Exam Psychology
Breathing Routines for Oral Exam Nerves
General postgraduate oral-exam guide: short breathing routines for oral exam nerves, with a 30-second pre-station reset for vivas, OSCEs and clinical orals.
Read guideGuides
Guide library
Practical viva, SOE, oral-board, and specialty exam preparation guides from Viva Examiner.
Viva Technique
How to Think Out Loud Without Rambling
For UK and international spoken clinical assessments, learn how to think out loud without rambling and make your clinical reasoning easy to mark.
Read guideViva Technique
How to Prioritise Under Questioning
Learn how to prioritise under questioning in UK and international spoken clinical assessments when the examiner keeps probing, using a safe answer structure.
Read guideExaminer Expectations
What Examiners Penalise in Viva Answers
For UK and international postgraduate spoken clinical assessments, learn what examiners penalise in viva answers: unsafe plans, poor structure, and vague reasoning.
Read guideViva Technique
How to Use Signposting Language in Oral Exams
General guide for spoken clinical assessments: use signposting language in oral exams to structure answers clearly, sound examiner-friendly, and stay in control.
Read guideViva Technique
How to Structure Clinical Reasoning in a Viva
General viva guide for postgraduate trainees: build a reliable clinical reasoning structure for spoken clinical assessments with safe, examiner-friendly answers.
Read guideViva Technique
How to Open a Strong Viva Answer
General postgraduate spoken clinical assessments: learn how to open a strong viva answer in the first 30 seconds with a safe, structured framework.
Read guideViva Technique
How to Close a Viva Answer Safely
General guide for UK and international spoken clinical assessments: safe sign-off language to close a viva answer safely, with practical phrases and drills.
Read guideViva Technique
How to Recover When You Blank in a Viva
For UK and international postgraduate trainees facing spoken clinical assessments, here’s how to recover when you blank in a viva and finish safely.
Read guideViva Technique
How to Pass a Medical Viva Exam
How to pass a medical viva exam for UK and international trainees: use clear structure, safe reasoning, and calm examiner-focused communication.
Read guide