Ensure that all members have set aside about 3 hours for your exam.
Check all audio/visual presentation equipment or test your screen sharing
Briefly review your thesis and get familiar with your figures
Get familiar with several key references, including authors’ names, research groups and major points that may support your defense
On the day of the exam:
There is no dress code, but it is recommended to dress in a professional manner
Come approximately 30 minutes early to check the equipment if holding the exam in person
It is optional and by no means necessary to bring water and/or refreshments for your exam committee. If you or your supervisor choose to do so, these should be modest
Bring a hard copy of your thesis if holding the exam in person
Presentation:
20 minutes maximum
Remember: everyone has read your thesis; you don’t need to teach your examiners
Background: provide the rationale and significance of your research
Hypothesis: this is the most important part of your research
Methods: concentrate on the experimental design
Results: only present the main results
Conclusion: be clear and accurate
Examination Questions:
There are several types of examination questions, which fall into four categories:
Related to your research: background, significance
Questions from your thesis: statement, presentation of figures, additional information, your mistakes
Background knowledge: statistics, etc.
Unpredictable questions
If the Globe and Mail wants to release your research, what would the title of the article be?
What are the top 3 secrets of your success?
If you could re-do your project, what kind of new approaches would you like to use?
How to answer your questions:
Make sure you understand the question properly. Repeating the question back can allow you time to think it over
Provide a clear, brief answer
Use references to demonstrate your knowledge and support your point
Don’t be defensive
Be honest. Sometimes, “I don’t know” could be the best answer
If the question is not related to your research directly, point it out first, then speculate
After the first round, if you feel it is necessary, you may ask for a short break
The Examiner/Chair has the obligation to protect you. If you feel harassed, you may bring this to the attention of the Examiner/Chair and/or the other Examiners.
