Prepare a doctoral candidate for the viva or thesis defence with a written pack: a three-minute thesis summary, the contribution stated plainly, predicted questions by chapter with answer outlines, the weak points and how to own them, a chapter-by-chapter crib sheet, and a plan for the final two weeks. Use when asked to prepare for my viva, what will my examiners ask, help me summarise my thesis, I am worried about my methods chapter in the defence, or make a viva revision plan. Produces the pack as a document to study from. Distinct from the-thesis-defense, which runs a live mock defence; use this first, then that.
“My viva is in three weeks. Build me a preparation pack from my abstract and chapter list.”“What will examiners ask about a small-sample qualitative study?”“Help me say my contribution in one sentence.”“My external examiner works on a rival theory. Where will they push?”“Run this skill in your browser: https://mohitagw15856.github.io/pm-claude-skills/skill/viva-prep-pack.html”
What to give it
▸Field, country or institution — viva formats differ: closed oral examination, public defence, committee
▸Thesis title, abstract, research questions and chapter list
▸The contribution as the candidate sees it
▸Methods and the decisions the candidate is least — sure about
▸Known limitations and anything a supervisor has flagged
▸Examiners' names and research areas, if known
▸Date of the viva and time available to — prepare
✅ The bar it holds itself to
Every skill in this library self-verifies — these are this skill's own quality checks, straight from its definition.
✓The contribution fits in one sentence and names what is new
✓Every chapter has questions aimed at its weakest step
✓Each weak point has the reasoning and the effect on conclusions
✓Answer outlines are bullets, not scripts
✓The plan includes speaking answers aloud and a mock defence
⚠️ What it refuses to do
**Do not write answers to be memorised word for word.**
**Do not hide limitations.** Examiners find them.
**Do not predict the result or the corrections.**
**Do not invent claims about the examiners' views.** Use only what the candidate supplies.
**Do not prepare by rereading alone.** Practise aloud.
Install
npx pm-claude-skills add --agent claude # or codex · cursor · gemini · hermes
# or one-line MCP (every skill, any client):
claude mcp add pm-skills -- npx -y -p pm-claude-skills pm-claude-skills-mcp