GD Preparation

http://time4education.com/gdei/gdprepare.asp

How to do well in Group Discussion G roup Discussions are an integral part of the selection process of most of the top
B-Schools. While the weightage given to GDs varies between B-Schools, it is usually in the range of 10-15 per cent at the IIMs and other top B-Schools. In the light of the weightage accorded, it is important that when it comes to GD preparation, you leave no stone unturned. What is a Group Discussion (GD)? A GD is a forum to discuss and express your views about an issue in a logical, coherent, and mature manner. The person who conducts the GD and assesses your performance is called moderator. The number of students in a Group Discussion varies between 8-10 at the IIMs to about 15-20 at other top B-Schools. Similarly, the time given to a group to discuss a given topic / situation / case varies between 15 minutes and 45 minutes. Irrespective of the number of participants and the time given, you should make sure that you perform to your full potential and to the expectations of the moderator. To prepare effectively for GD, it is important to understand the finer nuances of what a GD is and what the performance evaluation parameters are. METHOD OF PREP A GD is unlike an elocution, which is a one-to-many situation. A GD is a many-to-many interaction situation where any participant, at any time, may interrupt another to express her / his idea(s) about the topic under discussion. While experience in public speaking helps, it does not lend any special advantage over those who do not have such experience. Another misconception that most students harbour is that only those who use flowery language tend to do well in a GD. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. A student who uses simple, easily comprehensible language to convey ideas, will have an advantage over others. TYPES OF GROUP DISCUSSION Topic-based; Case-based, and Article-based. In topic-based discussions, you will be asked to discuss a knowledge-based topic that may pertain to society / social trends (including education), politics, economics, legal / judicial system, information technology, sport or current events. Alternately, you could be asked to discuss an abstract issue or an article from a newspaper. Some top institutes, such as IIM-A, IIM-B, and IIM-I have Case Study GDs. Institutes like SCMHRD, IRMA, and IMDR have, as a part of their selection process, been asking students to enact role-plays and analyse situations. The moderator in a GD sets the ball rolling by announcing the topic for discussion. Sometimes, the moderator may ask the group members to discuss among themselves and come up with a GD topic or the moderator may also provide the

1 of 4

12/17/2011 8:01 PM

GD Preparation

http://time4education.com/gdei/gdprepare.asp

group with a choice of topics and ask the group to choose any one topic for discussion. Often students are awarded marks on the approach they take in selecting the topic and the reasons they cite for selecting the topic. EVALUATION PARAMETERS In a GD, members within the group are judged on four parameters. They are: Content; Communication Skills; Group Behaviour, and Leadership Skills. (a) Content: Content refers to the quality of what you say. In a GD, unless you know something about the topic, you will not be able to make a positive contribution to the topic or give direction to the efforts of the group. The content that you use is the single most important factor that determines your success in a GD. (b) Communication: Here, you are evaluated on 'how you say what you want to say'. Communication does not refer to use of flowery language. Rather, it means conveying your ideas in such a manner so as to ensure that persons whom you are addressing, clearly understand what you are telling them. ? Listening: You are expected to be a good listener. Unless you are a good listener, you will find it very difficult to add to the ideas expressed by the other participants. Moreover, you may be asked to summarise the discussion and unless you are a good listener, you will not be able to summarise the discussion effectively. Over the years B-Schools have been placing a premium on this attribute. IIM-B has been asking participants for a written summary of the GD. ? Language: While we have said that use of flowery language should be avoided, it is important to note that marks are awarded for the confidence and ease with which you use the English language. What also needs to be borne in mind is that unless what you say with regard to the topic makes sense, no amount of good English will help you. ? Body Language: Body language plays an important part in non-verbal communication. While you need to keep this in the back of your mind, this need not impede your natural body movements. Relax and be your natural self. (c) Group Behaviour: The moderator expects you to make points logically and rationally as a mature adult. Do not get carried away by passion or do not be stubborn while trying to make a point in the discussion. (d) Leadership Skills: You are not expected to physically lead a group by actions such as thumping the desk, shouting, etc. Such actions should be avoided. Leadership, in the context of a GD, means showing direction to the group when it is running out of points to speak on or when it is straying from the given topic. IDEA GENERATION TECHNIQUES Find below three major techniques to generate ideas in a GD: (a) Key Word Approach (KWA): In any topic, there will be keywords that are loaded with meaning and open to interpretation. You should use these words to

