All of my exams in Belgium were one-on-one oral exams. Each class usually had no homework or papers, so this final oral exam was 100% of the grade for the class. If you were having an off day, too bad. If you prepared for 99% of the topic, but got asked about the 1% you were unsure of, too bad. It was tons of pressure, but I loved it. It made me solid at giving presentations, thinking on the spot, and feigning confidence. Professors would start with easier questions to make sure you knew the basics. Then, once they knew you would pass, they would continue to ask you more difficult questions until you were stumped. I swear this happened exactly as depicted. I ended up with an A out of sheer luck.
Final Exam – Let’s Go to School in Belgium
