WHAT ?

WHY ?

HOW ?
Contents-

 What is a Group Discussion

 Importance of Group Discussion
 Types of Group Discussion
 Skills to Master the art of Group Discussion
 Types of Topics in a Group Discussion
 Preparing for Group Discussion
 Do’s & Don’ts of Group Discussion
 FAQs on Group Discussion
  It is used as a tool to
assess candidates in a
group at one go in
order to select the
best in comparative
perspective​

 It is a technique or ​a
 It is a verbal-oriented performance method used
where  participants have to talk their way for screening
out​ candidates as well as
testing ​
 It is also called leaderless discussion as it aims their potential​
to find out the natural leadership level of
candidates​
o It helps understand a subject
more deeply and improves
ability to think critically​
o More often than not,
it helps the group reach ​
a decision and solve
a particular problem​
o It improves listening
skills and also gives a
chance to listen
other participants’ view
points​

o It helps participants
gain confidence by being vocal
about their thoughts / opinions​
Types of GD

     Formal GD
•A systematic and purposeful
interactive oral process.

•Any discussion at an office for

meeting a conference workshop
and recruitment office.
 • Happens when the members overriding
purpose of getting together is just to speak
their way out on a spectrum of topics.
 Informal GD • Any discussion among a number of people
at canteen, hotel, chai ki tapri, club or
home.
Group Discussion in
the New Normal
Skills required to excel in
GD
 Communication Skills -  It includes interpersonal skills, 
body language, aggressive /
assertive communication

 Knowledge - It includes subject matter, relevance, and depth

 Leadership - It includes giving direction to

the group in terms of content

 Analytical Skills - It includes thinking logically

and rationally
 Persuasion skills - It includes ability to convince
other participants without
being aggressive

 Creativity - It includes thinking
out of the box

 Personality - It includes
smartness, cheerfulness,
enthusiasm, attitude, and
confidence
 Types of Topics
 Factual Topics-
about practical things, which an
ordinary person is aware of - socio-
economic topics - current affairs. A
factual topic for discussion gives a
candidate a chance to prove that he is
aware of and sensitive to his
environment.
Eg:  Nuclear or Joint Family, Love or
Arranged Marriage
 Case study topics-
attempt to simulate a real-
life situation. Information
about the situation will be
given and group would be
asked to resolve the situation
- there are no incorrect
answers or perfect solutions
E.g. Bhopal gas tragedy,
financial crisis of 2008
 Abstract Topics-
about intangible things and often their
possibility cannot be ruled out - tests your
lateral thinking and creativity - can be
interpreted in different ways by the
candidates - comprehension skills and
communication skills are judged.
E.g. All that glitters is not gold, A walk to
remember
 Controversial Topics-
argumentative in nature - idea behind
giving is to see how much maturity the
candidate displays, by rationally and
logically arguing his point of view
without getting personal and emotional
E.g. Religion & Politics, Existence of
God and so on.
Preparing For Group Discussion

1. Content
• Develop subject knowledge on
   current affairs, general awareness 
   & business trends.
• Structure arguments [for &
against]    
  on selected topics, considering
both 
  sides to the argument.
• Plan for short and crisp points. 
2. Listening 
• Be a good listener & support or add
to the other points. (But
don’t interrupt in middle)
• Make your own points if you lack
knowledge about  the topics

3. Be Confident 
• Be confident while speaking (analyze with
numbers if you know & it has to be fact).
• Practice in front of a mirror or with a
small group of people visit take part
in relevant discussions at school
or libraries 
Do’s & Don’ts of •Be prepared with ​some of the
topics. Keep yourself updated on
Group current affairs.​​
Discussion 
•Listen to the
given topic carefully. Structure your 
points
•Be assertive not dominating; try to maintain a
balanced tone in your discussion and analysis​

•Try to remember the names of the participants in the

GD, when you are targeting individuals address them
with the names

•Summaries the discussion if the group has not reached

a conclusion
FAQs on  Group Discussion
What if a controversial topic is given to discuss like Article 370, Mandal commission etc?
Your views are important but it should not be motivated by bigotry and should be realistic.
Speak in a critical way quoting important Court’s judgements and commission reports.
At public recruiting offices, while criticising the government one should mention
government’s motivation as well .

How should one address the panel or the group members? ​

Don't ever make the mistake of addressing the panel members while the GD is on. The GD
is between you and the other members, not the panel members. You must avoid even looking at the
panel members while the GD is in progress.

What if the GD turns chaotic?

There are chances that the GD may become chaotic, but in such cases don't stay
blank, try to increase your voice in a polite way and speak whatever make sense
and remember you are still being evaluated by an expert.
•Refrences -

•www.jagranjosh.com (Tips by IIM Calcutta alumni)

•www.unacademy.com
•A complete kit for Group discussion by S Hndiwala ,Arihant publication 
•Ssim B-school Hyderabad's blog