Top 10 Tips for Viva | Top 10 Tips for Viva Success - Tips To Crack A Viva Exam

I heard somewhere that ‘Silence is the best answer to all the questions, smile is the best answer for all the situations, but unfortunately both don’t work at the VIVA station’. Truly said, many of us just start shivering the moment we see Viva dates on notice board. Though written exams are quite manageable because you know very well that some ‘fakeology’ of answers will work, but when it comes to Viva where you have to verbally answer certain expected as well as unexpected questions, we all start facing mental stress. Students actually assume Viva as ‘A horror story with examiners as the ghosts, fuelled by haunting books and certain thesis and the dilemma given by peers about miserable Viva stories’. But! But! But! There’s always a solution for a problem, and you can crack any Viva with confidence and comfort. Wondering how? So here are the 10 top tips which will make Viva as a cakewalk for you.

• Read your report /thesis: Know the content of the report well, there’s no need to mug up everything instead try to understand what’s was your research problem and how you have drives to the solution for the same with help of certain facts and findings. Always remember that you are the ‘expert on the topic’ in the room, but this expertise doesn’t mean that you blabber anything irrelevant. Reading your report a day before and on the day of Viva is always a good idea.
• Calm down and breathe: Keep on stressing and over preparing will make things worse. Many of the students experience insomnia or fall ill just before the Viva by the disease called ‘Vivaophobia’. Find a way to relax or calm down, be it yoga, running, meditation, listening music or video games.
• Believe in yourself: These magical words of ‘Self-belief’ is the only fuel which can keep you 100% ready to face any question from the side of the examiner. You are the one who have made the report or thesis, you know everything about the topic, so what’s there to be worried?
• Stop Over Preparing: Continuously mugging up or revising can give you mental trauma and also result is fumbling during Viva. Preparing from months and try to mug up everything at the last point of time will make you inconfident. Rather have some fun, watch certain movies or talk to some friends because You want to be fresh on the day, so go out and have some fun.
• Be presentable: Clothes and the way you carry yourself is also a part of your confidence. Looking good will help your self-esteem, making you feel more confident and also, it shows the examining committee that you are serious and well prepared for the Wearing funky tshirt or ripped denims is never a good idea, instead try to be formal, wear formal shirt and trousers!
• Positive attitude: The examiners are not ‘Hitlers’ or they would be awarded if you’re been suffered. They are sitting there just to examine how well you know about the topic, they don’t have any personal grudges that they want you to fail! If you have the mindset that examiners will definitely fail you, then nothing can actually help you to give your best. Have positive attitude and try to make your Viva more interesting and stop becoming defensive.
• Know the rules of the institution: Every institution has different rules and regulations in terms of structure of Viva, number of examiners in Viva, etc. Its always advisable to know in advance about how in what manner Viva are done by asking your seniors or other friends. Many conveyors believe that students before any QA round should present a talk by introducing their topic and some of them don’t do this on other hand. Importance is also given to find out if you are allowed to bring a copy of your report  into the exam or not.
• Think about potential questions: We, obviously have become that smart to atleast understand the most apparent questions which the examiner can ask. Atleast preparing well for these obvious questions a an make you feel confident at the initial stages of the Viva and also rock the first round in an awesome manner. Even though there will be some completely unexpected questions which will leave you in complete surprise, but there is nothing to panic about. Take some time, gather some thoughts and then answer the questions backed by certain facts and figures rather than just fumbling something rubbish.
• Make plans to celebrate : Many of us make plans even before the dates of Viva or exams are out, to celebrate the end of vivas. Its quite awesome to do so, because I believe that these plans are push you to clear all your vivas successfully and then celebrate restlessly! Celebrations can be in the form of having a night out, going for parties or a movie and many more.
• …. And lastly enjoy it : Obviously, Exams and vivas are just like some season and try to enjoy it fully! Many of them enjoy their vivas because they feel that there they actually get an opportunity to interact with people and gain appreciations and constructive criticisms as well. After all, you produced a valuable piece of work and there is no reason why you should not feel happy about it!

So wishing you a happy Viva season and also all the best for your vivas! Be calm! Be composed!