The words to use
- Role-player
- A trained actor who plays the person in the scenario from a written brief. At some schools the role-player also scores you.
- Hidden concern
- A worry the actor shares only if you ask an open question and listen, such as how their parents will react.
- Global judgement
- The examiner's overall mark for the station, often out of 5, given alongside the checklist. It rewards how well you handled the person, not set phrases.
- Open question
- A question that cannot be answered with yes or no, such as "What's worrying you most?" It lets the person tell you what matters.
- False reassurance
- Promising an outcome you cannot know, such as "It'll be fine." It feels kind, but it closes the conversation and costs trust.
