1. Tóg go réidh é~Take it easy
The examiner is there to give you the marks you deserve. Stressing out unnecessarily is going to make the examiner's job more difficult. Use the words you understand to have a two-way conversation, rather than a solo run of rhymed-off, nonsensical phrases.
2. Don't try and throw in every seanfhocal you know, it's not cool in any language.
Imagine having a normal conversation with someone and dropping in 'All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy'... bit weird, right? Similarly, 'Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam' is not a throwaway phrase; unless you're completely comfortable with a phrase and how to use it in the correct context, stick to simple, cohesive sentences. Coinnigh simplí é.
3. Don't understand? Don't be afraid to say it.
It is completely normal and acceptable to not understand a few questions, simply ask them to repeat the question and don't dwell on it. A simple 'Ní thuigim an cheist, an féidir leat é a rá arís?' will do the job.
4. Talk up your passions.
If you love sport, talk sport. If you love literature, talk literature. Think about what you love before you go in and when they ask you about your interests/caithimh aimsirí, bring that topic up, your passion will be infectious, making the conversation more interesting, for you and the examiner. Ná cuir do phearsantacht faoi cheilt!
5. Don't learn it off by heart.
By all means, prepare what you would like to say, make sure you have the terminology to talk about your interests, but don't learn off phrases to fire at the examiner at random. Language is communication between people, cumarsáid an sprioc, coinnigh é sin i gcuimhne.
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