Oral Defense Examiner Tutorial

1. What feedback should examiners give during the test if a student gives a good or very good response?

Respond enthusiastically and ask questions

Say: very good answer

Say "thank you" and move to the next question

Use an additional prompt

For good, bad or indifferent responses, the student should not be given any type of feedback during the test. Examiners should try to keep facial expressions neutral, and close each response with a simple thank you, before moving to the next question. Nodding to show the examiner is listening is acceptable and helps relax the candidate. However vigorous nodding to signal a correct answer should be avoided.

Explanation

For good, bad or indifferent responses, the student should not be given any type of feedback during the test. Examiners should try to keep facial expressions neutral, and close each response with a simple thank you, before moving to the next question. Nodding to show the examiner is listening is acceptable and helps relax the candidate. However vigorous nodding to signal a correct answer should be avoided.

2. Examiners should discuss their grades for a student to reach a consensus.

True

False

There should be no comparison and discussion of scores. There is no need to come to a consensus. Scores are subject to statistical analysis later.

Explanation

There should be no comparison and discussion of scores. There is no need to come to a consensus. Scores are subject to statistical analysis later.

3. What should the examiner do if the student is initially unable to answer a question?

Nothing

Move immediately to the next question

Repeat the question as in the rubric

Rephrase the question

Initially the student may simply be nervous, or be unused to an unfamiliar accent. Rephrasing or prompts should not be used at this stage.

Explanation

Initially the student may simply be nervous, or be unused to an unfamiliar accent. Rephrasing or prompts should not be used at this stage.

4. If, after repeating the question, a student is still unable to answer, what should the examiner do?

Nothing

Move to the next question

Rephrase the question

Use an agreed prompt from the rubric

A couple of simplified prompts for each question will be provided to the examiners. Only these should be used.

Explanation

A couple of simplified prompts for each question will be provided to the examiners. Only these should be used.

5. Candidates are asked two questions per content area.

True

False

Students are asked one question per content area.

Explanation

Students are asked one question per content area.

6. How many questions are available for examiners to choose from, depending on the content area?

1-3

3-5

5-6

For the strategic plan and the SWOT analysis, there are 5 questions to choose from.
The other content areas have 3 questions to choose from.

Explanation

For the strategic plan and the SWOT analysis, there are 5 questions to choose from.
The other content areas have 3 questions to choose from.

7. How many content areas are covered in the test?

Four

Five

Six

Seven

The six areas are:
Strategic plan
SWOT analysis
Performance analysis
Ratio Analysis
Interpreting income statements
Interpreting balance sheets

Explanation

The six areas are:
Strategic plan
SWOT analysis
Performance analysis
Ratio Analysis
Interpreting income statements
Interpreting balance sheets

8. What should an exminer do if a student has misunderstood the question?

Nothing

Use an agreed prompt from the rubric

Move on to the next question

Repeat the question

Students should be given the opportunity to redeem themselves. However repeating the question will signal to the students that they have misunderstood, and undermine their confidence. Therefore it is better to use an additional prompt.

Explanation

Students should be given the opportunity to redeem themselves. However repeating the question will signal to the students that they have misunderstood, and undermine their confidence. Therefore it is better to use an additional prompt.

9. How long should the test take overall?

5-8 mins

8-12 mins

12-15 mins

Examiners should also aim to spend roughly the same amount of time on each content area.

Explanation

Examiners should also aim to spend roughly the same amount of time on each content area.

10. The exam should start with a brief introduction to set the scene and relax the candidate. How many of the following elements should be included? Tick all that apply.

One examiner should introduce both faculty members

Both examiners should introduce themselves

The candidate should be asked their name and to provide ID

Students are told they will be asked questions by both examiners

Students should have the exam process explained is some detail

The candidate should be invited to explain their product or their role

Students should be asked their ID number and their section

Examiners can decide beforehand on an appropriate ice-breaker. This could be the role the student had in the simulation, what type of business or product they were involved in, or if they enjoyed the simulation. the training videos are generic so do not include this, but it appears in the candidate videos.

Explanation

Examiners can decide beforehand on an appropriate ice-breaker. This could be the role the student had in the simulation, what type of business or product they were involved in, or if they enjoyed the simulation. the training videos are generic so do not include this, but it appears in the candidate videos.

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