What is a GD?
A Group Discussion at a B School is a formal discussion over some topic by a team of 8 to 12 members .The candidates are given 1 or 2 minutes to think about the topic and then discuss it for 20 to 40 minutes. Whether we are allowed to pen down our thoughts or not depends from B School to B School.
What is the purpose of a GD?
No matter how talented one is, the capacity of an individual is limited when compared to a team. A team not only has more knowledge and more working capacity but it also provides different perspectives. All this makes a team more important than an individual for a company. It is the quality of any competent professional to balance his objectives with the objectives of the team.
Every company looks for a team player and so do these B Schools. Holding GD’s is a good way to test the same.
Common Perception
Although the purpose of a GD is to discuss a topic and reach a conclusion it turns out to be a fish market where everyone is trying to speak without listening to others. It is a very big misconception to think that the more we speak the better our chances is. Group Discussions are not a competitive but a co-operative learning process.
Kinds of GD
Primarily there are two kinds of GDs.
There are three types of TOPIC BASED GDs. These are
1) Factual GD
2) Controversial GD
3) Abstract GD
Factual GD’s primarily test your General awareness along with all other traits. Knowledge about the subject will increase your participation. Typically these are about socio-economic topics. These can be current, i.e. they may have been in the news lately, or could be unbound by time. Here is where all your reading pays off. Example: Government should scrap the SEZ’s, etc
Controversial GD’s primarily test how well you can control your temper in a heated environment. In other words how you can be assertive without being aggressive. Example: Women are better managers than men.
Abstract GDs primarily test your innovativeness. They are not on the top lists of B Schools. Example: Blue, Left is right, etc
Case Based GD’s
This kind of a GD tries to simulate a real life situation. Your analytical skills, i.e the ability to break up a problem and then understand and address all the issues, are tested here.
Requirements for a GD
KNOWLEDGE-The most important requirement is undoubtedly knowledge. Reading more and more is a must to achieve it. Since there is a plethora of information available, selection of the right subjects and the right reading material is also important.
PLEASANT GROUP BEHAVIOUR-
It comprises good :
Interactive skills: Speaking plays only a small role in our entire participation. Most of the times we are quiet. One should not forget that even when we are not speaking the eyes of the jury are on us. Non Verbal Communication is equally important. Nodding to show one agrees is an example of the same. A smiling face keeps the positive attitude alive.
Listening skills: It is an equally important and most neglected quality by candidates. Only when one will listen can one give a relevant point and a flow to GD.
Flexibility of mind: One should always be open to the ideas of other members of the group and acknowledge if it is valid. A GD is not like a debate. Taking a stand and sticking to a stand is not necessary.
Assertiveness: One must put our point in a very confident and positive manner. Supporting our statements with facts and figures helps. It is advisable not to be emotional about a topic during the session.
Creativity: There are times when the group is lacking direction and it is repeating points. A person who can provide the group a different perspective naturally gets some points.
Main Roles
Initiator: The Initiator of a GD has the advantage of offering the key points and hence getting noticed in the group. But it is an equally risky job since an initiator sets the path of the GD so he has to structure his points very well. It is better not to start if one is not familiar with the topic.
Propagator: The Propagator is a person who contributes important points and raises important issues in GD. He adds to the content of the GD.
Supporter: The Supporter is a person who supports an already given point with an example or some other fact. This way he makes the point more clear.
Coordinator: A coordinator maintains the decorum of the group. He sees that nobody deviates from the topic and prevents it from becoming a fish market. It is advisable not to stick to just being a coordinator and take other roles as well.
One Role vs Mobility
While most of us try to stick to one role, It is always a good idea to switch between roles. A switch of 3 or more roles is considered very good.
How the marking is done
There is both of positive and negative marking. You get a point for a good point. As said before, quoting facts and figures always leaves an impact. The best scoring points are:
Initiation of discussion
Adding to the content of GD
Supporting with facts and figures
Mantra of Cracking a GD
Always remember that your success depends upon the success of the group in discussing the different aspects of the topic. The more the number of people contribute, the better the quality of discussion. Do not try to impose yourself on the group. You can never steal the show by doing that.
Mock GDs help so go for them. All the Best.