Listening
It’s a big part of the viva.
There are no gotcha questions and hazing remarks. Your examiners are there to listen and they’ve giving you opportunities to speak about your work, your PhD journey and yourself.
They’re there to listen but you have to listen first. The questions they ask and the discussion they prompt are your opportunities to do well. You have to listen carefully to make the most of them.
When they ask a question, pause and check that you understood it. Ask for clarification if you didn’t. Consider what it all means and take your time to respond well.
They’ll be listening.