2. 
A GD is a methodology used by an
organization to gauge whether the
candidate has certain personality traits
and/or skills that it desires in its members.
In this methodology, the group of
candidates is given a topic or a situation,
given a few minutes to think about the
same, and then asked to discuss the same
among themselves for 15-20 minutes.

3.  GDs can be topic-based or case-based.
Topic based Gds can be classified into three
types :-
1. Factual Topics
2. Controversial Topics
3. Abstract Topics

4. Factual topics are about practical things, which an
ordinary person is aware of in his day-to-day life.
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.
A factual topic for discussion gives a candidate a
chance to prove that he is aware of and sensitive
to his environment.
E.g. The education policy of India, Tourism in India,
State of the aged in the nation.

5.  Controversial topics are the ones that are
argumentative in nature. They are meant to
generate controversy.
 In GDs where these topics are given for discussion,
the noise level is usually high, there may be
tempers flying.
 The idea behind giving a topic like this is to see
how much maturity the candidate is displaying by
keeping his temper in check, by rationally and
logically arguing his point of view without getting
personal and emotional.
E.g. Reservations should be removed, Women make
better managers

6.  Abstract topics are about intangible things.
These topics are not given often for
discussion, but their possibility cannot be
ruled out. These topics test your lateral
thinking and creativity.
E.g. A is an alphabet, Twinkle twinkle little
star, The number 10

7.  Another variation is the use of a case
instead of a topic.
The case study tries to simulate a real-life
situation. Information about the situation
will be given to you and you would be asked
as a group to resolve the situation. In the
case study there are no incorrect answers or
perfect solutions. The objective in the case
study is to get you to think about the
situation from various angles.

8.  If the aim is learning and the level of the
group is intellectually not very high then the
Group Discussion is held under a guidance of
a leader.
 When discussion is to test the knowledge and
oration of the members then it is held under
an observer who does not become part of GD.

9.  Projection of positive self
 Communication Skills
 Knowledge and ideas regarding a given
subject
 Capability to co-ordinate and lead
 Exchange of thoughts
 Addressing the group as a whole
 Thorough preparations

10.  Ability to work in a team
 Communication skills
 Reasoning ability
 Leadership skill
 Initiative
 Assertiveness
 Flexibility
 Creativity
 Ability to think on ones feet

11.  It helps you to understand a subject more deeply.
 It improves your ability to think critically.
 It helps in solving a particular problem.
 It helps the group to make a particular decision.
 It gives you the chance to hear other students'
ideas.
 It improves your listening skills.
 It increases your confidence in speaking.
 It can change your attitudes.

12.  Do’s
 Speak pleasantly and politely to the group.
 Respect the contribution of every speaker.
 Remember that a discussion is not an argument. Learn to
disagree politely.
 Think about your contribution before you speak. How best
can you answer the question/ contribute to the topic?
 Try to stick to the discussion topic. Don't introduce irrelevant
information.
 Be aware of your body language when you are speaking.
 Agree with and acknowledge what you find interesting.

13.  Don't
 Lose your temper. A discussion is not an
argument.
 Shout. Use a moderate tone and medium pitch.
 Use too many gestures when you speak. Gestures
like finger pointing and table thumping can
appear aggressive.
 Dominate the discussion. Confident speakers
should allow quieter students a chance to
contribute.
 Draw too much on personal experience or
anecdote. Although some tutors encourage
students to reflect on their own experience,
remember not to generalise too much.
 Interrupt. Wait for a speaker to finish what they
are saying before you speak.

14.  Knowledge is strength. A candidate with good reading
habits has more chances of success. In other words, sound
knowledge on different topics like politics, finance,
economy, science and technology is helpful.
 Power to convince effectively is another quality that makes
you stand out among others.
 Clarity in speech and expression is yet another essential
quality.
 If you are not sure about the topic of discussion, it is better
not to initiate. Lack of knowledge or wrong approach
creates a bad impression. Instead, you might adopt the wait
and watch attitude. Listen attentively to others, may be you
would be able to come up with a point or two later.
 A GD is a formal occasion where slang is to avoided.

