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I have examined and chaperoned SEVERAL mbbs viva exams. It is based on this background that I decided to make this post about tips for studying and passing an undergraduate/mbbs viva exam.
When you come into medical school, you will quickly discover that medical examinations go beyond the written form. You will discover that there are oral/viva exams and different forms of clinical exams.
What is a viva voce?
The best definition of an mbbs viva voce examination, widely known as the viva, is a graded interview between a candidate and examiner/s. It has a long history of use in undergraduate and postgraduate medical exams and is also done in some Non-medical PhD programs.
An mbbs viva exam requires a special skillset from the candidate, far beyond that of a written exam. It is comprised of a committee of both internal(from the candidate’s school) and external examiners (from other medical schools)who ask questions based on what is required at their stage in medical school.
After this interaction, the examiners decide whether the candidate passes or fails the exam collectively.
To pass an mbbs viva, a candidate must not only thoroughly understand the subject but must also be able to convey this to the examiners. An intelligent, structured, cogent answer gains points.
Vivas are quite different from other exams because you cannot deal first with the questions you know best and come back later to the ones you are not so sure about; you cannot also cancel previous answers and rewrite them. Sometimes, you may be allowed to choose another question if you are not comfortable with the one you picked. It is not advised that you decline many questions in a row as this creates a bad impression in the minds of your examiners.
Tips to consider long before the mbbs viva exam.
- The most important tip I would say is to start planning early. I say this because if you wait till just before the exams to prepare, you would be contending with a large volume of work which you would practically have to teach to examiners who are experts.
- Make sure you have a copy of the school syllabus well beforehand so as not to leave any gaps in your knowledge. Study beyond what you are taught in class as far as it is on your syllabus or you may be shocked when some questions you have never heard of jump at you in the exams
- Study past viva exam questions. Most students in higher classes often have a bank of these questions or start one with your classmates.
- Interact with senior colleagues who have done the class and the exams. They may have useful tips and notes from their time.
- Organize or join study groups to practise viva questions on each other. Senior colleagues, doctors or lecturers will often be willing to interact with a committed study group.
Tips for studying for the mbbs viva
- The first tip is to summarize your work into brief notes or revision cards containing the common and important definitions, classifications and lists. This is so that you would be reading less volume with rich content in the week before the exam.
- Consider how viva questions are usually structured. In most cases, the examiner will ask a candidate to define, classify, or list. Therefore, after reading any subject area, define what you are about to talk about; classify it into a logical sequence of subdivisions; list the causes, differential diagnoses, complications, management options etc. Then, put the book down and try asking yourself these questions and answers without looking into your book. You may also adopt this in your study group.
Tips for the exam day itself.
- Get sufficient sleep and skip coffee the night before. There have been many cases of candidates blanking out when asked simple questions they ordinarily know because of poor sleep. What you read the night before may not necessarily be the material that helps you pass so might as well sleep and rest your brain.
- Dress appropriately: a viva exam is one setting where how you dress is very important. Your appearance, attire, jewellery, makeup and personal grooming form a first impression on your examiners and is strongly related to their exam score for you. It often carries marks in most medical exams. Attire and personal appearance should be within the expected norms of the profession. Colours should be solid and neutral (e.g. greys, browns, blacks, navy blues) and electric colours and strongly patterned designs should be avoided. For males, a long-sleeved shirt, matching tie, socks and shoes are in order. For females, an appropriate dress or skirt and top extend below the knee with mild makeup. Please avoid loud makeup, artificial lashes, long coloured nails, bushy hair(for males) or short attire and strong perfume. In this part of the world, examiners take these things seriously and besides, you do not want to draw extra attention to yourself.
- Politeness, manners and respect are the hallmarks of good behaviour. When you enter the exam room after the bell, greet your examiners politely and wait to be asked to sit before sitting down. Sit erect, avoid slouching, leaning back, leaning across the table, and avoid inappropriate smiles or laughter. Eye contact is not essential; there are many places in the world in which it is considered disrespectful.
- Stay calm and have a positive outlook toward the outcome of your exam. Tell yourself that you studied hard, and deserve to pass!
- Remember that no examiner ever comes with the intent of failing you, but you must try not to put them off. Say good morning/afternoon, ask permission while entering, wait until he/she asks you to sit etc. These small things are like a show of common courtesy which can improve the mood of the examiner, impress him/her and also can sometimes turn the tide in your favour
- Understand the question and answer logically. Where not understood, kindly asked for it to be rephrased. Practise saying ‘I can’t recall’ and not ‘I don’t know. An ‘I don’t know the answer could infuriate an examiner and create the impression that you didn’t do your work. —especially as you almost certainly do know but cannot at that instant retrieve the answer
- When the bell goes, say ‘thank you, stand up and leave the room immediately.
If you would like more tips for surviving medical school in Nigeria, pls watch my video on the same
Finally, what is your greatest challenge with medical viva exams? Is it the preparation or the actual exam day itself? See you soon!