How to prepare for your competency-based oral exam
09 Sep 2022
This blog is intended to be a guideline in preparing for the oral attorneys’ admission examinations. It should in no way be regarded as an all-inclusive method for effectively preparing for your oral exam. We strongly suggest you use this blog in association with resources like the Gawie Le Roux Institute of Law notes for papers 1, 2, 3 and 4 as well as your examination paper.
While an oral exam demonstrates your knowledge of a specific subject, it also demonstrates your presentation, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. To ensure the success of your oral exam it is crucial that you understand where you went wrong during the written exam. The examiners will have your exam answer sheet in front of them and they will use it to ask you questions. Normally, examiners will not ask you to draft anything, they will rather test your theoretical understanding of the subject matter. As such don’t spend hours drafting various agreements, pleadings or L&D accounts. Rather ensure that you have a sound understanding of the content dealing with your specific exam.
Oral exam preparation tips
These oral exams usually have a structured format and examiners have a list of questions that have been prepared beforehand. They typically seek concise, specific answers to the questions asked. Ensure that you listen to the question being asked, take a second to think about your answer and then answer only once you have thought your response through. If you feel like you did not understand the question properly, don’t be afraid to ask the examiners to repeat it. Avoid rambling on about irrelevant details to the question being asked, as this will come across as a lack of understanding about the topic or question at hand.
Prepare
Like any other test, the key to acing an oral exam is preparation. Spend adequate time studying for your oral exam. Be thoroughly knowledgeable about the subject you will be tested on. During your preparation, practice answering any question (out loud) you think the examiner could possibly ask you.
Here is a useful list of oral exam questions that have been asked in the past.
Be punctual
Never arrive late for an oral exam. Ensure that you’re ready at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time of the exam. If possible, clear your calendar for that day to ensure that your sole focus is on acing this oral exam.
Don’t forget to listen
Oral exams are all about talking, right? No! Oral exams are about listening intently. Listen, pay attention and stay focused throughout the entire exam. Listen attentively to the questions and then follow instructions.
People also asked
I did not pass my oral exam. What now?
You will have ample opportunity to write the exam again if you failed in the next sitting. It may feel like your world is crumbling down at that moment, but chin up, sit down and start studying for the next one. Hard work always pays off! Try the Gawie le Roux attorneys’ admission exams course.
Can I join a forum for advice?
If you’d like to connect with others preparing for the exam, join the Gawie le Roux Institute of Law Telegram groups.
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(This article is provided for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. For more information on the topic, please contact the author/s or the relevant provider.)