BCS Viva Voce exam-day guide
BCS Viva Voce · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring the same government-issued photo ID you used during registration, with the name matching your booking exactly. Ask the exam provider which ID types they accept and whether a second form is required; do not assume a photocopy or digital image will be accepted.
Appointment confirmation and candidate number
Carry a printed or offline-accessible copy of your booking confirmation showing date, time, venue or platform, and any candidate reference number. Confirm with the provider whether printed copies are mandatory or whether an on-screen version is acceptable.
Know the exact arrival or log-in time
Note the reporting time rather than only the start time, and plan to arrive or connect well before it. Ask the provider how early you should join and what happens if you are late; late-arrival and admission cut-off rules vary and should be confirmed in writing.
Confirm the format and duration
Establish in advance whether the viva is in person, by video, or by telephone, how long it is scheduled to last, and whether any written or practical element precedes it. Confirm with the provider how many examiners will be present and whether observers may attend.
Re-read the published syllabus and assessment criteria
Work from the official syllabus and any published marking scheme so you can prioritise topics and understand how the viva is scored. If the weighting or pass mark is not published, confirm with the provider rather than relying on hearsay.
Prepare concise spoken answers and worked examples
Practise explaining core concepts aloud in short, structured answers, and be ready to justify reasoning rather than recite facts. Rehearse with a colleague or mentor who can interrupt with follow-up questions, since examiners typically probe depth of understanding.
Prepare questions to ask the examiners
Have one or two genuine clarifying questions ready in case a prompt is ambiguous. Asking for a question to be repeated or rephrased is normally acceptable, but confirm with the provider whether clarification requests affect scoring.
Check technical requirements for a remote viva
If the viva is online, test camera, microphone, speakers, lighting, and internet connection on the same equipment you will use. Confirm with the provider which platform is used, whether a backup telephone number is needed, and what identity and room checks apply.
Choose a quiet, private location for a remote viva
Use a room with a plain background, no interruptions, and reliable power. Confirm with the provider whether you must show the room on camera, whether anyone else may be present, and whether notes or a second screen are prohibited.
Plan travel and a buffer
For an in-person viva, check the route, parking, and building access in advance and allow extra time for security or reception procedures. Confirm with the provider which entrance to use and whether you must register on arrival.
Bring permitted materials only
Find out in advance whether notes, textbooks, calculators, or reference sheets are allowed, and carry only what is expressly permitted. Items not on the permitted list are typically surrendered or refused; confirm with the provider before bringing anything borderline.
Read the candidate conduct and appeals information
Review the provider's rules on conduct, malpractice, extenuating circumstances, and results appeals before the day so you know your options. Confirm with the provider where to report illness or a technical failure and what evidence is required.
Plan the day
Confirm the appointment details, venue or platform, and ID requirements with the provider in writing. Re-read the syllabus and assessment criteria, then build a short revision plan covering your weakest areas rather than re-reading everything. Run at least two full mock vivas aloud with a colleague, focusing on structuring answers, justifying decisions, and handling follow-up questions. Prepare your travel or technical setup, including a backup plan for transport failure or loss of internet. Protect sleep and avoid last-minute cramming of new material.
Do a light review of key frameworks and your own prepared examples, then stop studying early. Lay out ID, confirmation, and any permitted materials in one place. For a remote viva, test the platform, run a sound and video check, charge devices, and note the provider's contact number for technical problems. For an in-person viva, confirm the route and journey time. Eat normally, avoid alcohol, and aim for a full night's sleep. Check the provider's guidance on what to do if you fall ill at this stage.
Eat a proper meal and arrive or log in early as instructed. Re-read only your own summary notes, not new material. For a remote viva, close other applications, silence notifications, and keep water within reach. For an in-person viva, allow buffer time for reception and security. Take a few minutes to breathe and rehearse your opening explanation of a core topic so you start fluently.
Listen to each question in full before answering, and ask for repetition or rephrasing if needed. Structure answers: state your position, give the reasoning, then add an example or caveat. If you do not know something, say so plainly and explain how you would find out rather than guessing. Think briefly before responding; a short pause is better than a rushed error. Manage time so you cover the main points, and watch for signals from the examiners if they need to move on. Stay composed if challenged; examiners often test the limits of your knowledge deliberately. Note anything you want to raise afterwards, such as a technical failure, and report it through the provider's stated channel.
Rules to check
Bring the exact photo ID specified by the provider and be ready to show it on request. If you are unsure which forms of ID are accepted, confirm with the provider before the day; candidates without acceptable ID may be refused admission.
Follow the provider's rules on what may be brought into the viva. Notes, textbooks, calculators, phones, and smart devices are commonly restricted unless expressly permitted, so confirm the permitted list with the provider in advance.
Do not communicate with anyone other than the examiners during the viva, and do not share or discuss the questions with others afterwards if the provider prohibits it. Confirm the confidentiality expectations with the provider.
Ask the provider in advance about breaks, rest periods, and adjustments. Some vivas run without a scheduled break, and access arrangements or extra time usually require prior approval, so confirm what you are entitled to.
Understand how the viva is scored before you sit it: the number of examiners, the assessment criteria, and whether a pass mark or overall grade applies. If this is not published, confirm with the provider rather than assuming.
Report illness, technical failure, or any disruption to the provider as soon as possible and follow their procedure for extenuating circumstances. Keep any evidence they require; do not wait until after results are issued.
Treat the examiners with courtesy and answer honestly. If you do not know an answer, say so rather than inventing one; examiners generally assess reasoning and professional judgement as well as factual recall.
Check the provider's policy on results, feedback, and appeals before the viva so you know the deadlines and grounds. Confirm the process with the provider, as timelines and permitted grounds vary.