Things You Should Avoid At Group Discussion Round

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The rigors of an MBA aspirant taking the help of best home tutors for CAT preparation do not end with passing an MBA entrance exam; rather, it is only the beginning, in my opinion. Most top B-schools in India hold group discussions and personal interview rounds, and if you want to get into some of the best institutes, you will have to cut your way through group discussions and personal interviews. You may have come across a variety of viewpoints and strategies for removing your GDPIs. However, today we will discuss the things that should be avoided at all costs during Group discussions.

Avoid Emotional Burst
It is very common for someone to say something that will offend you during a group discussion. However, keep in mind that this is a debate, and everyone has an opinion. Avoid entering the battle trance and speaking about irrelevant topics. Do not go out of your way to explain, because this is a discussion, not a debate, and everyone is free to express their thoughts. No matter how vile the opinion, resist the urge to lash out at the person; you may end up going off-topic, ...
... which will influence the judge's decision.

Don’t emphasize on the quantity
A judge looks at your ability to explain your point and to convincingly justify your position. It makes no difference if your speech is brief. Put more emphasis on the quality of your speech than the quantity. It is incorrect to believe that the more you talk, the more you gain the judge's favor. That doesn't mean you have a small voice at a GD. Keep your points ready, and keep them brief and to the point. Maintaining relevance to the topic while contributing to the discussion with your viewpoint will help you stand out and get noticed.

Do not rush to introduce the topic.
You may have heard or read somewhere that bringing up the subject in a group discussion will help you gain points. That is possible if you are well prepared for the topic and have a good introduction. However, you are not required to introduce the topic in order to capture the judge's attention. When you are given a topic, spend your time writing down as many points as you can. Try to recall any recent news that is relevant to the topic; it will help to strengthen your argument. Instead of wasting time trying to introduce the topic, focus on how you can discuss it brilliantly. Proceed if you are certain about the subject. If not, have someone else introduce the topic and continue the conversation later.

Avoid excessive use of statistics
Statistics are a powerful and widely used tool in discussions. Statics assist you in making your point convincingly. Yes, you may know everything there is to know about the subject, or you may be fortunate enough to be asked to discuss a subject on which you have done extensive research. Do not go flashing all of the graphs and statistics you found, as this is a discussion, not a presentation of your knowledge. Use statistical data to back up your point of view, but don't limit yourself to numbers. It is your opinion and your ability to express yourself that is being evaluated.

Avoid cutting-off repeatedly
Many candidates believe that cutting someone off in a group discussion will give them an advantage. However, interfering repeatedly will have a negative impact on the judge because you will appear to be a rude person. Allow the person to speak, or wait for the appropriate moment to intervene and cut them off. Cutting someone off for the sake of cutting someone off when you don't have anything suitable to counter it is the wrong move. These are a few things to avoid at all costs during a group discussion round. Keep these points in mind for your next group discussion round to ensure a smooth sailing. Group discussions are crucial, and you don't want to make any mistakes that will cost you a spot at a good business school. Best wishes!

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