GD PI tips

The Ascent team shares with you some GD-tips to give you the edge. The
tips given below are appicable in any GD. The only difference between
most other GDs and the GDs conducted by the IIMs after CAT or other
top B Schools is the intensity of the competition.

Be as natural as possible. Do not try and be someone you are not. Be yourself.
A group discussion is your chance to be more vocal. The evaluator
wants to hear you speak.
Take time to organize your thoughts. Think of what you are going to say.
Seek clarification if you have any doubts regarding the subject.
Don't start speaking until you have clearly understood and analyzed the subject.
Work out various strategies to help you make an entry: initiate the
discussion or agree with someone else's point and then move onto
express your views.
Opening the discussion is not the only way of gaining attention and
recognition. If you do not give valuable insights during the
discussion, all your efforts of initiating the discussion will be in
vain.
Your body language says a lot about you - your gestures and mannerisms
are more likely to reflect your attitude than what you say.
Language skills are important only to the effect as to how you get
your points across clearly and fluently.
Be assertive not dominating; try to maintain a balanced tone in your
discussion and analysis.
Don't lose your cool if anyone says anything you object to. The key is
to stay objective: Don't take the discussion personally.
Always be polite: Try to avoid using extreme phrases like: `I strongly
object' or `I disagree'. Instead try phrases like: `I would like to
share my views on…' or `One difference between your point and mine…'
or "I beg to differ with you"
Brush up on your leadership skills; motivate the other members of the
team to speak (this surely does not mean that the only thing that you
do in the GD is to say "let us hear what the young lady with the blue
scarf has to say," or "Raghu, let us hear your views" - Essentially be
subtle), and listen to their views. Be receptive to others' opinions
and do not be abrasive or aggressive.
If you have a group of like-minded friends, you can have a mock group
discussion where you can learn from each other through giving and
receiving feedback.

Apart from the above points, the panel will also judge team members
for their alertness and presence of mind, problem-solving abilities,
ability to work as a team without alienating certain members, and
creativity.

Don't be disheartened if you did not do well in your first group
discussion. The best possible preparation for a group discussion is to
learn from your past mistakes...