2 of 4

12/17/2011 8:01 PM

GD Preparation

http://time4education.com/gdei/gdprepare.asp

generate ideas for discussion. (b) Viewpoints of Affected Parties (VAP): The group should look at the pros and cons of the topic, and try to bring forth their views on the parties which would probably be affected by any decision (adverse or otherwise) taken. (c) Socio-cultural, Political, Economic, Legal, and Technological (SPELT) angles to the given topic: Students should analyse a given topic using this approach as this would help them look at an issue from multiple angles. You should bear in mind that it may not be possible to use each of the above mentioned approaches in isolation for every topic. Rather what you should look at doing is to use a combination of approaches so that you generate the maximum number of ideas. HOW TO PREPARE FOR GD Taking it as it comes is certainly not the right approach towards something as critical as a GD. If you wait till you get a call, you will not be left with any time to prepare at all. You need to understand that most students would have started their GD preparation already. By clearing the written test, you would be clearing just one hurdle. From here, the competition would get stiffer as each student who receives a call is as motivated as you to get into the hallowed portals of a top B-School. To improve your knowledge, you need to read a general newspaper and one business daily as well as magazines including a business journal. In the different articles that you read, concentrate on the main idea rather than dwell on its superficial aspects. Make regular notes on every article you read and try to convert them into ideas, as this will help you remember them better. Always read articles that cover a range of issues to increase your knowledge about a wide variety of topics. Avoid sticking to articles whose areas / core issues you are already comfortable with. If you are not doing this already, we recommend that start your preparation today! CHECKLIST FOR GD + Be prepared with a 15-20 second introduction which clearly states your name, the place you come from, the degree and the name of the university from which you are pursuing / pursued your degree. Most moderators ask students to introduce themselves to the rest of the group before starting the GD. + Carry a small notepad along with a pen to the GD to take down notes. You might be asked to summarise the GD verbally or in writing. + Do not address the moderator. Address the group. Once the GD starts, as far as you are concerned, the moderator ceases to exist. + Do not try to start the GD just for the sake of starting it. Start the GD only if you are sure that you are adding value to the topic straightaway. + Do not repeat a point that you / someone else may have already made in the GD. You get marks for each idea only once. + Make your points in crisp, short sentences. If you get into a long sentence, there is every possibility that you will be interrupted even before you come to the main idea.

3 of 4

12/17/2011 8:01 PM

GD Preparation

http://time4education.com/gdei/gdprepare.asp

+ Do not take a stance in a GD at the beginning. This, theoretically, halves the number of points you could possibly make. + Make it a point to come into a GD (of 20 minutes) at least 4-6 times. + Do not address a GD participant by name. You are not expected to remember their names. As he / she said will do. + Do not seek the assistance / intervention of the moderator directly / indirectly at any time during the GD. + Always discuss the pros and cons of the topic given. Remember, it is a discussion and not an argument or a debate where you need to take sides. + You do not get points for proving other participants wrong. Make your point and move on. + Do not point fingers at your co-participants or get aggressive with them. It wont endear you to them and certainly not to the moderator. + Do not use slang or vernacular. + Maintain eye contact with the group. + Do not show disappointment or disgust on your face in case you are not being allowed to speak. + Practice as often as possible with different groups, different topics, and in different situations. (Excerpted from December 2009 issue of MBA Education & Careers)

4 of 4

12/17/2011 8:01 PM