MBA Admission: How to Crack Case-based Group Discussions?

MBA Admission: How to Crack Case-based Group Discussions?

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Abhishek
Abhishek Dhawan
Assistant Manager – Editorial Content
Updated on Jun 12, 2025 10:58 IST

Caselets are considered to be an effective way of judging a candidate’s managerial qualities necessary for an MBA. Read the article to know how to crack case-based group discussions.

Case Based GD Preparation

Case Based GD: What is a caselet? “We are given 10 minutes to read a case summary followed by 10 minutes to write whatever we understand. Next comes a discussion on the GD topics for 20 minutes in a group of seven students,” Neha Misra, PGP student at IIM Shillong, told Shiksha. Case studies or caselets are now integral to group discussions for MBA admissions in India and abroad.

Candidates might get small case files to analyse during a group discussion (GD) round, instead of general topics. The idea is to scrutinise the candidate’s perspective, logical approach, quick thinking and problem-solving attitude before finalising his/her candidature for the MBA programme. Caselets do not require any prior knowledge of the subject. It is considered an effective way of judging a candidate’s managerial qualities necessary for B-School admissions.

According to IIM Kozhikode director, “We still believe that impromptu speaking and communication skills are necessary aspects of a B-School candidate that cannot be ignored.” Though the top Institutes of Management (IIMs) have done away with group discussion rounds, various top business schools (B-Schools) such as XLRI-Jameshedpur, SPJIMR, Mumbai and NMIMS, Mumbai, etc. still continue to conduct case-based GDs.

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What is Case Studies Based Group Discussions?

During a group discussion (GD) round, a case study is primarily about analysis. All participants are given the same information and begin from the same starting point during the selection round. The topics for case-based GD are usually linked to current affairs, including the socio-economic environment, government policies, innovations, global economic trends, or ongoing socio-political debates. Candidates who have been reading about a variety of topics are likely to perform better during the case based GD rounds. These discussions helps assess candidate's knowledge, communication skills, logical thinking, leadership ability, and capacity to present convincing arguments. These skills are critical to become a good manager.

Also Check: How to Answer "Why MBA" Question in Personal Interview? 

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Q:   Which CAT slot has the toughest question paper?
A:
There is no pattern to which CAT question paper can be the toughest. The CAT question paper of every slot has unique questions. The examination body strives to maintain the same difficulty level of the paper across all slots but it may happen that a question can be more difficult from another. It is seen that, to keep the uniqueness of the question paper intact, the examination authority also changes the topic wise weightage a little bit across the exam slots. In most of the previous years, it is seen that the morning slot of the CAT exam is tougher than the rest two. However, candidates must not worry about the difficulty level of the slots as, the scores of all the candidates are normalised on a common scale to root out the possibility of advantage or disadvantage to any student due to difference in difficulty level. To know how the CAT scores are normalised, read this article: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/understanding-cat-normalization-process-blogId-9386.
Q:   Which section of CMAT question paper has the maximum weightage?
A:
All the five sections of CMAT question paper has equal weightage of 20 questions. Each question carries four marks for correct attempt. One mark is deducted per incorrect entry. There is no marks deduction for unanswered question. Therefore, each section of CMAT will have equal weightage of 80 marks. Given below is the sectional weightage of CMAT exam. 1. English Comprehension: 20 questions, 80 marks 2. General Knowledge: 20 questions, 80 marks 3. Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation: 20 questions, 80 marks 4. Data Interpretation and Reasoning: 20 questions, 80 marks 5. Innovation and Entrepreneurship: 20 questions, 80 marks Since, all the sections of CMAT have same weightage, it is important for candidates to prepare for each section well. If you will score equally will in every section, only then will your overall score will be good. Also, many colleges consider sectional scores as well for admission shortlist so it is important to perform equally well in all sections of CMAT.
Q:   How many questions are asked in GK section of CMAT?
A:
There are 20 questions from General Knowledge in CMAT. All the questions are in MCQ format. Four options are given for each question to choose the right answer from. The General Knowledge section of CMAT is usually of a higher difficulty level but as it is a memory based section, it can be completed in maximum 15 minutes. The questions pertain to static GK and Current Affairs. Topics included in CMAT GK section are business, politics, awards, inventions, Science and technology, sports, society, world, advertising, trade, books and authors, arts, entertainment, history, geography and politics. Candidates should attempt the GK section in the end as the main criteria for MBA are English Quantitative Aptitude Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation. The candidate's main focus should be on getting maximum questions correct in these three sessions. GK can be handled at the end.

