Students’ Speak: Focus on GD-PI preparation after XAT exam is over

By: Aman Kumar

GD-PI is an important aspect of MBA admissions. XLRI is one of the most well-reckoned management institutes in the country. Aman Kumar advises management aspirants to focus on GD-PI preparation right after XAT exam is over rather than introspecting too much on your performance in the test.

Once the exam is over, the immediate step that you should start preparing for GD/PI round. Your percentile doesn’t really matter much since whichever institute you apply for admission will for sure take the GD/PI round for the admission purposes. As we all know that GD/PI and essay writing are the second round of XAT exam. Therefore, instead of sitting in the room and glossing over your exam performance, you should join some short-duration communication or soft skills courses.

Focus more on general topics or in other words, general studies because at the time of interview, the interviewer will try to assess whether the candidate knows anything about current issues or not, their understanding of various trending issues and knowledge of static GK. To cover the general studies part, you should focus on current issues in India such as Citizenship Amendment Bill, National and International Issues, Business and Economy, other socio-economic issues, etc.

Preparation for GD/PI round in XAT/SNAP exam should be based on the case study approach. You should be able to analyse business case studies and solve questions posed on them because interviewers often present a business case study in front of the candidates and ask them to solve it within a limited time. Moreover, group discussion rounds at XLRI are based on case studies. Candidates are required to analyse a particular case study with different problems and come up with efficient solutions to resolve them. The average duration of GD will be 10 minutes and an additional minute to think.

There will be three panelists and the number of candidates may vary between 8 and 10 in every GD round.

Personal interview rounds are very important because this is where the interview panelists evaluate your knowledge. It is a great opportunity for you to showcase your skills and ability to perform under pressure, which should deem you fit to join these prestigious management institutions. For the personal interview round, you should be thoroughly prepared with your own SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat) analysis. If you need professional help to qualify the GD/PI round then simply go for it and join some expert’s classes. You may be very confident about qualifying but you should avoid very minute but often fatal mistakes and never compromise with your career. Questions in the interview can relate to your academics. It’s my personal advice to watch, listen to or read previous years’ candidates’ group discussion/personal interview experience. It is also beneficial to get some live exposure from different trainers that you can find near your locality. Be ready for a complex interview round because interviewers sometimes try to take the test the depth of your knowledge.

About the Author:

Aman Kumar is an MBA student at Lovely Professional University with experience in marketing, banking, educational management and strategy. Some of the key skills include leadership, team building and strategy-focused work along with problem-handling skills. Experienced in crop residue management, Kumar has worked as an intern at Bihar State Milk Federation (COMFED).