Critical Thinking Questions Framework for CAAPID interviews

Hope you did find value reading our last interview tip debunking 3 interview myths
A couple of you had shared our website link with your friend garnering us 17 new subscribers. We take that as a testament to the value it did provide.

While Nourah and I were brainstorming on a topic to write for today's tip, we didn't have to look too far. We had a question raised by Mehek from Karachi, that we've decided to answer for everyone's benefit.

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How do you answer Critical Thinking questions in CAAPID Admissions Interviews?

Before we dive into a framework to answer such questions, let's first discuss what such questions are.

So, what exactly is a critical thinking question?
Doesn't sound too complicated, does it? Simply a question that expects you to think critically. But, don't all questions do that. Yes, of course. With specific context to the interviews, these refer to questions for which you can't exactly prepare. Questions that expect you to think on your feet, answer instantly and reveal your true self.

Example  -
If you were a tree, what tree would you be?
Would you choose to be unique and hated or ordinary and loved?
What do you think about atheism?

Recall those moments playing truth or dare and you were completely caught off-guard!
Haha, well before we scare ourselves, let's relax - because there is one crucial difference. Unlike truth or dare, for critical thinking questions in an interview, we can prepare much ahead.

Relief, yes, I hope!
With a small caveat though  - While we can't prepare answers for every question, we can definitely prepare a 'common approach' to handle any question.

We've tested this approach in several interviews that our applicants have attended and are fairly confident about it being robust.

Without further ado, here you go - 

Interview framework for dental students
Step 1 - Request the interviewer to give you 5 seconds to think. This is considered normal and in fact, makes you sound genuine.
Step 2  - Think whether, based on your experiences, you are already inclined to take a side or have a strong opinion about something. If you have an answer, go to step 3, else to step 4.

Step 3  - First state (a) your opinion and then (b) defend 'why'.
Step 4  - Remember the acronym PSP (stands for Priority, Situational, Perspective). Try to answer the critical thinking questions, comparing the different answers against a situation, a priority order, or in someone's perspective.

There you go!
It is simple to remember and execute. It is difficult when under pressure. If you would practice going through 10 critical questions one after another in a few mock interviews, you can program this framework into your muscle memory.

In tomorrow's tip, we'll breakdown a sample question and see how we can answer it with this framework. We'll also give you 2 approaches on how to speak about 3b (i.e. defend 'why')

We encourage you to reply back to us with any critical thinking question you have come across and what us to breakdown for you.

Looking forward to hearing back!
Nourah and Karthik

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