Thesis defence (viva) practice interview
Research question, methods, findings, limitations and contribution to the field. Practise the 6 questions the real interviewer asks with follow-ups. Paid plans add scored feedback on every answer.
Free with an Intaviu account: 320 credits a month, at 10 credits a minute of practice. Private: interview creators never see them.
- 20 minutes
- 6 questions
- Scored feedback on paid plans
About this interview
A thesis defence, or viva, is an oral examination where examiners discuss your thesis with you in depth. They test your understanding of your research question, why you chose your methods, what your findings mean, where the limits of your work are and what it adds to your field.
How to prepare
- Reread your whole thesis and mark the pages you will want to find quickly.
- Write a one-paragraph summary of your contribution and practise saying it clearly.
- List the weaknesses of your study and be ready to discuss them openly.
- Catch up on recent work in your area published since you submitted.
- Hold a mock viva with your supervisor or colleagues who will push you hard.
Common mistakes
- Becoming defensive when an examiner criticises your method.
- Claiming your findings prove more than your data supports.
- Forgetting details of your own literature review or analysis.
What to expect
A real mock interview
6 questions the way the real interviewer asks, with follow-ups when an answer needs more.
Spoken, like the real thing
Speak your answers in your browser or the free desktop app, with live captions. You can ask the interviewer to repeat anything.
Scored on 5 areas
The things this interview weighs most. With a paid plan, your report shows how you did on each one.
A private report
On Plus, Pro and Premium: every answer scored, your strongest lines quoted and what to say differently next time. Interview creators never see it.
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