Group Discussion

A Group Discussion at a B-School can be defined as a formal discussion involving 10 to 12 participants in a group. They are given a topic. After some time, during which they collect their thoughts, the group is asked to discuss the topic for 20 to 25 minutes. B-Schools use the Group Discussion process to assess a candidate's personality traits.

Here are some of the most important personality traits that a candidate should possess to do well at a Group Discussion:

1. Team Player
B-Schools lay great emphasis on this parameter because it is essential for managers to be team players.
The reason: Managers always work in teams.
At the beginning of his career, a manager works as a team member. And, later, as a team leader.
Management aspirants who lack team skills cannot be good managers.

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2. Reasoning Ability
Reasoning ability plays an important role while expressing your opinions or ideas at a Group Discussion.
For example, an opinion like "Reduction in IIMs' fees will affect quality" can be better stated by demonstrating your reasoning ability and completing the missing links between fees and quality as:
Reduction in IIMs' fees will result in less funds being invested on study material, student exchange programmes, research, student development activities, etc.
Moreover, it costs money to attract good faculty, create good infrastructure and upgrade technology.
With reduction in fees, less money will be available to perform these ,activities which will lead to deterioration in the quality of IIMs.
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3. Leadership
There are three types of situations that can arise in a Group Discussion:

A Group Discussion where participants are unable to establish a proper rapport and do not speak much.
A Group Discussion where participants get emotionally charged and the Group Discussion gets chaotic.
A Group Discussion where participants discuss