How to Ace a Group Discussion

The Group Discussion is an integral part of the admission process in most management institutes. It is also an important assessment at the time of recruitment.

Let us clear out some misnomers. If you have reached the group discussion and interview level, it is hardly ever one bad quality in you that will result in an interviewer rejecting you. There might have been many others who could have been at your place. But they are not. You are selected because you are better than thousands of people who appeared for the exam. So, it can never be only your academics or only lack of confidence due to stammering or any other reason.

There are many aspects (apparent or subtle) of your overall personality that are tested in GD.

The secrets to crack GD-PI are
1. Knowing what are those aspects of your personality that are tested
2. Honing those aspects

What are the aspects of your personality that are tested?

Not many people know an clear answer to this question and hence lose their direction to any kind of practice they do.

Interviewer holds evaluation sheet in his/her hand when they are judging you neither amongst a group of people or solo. This is of course not to say that your history as a student doesn't matter. But when you are in a GD round in a top B-School, you are competing with equals. Everyone will have grades to show-off and certificates in extra-curricular would be dime a dozen. It will eventually come down to these above-mentioned aspects in you that will separate you from others.

How do you get better at these aspects?

There are no shortcuts. Only through relentless practice can one get better at all these aspects. The good news is that no one is born with all these aspects. Everyone has to acquire these traits. Now, the only difference is some will take it seriously and some not. Few take is seriously and those few are ultimately selected.

The Steps are -

1 STEP: Start reading. Read as much as you can. If reading is new to you start withChetan Bhagat and then jump on to best sellers. Newspaper is obligation .

STEP 2: Start conversing in English . Don't be scared that you would be laughed upon. Start with a small group in our college or hostel where we would talk just in english and no one laughs.

Follow this up by watching English SITCOMS everyday (Use Subtitles), this help you better your conversation.

STEP 3: Start writing, as most colleges prefer WAT over GD now-a- days it will be of twice the benefit. Start with one liners and then move on.

STEP 4: Start with Public Speaking and debates to become a master.

Hope these steps will help you in a long run.