Overview
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All Levels What is a Group Discussion?
A group discussion (GD) is a method of interaction and communication between people of similar backgrounds who have come together for a common purpose. Unstructured group discussions are used by organizations as evaluation and screening methods to select suitable candidates for managerial and other positions. Institutes of higher education also use group discussions to screen applicants to management and technical courses.
A group discussion is usually used in combination with the personal interview and the written test, as a part of the selection procedure, where the number of candidates is large and needs to be shortlisted.
Since the objective of the assessor is elimination of unsuitable candidates and selection of suitable ones, the participants need to perform optimally and display their capabilities within the stipulated time for the discussion.
The Technique
A typical group discussion consists of six to eight members, seated in a circular or semi-circular arrangement, facing one another. The topic is given by the Group Assessor five to ten minutes before the actual discussion starts. Group members are asked to mentally deliberate on the topic, and then discuss on the topic for fifteen to twenty minutes.
Any member can start the discussion; there is no pre-nominated leader. Similarly, the tasks of carrying forward the discussion, coordinating points discussed, encouraging team members to speak up, concluding the discussion etc. are left open. Any member can assume the role of leader and take these roles up.
Assessment of GD Participants
The assessor evaluates participants on certain parameters like communication skills, leadership and coordination, reasoning ability, team playing skills, initiative, assertiveness, etc.
In order to get favorable assessment in a GD, a participant needs to:
- Show initiative and cooperating behavior
- Have sufficient knowledge of current national and international topics, general awareness of developments in various fields, etc.
- Be able to express him/ herself confidently and assertively.
- Back up arguments with logic and examples
- Take other members along and try to convince others on his/her point
- Stick to the topic and not stray away with futile arguments
Behaviour that is negatively marked includes:
- Aggression and dominance, not letting others speak
- Repeatedly interrupting others
- Illogical and emotional arguments
- Keeping silent or not contributing enough to the discussion
- Repeating others’ points without saying anything of one’s own
- Personal attacks on other participants
Candidates are therefore judged, not only on their contribution to the discussion but also on their behavior and etiquette. Leadership behavior, interpersonal effectiveness and the ability to work in a team are some qualities that are evaluated.
Topics for Group Discussion
Generally, the participants are tested for their awareness level and knowledge of current affairs, general knowledge, social developments etc. Some typical topics may be:
- Privatization will help modernize public enterprises in India and make them more robust
- India’s tolerance towards the aberrations of its neighbouring nations is mistaken as weakness
- The overwhelming influence of social media in our lives
- Secularism has succumbed to fundamentalism in our country
- The present generation lacks respect towards tradition and history
- Playing a sport develops our personality as well as physique
The EduCBA Course on Group Discussion
In order to secure employment in prestigious companies, or to get admission to elite higher education courses, it is essential to perform well in the group discussion round of the selection process. Candidates need to know what is expected out of them and what behavior will merit good assessment.
This training will, therefore, be beneficial for college students and young professionals out to embark on their professional careers.
The EduCBA Course Contents
The Group Discussion course is meant to equip the participant with the knowledge of methods and techniques of group discussion. The trainee becomes aware of the dos and don’ts of a GD and what behavior is expected out of him/her. How to contribute to a discussion and how to chart a successful discussion are some skills the participant can hope to acquire through the training.
Section 1: Introduction to Group Discussion
You will be introduced to the technique of Group Discussion in the first section.
Section 2: Skills and Guidelines for Group Discussion
This section will focus on the special skills required to succeed in a Group Discussion. You will also be familiarized with the guidelines on how to conduct yourself in a GD.
Section 3: Tips for successful Group Discussion
You will learn how to contribute towards a successful discussion and to make your presence felt in the group. You will also learn team playing skills that are essential to succeed in a GD.
Section 4: Do’s and Don’ts of Group Discussion
This section focuses on what behavior and attitude is required in a GD and what should be avoided. You will learn to avoid the pitfalls associated with taking part and actively contributing in a group discussion. You will know what is the thin line separating assertiveness and aggressiveness, and what the difference is between leading and dominating. The etiquette of a GD will become clear to you in this section.
Thus, the EduCBA course contents equip you to handle difficult situations in a group discussion with ease. The course helps you to acquire an in-depth understanding of group discussions and to overcome your discomfort in participating in a GD. You will become more confident of taking part and contributing to a GD after you complete the course successfully.
Prerequisites to Group Discussion Training
The participant of this course may be a graduate or an undergraduate of a degree/diploma course. He/she must have some idea of public speaking and should be conversant with English. Since the medium of instruction of this course is English, the trainee must be able to follow the language properly. A computer with internet connection is a must. The participant must be willing to spend time in self study and must interact with faculty regularly. He/she must be prepared to put in efforts to sharpen his/her communication and interpersonal skills and follow the instructions given in the course.
