Strict Guidelines for MBA Group Discussions

Here, we have provided the basic guidelines to be followed in Group discussions, which we got from the experts. Kindly read them and get benefited.

• Be natural and be yourself. Do not try to imitate someone else.

• A group discussion is where you have to be more vocal. The judges want to hear you speak loudly.

• Don’t be hasty. Take time to organize your thoughts. Think of what you are going to say.

• If you have any doubts regarding the topic, just clarify it. Don’t blabber something that is irrelevant to the topic.

• Don't start speaking (even if you want to initiate the conversation) until you have clearly understood the subject of the discussion.

• 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.

• Initiating the discussion is not the only way to gain 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 and rich Vocabulary will ascertain you as a good speaker. But it won’t have great influence in a discussion. So, language is not a barrier. Express your thoughts and insights in a rightful way.

• Do not be dominating; try to maintain a balanced tone throughout your discussion.

• Don't lose your temper if anyone opposes your arguement. 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"

• 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 "Mr. 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.

• Give equal chances to your team-mates to give their opportunities. It will show your ethics and team-spirit to the evaluator.