Ram, JBIMS Batch of 2010
A lot of candidates tend to think that once the written entrance test is cracked, your entrance to the B-School of your dreams is assured. However the important thing to realize is that a good written score is just half the job done. GD/PI forms a key element in the entire evaluation process of a candidate. Even in the CET process, GDPI carries about 14-15 % of the overall weightage in terms of the number of marks, and can be the key difference.
Having dealt upon the importance of GD/PI, let us try to look into answering some queries relating to GD/PI that prospective candidates might have.
Q) What is the importance of a GD in the evaluation process ?
Ans) As a manager, you will always be required to work in teams, lead teams. You also will be required to come to a consensus and take decisions in your different capacities as a manager . A GD is something which will test you on all these parameters. First of all, it checks how good are you in expressing your viewpoints in the presence of other people, how well you are able to drive mutual agreement in the group over an issue/problem , in a limited amount of time. In short, it tests your group-dynamics skills.
Q) What are the various kinds of topics that are asked in GDs at the CET level ?
Ans) At the CET level, most of the topics are issue-based and not case-based. Examples of topics in the current scenario could be like 'Impact of Global Economic Crisis on India' or 'Managers: Born or Made'.
Q) What are some of the myths surronding GDs ?
Ans) One of the greatest myths surrounding GDs is that the more you speak, the more are your chances of scoring good marks. The key to performing well in GDs is to make constructive contributions and bringing in new dimensions to the discussion. One of the other key parameters on which students are judged is their ability to listen to points made by other candidates. If one does not agree with any of the points mentioned by the other candidates, one should learn to put his/her point across in an affirmative yet calm manner. A group discussion is used to test a candidate's ability to work in a team, ability of the group as a whole to come to a consensus.
Q) What are the various approaches that one can use to be able to give GDs a new direction ?
Ans) Approaches like the SPELT ( Social, Political, Economic, Legal and Technological ) approach help you to look at an issue from all possible perspectives. EG: In case you face a topic like 'Should 100% FDI in Retail be allowed' then the Economic aspect if it would be increase in investment in India . However the Social Aspect would dwell more on the possible losses of jobs to millions of Indians who run kirana shops and mom-and-pop stores.
You can also use the 'keyword approach' to enhance your skills in GDs. EG: If you face a topic like 'Management: An Art or a Science' the keywords are 'Management', 'Art' and 'Science'. You could possibly start with the definitions of art and science are. Then you can define 'management' and see which aspects of management fall under the purview of an 'art' and which ones under the purview of science and take the discussion forward.
Having dealt upon the importance of GD/PI, let us try to look into answering some queries relating to GD/PI that prospective candidates might have.
Q) What is the importance of a GD in the evaluation process ?
Ans) As a manager, you will always be required to work in teams, lead teams. You also will be required to come to a consensus and take decisions in your different capacities as a manager . A GD is something which will test you on all these parameters. First of all, it checks how good are you in expressing your viewpoints in the presence of other people, how well you are able to drive mutual agreement in the group over an issue/problem , in a limited amount of time. In short, it tests your group-dynamics skills.
Q) What are the various kinds of topics that are asked in GDs at the CET level ?
Ans) At the CET level, most of the topics are issue-based and not case-based. Examples of topics in the current scenario could be like 'Impact of Global Economic Crisis on India' or 'Managers: Born or Made'.
Q) What are some of the myths surronding GDs ?
Ans) One of the greatest myths surrounding GDs is that the more you speak, the more are your chances of scoring good marks. The key to performing well in GDs is to make constructive contributions and bringing in new dimensions to the discussion. One of the other key parameters on which students are judged is their ability to listen to points made by other candidates. If one does not agree with any of the points mentioned by the other candidates, one should learn to put his/her point across in an affirmative yet calm manner. A group discussion is used to test a candidate's ability to work in a team, ability of the group as a whole to come to a consensus.
Q) What are the various approaches that one can use to be able to give GDs a new direction ?
Ans) Approaches like the SPELT ( Social, Political, Economic, Legal and Technological ) approach help you to look at an issue from all possible perspectives. EG: In case you face a topic like 'Should 100% FDI in Retail be allowed' then the Economic aspect if it would be increase in investment in India . However the Social Aspect would dwell more on the possible losses of jobs to millions of Indians who run kirana shops and mom-and-pop stores.
You can also use the 'keyword approach' to enhance your skills in GDs. EG: If you face a topic like 'Management: An Art or a Science' the keywords are 'Management', 'Art' and 'Science'. You could possibly start with the definitions of art and science are. Then you can define 'management' and see which aspects of management fall under the purview of an 'art' and which ones under the purview of science and take the discussion forward.