Pause to Think, Think to Respond

One approach to engaging in the viva could be summarised as pause, think, respond.

• Pause first to give yourself a moment. Consider the question or comment. Take your time.
• Think to explore whatever ideas come to mind. Remember what you need. Put ideas together.
• Respond to the point, clearly. Take your time to say whatever you need to say so that your examiners get what they need.

Another way to look at this is to see that all three points are linked. You pause to think, taking time to be sure of what you need to say. You think to respond well, being reflective and careful.

Pause, think, respond. Pause to think, think to respond. Whichever way resonates, the connection is that a candidate engages well at the viva when they take their time.

It doesn’t need to be a hard question for you to take a few moments to consider what you will say or how you will say it.