Students' Speak: 10 important aspects taken into account during a GD

By: Swarna Pavithra M

In this article, Swarna Pavithra talks about 10 important aspects to perform well in a Group Discussion.

GD is one of the significant parts of any selection process, be it for prospective college admission or your dream job.

When you have prepared so much and you want to give it all, there is this opponent of yours intruding while you speak igniting your nerves. You blast him off, not allowing him to speak, and for that matter anyone else and stop only when you have told all your points. If you do this, you will be the first one to be eliminated for sure.

This article focuses on 10 important aspects to get through your GD with flying colours.

1. Subject Knowledge

Group discussion is not about taking the maximum chances to talk but conveying your points in a crisp and concise manner. Hence, frame your sentences in such a way that it is precise yet conveys the depth of your knowledge on the subject. If it is a case study, it is important to read between the lines and draw analogies to real-life situations based on the case study.

2. Creativity and Originality

 During abstract GDs and case studies, a candidate supporting another candidate’s viewpoint will fetch him/her comparatively fewer points, however good their content is. In such cases, being creative and original is sure to earn you brownie points.

3. Voice

Tone and modulation are the two sub-parameters of voice. If you are audible, you score high on tone and pitch and the right emphasis on the keywords and phrases while making your point makes you score high on modulation.

4. Body Language

Needless to say, body language is a very prominent judge of our attitude. Here are some of the essential body language tips to follow during any GD. You should be attentive to what others say in a GD. Bending a bit forward portrays attentiveness and interest. Nodding the head is a positive body language which shows that you are a good listener. Whereas, crossing your legs, folding your arms are negative body languages. They show a lack of inclination towards the discussion and a casual attitude. Aggressive body language like pointing fingers, fists, etc should be strictly avoided. Apart from this, candidates should refrain from writing anything once the GD has begun.

5. Eye Contact

He/she should talk to their team members, not to the examiner. Proper eye contact is very essential to make our point. Talking to the examiner will be given negative remarks. It is important to have eye contact with all the members and not just a selected few.

6. Analytical Ability

This includes both critical and logical reasoning. You should be able to analyse others’ point of view as well as be able to give logical reasoning too.

7. Fluency

Good communication with correct diction, pronunciation and accent will earn you good points certainly. And, fluency not only deals with the language but also the ability to communicate your thoughts clearly, with confidence and poise.

8. Initiative

The candidate who initiates and the candidate who concludes are likely to get more points. But beware, because initiating with wrong facts or stuttering will give you negative marking.

9. Group Behaviour

Nowadays, being able to work productively with a group is one of the most sought after traits. Aggression, shouting or staring at someone, cutting somebody in between or trying to enforce your views will be rated negatively.

10. Listening

Listening to others’ opinions is as important as putting forward your points in a GD. This helps you present good points further in the discussion and shows that you are attentive and listens to others’ perspectives too.

About the Author:

Swarna Pavithra is a budding writer and an aspiring management student pursuing her Masters in Business Administration in Thiagarajar School of Management.