Interview preparation guide
Asking about resident evaluation and feedback: residency interview preparation guide
AAMC's resident-performance questions ask how often residents are evaluated, what the structure of the evaluation is and what other forms of feedback residents receive, such as the in-training exam.
How to prepare
- 1
Ask how often and in what form
The AAMC list asks how often residents are evaluated and what the structure of the evaluation is, naming forms and face-to-face reviews as examples. Ask for both the frequency and the format.
- 2
Ask about other feedback
The same list asks what other forms of feedback the resident receives, including the in-training exam. Ask what feedback you would actually see between formal evaluations.
- 3
Ask for a real example
AAMC says to ask administrators and residents for specific examples that give a true understanding of the program. Ask a resident what their last evaluation looked like and note who answered.
A practical exercise
Frequency: [..]. Structure: [forms, face-to-face or other]. Other feedback: [..]. Resident example: [..]. Source: [resident or leader].
This is an editorial exercise to adapt to your own interview, not a script or a program requirement.
What the source guidance supports
AAMC's resident-performance questions ask how often residents are evaluated, the structure of the evaluation and other forms of feedback such as the in-training exam.
The exercises and checklists are editorial applications of the cited guidance, not required program procedures or predictions of interview outcomes. Costs and formats vary by program, so follow your actual invitation and school guidance.
Mistakes to avoid
- Asking only whether feedback exists, which invites a one-word answer.
- Not asking what feedback looks like between evaluations.
- Comparing programs without noting who answered.
Check your preparation
- Did I get the frequency and the format?
- Did I ask about feedback between evaluations?
- Did a resident describe a real evaluation?
Questions for your practice review
- How often are residents evaluated?
- Is evaluation face-to-face, form-based or both?
- What feedback comes from the in-training exam?
Common questions
Is this an official list of required questions?
No. AAMC describes it as a list created by residents and students to help you assess fit, and says to build your own more specific questions from it.
Who should I ask?
AAMC says some questions are best answered by residents in the program. Ask a program leader about the structure, then ask residents what feedback they actually receive.
Is this current for the 2027 ERAS season?
AAMC publishes this question list as current guidance for applicants interviewing in the 2027 ERAS season. Program answers change year to year, so ask each program for its own current answer.
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.