Dear Friends,
We have already
talked about the possible topics that can be asked when you appear for Group
Discussion. Here we will be discussing about the tips and tricks for your
preparation as well as your performance in GD.
Group Discussion-How it work?
During GD, you will
be put in a Group Discussion of 8 to 10 candidates and evaluated by a panel.
You will be given a specific situation to
analyze and discuss within this group. This group discussion is a simulated
exercise - so you cannot suddenly put up a show, because evaluators will easily
see through you. The group will be given a topic or case study and will be
asked to discuss it. But how do you prepare for this group discussion? Let's
take a look at different ways you can get ready for this very important exam!
Some Preparation Tips
You must speak!
First and foremost,
you must speak in the Group Discussion. This is the most basic principle. You
must be noticed by the panel that is judging you. Many Group Discussion
participants will complain that they did not receive a chance to speak.
However, you must create the opportunity to have your voice heard. Keeping your
mouth shut or just murmuring inaudible words in a Group Discussion is simply
unacceptable!
Increase your general knowledge base
Since any topic in
the GD is possible, you should increase your knowledge in all general areas. A
well-rounded intelligence is a key to success. Often you will find that
knowledge in one discipline will help you out in another. Also brush up on your
definitions.
Read daily newspapers and magazines.
You must realize
that the Group Discussion topics can cover anything under the sun, especially
current affairs. Read daily newspapers and magazines to become knowledgeable
about hot topics in the economy, politics, technology, science and any sort of
world news. Even watching the news on television will help you get a sense of
what type of current affairs are going on. You can even search the Internet for
the official websites of newspapers that you read - they usually offer an
online version of their news. Read up on news events which involve debatable
topics or actions. You may recognize whether or not a news story is debatable
particularly if there are opinion or editorial articles on it.
Refresh your knowledge of business and politics.
The CAT is an
entrance exam for management programs, so you should know the core concepts of
business, management and technology. You should also be well-rounded in
political affairs. Try to refresh yourself in the following topics:
•
Political ideas and their role in today's government, society and economy (e.g.
capitalism, socialism, democracy, bureaucracies)
•
Case studies: mortality rates, per capita income, foreign exchange rates
•
Economic and political reforms in India
•
Common stock market, business and banking terms
•
Philosophies and rhetoric
•
Current affairs in India, the Middle East, the world
•
Social issues
•
Effects of globalization
There are many more
topics which you need to cover.
Participate in practice group discussion.
Having a mock group
discussion is a great way to get practice. Try this out with like-minded
friends and you can learn from each other by giving and receiving feedback.
Take a piece of
paper and a pen and use them, unless specifically asked by the evaluators not
to do so. Before you begin speaking, think through the major issues in the
topic in the first 2 minutes. Jot down points or mentally work out a framework
for analysis. Start speaking when you are ready to analyse the topic.
If you do not
understand the topic, then either ask the group to seek clarification and
accept that your ignorance will be obvious to all or else wait. The meaning may
become clear after a few minutes of the discussion, when someone else discusses
it.
Avoid speaking in
turn, as it leads to an unnatural discussion. A GD involves a free-flowing
exchange of ideas among participants. There will probably be chaos in most
competitive GDs because all participants will want to be heard.
CRITICAL FACTORS FOR SUCCESS
Opening a discussion
Opening up a
discussion is a very high risk-high return strategy. The opening speaking in a
group discussion is usually the person who is likely to get the most
uninterrupted speaking time, because everyone else will still be trying to
understand the basic issues in the topic or will be too nervous to be the first
one to speak. Evaluators get the best chance to observe these opening speakers.
However, this
opportunity is a double-edged sword because if the opening speaker makes sense,
he will get credit because he has set the discussion in the right direction.
But if the first speaker lacks substance, he will attract attention to his
shortcomings. He might be marked as a person who speaking without thinking
things through first, and speaking only for the sake of speaking. You do not
want to be marked as someone who leads the group in the wrong direction.
Always remember,
speaking first can make or break your GD performance depending on how you
handle it. Speak first only if you have enough sensible things to say -
otherwise, keep silent and let someone else start.
Cognitive skills and knowledge
When you speak in
the GD, you must focus on the quality of your content (QOC). This will be
reflected in the points you make, your knowledge of the relevant subject, and
the supporting examples you give to back up your argument.
Comprehension of the core idea
As mentioned before,
it's essential to deliver high quality quantity. But to do that, you have to
speak on the topic and not deviate too far from it. The panel wants to see if
you have identified the crux of the problem, and whether you are offering relevant
solutions. The quality of what you are saying is more valuable than the
quantity. There is this myth amongst many group discussion participants that
the way to succeed in a group discussion is by speaking loudly and at great
length. One could not be more wrong - you must have meat in your arguments.
Logical reasoning and clarity of thought
Logical reasoning
includes understanding the topic, generating quality arguments and analysis, as
well as providing a progressive approach to a justifiable conclusion. Your
argument has to make sense. Logic is a necessary attribute for an effective GD
participant. You will illustrate qualities of being open-minded and
logic-driven, rather than just simply opinionated.
Behavioral and personality skills
Attributes like
rapport-building, team membership, participation, patience, assertion and
accommodation, amenability and leadership are key. Always be polite. Motivate
the other members of the team to speak and do not be abrasive or arrogant. The
panel will judge team members for their alertness and presence of mind,
problem-solving abilities, ability to work as a team without alienating certain
members, and creativity.
Communication skills
Be assertive, but
not dominating. You should be able to articulate your thoughts properly as well
as understand what others are trying to say. Be prepared with counter arguments
for those who hold opposite views to you. Everyone else will state the obvious,
so highlight some not-so-obvious points. Your different perspective will be
highly appreciated by the panel. Here are some pointers:
•
Make sure that your "different" perspective or statement is still
relevant to the debate at hand.
•
Move the group ahead if it is stuck at one point.
•
Be able to take the discussion into a more fresh and relevant direction.
YOUR OBJECTIVES
Know what the
objective of your group discussion is. Your objective is to have contributed
meaningfully in an attempt to help the group reach the right consensus:
•
Gaining support or influencing colleagues is the mantra adopted by many
successful business leaders.
•
Nobody expects a group of ten people with different viewpoints to all achieve a
consensus. What matters is the question "did you make attempts to build a
consensus?"
•
Building a consensus is important because in most work situations, you'll have
to work with people in a team, have joint responsibilities and make group
decisions.
•
Demonstrate that you are capable of working as part of a team.
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