MMI practice set: ethics and professionalism

Checked 19 October 2026 against the sources listed at the end.

We wrote every scenario here ourselves. None is a real station, none is remembered from an actual interview, and each university sets its own criteria, so treat them as thinking practice rather than a forecast. The approach under each one is one strong way to organise your thinking, not the answer. Practise out loud, in your own words, and time yourself. Station formats are described by Adelaide University↗ (external link), UWA↗ (external link) and the University of Auckland↗ (external link), and UQ publishes a pre-interview briefing pack↗ (external link). For the standards doctors are held to, see the code of conduct that the Medical Board of Australia publishes, Good medical practice↗ (external link).

Scenario 1: The shared quiz answers

Prompt

A close friend admits they received an assessment's answers from an older student. They say everyone does it and ask you not to say anything.

What it probes: Honesty and loyalty under pressure.

One strong approach

1. Listen without judging and ask how they feel.
2. Explain why this troubles you.
3. Encourage them to tell the teacher themselves.
4. Consider your own next step if they will not, while being honest about it.

Points worth reaching

• Both loyalty and fairness matter.
• Giving them a chance to act first is respectful.
• Be clear about your own limits.

Common traps

• Immediately reporting without speaking to them.
• Promising silence.

One way an answer might sound (for Scenario 1, "The shared quiz answers"; yours should be in your own words)

"I'd keep my friend's trust and also be honest about how I feel. I'd say I'm glad they told me, and that it worries me, because it isn't fair to others who did the work and it could hurt them if it's found out. I'd encourage them to talk to the teacher themselves and offer to go with them. I wouldn't promise silence. If they refuse, I'd think about what I owe the class and my own integrity, and I'd probably speak to a trusted teacher without naming it as gossip, but I'd tell my friend first, so they aren't blindsided."

This is a worded example of one strong approach, not the answer. Notice the order: acknowledge, ask or look for facts, weigh the people involved, choose an action, and say what you would do next.

Scenario 2: The camera roll

Prompt

A classmate posts a photo of another student asleep in class with a mocking caption. Others are laughing. The student in the photo has not seen it.

What it probes: Respect for others and using your voice.

One strong approach

1. Message the poster privately and ask them to remove it.
2. Tell the student concerned if you think they would want to know.
3. Consider telling a teacher if it continues.
4. Avoid joining in.

Points worth reaching

• Small acts matter.
• Think about the person affected first.
• Escalate in steps.

Common traps

• Reposting it to complain.
• Ignoring it because it seems minor.

Scenario 3: The extra shift

Prompt

You work in a cafe. A manager tells you to quickly mop up a spill with no warning sign and move on. A customer later slips but is fine.

What it probes: Safety and honesty.

One strong approach

1. Check the customer is all right and offer help.
2. Place a warning sign.
3. Tell the manager what you saw and what happened.
4. Suggest a simple way to prevent it again.

Points worth reaching

• Care for the person first.
• Report accurately.
• Prevention is better than blame.

Common traps

• Hiding the incident.
• Blaming a colleague.

Scenario 4: The patient's wish

Prompt

A volunteer chaplain tells you an elderly patient has asked them not to tell family about a poor test result yet. A family member then asks you directly how the patient is.

What it probes: Confidentiality and kindness.

One strong approach

1. Be warm and honest that you cannot discuss the patient's care.
2. Direct the family member to the nurse or doctor.
3. Pass on the family's request for an update to the team.
4. Tell the chaplain you have redirected the question.

Points worth reaching

• You do not have to lie, just decline.
• Right people, right information.
• Respect the patient's authority over their information.

Common traps

• Giving a partial answer to be kind.
• Lecturing the family.

Scenario 5: A fair share of the prize

Prompt

A school gives one scholarship. You and a friend both applied. You learn the panel mistakenly emailed you their notes, which compare you favourably.

What it probes: Integrity when you benefit from a mistake.

One strong approach

1. Stop reading and tell the panel straight away.
2. Be calm and brief about what happened.
3. Accept the outcome, whichever way it goes.
4. Talk to your friend honestly if appropriate.

Points worth reaching

• Promptness matters.
• Acting honestly may feel costly, but it protects trust.
• Avoid using information you should not have.

Common traps

• Using the notes quietly.
• Telling your friend before telling the panel.

Scenario 6: The outdated advice

Prompt

You volunteer at a community group. A respected senior member gives health advice that you have reason to believe is out of date. People are following it.

What it probes: Respectful challenge and safety.

One strong approach

1. Check your facts from a reliable source.
2. Speak privately with the senior member, with respect.
3. Suggest they confirm with a health professional.
4. If risk is high, raise it with the organiser.

Points worth reaching

• Humility about what you know.
• Respect and courage go together.
• Know when to escalate.

Common traps

• Correcting them publicly.
• Assuming you must be right.

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