Vivas are a prelude to the dreaded semester examinations. Just before the onset of the strenuous exam period comes this equally arduous week/fortnight that consists of endless submissions (meaning tons and tons of print-outs), pinkies and/or Index fingers with red bruises thanks to hours of assignment and journal completion and rummaging through the whatever little notes you have, to acquaint yourself with the subject well enough at the eleventh hour.

It’s funny how a majority of us end up studying the most for the Vivas and not the finals. Now, that’s justified because these oral exams place you in a situation wherein you should be able to answer any question from any page in the textbook which happens to be the size of two pillows.

They are a recent inclusion to the curriculum. And to be honest, they are a blessing in disguise. Every October and May, at the stairs, in the canteen, on the park bench, students are seen fervently scanning through books once they never imagined they would read!

Soon, there comes a point of time, where a student has pushed himself/herself beyond saturation. Most students decide to stop browsing through the text (which eventually starts looking like Greek and Latin), others hysterically try to gather as much as they can. Chaos builds through anticipation. Then, the time comes when a scary looking external walks into the lab or the room, the initial roll numbers can feel their pulse rising. Finally, when the time comes, it’s usually three nervous looking faces walking into an air conditioned room in which, the external teacher can be seen gossiping with the local college teacher over tea. The scene outside the lab is like that of a criminal correctional facility, with candidates waiting outside wondering what kind of interrogation the ones inside are being subjected to. After 7-8 gruelling minutes, they walk out with a triumphant swag (even if they have fared horribly) and the next three roll numbers walk in hurriedly. And that’s the way, the cookie crumbles.

A few Do’s and Don’ts from my book which might help you nail your Vivas. Firstly and most importantly, make sure you’re as thorough as possible with your subject matter. Going to an exam not knowing a huge chunk of what you are supposed to study defeats the whole purpose of having an exam in the first place. Another essential thing is to dress right. A man is known not only by the company he keeps but also how he dresses himself. All students beforehand are advised to wear formal clothes for such exams. Dress yourself gaudily, and you make an instant impression (a bad one of course!), and you will be thereafter drilled throughout the exam. That means no shorts, no skimpy clothes and no tattered jeans!

A few students like to just ‘smile’ irrespective of the nature of the question that has been put to them, thinking its going see them through the viva. Well, if you think you have a face as attractive as a supermodel, it’s worth the risk, but 9 out of 10 times, one ends up projecting a very foolish image of himself/herself. It’s okay to not have a pale and straight face, but never giggle or smile more than necessary.
Yes, there are times, when you might have done your homework, studied most of what you think is important, but that doesn’t mean you get too cocky. Externals DO NOT like overconfident kids. Why? They just don’t! Usually, it’s best to answer only if you are asked a question. Your intentions may be right, but an attempt to answer a question you were not asked may seem arrogant to a few.

Help your friends after you’re done, earn a few Karma points and feel good about yourself. Oh, and salutations are always a bonus; wishing an external professor Good morning helps make a nice first impression. Vivas, in addition to helping you give that extra push to start studying for your finals, are an integral part of improving the way you communicate your thoughts.  These exams help you deal with an even more challenging form of a tete-a-tete- a job interview.