Interview preparation guide
Certifying your rank list before the deadline: residency interview preparation guide
NRMP's ranking guidance makes the mechanics matter: rank order lists are created and certified electronically in the R3 system, only the most recent version is saved, and NRMP warns against waiting until the last minute because servers may be overloaded. A perfect list that never gets certified does not exist.
How to prepare
- 1
Learn the R3 mechanics before you need them
NRMP states that ROLs must be saved after each change, only the most recent version of a list is saved, and lists cannot be imported on a mobile device. Treat every session as the session that counts: save deliberately, and verify the certified list is the version you meant.
- 2
Know the fee and code limits
NRMP's current guidance: up to 20 unique program codes on the primary ROL, and up to 20 across all supplemental ROLs combined, before extra fees apply; no more than 300 ranks on any ROL; extra rank fees are due at certification and are not refundable if you later certify a shorter list.
- 3
Beat the deadline by days, not hours
NRMP explicitly warns not to wait until the last minute to enter your ROL in the R3 system because servers may be overloaded and working slowly. It also recommends adding your application service ID (AAMC or ResidencyCAS) to your Match registration so programs can rank you more easily.
A practical exercise
List drafted and reviewed: [yes/no]. Saved after each change: [yes/no]. Program codes within fee limits: [yes/no]. Certification planned before deadline: [date]. Application service ID added: [yes/no].
This is an editorial exercise to adapt to your own interview, not a script or a program requirement.
What the source guidance supports
NRMP's ranking guidance makes the mechanics matter: rank order lists are created and certified electronically in the R3 system, only the most recent version is saved, and NRMP warns against waiting until the last minute because servers may be overloaded. A perfect list that never gets certified does not exist.
The exercises and checklists are editorial applications of the cited guidance, not required program procedures or predictions of interview outcomes. Formats and policies vary by program, so follow your actual invitation, the R3 system and school guidance.
Mistakes to avoid
- Editing the list and forgetting to save, leaving an older version certified.
- Planning to certify on deadline day against overloaded servers.
- Certifying a list over 20 codes without knowing the extra fees are non-refundable.
Check your preparation
- Is my current saved version the one I intend to certify?
- Do I understand the 20-code fee threshold and the 300-rank cap?
- Is my certification planned for days before the deadline, not the final hours?
Questions for your practice review
- When exactly is the rank list certification deadline for my Match?
- Is my certified version the version I reviewed?
- Have I added my AAMC or ResidencyCAS ID to my registration?
Common questions
Can I change the list after certifying?
NRMP's guidance centers on saving after each change and on the most recent version being the one that is saved; the R3 system controls the final certified state at the deadline. Confirm current rules in the R3 system and NRMP's Main Match schedule for the 2027 ERAS season.
Where do I check my competitiveness when building the list?
NRMP's ranking page points applicants to Charting Outcomes in the Match for competitiveness data. Our guide on balancing reach and safety programs covers how to use it.
Is this current for the 2027 ERAS season?
The cited guidance is published by AAMC and NRMP as current for applicants in the 2027 ERAS season. Program formats, policies and Match dates change year to year, so confirm the details with each program and the current NRMP schedule.
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.