Session 09-05 - Oral Exam Practice IV

Section 09: Exam Preparation

Author

Dr. Nikolai Heinrichs & Dr. Tobias Vlćek

Welcome

The Dress Rehearsal

Full oral-exam conditions, one last time before the FSP

  • Today runs like the real thing: strict timing, no hints, formal feedback
  • Topic sets come from the full pool (Sets 01-08) - every FSP core area is in play
  • Function analysis · differential calculus · integral calculus · probability · equations & systems
  • Format reference: oral exam guide

. . .

You have practiced three rounds. Today is about performing, not learning the format.

Why This Matters Now

  • If the written FSP does not go your way, the oral is your second chance
  • Everything you practiced - roadmaps, vocabulary, thinking aloud - must now be automatic
  • Explaining a topic fluently is also the best possible final review for the written exam

How Today Works

Exam Protocol

Groups of three, but stricter than before

  • Preparation: exactly 30 minutes, notes on paper only
  • Exam: 20 minutes - Block A presentation with follow-ups, then the Block B impulse
  • Examiners run the key without softening: levels [I] → [II] → [III]
  • No rescues during the exam - help comes in the feedback, not in the room

Structured Feedback

After each exam, 10 minutes, in this order:

  1. Candidate self-assessment: one strength, one weakness
  2. Observer: structure, vocabulary, interpretation - with concrete examples
  3. Examiner: which requirement level did the answers actually reach?
  4. Agree on one focus point for the candidate’s remaining study time

. . .

Feedback that names a specific moment (“when you divided by x without checking zero”) beats general praise.

Practice Rounds

Rounds One and Two

  • Draw topic sets blind - in the real oral you don’t choose your topic either
  • Run the full protocol: 30 prep · 20 exam · 10 feedback
  • Then rotate roles and draw again

Coffee Break - 15 Minutes

Final Round

Round Three

Last rotation - and your last full oral simulation

  • Everyone completes their third candidate run of the course
  • Examiners: hold the level-[III] questions until the candidate has committed to an answer

Wrap-Up

Key Takeaways

  • You have now run the oral format end to end, under exam conditions
  • Your feedback focus point is your priority for the remaining review sessions
  • Fluent explanation = deep understanding - it will show in the written exam too

Next Session Preview

Session 09-06: Final Recap - Calculus & Curve Sketching

  • Concentrated recap of the calculus toolchain for the written FSP
  • Bring the weaknesses today’s rounds exposed

. . .

TipPreparation

Write out - fully, on paper - the Block A topic you presented today. Silent, precise, exam-style.