Hi guys,

I have my viva within the next month and have finally decided it is high time I start preparing for it!

I found this document online which I think could be useful to anyone starting to prepare for their viva. It's pretty basic and quite old but there are some good tips in it.

http://www.sussex.ac.uk/Users/dt31/download/phdviva.pdf

I figure this thread could be used for anyone wanting to share tips / links/ books, etc which could be of use when preparing for the viva! :-)

I know there are plenty similar threads but maybe this could be more of a resources type thread?

Hi, I just took my viva and posted some thoughts on it here:
http://nxsfan.co.uk/blog/2010/04/29/doctor-vernon/

The most important thing I would have to say is don't worry!

Congrats Nxsfan! I didn't sleep the night before my iva either, though I managed to nab 3 hours sleep in the morning. Adrenaline got me through it as well. And I didn't even sleep the night after. my mind was still racing so much!

My best tip is to read Tinkler & Jackson's book, to demystify the process. And reread your thesis, and note any errors. I took a list of them into the viva, and it was fine. And perhaps think about your answers to 5 key questions: originality of thesis, contribution to knowledge, methodology, weaknesses/gaps/mistakes, and what would I do differently if starting again. I found that much more helpful than thinking about dozens of potential (but often similar) viva questions.

Really this is an eternal thread, never overtaken by time. Thanks for posting. Interest in the issue only oscillates depending on the one's stage in the PhD process. I happen to be on homestretch and looking for exactly this kind of stuff. Thanks for sharing. I promise to contribute my token's worth based on experience in the near future, assuming all goes well. My mock viva is set for end of May and the real thing end of July. All the best Jinkim65 as, like I, you count down.