Interview preparation guide
Asynchronous recorded interviews: residency interview preparation guide
Prepare for speaking to a camera without an interviewer present. A recorded format changes the practice conditions, but it does not authorize retakes, scripts or outside help.
How to prepare
- 1
Read the actual recording instructions
Confirm the platform, deadline, practice options and any stated preparation or response limits. Check whether attempts can be repeated before beginning. Do not assume rules from another program or a different video assessment apply. AAMC describes asynchronous interviews as recorded responses reviewed later.
- 2
Practise without a conversational cue
Use the intended device and answer a practice prompt alone. Listen for whether the response makes sense without a nod, interruption or follow-up. Use a timer only to rehearse a limit the program actually states; do not invent a universal answer length. Keep examples accurate and focused.
- 3
Verify submission through the permitted route
Follow the platform's instructions for completion and confirmation. If an error occurs, preserve the relevant status and contact the designated support route. Do not restart or record another attempt unless allowed. A file on your device or an apparently completed response is not necessarily a confirmed submission.
A practical exercise
Before beginning: [deadline and zone], [platform], [permitted practice], [attempt rules], [response limits], [support route]. Practice check: one clear answer without interviewer feedback. After completion: [submission status and confirmation].
This is an editorial exercise to adapt to your own interview, not a script or a program requirement.
What the source guidance supports
AAMC distinguishes live and asynchronous formats and recommends practising alone for an asynchronous interview using the intended technology.
The exercises and checklists are editorial applications of the cited guidance, not required program procedures or predictions of interview scoring. Follow your actual invitation and program instructions.
Mistakes to avoid
- Assuming unlimited retakes.
- Reading a hidden script contrary to instructions.
- Treating a local recording as submission proof.
Check your preparation
- Are attempt rules known?
- Can your answer stand alone?
- Is completion confirmed?
Questions for your practice review
- What does the platform count as submitted?
- Who handles a technical interruption?
- Which practice functions are permitted?
Common questions
Is an interviewer present?
AAMC describes asynchronous interviews as recorded responses without an interviewer present.
Can I repeat an answer?
Only if the actual program and platform instructions allow it. This guide cannot grant a retake.
How long should an answer be?
Use the stated limits. There is no universal time limit established here.
Related guides
Sources
This page is general editorial guidance based on the sources above. It is not a prediction of any program's questions or a statement of its current policies.