Students' Speak: Major Focus areas for GD preparation

By: Madhvee Soni

Madhvee Soni discusses a few areas to focus during the preparation and participation in a Group Discussion.

The first step towards GD preparation should be to not take it causally. Talking about the methods for preparation, one should have good listening skills and communication skills. Making eye contact with all the participants and body gestures plays an important role in the communication process. Dressing in comfortable clothes will also boost up your confidence. Speaking good English, having confidence and talking in a polite way will help a lot during the group discussion. Prepare yourself with the help of general books about current affairs and keep updated with the recent news. GD generally doesn’t last more than 90 minutes, so mainly there are 10  to 13 questions being asked and a participant should be able to answer at least 10 questions in the discussion. The participant should stay focused and stick to their opinion and understanding about the fact or topic, they should not traverse their own ideas – rich content and subject knowledge are always a plus point.  Respect it when someone has a completely different idea from yours.

Some of the common topics that are important to be prepared for GD are as follows:

(a) Current affairs

(b) Heritage/Historical topics

(c) Sports

(d) Art and Literature

(e) Data crunching

Always remember the rule “Listen, understand, frame and then speak.” Having to set a frame of how to speak your answer in the GD could be one of the precise and sharp moves than giving vague thoughts over a topic. Just speaking would not lead you anywhere as the main focus of judges is on how much knowledge the candidate has. If a participant couldn’t speak on their turn, help them to fuel in the discussion (to speak up) so that they contribute something to the discussion and it will eventually display your ability as a team worker.

Books like ‘Connect the dots’, ‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’, ‘The Founder’, ‘Rise of the planet of ape’, etc. will be a lot of benefits to your knowledge and coaching institutes are a great help too! GD is motivating and yet a learning area for every student. It helps you train yourself for the future and express our views on the formal situations, it plays an important role at the college level. Practising will always give you the best results.

About the Author:

Madhvee Soni is a second-year student of Integrated Masters of Business Administration at Ahmedabad University. She has served as a volunteer with organisation such as 'U and I' NGO and also in different events. She has a keen interest in novels and also loves to explore new places and indulge in fitness activities.