Aiming for a high mark in the upcoming oral exams? Strengthen your speaking skills with our oral exam tips for O-Level students!
Are you feeling anxious about the upcoming O-Level oral exams? Don’t worry, your classmates probably feel the same way as you!
Oral exams can be a daunting experience for most students, but with the right mindset, proper techniques and enough practice, you can build your skills to answer any question confidently.
Today, we’ll share some oral exam tips for O-Level students to help you boost your confidence and overcome your nerves ahead of this crucial exam period.
From knowing the test format to learning how to stay calm, here’s everything you need to know to be more confident in speaking during the oral exam!
Effective this year, the oral exam format for secondary students has been revised to better test how well you communicate. Keep this in mind!
Are you feeling anxious about the upcoming O-Level oral exams? Don’t worry, your classmates probably feel the same way as you!
Oral exams can be a daunting experience for most students, but with the right mindset, proper techniques and enough practice, you can build your skills to answer any question confidently.
Today, we’ll share some oral exam tips for O-Level students to help you boost your confidence and overcome your nerves ahead of this crucial exam period.
From knowing the test format to learning how to stay calm, here’s everything you need to know to be more confident in speaking during the oral exam!
Effective this year, the oral exam format for secondary students has been revised to better test how well you communicate. Keep this in mind!
The reading aloud component of the oral exam has been replaced by planned response, while the spoken interaction portion remains the same.
During the planned response portion, you’ll be asked to watch a video and give a response to a prompt. You’ll only have 10 minutes to prepare and two minutes to deliver your answer.
As you watch the video, write down your key points and then start forming your thoughts on how you’re going to substantiate your answer.
The spoken interaction remains the portion where you’ll engage in a conversation with the examiners on a topic that’s usually related to the video clip. To make a stellar impression, try to consider different viewpoints and don’t be afraid to provide your personal opinions.
When you’re familiar with the oral exam format, including its types and time limits, you gain clarity on what to expect. This allows you to prepare more effectively.
Confidence may be critical for oral exams, but you need to back it up with strong communication skills to leave a good impression on your examiners. These two go hand in hand!
To sharpen your vocabulary, read up on current events consistently to learn new words, phrases and expressions. Make it a habit to read the news every day, as well as opinion pieces from reputable news sources.
This will be a huge advantage because oral exam questions usually involve topics related to the society and community.
The easiest way to improve your pronunciation is by listening to anything, whether it’s a podcast that interests you or new music from your favourite local artists. This will give you an idea of how some unfamiliar words are pronounced.
Try to notice the intonation used by the speakers and then repeat the phrases afterwards by imitating the sounds and stresses. Notice how your mouth and tongue move when you speak.
As the saying goes, practice makes perfect! Remember that building confidence in speaking, especially in front of other people, takes time and effort.
It’s important to have regular and structured practise speaking sessions at home to enhance your speaking skills and eliminate potential errors. Ask your friends and family to come when you’re practising so you have someone to give you feedback and converse with.
Express your opinion freely when conversing with other people. Don’t just agree with what the other person is saying and explain your stance.
This will help you practise how to substantiate your opinions and stand by them.
One of the most common mistakes during oral exams is neglecting non-verbal communication such as body language and eye contact.
Your body language can convey confidence during an oral exam even when you’re actually not that confident. When speaking, try to stand tall, make eye contact with the examiners, and use hand gestures to emphasise your points.
By being aware of these common mistakes and taking proactive steps to avoid them, you can enhance your performance in the oral exams and present yourself more confidently and effectively.
It’s normal to feel nervous during any exam but being overly nervous can hinder your performance.
Anxiety and nervousness can still creep in no matter how prepared you think you are. The key is finding ways to deal with your nerves and keep yourself calm amidst everything.
Whether it's through relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or positive self-talk, learning how to manage your nerves goes a long way in boosting your confidence when you have to speak in front of other people.
Confidence will play a crucial role in your performance in any exam, so we hope that the oral exam tips for O-Level we just shared will give you the confidence boost you need to shine!
At Aspire Hub, we provide students with revision programmes to help them achieve their academic goals. Enquire now and we can find the tuition or revision programme that best fits your needs.
