Useful Tips for Cracking GD

By Dr Deepika Saxena

Group Discussion (GD) is an important aspect of MBA/PGDM admission.The group discussion actually helps in judgement of the overall personality of the candidate.

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Cracking the Group Discussion (GD) is an important criteria for an MBA/PGDM aspirant to get admission into an MBA institute. GD is one of the one of the crucial rounds in the selection process of B-schools. Not only is it important MBA/PGDM admissions, but also at the time of placements. So, it is strongly recommended that group discussions should not be taken lightly as it may become one of the hurdles for you to get admissions into a good B-School.

What B-Schools Judge?

The most important parameters which everyone knows are communication skills and confidence. In GD, a candidate is judged on various other parameters such as content, clarity and presentation of thought, leadership quality, body language, and respect for others' viewpoints. The group discussion actually judges the overall personality of the candidate.

What should you do?

• In a group discussion, express your thoughts and ideas clearly and concisely.
• Candidates generally forget to take paper and pen in the GD room. But remember you need to note down the debating points, so always carry the same with you.
• Take the lead if you are clear with your thoughts. Start the discussion only when you are clear with the topic, else it can bring negative impression for you. Starting a group discussion may act as a double edged sword. If you are not clear with your viewpoint and content on the given topic, then don’t start the discussion.
• The most difficult situation comes when you do not understand the topic. In such a situation, try to take the clues from others’ discussion and their examples, then contribute in the discussion with the elaboration on that content, give related and relevant examples.

What should be your body language?

Candidates often misunderstand leadership as controlling the group. They generally get aggressive which becomes the negative point for that candidate. You need to understand that leadership in GD is about giving direction to the group in terms of its content. Body language is very important in a group discussion. Make eye contact with the other group members and try to address the group as a whole. Please note a good speaker must also be a good listener. So, carefully listen to others points as well. Agree or disagree with them politely and in a graceful manner.

How to strengthen your content?

The content part is very important in GD. The candidate must be aware of the socio-political and business environment in the country. Most of the candidates lack the knowledge of a particular topic which is due to the lack of habit of newspaper reading. Content can only be built up when you read the newspaper daily or update yourself with information in whichever way you can. Now a days, there are various news apps which are very handy in getting news updates. However, in order to understand a topic or event well, in depth analysis of the same is required. Analysis of news actually helps in cracking the GD as the candidate can raise relevant points with appropriate examples. In fact, a candidate automatically gets confidence when he has the right content to speak.

Always try to mention the source of your examples such as name of the newspaper/magazine, website, reports published by the companies or any other authentic source.   

What you should avoid?

• Try not to address or argue with a single person in the group, and avoid pointing finger or pen to any of the group member.
• Avoid moving chair while sitting as it shows your lack of confidence. Do not look at the panellists when you get involved in the group discussion.
• Don’t get aggressive or overpower others. Articulation and voice modulation is needed whenever situation demands. Don’t be a part of fish market rather you can show your leadership skills and this will make you earn positive point by panellists.
• Don’t give up, try to make multiple entries in the discussion. Don’t give away all your points in one go. Rather, present one point at a time and relate that with examples. This way you will be able to take multiple and frequent entries and also get a chance to get noticed by the panellists.
• Remember, this discussion is not a war. Don’t pass personal remarks / comments to anybody in the group, any religion or caste, any gender or any political party or any group of the society. 

I hope the tips given above will be useful to you. Good Luck!

About the Author:

Dr. Deepika Saxena is the HOD - PGDM Retail Management, Jagan Institute of Management Studies, Rohini, Delhi