed?
No. Check this year's applicant guidance.
How long should my answers be?
Follow station timings. Keep answers focused.
Healthcare Interview Prep is independent of the NHS and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the NHS. This guide cannot promise any interview result.
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