Selection of students for MBA is indeed a meticulous task. Some B-schools conduct a group discussion amongst the aspirants so as to test your communication skills, interactivity, idea generation skills, body language, eye contact, group dynamics etc.

Usually a group discussion is conducted anywhere between 5-20 people. The group is given a topic which can range from current affairs, social issue, abstract etc

This is usually conducted after the entrance tests are taken. Here are some of the tips for cracking a group discussion :

• Everybody has an opinion on the topic. Express your opinion in a brief and a clear manner. Do not ruminate over one thought for too long.
• Give everybody a chance to speak. Most students feel that the more we talk the more marks we will fetch. This is not true. If you do not give a chance to speak, the examiners see you as a dominating individual which goes against the desired personality.
• In case you are asked to conclude the topic, do not give your personal opinions here. Just briefly explain what was discussed in the GD and what was the outcome.
• Try to use effective quotes to explain your point
• Try and state relevant facts and figures so that the examiners feel that you know the subject well.
• You can use analogies to cite examples to illustrate your point
• Maintain good body language and posture
• Avoid looking at the examiners and maintain eye contact with the rest of the group members.
• Listening to other person’s point is as important as talking.

It is a common belief that students who start with the GD topic get more points. A student can start a GD if he knows well enough about the topic but if a student is not confident about the topic then it is better to contribute later in the GD.