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This guide contains the following:
· Frequently Asked Questions for Group Discussions
· Topics for Group Discussions
· Frequently Asked Questions for Personal Interviews
GROUP DISCUSSION - FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
¨ Are we allowed to carry a piece of paper during the
GD for noting down important points?
Normally you are allowed to carry a piece of paper, but
there might be some instances where you are specifically
forbidden.
¨ Is there any particular seating arrangement that is
favorable to the participant?
If the participants are asked to sit in a circle or a
semi-circle, one position is as good as the other. But,
if you are asked to sit on either side of a rectangular
table, then try to choose a position as close to the center
as possible.
¨ Should we begin the GD by appointing a leader amongst
ourselves?
No, you should not. Leadership in a GD is established
implicitly through one's performance in the GD.
¨ Can we take a definite stand right away and then later
on during the GD, switch over to the other side of the
argument.
Yes, provided you do it in the right way. In a GD it
is quite likely that some other participant's counter-argument
convinces you to your point. If this happens, then it
is best if you accept his argument and explain to the
group how your previous argument was true within a narrow
range, and how the new argument is applicable to a broader
range. This also gives an indicator of your flexibility
and acceptance of another's point of view. Naturally,
it is safe not to make any rash statements or go against
the topic before you learn the facts of the argument.
Blindly taking a stand will definitely lead you into trouble.
This does not mean that you should sit on the fence. You
may participate actively by pointing out issues on both
sides of the argument in a responsible and logical manner.
¨ If we do not understand the meaning of the topic, should
we ask the moderator to explain it to us?
No. You cannot ask the moderator the meaning of the topic.
Instead of displaying your ignorance in this manner, it
is better to wait for some other participant to initiate
the discussion. So listen to the discussion carefully
for the first three or four minutes, and when you have
gained some idea about the topic, participate in the discussion.
¨ Should we address the other participants by their names
or by their signified numbers?
You should avoid the use of names or numbers. It is better
to use pronouns such as 'he', 'she', 'you', etc. while
referring to the other members of your group. You can
make the atmosphere friendlier by using terms like "my
friend here".
¨ Which is the right time to enter a GD to ensure that
I am heard properly?
In any GD, there are crests and troughs during the discussion.
At a crest, the noise level is the maximum and at a trough
there is almost total silence. Ideally, you should enter
the GD during the trough period but normally in competitive
GDs the crests occur more often and for more prolonged
periods. Troughs, if they do come, last for very little
time. In such cases, you could identify those stages in
the GD where ideas familiar to you are being discussed
and enter the GD irrespective of the noise level.
¨ How do I participate when the noise level is too high?
As explained above, if the noise level is high you have
two options - remain silent, or join in by raising your
voice to be heard above the din. You need to be firm and
ensure that your voice is strong enough to be heard clearly.
However, it is important to understand the difference
between being firm and shouting. Do not ever raise your
voice loud enough to be classified as a "shorter".
¨ For how long should I participate?
In a 20 minute GD with 12 - 15 participants, you should
participate at least 4 times with each entry lasting for
at least 20 - 25 seconds. You could participate more depending
upon your comfort level and the need for participation.
¨ How important is the use of body language in a GD?
Use of proper body language is an advantage. Some of
the ways in which you could use your body effectively
are:
v Have significant eye contact. Look at the GD members
when you speak to them. Focus on the whole group and not
on specific individuals. v Keep your body upright, and
lean forward while speaking or listening. This will show
your sustained interest in the GD. v If you agree with
somebody, nod your head, so that the speaker realizes
that you understand him. v Use your hands effectively
to emphasize your statements and to persuade others to
listen to you. Do not gesture wildly, but use your hands
as a means of communication. v Do not place your hand
in front of your mouth while speaking. It inhibits speech
and shows self-consciousness. v Do not use your arm to
support your chin. It communicates a lack of interest
in the GD. v Do not point your finger or pen at anyone
aggressively. These are intimidating tactics and will
tactics and will be recognized as such. v Keep your hands
on the table when you are not using them to emphasize
your points if you tend to keep your hands moving then
you might end up distracting others.
¨ What do I do if someone else has already said all that
I wanted to say?
You have two choices: 1. Agree with the point made by
your colleague and add on to it by displaying the applicability
of the argument to different situations. By doing this
you will have broadened the scope of the argument. 2.
Drop the point and think of something new to say.
¨ What are the acceptable ways of interrupting somebody
else, so that I may make my point?
v By saying, "Excuse me, but I feel that what you
are saying is not totally true…" v By saying "Yes,
I agree with your idea, and I would like to add on to
it…" v By asking for some clarification from the
speaker on the point, which he is making at that moment.
¨ Can my GD performance be improved through training?