Target Audience for this Course/Who will benefit:
The EduCBA Course on Group Discussion will benefit anyone desirous to improve their public speaking and interpersonal skills. Students, young professionals, management aspirants, sales persons, aspirants to public services and civil services examinations would particularly gain from attending this course. The training would also benefit those who are about to embark on their careers and desire to be recruited in prestigious companies. Students in college can do this course along with their graduate studies as it is an online course. In short, any one desirous of improving their public speaking and discussion skills can benefit from this course.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Is it difficult to take part in a group discussion? Does it require special training?
Answer: No, it is not difficult to take part as long as you are aware of what is expected out of you and you can overcome your nervousness. A familiarity with the rules and techniques, and general topics of a group discussion will enable you to participate confidently in a GD. The EduCBA course will train you in these, and will help you hone your GD skills.
- Where are group discussions held generally and for what?
Answer: Group discussions are a method of screening and selection suitable candidates and are held in places which receive large numbers of applicants for a single position or program. So a management institute running an MBA course will hold group discussions along with tests to evaluate the candidature of aspirants to their course. Large multinationals or corporate companies which have vacancies for managerial positions conduct group discussions for assessing the suitability and employability of applicants. GDs are generally used as a part of the evaluation procedure to shortlist suitable candidates.
- Can this course help me in participating in a GD?
Answer: Yes, this course by EduCBA is intended to equip you with the skills and awareness of various techniques of a group discussion. You will learn what to do and what to avoid doing in a GD. You will learn how to participate and perform impressively in a GD to secure favourable assessment.
- Will I get sufficient guidance and feedback in the course?
Answer: Yes. This course gives you plenty of scope to learn about group discussions and clear your doubts regarding the same. Our faculty will guide you by giving you inputs and feedback from time to time. You can interact with the faculty on a regular basis and solve your queries.
Course Testimonials:
Rita Gupta
“The EduCBA course on Group Discussion was very enriching. I became aware of what to do in a GD. The course helped me to overcome my fear of participating in a GD. Faculty was very helpful in guiding me. The tips and guidelines given in the course were really good.”
Farrukh Ali
“I will appear for my MBA entrance exams this year. I was very nervous about the group discussion part of the selection exam. My friend suggested this course to me. It helped me a lot. Now I feel more confident about taking part in a GD.”
Som Pandit
“I am a junior executive in a small firm. I am looking for better opportunities in bigger organizations. But whenever I participated in a GD for a job, I could never succeed. I could not speak at all. The EduCBA course was very helpful in removing my fears and awkwardness. I have participated in two GDs since then, and have improved my performance. I am confident of getting selected soon.”
Paula Smith
“Your course is very good. I learnt a lot from it. I am not very confident of speaking in front of others. But this course taught me how to do it. Thank you EduCBA.”
Career Benefits of this Course:
For Students of Undergraduate courses:
Career minded students preparing seriously for higher courses need to hone their group discussion and public speaking skills as most universities and higher learning institutes use the GD to screen candidates.
This course on Group Discussion will help students of undergraduate degree and diploma courses prepare for the selection procedures of higher education institutes. Students desirous of securing admission in MBA courses of Indian and foreign universities and institutes need to successfully clear the GD round of these. The EduCBA course guides a student in the dos and don’ts of group discussions and improves chances of active participation. Thus, the student who takes this training can prepare better for the admission processes of prestigious career-oriented courses.
For young Professionals:
Professionals who apply for jobs in large organizations and multinationals have to appear for group discussions as a part of the selection procedure. Many job holders feel shy to speak in public or voice their opinions. This training will help them overcome this hesitation and improve their chances of getting selected in the jobs they have applied for. Young professionals will learn to speak confidently and make their presence felt in GDs through the EduCBA course.
Further, this training would not interfere with their regular jobs. Since this is an online course, professionals can do it in their free time as per their convenience. They can interact with faculty and get valuable tips on bettering their performance in a group discussion.
For Aspirants to Competitive examinations:
Those who are preparing for appearing in competitive examinations like public service exams or civil service exams can benefit greatly from this course. They will gain tips on impressing evaluators by successfully participating in the group discussion round of these exams. This training would help them be better equipped to perform well in their exams. They can do this course simultaneously with other preparatory courses since it is online.
Therefore, this course is helpful for all career minded students and professionals who wish to work towards a bright future. By equipping participants with the awareness of the techniques and nuances of a group discussion, this EduCBA course assists them in their career goals.
| Where do our learners come from? |
| Professionals from around the world have benefited from eduCBA’s Group Discussion courses. Some of the top places that our learners come from include New York, Dubai, San Francisco, Bay Area, New Jersey, Houston, Seattle, Toronto, London, Berlin, UAE, Chicago, UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, India, Bangalore, New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Gurgaon among many. |
