Students’ Speak: Preparing for GD is not an instantaneous process

By: Manmeet Singh

Start working on your communication skills as it is a vital element of GD. If you are not fluent in English start reading good English newspapers loudly so that you will able to get rid of your hesitation. Add some good words in your vocabulary but don’t just rely on improving vocabulary or English.

GD is not just about how well you are able to speak better English but its combination of good knowledge and a better way to communicate your views/opinions. It is conducted to test your communication skills, interpersonal skills & leadership skills. You have to speak on your turn with confidence but ensuring to remain focused on the assigned topic. As the name has the clarity that a group discussion is a discussion and not a debate hence, it is to be noted that all participants must ensure that discussion must take place with all-time restraint on shouting or raising voice. Group discussion helps assess your overall personality. 

Why a Group Discussion after clearing such a difficult test (CAT, XAT, SNAP, etc.)?

MBA entrance examinations test you only for qualitative skills. The other skills which are needed for the selection of a good candidate are soft skills. During placement period in B-Schools, communication plays a vital role to get a job in a good organization hence GD is conducted to assess you on the above parameters because MBA institutes look for future successful managers.

Focus areas for GD Preparation

There are no specific rules to prepare for a GD because no one can be sure which topic one can get during a group discussion. The topic may be from current affairs or it may be an abstract topic. So you need to prepare accordingly. Start working on your communication skills as it is a vital element of GD. If you are not fluent in English start reading good English newspapers loudly so that you will able to get rid of your hesitation. Add some good words in your vocabulary but don’t just rely on improving vocabulary or English. Also, gather current affairs knowledge and try to express your views crisply.

To gather knowledge you need to start reading newspapers, magazines, and some blogs as well as watch videos related to current affairs. When you read/listen, keep thinking about what you have read/listened and try to analyze it and then form unbiased opinions of your own. This way you will have a much better perspective of things.

To build confidence, practice speaking loudly in front of the mirror and observe your expressions. Also, you can record videos to track your mistakes.

Inculcate the good habit of structuring your thoughts and presenting them logically. Train your mind to think analytically.

Resources

For current affairs, one must read at least one national newspaper like The Hindu (broadly cover current affairs), Indian Express or Times of India and for economy-related news, you can go for pink papers (Economic Times, Mint, Financial Express). Also read weekly or monthly magazines which give you broader and deeper knowledge (India Today, The Frontline, Business Today, Pratiyogita Darpan, EPW).

Moreover, there are plenty of online resources, mostly free, from where you can gain knowledge. Some websites provide free capsules of current affairs, blogs provide crisp news, and there are some YouTube channels which provide free videos on current affairs.

One can also go for GD Topics books easily available in markets or online which cover more than 100 topics.

At last, I will say that preparation for GD is not an instantaneous process. It takes a certain time and dedication. You need to also follow a routine for generating better ideas in less time for making an impact in the GD.

About the Author:

Manmeet Singh belongs to Amritsar, pursuing PGDM with a specialisation in Marketing and Operations from FOSTIIMA Business School, Delhi. Along with his SIP from Finamigo Consultants Pvt Ltd, he has also done two live projects, one each with ITC and another with Shiksha.