I can't recall details of much of the viva as I was very nervous throughout. It lasted less than three hours and the questions I was expecting didn't really come up. It was tougher than I expected and the questions mainly revolved around methodology and statistics.
In my opinion, you need to know your thesis inside out and understand why you made the decisions you did. I didn't spend long preparing for it and don't think additional preparation would have helped. It was very much driven by the examiners and their take on my thesis and wasn't how I'd imagined it was going to be.
Hey Delta, awesome news, CONGRATS :) Least you will be able to enjoy Xmas now with the viva over and done with. My viva experience was very much like yours- questions I couldn't possibly predict and no extra prep would have touched on them! Hope you've got time to celebrate now! KB
======= Date Modified 03 Dec 2011 21:27:47 ======= Thanks everyone. I wish everyone who has a viva soon all the very best. It may be difficult but try to get a good nights sleep before the viva (I didn't and suffered for it) and try to relax and remain calm throughout as it'll help you think more clearly. Best of luck!
I concur with your viva experience....I can't remember very much about mine either and I didn't prepare much except by reading through my thesis which was enough really....I'd advise anyone just to know their thesis really well too and to relax and go for it!
Congratulations Dr Delta! I am so pleased it all went well for you and such a relief to have it all wrapped up before Christmas. I agree that pre-viva get some rest and relaxation as it is a tough nerve-wracking experience. Prep for me was knowing my thesis inside out and putting it into context of other methodologies/future research etc. Nothing could have enlightened me either about the examiners questions! It is such an individual experience.