Many students think that oral exams are much more stressful than written ones. Coming face to face with an examiner can sometimes feel like standing on a stage with a spotlight right on you. Are you afraid of making stupid mistakes or forgetting what to say? Don’t freak out! With the right preparation, you can go through this experience with confidence and pass any oral exam with flying colours. Let’s break down the process of preparation into key stages, from getting ready to dealing with unexpected questions.

Getting ready for the oral exam is very important. You should know your subject well and plan revising a few days or even a few weeks before the exam. Revise regularly. You can ask a friend to join you. In this way, you will motivate each other. If you know the material well, you will feel more confident. Practise speaking in front of a mirror. You may feel a bit strange at first, but it quickly becomes quite normal. This way you can work on your speech and body language. You can observe yourself and see how you behave under pressure. We all tend to use our hands too much or play with our hair when we stress out. It doesn’t create a good impression so it’s better to learn to control it.

Instead of using the mirror, you can talk to your dog or cat, but they will not tell you how professional your body language is.

On the day of the exam, don’t let the tension take control over you. Think positively. Remember how much you have learnt and how well‑prepared you are. Try not to think about your exam as a stressful event. Imagine that you will have a chance to share your knowledge with the examiner and that the exam will be an interesting conversation.

If you are taking an official exam, for example, an exam to get a language certificate, make sure you carefully read all the information that the examiners send to you. You may have to bring your student ID, so make sure you have it with you!

Choose appropriate clothes for your exam.The choice of clothes depends on how official the exam is – you don’t always have to wear very formal clothes. However, always remember to choose clothes that will show the examiner respect and that you will feel comfortable wearing. The last thing you need at your oral exam is to sit in front of the examiners and feel awkward because of the clothes you’re wearing.

Last but not least, be punctual. If your exam starts at, let’s say, 9.00 am, be there fifteen minutes earlier. In this way, you will not be stressed about running late. In addition, an extra quarter of an hour will give you time to calm down and find the right room. That’s especially important if your exam takes place in a building you don’t know.

When the moment for you to enter the exam room has come, do it with a smile and confidence. Make eye contact and greet the examiner politely. You have only a few seconds to make a good first impression. Take the place the examiner shows you to. Sit straight to show that you are in control of the situation.

When you get your exam questions, take your time to understand what they are about. If anything is not clear, ask for repetition. Don’t panic. Take a deep breath, collect your thoughts, and start talking with confidence. Remember that each question is an opportunity to show your knowledge. Believe in yourself!

You might not know the answer to every question, and that's okay. The examiner is not expecting you to be a genius; they just want to see you pass with flying colors.

Don’t forget that mastering oral exams is a step‑by‑step process. From preparation to presentation, each stage plays an important role in your success. Face the challenge! You've got this!