Part IA Option B and Part IB option A

Information for Candidates

All candidates must present themselves for an oral examination in each language for which they have been entered.

Please note that the Oral B examinations begin just before the start of term. These examinations will be held on in April 2024.  The examinations will each consist of two parts: (1) reading aloud;  (2) conversation based on a text chosen by the Examiners. At the discretion of the examiners, conversation could move on to other topics.

A 'fail' in the Oral will not in itself disqualify a candidate from passing the Tripos examination. 

Preparation for Candidates:

1. The examination will be held in person.

2. You will be given a time slot for each of your examinations.

3. Before your examination, you will spend 15 minutes perusing the passage in your perusal room. 

4. Please note that sharing this passage with anyone will be treated as academic misconduct.

5. You should then report to your exam room at your exam time.

Reading Aloud: Examiners will indicate a section of the text for the candidate to read during the examination.

Conversation: The issues discussed should arise in the first instance from the passage itself, although examiners are free to move on to other topics.

The examiners will assess the candidate's pronunciation and intonation, grammatical accuracy, range of vocabulary and idiom, fluency and response.

The total time for the examination is not expected to exceed 15 minutes.

Full details of the schedule of interviews with examiners will be sent to Colleges well in advance of the examinations.