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Tips to crack case-based Group Discussions

Here are some of the key tips to prepare for the case based group discussion rounds for MBA admissions:

  • Refer to past topics discussed in GD rounds of your target institute. You can gather this information online or from coaching institutes. Take note of the topics given over the years, it is very likely that the topics will be on the same lines this year too.
  • Read newspapers, and journals and watch current affairs programmes to know what’s happening around you. Case-based GDs are generally on topics from the world of business and economy, which affect social and political climate. Read editorials and data-based articles on hot topics, so that you can use them while making a point during GD.
  • Meet up with your MBA aspirant friends, form a group and hold a case-based group discussion. Exchange ideas, observation and develop confidence.
  • In case-based GD round, candidates are given about five minutes to prepare for the topic. If the case is about a topic where a decision is to be made, quickly think of points to back your ‘to’ or ‘for’ stand and choose one.
  • In a group discussion, if the topic is such that a decision is already made and the group has to discuss whether it is right or wrong, again choose a side after quickly weighing your points viz both.
Q:   What is the benefit of solving official CMAT question papers?
A:
Solving previous year CMAT question papers is very important for optimising your performance in the exam. There are several benefits of practicing the official CMAT question paper but one of the most important benefits is that the candidate will know the latest exam pattern and difficulty level. The CMA question papers are set by the examination authority on the basis of questions asked in last 10 years or so. Thus, if you practice CMAT previous year papers, you will be familiar with all types of questions asked in the exam in the last few years. Since, MBA entrance exams are all about speed and accuracy, it is very important to be familiar with the types of questions. CMAT question papers help you in time management skills as well as the skill to choose the right questions to ask. Candidates must solve CAT question papers of at least last five years for best results.
Q:   From where can I download CAT question papers?
A:
CAT question papers are released within a week of the exam in the form of a PDF as a response sheet and answer key. Candidates who have appeared for the test are able to access the CAT question paper and answer key. The question paper of every slot is released on the same day along with candidate response sheet and official answer to all question. If any candidate needs previous year CAT question papers for preparation purpose, then they can download them from Shiksha website. We have hosted last five years' CAT question papers for aspirants to download and practice. These official CAT question papers are available for download free. You can download the CAT question paper PDFs at this link: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/cat-exam-question-papers Candidates must check and practice the latest CAT question paper to know the latest exam pattern and difficulty level.
Q:   What are the benefits of solving CAT question papers?
A:
Solving the CAT question paper is very important from preparation point of view. Since CAT is a speed based test where candidates have to read long passages, tables and charts, do multiple calculations and solve tricky puzzles, one needs to have prior practice of the same. The CAT mock tests serve this purpose. However, to know what type of passages and puzzles are there in the CAT exam, you need to solve previous years' question papers. Some of the benefits of solving previous years' CAT question paper are: 1. With the help of previous year's CAT question paper, you can understand the latest CAT exam pattern and marking scheme 2. Practicing CAT question papers improves speed and accuracy in solving the questions, which is critical to a speed based exam like CAT 3. Practicing CAT question papers improves time management skills as you would get to know which type of questions take how much time. 4. When you practice CAT question papers, you gain confidence that you can solve all types of CAT questions. This confidence helps in performing better in the exam.

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About the Author
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Abhishek Dhawan
Assistant Manager – Editorial Content

With a creative soul, Abhishek is inclined towards anything in the creative space be it drawing, painting, craft, or writing. He has been working in the ed-tech industry since he started his career. Besides creative... Read Full Bio

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7108713
ET Cases

8 years ago

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7108713
ET Cases

8 years ago

Download Case Studies on Management Subjects for Business Schools and Corporate Executives. Visit www.etcases.com for more details.

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