15.  A GD is not a debating stage. Participants should confine
themselves to expressing their viewpoints. In the
second part of the discussion candidates can exercise their
choice in agreeing, disagreeing or remaining neutral.
 Language use should be simple, direct and straight forward.
 Don't interrupt a speaker when the session is on. Try to
score by increasing your size, not by cutting others short.
 Maintain rapport with fellow participants. Eye contact plays
a major role. Non-verbal gestures, such as listening intently
or nodding while appreciating someone's viewpoint speak
of you positively.
 Communicate with each and every candidate present. While
speaking don't keep looking at a single member. Address
the entire group in such a way that everyone feels you are
speaking to him or her.

16.  Initiation Techniques
 Body of the group discussion
 Summarization/ Conclusion

17.  Initiating a GD is a high profit-high loss strategy.
When you initiate a GD, you not only grab the opportunity
to speak, you also grab the attention of the examiner and
your fellow candidates.
If you can make a favourable first impression with your
content and communication skills after you initiate a GD, it
will help you sail through the discussion.
But if you initiate a GD and stammer/ stutter/ quote wrong
facts and figures, the damage might be irreparable.
If you initiate a GD impeccably but don't speak much after
that, it gives the impression that you started the GD for the
sake of starting it or getting those initial kitty of points
earmarked for an initiator!
When you start a GD, you are responsible for putting it into
the right perspective or framework. So initiate one only if
you have in-depth knowledge about the topic at hand.

18.  Different techniques to initiate a GD and
make a good first impression:
i. Quotes
ii. Definition
iii. Question
iv. Shock statement
v. Facts, figures and statistics
vi. Short story
vii. General statement

19.  Most GD do not really have conclusions. A conclusion is
where the whole group decides in favor or against the topic.
 But every GD is summarized. You can summaries what the
group has discussed in the GD in a nutshell.
Keep the following points in mind while summarizing a
discussion:
 Avoid raising new points.
 Avoid stating only your viewpoint.
 Avoid dwelling only on one aspect of the GD.
 Keep it brief and concise.
 It must incorporate all the important points that came out
during the GD.
 If the examiner asks you to summaries a GD, it means the
GD has come to an end.
 Do not add anything once the GD has been summarized

20. Suitable for the organization
After testing your technical and conceptual skills
in an exam, to get to know you as a person and
gauge how well you will fit in the institute or in an
organization, a person is put through the process
of GD & Interview.
Team work
The Group discussion tests how you function as
a part of a team. As a manager, you will always be
working in teams, as a member or as a leader.
Therefore how you interact in a team becomes an
important criterion for your selection. Managers
have to work in a team and get best results out of
teamwork.

21. Companies conduct group discussion after the written test
so as to check on your interactive skills and how good you
are at communicating with other people.
GOALS
 The GD is to check how you behave, participate and
contribute in a group, how much importance do you give to
the group objective as well as your own, how well do you
listen to viewpoints of others and how open-minded are
you in accepting views contrary to your own.
 The aspects which make up a GD are verbal communication,
non-verbal behavior, conformation to norms, decision-
making ability and cooperation. You should try to be as true
as possible to these aspects.

22.  Some of the qualities assessed in a GD are:
 Leadership Skills - Ability to take leadership roles and be able to
lead, inspire and carry the team along to help them achieve the
group's objectives.
 Communication Skills - Candidates will be assessed in terms of
clarity of thought, expression and aptness of language. One key
aspect is listening. It indicates a willingness to accommodate
others views.
 Interpersonal Skills - People skills are an important aspect of any
job. They are reflected in the ability to interact with other
members of the group in a brief situation. Emotional maturity and
balance promotes good interpersonal relationships. The person
has to be more people centric and less self-centered.
 Persuasive Skills - The ability to analyze and persuade others to
see the problem from multiple perspectives.

23.  Emotional outburst
 No eye contact
 Quality vs. Quantity
 Bad communication skills
 Addressing 1 or 2 persons
 Interrupting when session is on
 Bad initiation

24. THANKS