Islamic Studies Midterm

Viva Voce Exam Guide

Baqar Hassan Syed

Exam Syllabus
Session 1: Introduction to the Course
Session 2: Approaching the Islamic Religion and Civilization
Session 3: The Qur’an
Session 4: Sirah – The Life of Prophet (PBUH)
Session 5: The Ḥadīth Tradition
Session 6: The Islamic Legal Tradition I + The Shi‘i Tradition
Session 7: The Islamic Legal Tradition II

Exam Format
The total time for the viva voce exam will be ten to fifteen minutes, and there will
be two parts of the exam.

The total marks for the viva voce exam are 20. Part 1 will carry 5 marks and Part
2 will have 15 marks.

In Part 1 you will be given a few minutes to briefly explain two terms, books
and/or authors. These will be selected from the same list you have for the written
exam. With 2.5 marks per term, the total marks for this part will be 5.

In Part 2 you will have up to ten minutes to answer a few short questions. These
will be similar to the samples we have shared for the written exam. The marks for
each short question may vary, but the total marks will be 15.

The exam will be open book and open notes.

You must keep your camera and mic on during the exam and make sure your
environment is quiet. The penalty for not doing so will be severe. We may not
even accept your exam.
 • Make sure you try the iVCam app if you are using a PC without a
built-in camera. This app will allow you to appear in Zoom on video
using your phone’s camera.

Please do not take more than thirty seconds to compose quick notes before
answering a question. You may use a pencil and a piece of paper for this and
read from them, but make sure they are visible in the camera display.

How to Prepare for the Exam

If you followed the instructions and advice on how to prepare for your written
exam, you are largely done! All you need to do for the oral exam is to have your
notes and materials in easy reach. Try to relax and remain confident.

For a higher grade, practice talking to yourself in the mirror. If you can answer
questions confidently, like you “really get it,” the way you explain things to a
friend, without missing key details, you will do well.