During the Viva

Full Viva Walkthrough

Watch the animated demo to see the complete student experience from start to finish.

The Two Phases

Each question has two phases: preparation (think) and recording (answer).

Preparation Phase

During prep, the question displays on screen and is read aloud. You can replay the audio, review context cards, and use the notepad. You are not being recorded.

When you're ready to start recording early:

Recording Phase

Recording starts automatically after prep ends. The indicator shows you're live:

Use these controls during recording:

• Pause stops the timer temporarily (if enabled by your instructor)
• Stop recording ends your answer early
• Mute buttons let you temporarily disable mic/camera without stopping

After Recording

Once recording stops, you have 60 seconds to submit and continue. The countdown shows next to the button:

If re-recording is enabled, you can try again (limited attempts across all questions):

Context Cards

If your instructor provides reference materials, they appear in a panel. Click to expand:

• PDF files open in the camera area (recording continues)
• Text cards can include formulas and key terms
• Images expand when clicked

Notepad

The notepad lets you jot down thoughts during prep. Notes are private, stored in your browser only, and cleared when you submit.

• Multi-page support (up to 5 pages)
• Speech-to-text available during prep (press Space to toggle)
• Notes carry over from the preparation space if you used it

If You Get Disconnected

Close the tab, lose internet, or your browser crashes? Your progress is saved:

1. Return to VivaEdu when you're back online
2. Go to your dashboard
3. Click "Resume" on the viva
4. You'll continue from your first unanswered question
5. Previous recordings are already saved

Tips

Completion

After the last question, wait for uploads to finish before closing the page. Most uploads happen in the background, so this is usually quick (10-30 seconds).