The conversational exercise usually resembles a real interview as closely as possible, for the purpose of providing experience for a candidate.
Mock interviews can be videotaped; the candidate can view the tape afterward, and get feedback.
Mock interviews are most common for job interviews, but may also be used to train public figures to handle interrogations by journalists, as well as help candidates for office prepare for debates.
[1] For example, some schools have mock interview training days, often organized by career and guidance counselors.
[2] While the usual sense of the term is an exercise done as a form of preparation prior to applying for jobs,[3] there is another sense of the term which describes a playful or non-serious interview.