Evaluation Criteria for GD Round

EVALUATION CRITERIA: GD

The evaluation of participants is based on two kinds:

• Individual Qualities
• Group Skills

Content

Your content matters. Period. What you must present during the ongoing discussion is being noted and reveals your comprehension skills. It is not necessary to talk a lot, sometimes quality matters rather than quantity. Even if you speak for like 2 minutes, make sure you present your ideas clearly and confidently. The panel does not want unnecessary jabber instead they want you to present a solid groundwork. Steer clear form irrelevant words.

Analytical skills

Every discussion is based on facts, so get your facts straight. The panel would like you dive into the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of the question. Your analytical skills are tested on a higher level and you are put to harshest of tests.

Reasoning skills

A topic requires you to reason with. The panel is interested in understanding how efficiently you reveal your reasoning skills. Not just with your argument but also how you take someone else’s argument and turn it into yours. It is more like directing a conversation.

Organisation skills

Your argument should be organized. No amount of details or facts would matter if you are not able to present them in an organized manner. Think for a minute before you open your mouth.

Communication skills

Well since it is a Group Discussion, communication skills matter. How well do you communicate? Ask yourself this question. Are you able to speak in a simple term which others can understand? Or are you self-proclaimed Shashi Tharoor? Our advice sticks to the former.

Creativity

Remember how back in school Sky used to be purple? It is like that; you added your own colour to the sky now it is time to colour the argument differently. Think way outside the box. If everyone is thinking that way, think inside the box.

Now that you know how you will be assessed, make sure to focus on specific areas of improvement during your practice GDs. Identify your shortcomings and work on that. Hire a trainer if you can or join an institute that will help you prepare.

Learn More About Evaluation Criteria For Group Discussion

GD: DO’S AND DON’TS

Dress Formally

A person’s sense of dressing speaks a lot. Do not go on a crop top and jeans and T-shirt trail when going for a Group Discussion. Dress in smart formals for Group Discussion. Also make sure that you are comfortable. Dressing up nicely boosts your confidence level and increases your chance of making a good impression.

Speak First

Try to open the GD. Do not be disheartened if you cannot as someone else got the chance, but if you do, it is a big plus point. But it will only be favourable if you have understood the topic clearly. Even if you do not speak first, make sure to frame your argument well for your turn.

Eye Contact

Keep calm and relax. It is just a GD not a matter of life and death. Maintain eye contact with everyone, they are just as nervous as you are.

Let others speak

Give others a chance to speak. Do not cut them off. It does not give a good impression. Wait for your turn to present your arguments.

Be Assertive

Be polite. Use simple language to convey your thoughts. Do not be dominating. If you do not agree with someone’s argument, put your point forward in a calm and respectful manner.

Be Sensible

Sometimes, it is easy to get carried away and we just end up speaking nonsense. Try to refrain from that. Do not keep going just so that you can get extra time, hence, extra highlight. It would not work if your argument is not strong enough anyway. Stick to the point and once you are done presenting it, kindly give others a chance to speak.

GD Weightage

In most of the IIMs and colleges, Group Discussion carries substantiate weightage. Every college has different weightage for GD so it is a little difficult to tell exactly how much scores you can get in GD. But it can range from 10% to 20% and if it is a part of PI and WAT, it carries a joint 50% weightage.