Viva / Oral Exam Preparation Tips

Preparation tips for viva voice examination. Key tips to help you do well and score full marks in the viva / oral exam

• The oral exam is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your knowledge, your presentation/interaction skills, as well as your ability to communicate. And these skills are very necessary for scoring well.
• Questions may be chosen dynamically, depending on how a student answers previous questions.
• Questions may be designed to test the in-depth knowledge of a student. Often, the examiner continues to ask questions in a particular area until the student no longer responds correctly.
• Marks may be awarded for problem solving, analysis and method, as well as interpersonal communication and presentation.

Tips for the Oral Examination

• Be well prepared.
• Know the Process, Your Professor and Your Ability to Speak.
• Be confident to present yourself. You should have proper attire.
• Stay calm and pleasant. Don’t panic.
• Questions must be listened carefully before answering. Don’t answer simply 'yes' or 'no' to the question. If you don't understand the question, ask the examiner to repeat the question again.
• Be prepared to justify your ideas and conclusions.
• Don’t argue unnecessarily with the examiner. If you don’t know the answer, its better to surrender instead of unnecessary arguing.
• Even if you feel the examiners are unreasonably critical, do not become argumentative or allow the discussion to become heated.