Question

Read the following statements. If you agree, say ‘Yes’ and if you don’t agree, say ‘No’. State the reason for your opinion.

Sr. No.	Statement	Yes/ No	Reason
1.	It is not possible to guess the topic for group discussion. Then there is no need to prepare.
2.	Always have a discussion with your family and friends on different topics.
3.	You must aim to get noticed by the evaluators.
4.	Forget the evaluator and look at the participants while discussion
5.	You should raise your voice to be heard by everyone and speak for a long time to show your knowledge.
6.	You should always take the opportunity to begin the discussion
7.	Take a strong position/view and defend it till the end.
8.	Do not keep waiting for your turn to speak. You have to be alert and quick.
9.	Listening to others also plays an important role in a group discussion.
10.	You must interrupt a person if you do not agree to his opinion.
11.	Show your leadership skills by being assertive, not aggressive.
12.	Participating in a group discussion also means helping everyone to reach a consensus in spite of difference of opinion

Answer 1

Sr. No.	Statement	Yes/ No	Reason
1.	It is not possible to guess the topic for group discussion. Then there is no need to prepare.	No	Knowledge is strength. Since a group discussion is a test of one’s knowledge and ability to clearly express one’s thoughts, one can always prepare for it by reading up on diverse topics. Reading newspapers, watching documentaries and indulging in stimulating discussions are a few ways to enhance knowledge. A candidate with sound knowledge of different topics has a higher chance of success.
2.	Always have a discussion with your family and friends on different topics.	Yes	Having meaningful discussions on diverse topics will not only help you gain a better understanding of the topic and a broader perspective, but also help you develop a deeper bond with your family and friends. Such discussions will also help you understand your weaknesses and give you a good idea about how well you can express your thoughts.
3.	You must aim to get noticed by the evaluators.	No	The aim of the discussion is not to impress the evaluator but to contribute meaningfully to the topic while listening and learning from other participants.
4.	Forget the evaluator and look at the participants while discussion	Yes	The group discussion is between you and the other members, not the evaluator. It is considered good practice to avoid interaction and any kind of eye contact with the evaluator while the discussion is in progress.
5.	You should raise your voice to be heard by everyone and speak for a long time to show your knowledge.	No	It is very important for a participant to remain calm and logical in a group discussion. Reacting emotionally in a discussion causes one to lose control and this may affect your evaluation because the participant is judged not only on his communication skills but also on his ability to work in a team. In addition, evaluation focuses on the quality of your argument and not on its quantity. The participant must focus on making relevant points and not take up too much time. This reflects negatively on his ability to accept other people’s opinions and makes him look self-centred.
6.	You should always take the opportunity to begin the discussion	No	You should only initiate the discussion if you have a very valid point to make. If you are doubtful, do not initiate the discussion. Simply starting, without careful consideration or sufficient knowledge, can result in a wrong interpretation of the topic and cast a bad impression.
7.	Take a strong position/view and defend it till the end.	No	Blindly taking a stand throughout the discussion may land a participant in trouble. During the course of the group discussion, it is possible that a participant’s viewpoint changes because he is successfully convinced by another participant. In such a case, the participant may change his position, giving the impression that he is open to accepting others’ viewpoints. As the aim is to reach a conclusion, it is natural for some participants to change their views to make sure the team reaches a common conclusion.
8.	Do not keep waiting for your turn to speak. You have to be alert and quick.	Yes	In a group discussion, it is not likely that one will be specifically asked to speak. In order to express his opinion, the participant must be alert and seek out an appropriate time, such as, after another participant has finished speaking and present his views. If one feels like they must interrupt another person, they should do so, politely.
9.	Listening to others also plays an important role in a group discussion.	Yes	Not only does listening to others indicate a willingness to accommodate others’ views, it also offers the participant a chance to respond meaningfully, which increases his chance of making a good impression on the evaluator. In addition, it allows the participant to broaden his perspective by understanding various viewpoints. Listening intently, nodding while appreciating another’s viewpoint can also reflect positively on the participant.
10.	You must interrupt a person if you do not agree to his opinion.	No	Interrupting a person while they are speaking, just because you don’t agree with their opinion, indicates an emotional response and creates the impression that you are not a team player. In a team, one often has to work with people who they do not agree with, but one must always listen patiently to what each person has to say. Thus, one must wait for the person to finish before expressing disagreement.
11.	Show your leadership skills by being assertive, not aggressive.	Yes	While it is important to be assertive, that is, to be determined in one’s arguments, it is important to not cross the line into aggression. Being aggressive creates a bad impression because it indicates that you are not approaching the discussion logically and cannot work well in a team.
12.	Participating in a group discussion also means helping everyone to reach a consensus in spite of a difference of opinion	Yes	The aim of the group discussion is to reach a logical conclusion through teamwork. Thus, it is essential that the differences of opinion are resolved and the participants direct the discussion to reach an outcome that is agreed upon by all. This may mean that one may have to support or discourage another participant’s views so that the group reaches a consensus.