What is a Group Discussion (GD) - SSB Interview

What is a Group Discussion - GD?

A GD is a methodology used by an organization to gauge whether the candidate has certain personality traits and/or skills that it desires in its members. In this methodology, the group of candidates is given a topic or a situation, given a few minutes to think about the same, and then asked to discuss among themselves for 15 – 20 Minutes and place their opinion on the topic. Group Discussion Test is the most important and most popular technique of personality testing. It is used for selecting candidates for MBA, SSB, Airlines, Bank officers, Research scholars, Call Centre etc. It enables the examiner to assess candidate's leadership ability, intellectual level, communication ability, socialisation skill and an ability to motivate and influence others. The most important aspect of Group Discussion is its practical approach for analysing the inner orientations of the candidates. The enhanced leadership ability of the candidate has to be in context of abilities and responses of other individuals of the group.

Let’s Talk Training module for Group Discussion would help to train the minds of the readers so that they could appear in the Group Discussions and emerge with flying colours. The module comprises three parts-I, II and III-and covers the current topics with complete fidelity. It would inculcate the basic principles and values in candidates so that they could succeed in any Group Discussion Test. Some of personality traits the GD is trying to gauge may include:

Ability to work in a team

Communication Skills

Reasoning ability

Leadership skills

Initiative
Assertiveness
Flexibility & Creativity

Ability to think on ones feet

GDs can be Topic based or Case based:

Topic based Gds can be classified into three types:-

Factual topic | Controversial topics | Abstract topics |

Factual Topics

Factual Topics Factual topics are about practical things, which an ordinary person is aware of in his day-to-day life. Typically these are about socio-economic topics. These can be current, i.e. they may have been in the news lately, or could be unbound by time. A factual topic for discussion gives a candidate a chance to prove that he is aware of and sensitive to his environment. E.g. The education policy of India, Tourism in India, State of the aged in the nation.

Controversial Topics

Controversial topics are the ones that are argumentative in nature. They are meant to generate controversy. In GD’s where these topics are given for discussion, the noise level is usually high, there may be tempers flying. The idea behind giving a topic like this is to see how much maturity the candidate is displaying by keeping his temper in check, by rationally and logically arguing his point of view without getting personal and emotional. E.g. Reservations should be removed, Women make better managers.

Abstract Topics

Abstract topics are about intangible things. These topics are not given often for discussion, but their possibility cannot be ruled out. These topics test your lateral thinking and-creativity. E.g. A is an alphabet, Twinkle twinkle little star, The number 10. Case-based GD

Another variation is the use of a case instead of a topic. The case study tries to simulate a real-life situation. Information about the situation will be given to you and you would be asked as a group to resolve the situation. In the case study there are no incorrect answers or perfect solutions. The objective in the case study is to get you to think about the situation from various angles.

Given below are 5 easy to follow tips which will help you in your GD preparation

• Brushing up on your general awareness is a must. Being aware of current affairs and issues and happenings, which affect our lives, however remotely, shows a well-rounded personality. Interest in one's environment is an essential quality for a agent, as only when he is well informed about all the facets is he able to take correct decisions. Make a habit of reading newspapers like TOI and Economic Times and general interest and business magazines like Frontline, Outlook and Business India.

• Being aware of current happenings is not enough. One must also form opinions on those happenings and issues that arise. Think about what you feel about different issues, say, terrorism .Write down your thoughts. Ask yourself why you feel that way, what are the premises underlying your thoughts and beliefs. Also question whether your point of view is based on facts, or on opinions.

• The process of opinion formation is incomplete without getting inputs from others. Get into the habit of discussing issues with your friends and family. Hear multiple points of view. Listen, question and argue. Express your opinion. If you are proven wrong, accept it with good grace. Modify your opinions as you go along. This will help you clear your own thought process plus it will get you into the habit of discussion.

• While discussing, learn to check your temper. Maybe you'll find others holding view which are disagreeable to you. But remember that they have a right to their opinions. Everyone does. Learn to respect their points of views even if you don't accept them. It shows maturity on your part. This will be a good training for controlling your emotions, which is of utmost importance in a GD.

Practice: Try and mobilize other people who are interested in GDs and simulate GDs. Get someone who has been through GDs before to observe it and give you feedback on your performance. It is better if the group consists of people who you don't know too well. 

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Regards
Hosla
B.A, M.A (Psychology)
Specialist of GTO outdoor group tasks
(Having 11 Years of Teaching Experience As a GTO Instructor)
Mob: 95411 85701, 7015202663

Ambala Cantt, Haryana