In short, the GD panel is testing whether you know the topic well, are able to present your point of view in a logical manner, are interested in understanding what others feel about the same subject and are able to conduct yourself with grace in a group situation.
Outlined are some tips and suggestions that will help you prepare well for
Group Discussion:
- Train yourself to be a good listener. Develop the patience to listen attentively.
- Acknowledge that everyone has something valuable to say.
- When speaking in a GD, your job is to articulate your point of view in a way that is easy for others to comprehend.
- Inculcate the good habit of structuring your thoughts and presenting them logically.
- Writing essays on a variety of topics is good practice developing thought structure.
- The only way to prepare is to read more, develop a keen interest in current affairs.
- Seek opportunities to discuss these in groups.
- Learn to respect others for what they are.
- Learn to be open-minded and recognize the fact that people think differently about issues.
- Train your mind to think analytically.
- Your GD arguments should have ‘meat’.
Tips for Personal Interview
- Don’t start with the phrase – Myself XYZ – there’s no better way ti put the panel off.
- Getting into details about siblings and cousins – especially the one who seem to have done well. Panelists want to know about you, not about your extended family.
- Don’t cite – ‘making friends’ or ‘meeting new people’ – as a hobby. Wonder how one pursues a hobby like ‘meeting new people’!
- Don’t say things like – I studied this in my first year – as an excuse for not knowing more basic stuff related to their subject of study. The panel members study this about 20 years back – they still remember about it.
There are a lot of advantages of a group discussion:
1.It helps to shed away the shyness of a candidate and brings his viewpoint amidst all.
2.It stimulates to think in a different, new way.
3.It helps the candidate in understanding his/ her own strengths and weaknesses.
4.It acts as an aid in expansion of the knowledge of the participant.
5.It helps to analyse the social or economic issues more logically.
Not just these, there are various other advantages to add on to. But, let us first have a glimpse of how to perform well in a group discussion.
Here is a list of what should be done and what should be avoided at a Group Discussion (GD)
1.Be as natural as possible. Do not try to be someone you are not. Be yourself. In an attempt to be someone else, your opinions will not be portrayed.
2.Sit with a straight and confident posture.
3.Be assertive yet humble. You need to stick to your values and beliefs, but learn to respect the values and opinions of others too.
4.Grab the opportunity to speak first, i.e. to start the group discussion with your opinion. It generally leaves a good impression on the evaluator, but take the move only if you have complete knowledge of the subject.
5.Do not repeat a point, or be lengthy or irrelevant. Also intervene, if someone else is going on an irrelevant track.
6.Facilitate contribution from others. Do not just go on and on and on with only your opinionated view. Remember, it is a group discussion. Allow others to speak too.
7.Make an eye contact with all the participants. It creates more room for conversation. Also keep nodding, when others speak, it shows receptivity.
8.Be an active and dynamic participant. The examiner wants to hear you speak. So do put forth your views.
9.Be positive and prepare your thoughts well but do not be over-confident.
10.Think well before you speak. You are being heard and judged upon.
11.When raising an objection to a point kept by another speaker, back it up with a solid reason to get the point across.
12.Use quotes, facts and figures, statements, everyday life examples to express a clear chain of thoughts. Also it might leave a good impression on the examiner and help you score well.
These are some basic yet very vital tips that will help you feel a bit more confident about yourself and make you ready to appear for that group discussion trend.
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