Group Discussion round is an integral part of recruitment process these days. IBPS, SBI and other organisations conduct Group Discussion for screening purposes. The main purpose of conducting a Group Discussion is to gauge a candidate’s leadership quality, communication skills and reasoning ability.

A typical Group Discussion has 8 to 10 participants and a panel. The topic is given in the beginning and you will get 5 to 10 minutes (usually) to jot down your ideas on the topic and then discuss it with rest of the members. Group Discussion topic may be a social, political, scientific, economic, a completely abstract topic or sometimes the panel ask the members to choose a topic by consensus. 

How to prepare for your Group Discussion Round?

You should be able to convey your thoughts in a manner which is understandable to the group and the panel judging you. You will be judges on your content, clarity and fluency.

• Keep yourself updated with current affairs.
• Always try to incorporate facts and statistics while speaking that makes your content worth listening.
• Take up few topics or recent events and start reading about these topics. Try analysing the topic from different perspective. Remember the important data and facts related to it. Make up your content and start speaking in front of a mirror. 
• Read magazines and newspapers diligently. Give emphasis on the articles.
• Since you  are going to appear for a bank exam, make yourself aware of the banking world. Any new development in banking sector that you feel could be important as per GD point of view should be researched thoroughly.
• Practice with your friends or siblings. Try to be a good listener then a good speaker. It is important to listen to what other members of the group has to contribute. You can summarise the Discussion if you have heard your group well. Listening to the other members may help you evolve your own content. Involve your friends in this task.  Try to just observe and listen. This will help you understand the real scenario of a typical Group Discussion.

Inside the GD Room 

1. Take a pen and a paper.
2. Do not forget to carry your Confidence with you.
3. Dress well.

Tips To Do Well In Group Discussion Round

1. Content is the king – The content has to be sensible and well supported with facts or real life situations. Do not just speak for the sake of it. Think about what you are going to speak, elaborate the points in your head and then speak.
2. Concise – Since a GD is time bound, keep a check of the time allotted to each candidate. Try to finish your argument in that time only. If you talk in a rambling manner, other participants won’t allow you to finish your point. Hence, be concise and keep a check on the watch. Quality not the quantity is what your panel will judge you on.
3. Confidence –  Do not panic at all. If you think, by the time your turn came up all your points have been already said by other candidates, keep calm. Think of something that can be put forward or something you think was not put correctly by other candidate. Just be confident in whatever you speak. Be calm under all situations no matter what.
4. Respect – Talk formally and politely. Do not point to a particular person while speaking. If you are disagreeing with a candidate , do it politely. Try to explain why you are disagreeing with a candidate’s point by logic not by using harsh words. Address everyone in the group.
5. Initiate – Do not be scared to start the discussion. Evaluating your Leadership quality is what GD round is all about. Be prepared with a rational and clear opening. You can initiate the discussion like this “I am sure all of us are keen to begin the GD and complete it within the allotted time. We are here to discuss the topic — ” Importance of Internet Banking “—and the time given to us is just 30 minutes. So, let us get started.” 
6. Body Language – Sit straight, try to stay involved in the discussion, make eye contact. Do not be robotic. Put in efforts to listen to everyone. Do not fiddle with your pen or paper. Do not play with your hair or bite your nails.
7. Summarize – Many a times, the panel ask the group to present a written/ oral summary of the Group Discussion. If you feel  your GD was not impactful, this is the time to make an impression. Try to give an overall feel of how the GD went and what was the conclusion of the discussion.

Always remember that a group discussion is meant to test you on different parameters. The panel will never appreciate you if you shout or fight with your fellow members. Be composed when you speak. If you are clueless about a topic, listen to other members and pick up important points from them and elaborate.

If you feel reading a book will give you a clearer picture on how to go about your preparation for GD Round, we suggest you to buy any one of these

Good Luck!