The vast majority of students dread oral exams. Indeed, this kind of evaluation is very different from the written one. However, obtaining a diploma remains essential. Need help to feel more confident, impress the committee and pass this test? The few paragraphs that follow deliver precious infallible advice.
Prepare Yourself Psychologically to Pass an Oral Exam
It is important to prepare yourself psychologically to be in a better state of mind during an oral exam. To do this, you have to spend time getting to know yourself and identifying your strengths and weaknesses. And why not meet students who have successfully passed this oral assessment? Support from other people is always positive. Learning to concentrate is another psychological preparation. It will allow the student to have quick access to the resources of his memory. Research has also revealed that those who visualize their successes are more likely to pass their exams. In reality, this leads to a strong unconscious motivation, which is necessary for the brain. Therefore, the student must put on this practice every day.
The Importance of Physical Presentation
It goes without saying for an oral exam, proper attire is required. For example, what would a committee think if a candidate showed up in provocative jeans and a T-shirt? It probably won’t be taken seriously. The dress style must generally adapt to that of the committee or the professor. A handsome tailor will give even more importance to the candidate. Either way, keep it simple so that bright colors can be avoided. Cleanliness is not to be neglected. For the hairstyle, putting her hair up in a bun is ideal for a girl. It is essential to show the face well and highlight it. Makeup should not be overdone. Avoid putting too much black under the eyes. An overly sensual perfume is also to be banned.
Do not forget to smile and look the interlocutor in the eye. It’s a way to make actual contact. The signs of nervousness are to be excluded. The candidate will, therefore, not bite his nails or play with his pen during the test. He must make his whole body speak. A straight posture, without being tense, is to be adopted. The quality of the expression is also paramount. You must work on your diction for only 5 minutes daily. Articulation exercises and reading will be the candidate’s allies. Also, a voice of good intensity is always appreciated by the juries. On D-Day, he is not obliged to shake hands with the evaluators. A straight “Hello” will do.
Learn to Manage Stress
Stress management is an actual program that should not be taken lightly. Indeed, it is necessary to be well-conditioned before the test. To achieve this, it is vital to have a balanced life. This statement involves quality sleep, healthy eating, regular physical activity, and good times of relaxation. Besides that, you have to chase away negative ideas, like “I will never succeed,” and replace them with other positive thoughts. And why not by “I will succeed!”? So, it’s about building a winning mentality.
The technique of visualization can also help the candidate. It is an exercise used by both students and well-known athletes to deal with stressful situations. The principle is simple. We close our eyes. We picture ourselves and imagine the scenes that will happen during the oral exam. The representation must be both plausible and realistic. Some students who practice this technique even go to the room where the exam will take place beforehand. There, they get used to the context. At the time of the real oral assessment, the brain will be more willing to adopt the required behavior.
Preparing for the Actual Exam
The next step is preparing for the assessment. It consists of doing research, taking notes, and better identifying and understanding the subject to be presented. The organization of the presentation must be clear. This step is essential to avoid a lack of knowledge during the exam. Practicing orally at home, in front of a mirror, or in front of a family member is a great idea. Time control is also to be prepared.
Moreover, allocating time in advance for greetings, introductions, outlines, content, and conclusion is crucial. This will prevent the student from going over the allotted time. To monitor the latter, he should bring a watch to the exam. The day before, it is advisable to practice breathing and relaxation exercises. And when the big day arrives, revising is no longer recommended. It will only cloud the memory. Then, at the dawn of crossing the examination room, the student will be completely at ease thanks to good preparation.
Lastly, Some Mistakes to Avoid
A certain number of things are absolute to be avoided in front of the examiner. The first is to contradict the latter. To avoid losing points, you just have to be satisfied with answering the questions asked. Another very common mistake is to remain silent. Some candidates prefer to stay silent rather than give a wrong answer.
The student must remember that the teacher mainly evaluates his ability to express himself, not his perfect answer. In the absence of an answer, it is possible to say that one does not know the answer or to rephrase the question if one has not understood it well. What about those who just read their notes? No reviewer likes that. Indeed, the oral is by no means a reading session. It is a question of convincing the committee, not of reciting the lessons.
Remember, Get Help When You Need It
Don’t have enough time to prepare for the exam? In that case, employ an essay writer to help you deal with your academic assignments while you study away for the exam.
