Psychology Oral Exam Study Strategies 101 (Part 1)
Evelyn Jagpat O’Halloran, Psy.D.
Seems like the best advice I ever received from anyone about studying was quite simple and perhaps you have heard it as well, “Don’t study hard… Study smart!” 
This advice is most poignant when it comes to the Psychology Oral Exam. Often, candidates feel lost about how to best prepare and seem to spend a considerable amount of time and energy using ineffective study methods. This often results in them feeling overwhelmed, exhausted and anxious. What are the most common reasons candidates underperform or fail? Simply, poor preparation and nerves.
Poor preparation most often relates to a non-targeted and inefficient study method which does not take into consideration what the real exam experience will be like and what it will be assessing.
Here a few pointers which you may find helpful in your Psychology Oral Exam preparation.
#1 Ditch the note cards & the mountain of books/EPPP materials
This method of preparation is time consuming and will only overwhelm and confuse you in the end. Yes, you do need to know specific concrete facts but this is not a test of simply your knowledge.
#2 Manage your time
Get organized and become familiar with the key content areas of the exam. Study what is relevant. Burning the midnight oil does not often pay off. Stick to a defined study schedule. Like any good exercise program, it must become part of your routine. Repetition is key.
#3 Facts without clinical context are useless
This is an applied exam, most similar to a case conference or critical incident case review. Good preparation must involve applying all of your knowledge, clinical skills and good judgment to actual case scenarios. While you may have many facts, are you able to adequately apply them to different cases scenarios?
#4 Ask critical questions which consider different clinical scenarios and address key content areas of the exam
You must consider what types of questions you are likely to be asked and how they may be applied to a real case. As in real life, expect the unexpected…for example: changing scenarios, crisis situations, etc. Remember, this exam is meant to assess whether you are competent to practice independently.
#5 Practice oral responding within time limits
As the name suggests, this is an oral exam and you must become comfortable with responding out loud to questions and with expressing your thoughts clearly and succinctly, all within defined time limits. Many people underperform because they have not become comfortable with doing just this. You will find that thoughts in your head or words expressed on paper often don’t sound the same way out loud or roll off the tongue as wonderfully as you may have imaged they would. It is critical that you become accustomed to expressing your thoughts out loud and spontaneously.
Also, learning is enhanced when you try to mimic the actual oral exam experience and practice oral responding.
#6 Record yourself, see how your sound & get feedback on answers
Do you sound natural? Did you address the question clearly and directly? Were your answers succinct yet sufficiently detailed? Did you demonstrate your knowledge, expertise and good professional/clinical judgment? Were time limits observed? How can you improve on your answers? This is where having an objective other person to offer feedback or having a sample answer to questions may help. Do a critical analysis.
#7 Practice, Practice, Practice
This is your big performance day and like any good professional performer, you must rehearse and hone your skills. This helps you to develop a flow and to sound more natural, at ease and confident. You will also feel more calm and capable on exam day, as a result.
These are a few ways to enhance your preparation time and study strategy for the Psychology Oral Exam. If you would like to find out more about how our exam products may help you, please visit our Store on the menu bar or contact us for more details.
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