PA school interviews can be nerve-wracking, and sometimes, you might be faced with a question that completely throws you off. It’s normal to feel stumped, but how you handle the situation can actually leave a lasting impression on the interviewers. Here are some strategies for managing those moments when you have no idea how to answer a PA school interview question.

1. Take a Breath and Pause

The first thing you should do is take a deep breath. It’s perfectly fine to pause for a moment to gather your thoughts. Taking a few seconds to compose yourself can help prevent panic and give you a chance to think about the question more clearly. It’s also okay to ask for a second to think about the question, just make sure to use this sparingly and only when you are truly stumped. Another technique to gather your thoughts is to take a sip of water before responding. Remember, the interviewers expect you to take a moment to think—it shows that you’re thoughtful rather than rushing into an answer.

2. Repeat or Rephrase the Question

If you’re unsure how to answer right away, try repeating or rephrasing the question out loud. This buys you a bit of extra time, and sometimes, hearing the question again in your own words can help you approach it from a new angle. It also shows the interviewers that you are actively engaging with the question rather than freezing up.

3. Be Honest About Not Knowing

It’s okay to admit when you don’t know something—just make sure to do it in a confident and professional way. You could say something like, “That’s a great question. I don’t have a specific answer at this moment, but I would approach it by…” or “That’s a great question and something I’m definitely going to research more after this interview…” and then share how you would find the answer or the steps you would take to solve the problem. This demonstrates that you’re willing to learn and capable of problem-solving, which are key qualities for a PA.

4. Use a Related Experience

If you don’t know how to answer a question directly, try to connect it to an experience you’ve had. For instance, if you’re asked about a scenario you’ve never encountered, think about a similar situation that you’ve faced. You could say, “While I haven’t dealt with that exact situation, I have experienced something similar…” and then explain what you did and what you learned from it. This shows adaptability and the ability to draw on past experiences, which is exactly what PAs do in real-life practice.

5. Stay Calm and Positive

The most important thing is to stay calm and maintain a positive attitude. Interviewers understand that not everyone will have a perfect answer for every question. They are often more interested in how you handle the pressure than in the actual content of your answer. By staying composed and showing that you’re willing to think on your feet, you can turn a potentially challenging moment into an opportunity to demonstrate your resilience and problem-solving skills.

6. Use the “Think-Aloud” Technique

When you’re really unsure, use the “think-aloud” technique to walk the interviewers through your thought process. This involves verbalizing your reasoning step by step. For example, if asked how you would handle a complex ethical dilemma, you could say, “I would first consider the patient’s well-being and safety, then think about the ethical guidelines that apply, and I would also want to involve the healthcare team to ensure the best outcome.” This shows that even if you don’t have a definitive answer, you know how to approach complex situations thoughtfully.

7. Ask for Clarification

If a question is confusing or you’re not entirely sure what the interviewer is asking, it’s okay to ask for clarification. You could say, “Could you please elaborate on what you mean by that?” or “Can you provide an example?” This shows that you are attentive and genuinely want to provide a thoughtful response, rather than making assumptions or giving an irrelevant answer.

8. Reflect on Your Answer

If you realize partway through your response that you’re not quite answering the question, it’s okay to pause, regroup, and redirect. You can say something like, “Actually, let me clarify my response…” and then steer your answer back on track. This shows self-awareness and the ability to course-correct, which are valuable traits in a PA.

Final Thoughts

Not knowing the answer to a question during your PA school interview is not the end of the world. What truly matters is how you handle the situation. By staying calm, thinking aloud, connecting to similar experiences, and showing a willingness to learn, you can turn a difficult question into an opportunity to showcase your strengths. Remember, interviewers aren’t just looking for the “right” answers—they want to see your problem-solving abilities, your character, and your ability to stay composed under pressure.

With these strategies in your toolkit, you’ll be ready to handle any curveball that comes your way during your PA school interview! Jump into a mock interview to make sure you’re ready for one of the biggest interviews of your life!