8 Thoughts About Viva Questions

I’ve written a fair bit about viva questions before. I’m exploring different angles on the topic at the moment for future posts and workshops.

Here are eight short thoughts that might be useful:

1. There are lots and lots of lists of common viva questions. Google it. There’s no reason for anyone to go to the viva ignorant of what could come up.
2. There are lots and lots of questions you could be asked about your thesis which won’t be on any of those lists.
3. You can’t practise every potential viva question.
4. You could reflect and practise a few in particular on explaining your research or methodology.
5. You can practise answering unexpected questions so you get comfortable in thinking through questions you’ve never considered before.
6. You don’t have to answer a question immediately without pause or asking for clarification.
7. You don’t have to answer a question without making a note of it first.
8. Every question in the viva is being asked for a reason.

Number 5 is important. You can gain confidence by knowing that you can answer questions in viva-like conditions. Mock vivas, conversations with friends, giving seminars – there are lots of opportunities. Go find them.