With CAT 2016 results out on January 9, those with a high percentile have their attention focused towards conquering the next hurdle in their MBA dream, which is the Group Discussion and Personal Interview (GDPI) round. Candidates who’ll be able to crack this level will finally realise their dream of gaining entry into the country’s most prestigious colleges for MBA —The Indian Institute of Management (IIMs) and other institutes. However, clearing this round is no cake walk. It’s only natural for candidates at this moment to be nervous—with myriad doubts and questions running through their minds pertaining to the GDPI round. Thus, in its endeavor to solve candidates’ doubts and answer their questions, PaGaLGuY brings to you a compilation of some important GDPI tips by MBA expert, Sidharth Balakrishna, which go as follows:
1. Be more analytical in putting forth your viewpoint, than merely expressing opinions
In GDs, it is very important for the candidate to be analytical, rather than just expressing opinions. This means that the candidate needs to put forth logical arguments in support of his/ her view or be able to justify what he/ she has said with facts and data.
2. Focus on laying down the structure for the discussion so that others can follow suit
The candidate must try to speak in the initial few seconds of Group Discussions as those who speak early do get extra points. So how does one start a GD? The best way to start is not just to state opinions or even facts, but to first lay down the structure for others to follow or the parameters under which the discussion can proceed.
3. Make a good first impression by introducing yourself and highlighting your credentials
While introducing oneself in a GD, one must go beyond just mentioning the name of his/her school or college; the place he/she worked at, the marks they obtained etc. One’s achievements and hobbies must be highlighted. A candidate must try to relate them to the course he/she is applying to and mention plans to learn from it. He/she should also mention some interesting aspects of his/her life or personality. In short, one must try to make the interview panel interested in one’s individuality.
4. Revise your academics for the interview
For Interviews, it is important for the candidate to revise his/ her academics. Basics and application-based questions are often asked. So it is strongly advised that one does not neglect one’s studies during graduation years! Candidates with more than a year’s work experience can expect questions around that, including about the company and the industry where they operate.
About CAT
This year, over 2,30,000 students applied for the Common Admission Test (CAT) to Indian Institute of Management (IIM) and other leading business schools. The exam was conducted on December 4, 2016. IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Bangalore released their shortlist on January 9, the same day the CAT results released. IIM Kozhikode on the other hand, took up a two-stage shortlist process, wherein they released a form for candidates to register to be shortlisted. Thereafter IIM Calcutta, Indore and Shillong also released their shortlists. In the coming weeks, more IIMs will be releasing their shortlist for admissions to their Post-graduate Management Programmes for the academic session 2017-19.
Follow the thread ‘Official GDPI Preparation/Discussion’ to get relevant information for Group Discussion and Preparation