There are a ton of good suggestions floating around about how to prepare for the oral exam. I am slowly collecting them:
- If you have no idea of the answer (taken from Prof. Smith’s 22.251 slides 2013 fall):* say so, don’t bs.
- start with something related that you know of, describe the process you would use to get the answer, and regain your composure and confidence.* Be able to estimate the order of magnitude of quantities. Be careful about the units. Be careful about the sign (e.g., positive vs. negative temperature coefficients). Good examples: first day exam from 22.211(fall 2011), 22.251 (fall 2013).