By Piyush Beriwala
Once the major MBA entrance exams for this season are over, the next big thing an MBA aspirant would need to worry about is the GDPI (Group Discussion/Personal Interview). Here, let's begin with these useful tips to prepare for Group Discussion. Next, move on to understanding what you must do during the GD so that you stand out as a successful candidate in the group.
- Be well read with all current affairs related to politics, business economics and social topics. Try and critically analyse the topic from various viewpoints and note down key points.
- Read Economics Times daily, one of the best sources to stay updated with the current happenings.
- Use secondary reliable sources on the internet to get idea of some important past incidences going around in the news.
- Read some selected sections of CSR Yearbook, it helps a lot in getting important facts and data.
- Watching talk shows on news channels helps a lot in looking at a given topic from various view points.
Dynamics during the GD
- Brainstorm and try to view the topic from various perspectives. SPELT (Social, Political, Economic, Legal and Technological) approach can be used to critically analyse any topic.
- If possible try to be the first person to speak.
- The one who maintains proper group dynamics gets selected, not the one who speaks the most.
- Make sure you talk sense whenever you speak.
- Try bringing on a different perspective into the picture if the discussion is digressing from the topic or going monotonous.
- Choose your words carefully, you should try and remain diplomatic in your approach as far as possible.
- Don't jump onto a conclusion at the very beginning. Keep both for and against options open towards any topic and slowly shape your discussion towards the conclusion.
- Be attentive to what others speak and add value to the discussion.
- Sometimes supporting others points at the right time also makes the other people give more value to your points when you speak.
- Never negate anyone's points directly, do it politely and in a very subtle manner.
Piyush Beriwala did his PGPM from MDI, Gurgaon and the tips shared are from his personal experience.
Also Read:
- Group Discussion and Personal Interview Tips for MBA Aspirants
- How to crack case-based Group Discussions
- Treat Group Discussion as a Discussion, Not a Debate
- Preparing for GD? Use this checklist for topics
- 4 Must-Have Qualities for Success in GD-PI
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 4 days ago
Yes. IIMB does require the CAT exam, but the rest of the top B-schools in Bangalore also take in candidates through the state-level CET, ie, the Karnataka PGCET exam, or through MAT or CMAT.
Top B-schools in Bangalore without CAT | Cutoffs Required |
|---|---|
26690 | |
29592 |
Note: All info. is from official sites and can change.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
IIM Calcutta has only mentioned accepting GMAT score for admission into EMBA courses.
However, CAT is commonly accepted by other similar institutes for both MBA and MBAEx courses. Thus, candidates are advised to ask admission desk for confirmation on this question.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
It is not possible to determine a candidate's admission in IIM Calcutta MBA course through CAT score alone. In Stage 1, a score 85% in CAT will be enough for a general category candidate to be selected for PI+WAT admission stage.
Final admission cutoffs are based on many factors other than CAT score.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
No, IIM Calcutta cannot get into MBA courses without appearing CAT first. CAT is a mandatory entrance exam and it is conducted every year for admissions into all MBA courses offered by this institute.
However, candidates who are applying for MBAEx course will be required to appear in GMAT for admissi
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
To get a seat at IFMR Chennai, students have to first appear for any one of the entrance exams accepted by the institute for the MBA/PGDM course admission. CAT, XAT, NMAT, CMAT, Andhra Pradesh ICET, IPAMT and SAT India are the entrance exams accepted by this institute for admission to the management
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
No, you cannot use the CAT score for direct admission to the MBA/PGDM course at this university.
You would need to first appear for the CAT entrance exam, and then get shortlisted for the PI and or GD rounds to be considered for a seat. Since the CAT cutoff is not released publicly, the closest esti
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
The Vishwakarma University CAT cutoff 2025 was released for admission to the MBA/PGDM course for the All India quota.
For the General AI category, the estimated Vishwakarma University MBA cutoff 2025 was 50. Students who gained this percentile are then eligible to enter the second round of admission
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
The National Institute of Bank Management Cutoff 2026 for General AI category in CAT exam is 80.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
No, you cannot use the CAT exam result for direct admission to the MBA/PGDM course at AIMS Institutes, Bangalore.
The college accepts the CAT, XAT and MAT exam results for admission to the management programme. Students have to first attain the qualifying cutoff percentiles and then sit in the select
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Candidates applying for admission in MBA at IIM Raipur should have qualified the CAT exam. Check below the application fee of CAT:
- INR 2,300 for general category students
- INR 1,150 for SC/ST/PwD students
R
Contributor-Level 10