As the name implies, group discussion is a discussion within a group. So, can anything that you discuss in a group be called a group discussion?

 

Imagine that you are discussing the “current political situation in India” at a snack bar with your friends.

The next day you are in a group discussion interview round at your campus placements.

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Is there a difference between both of these discussions?

 

Lets see what is a GD and How to go about it.

Most companies ask for a GD to judge your capability, on the basis of a plethora of well-defined parameters. Post reading this, I would highly suggest that you work on what you read and use your available platform for practice. As nothing beats practice before the session. You can always contact me for clarification at contact@tejaswetha.com

Definition

What happens in a GD round?

A GD is an informal discussion conducted among candidates who share a common academic qualification or educational background. A Panelist or an HR presents the topic of discussion. An ideal GD process has been described below:

• usually conducted with a group of 6 to 10 participants.

• A moderator/panelist will be present to silently judge 

• A topic is presented by the panelist.

• Ideally, the time is twice the minutes of the number of participants, ie,. 12 minutes for a 6 member group and 20 minutes for a 10 member group.

• You might get a 5 to10 minute slot to discuss or to ponder the topic.

• Your panelist might signal the group (by ringing a bell) to end the GD round

Purpose and importance of GD round

A GD is a great way to Inter-View. Frankly speaking (Writing) a GD saves a lot of time for the company. A traditional way of interviewing 10 candidates costs anywhere from 2 to 3 hours, GD takes just 20 minutes.

Some of the core values of a GD –

• To assess your speaking skills

• To test whether you are a team player

• To assess your spontaneity

• To evaluate your subject knowledge

• To check if you are comfortable speaking in public and voice out your opinion

• To see if you are a leader

• To gauge your pronunciation and facial expressions
• and more company specific values

Categories or types of GD topics

Factual

Abstract.

Factual topics for group discussion

This category is ideally used for Degree, Engineering and MBA / IT students in India. Factual GD topics are used to assess if you can channelize the facts that you are aware of in a strategic manner pertaining to a selective area.

• eg – AI in work -How do you think it will change the work place.

• Aadhar: Infringement of privacy or not? 

• The effect of demonetization on common citizens vis-a-vis black money holders. 

Abstract topics for group discussion

These are the topics to assess if you can think out of the box. This is mainly to check your spontaneity, which might say how effectively you take initiative.

• Stepping stones or Stumbling Blocks, they depend on the way you see them.

• Red

• Beauty or brain – who can rule the world?
• Doing Good or Not to Do Any Evil?

Do’s of Group Discussion

Don’ts of Group Discussion

Role of Group Discussion in Education and Learning

Group Discussions are a wonderful tool which can be used in formal education and learning too.

It gives an opportunity to improve your listening skills, by enhancing your empathy. With the guidance of a facilitators feedback, understand your areas to improve work on them.

Retention: Post Lectures, it helps to retain and engrain the subject. It enhances the learning experience and helps you to stay focused on the subject.

Improve Communication Skills: It provides a platform where you can talk and listen, thereby enhancing your communication skills. It helps to listen and understand the other persons point of view and gives you a chance to look through their perspective. Therefore, it provides a chance to introspect your own thought process.

Corrective Feedback: Post your GD, try to get feedback, which is the basis of all learning. Post Feedback, understand your strengths and work on your areas to be improved.

Hope you liked the article. Don`t forget to share your views and suggestions below.