The oral exams

Youth tips on oral exam survival.

The oral exams are the first hit of reality that you are doing the Leaving Cert. It is an opportunity to demonstrate your speaking skills and your ability to communicate. The key to the oral exams is confidence in your own ability. Now you may be saying, "What ability"? but most of us have been studying Irish as long as we have been studying Maths and English. We have also been studying foreign languages for the duration of our secondary school lives, so be confident about what is in your head and the words will flow!

The oral exams are only a matter of weeks away now so it’s important to stop avoiding the oral. You should write out responses that aren’t too complicated to questions you could be asked and then practice, practice and practice! Ask your friends and teachers to talk with you or talk to your mirror, even if you only do so for 15 minutes a day. Also try and prepare for questions that may come up. For example if you say you like dancing expect to be asked ‘Do you attend classes? What type of dancing do you do?’ Here are some further tips:

• Before you enter the room, take a deep breath and relax. The oral starts the minute you enter the room so greet the examiner and be confident. You will be asked to sign your name on a roll and then say it to a tape (all orals are recorded).
• Students that are requested to bring in a document or photograph should ensure that they remember to bring it as examiners have noted that students often lose marks at this point. If your picture is of your family walk into the room, introduce yourself, say that you live with your family and then introduce your document/photo.
• Make eye contact, don’t fidget and try to look confident.
• REMEMBER - Contrary to popular belief, examiners are not monsters, they aren’t looking for you to be a superhuman and they expect you to be nervous so don’t be afraid if you make a mistake or need the examiner to rephrase the question.
• Listen carefully to the examiner and never jump in before they have finished the question as you’re not being examined on your psychic abilities but rather your communication skills!
• Each new question is a new start. If you messed up the previous question, don’t get flustered, let it go and forget it.
• Avoid yes/no answers. This is your chance to show off what you know.
• When the exam is over forget it. It is done with and cannot be changed so don’t waste your energy thinking about it or analysing your mistakes. And treat yourself, you will be drained so avoid the books for the day and get something tasty to eat.

By: Claire Finnegan