Grad school grillings, also known as orals, are a type of examination that graduate students must take in order to complete their degree. This type of exam is usually conducted by a panel of faculty members who ask the student questions about their research and other topics related to their field of study. The student must answer the questions in order to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the subject matter. The purpose of the orals is to assess the student's ability to think critically and apply their knowledge in a real-world setting.