1. Remember, you are the expert on your study. Behave as if you are.
2. Never be arrogant. Show appreciation for the criticism (even when you think it is dumb). Professors have thin skins.
3. Know when to assert/defend your position, when to ask for clarification, and when to say: ‘that’s a good point; I would like to think about it.’
4. Make sure there is absolutely no problems with your online connection; nothing ticks off an exam panel more when you claim some technical glitch or ‘oops, I ran out of data.’ Find a secure and reliable place to do the oral.
5. Two questions for which you need one-liners in response. One, what is your thesis (basic argument)? Two, why should anyone pay attention to your study (significance)? This is NOT easy. Practice with an informed researcher.
6. Never, ever ask the examiner after s/he posed a question: Did I answer your question? Are you happy with my response? Noooooo….don’t let them back in.
7. Develop a table of examiner questions and responses alongside. In the oral exam, each examiner is likely to raise the same questions that they posed/problems that they signaled on reading the original text. Make sure you have strong, adequate responses.
8. Sound scholarly, reflexive—never defensive.
9. Do a dry-run with your supervisor or equivalent BEFORE the actual oral exam.
10. Do the changes within the text even before the oral examination; that why you can move quickly to uploading your thesis and graduate.