Yes. GD performance can be improved by training oneself
in the following areas: v Creative Thinking v Fluent Communication
v Proper Presentation v Personal and Inter-personal Dynamics.
v Analytical skills v Open - mindedness
A Few GD Topics :
1. Reading children are extinct today. 2. Does India
deserve Democracy? 3. 450 million Indian middle class
market-A myth or reality 4. The Brain Drain 5. Run- Your
life depends on it 6. Who really runs India? 7. Do we
need politicians 8. Competition begins at home 9. Unstable
governments perform better 10. No Bill Gates can develop
our culture of files 11. A peep into a Cat aspirants mind
12. Pick a card, any card…and relax 13. Should the anti-defection
law be scrapped 14. Getting smart in Jhumritaliya 15.
Penchant for plastic 16. Childhood? You've got to be kidding
17. Is the cup half-full or half-empty 18. The rise and
fall of political parties 19. Ram as a textbook hero 20.
Peeping in looking out 21. Excuse me, Mr. President 22.
India votes again: any takers 23. The world's most dramatic
events happen in an instant 24. In the eye of a storm
25. You can deny the impossible or you can take a step
towards it 26. Choose your own word 27. If I could, I
would… 28. The politics of religion 29. Words don't feed
the poor, Mr. Politician 30. Save for a rainy day or Buy
on a Sunny Day 31. To win you have to loose 32. Art is
a four letter word 33. The world is closer than you think
34. At the top you don't see crowds, you first see class
35. All that glitters may not be gold 36. How I will make
my first million Rs. 37. The VDIS effect 38. Diana Hayden-From
the catwalk to the hot seat-do beauty contests serve any
cause 39. Satellite Invasion: New freedom in the sky?
40. I stand out in a crowd 41. The Indian Success story
42. Diana Hayden, Arundhati, Kalpana - the Indian woman
breaks free 43. Why must a day have only three meals?
44. Are you in the future 45. Impossible 46. Knock the
t off I can't - the power of positive thinking 47. The
ethics of celebrity journalism 48. Verappan - Rebel with
a cause? 49. Opportunity never knocks twice 50. Rabri
Devi and her kitchen cabinet 51. Mother Teresa was a landmark,
Diana a concerned tourist 52. How to miss the point 53.
Should India celebrate 50 years of Independence? 54. Atal
Behari's bus diplomacy 55. India incorporated 56. The
road less traveled. 57. The business of business is business
58. Two wheeler revolution : a boon or a curse 59. Regional
parties should be encouraged 60. Unemployment problem
- possible, preferable, probable 61. India is not yet
ready for hi-tech 62. Should there be a retirement age
for politicians 63. Pollution control is a luxury India
can ill-afford 64. Engineering education should not be
subsidized as most engineers prefer to go abroad or change
their field 65. Should industry finance elections 66.
Is corruption unavoidable like death and taxation 67.
Women managers in a men's world 68. India needs more technocrats
and less managers 69. Management education is a luxury
for a country like India 70. The concept of ethics in
business is outdated 71. Should profit earning be the
sole objective of business 72. Women make better bosses
than man 73. If I were the Prime Minister ……. 74. Greed
is an essential Human quality 75. Money is the most important
thing in life 76. Corruption performs an economic function
77. Film censorship should be removed 78. Emancipation
of women will destroy the family 79. PSUs should be privatised
80. Indian women- do they need reservation? 81. Cricket
world cup- a waste of resources 82. Privatisation of Railways
83. Constitution review 84. The 5 most important steps
that the FM should take in Budget-2000 85. If I were the
PM …….. 86. Was [1] The Kargil war avoidable [2] The Hijacking
episode avoidable 87. If I were the Chairman of UP State
electricity board 88. Evolution of mankind 89. Indian
contemporary fiction comes of age 90. Is the WTO anti-India
91. What does the Millenium hold for India 92. Does India
need Women's revolution 93. The Sensex touches 6000 -
are we seeing another scam 94. Mergers and Acquisitions
- the easy way to spur growth 95. 2020 AD- India as a
Superpower 96. Why India never produce Women CEOs 97.
"Water" - demeaning Indian culture or politicians
at work? 98. Are MBAs overpaid? 99. Is work experience
mandatory for admission to a Post-graduate degree in Management
100. A paler shade of white
FAQ's (PI)
1. Tell me something about your hometown. How do you
compare the people living there with people living in
your society?
2. What are the qualities of a manager?
3. How is your subject related to management?
4. Do you think you will make a good manager?
5. What would you expect from your job after an MBA?
How would you handle your job after an MBA?
6. Name 3 places in your state of origin worth visiting.
Name 3 poets from your state.
7. What do you think of the federal form of government?
8. What will you do if you are sent to Afghanistan as
ambassador?
9. How would the computer reservation in Railways help
in reducing corruption?
10. Name 5 gharanas of Indian classical music and one
artist belonging to each.
11. What would you speak if you were to inaugurate an
Adult Education programme?
12. What are the objectives of the UNO?
13. What do you know about the Sarkaria commission?
14. What do you know about Narmada Valley Project?
15. What are our constitutional rights?
16. What are the urban and rural wage rates?
17. What about your business? Do you think you are expendable
for your business? Are you prepared to ditch it for an
MBA?
18. Four reasons why Chipko movement is a failure.
19. What advances has India made in Space research?
20. Which institute would you choose if you got calls
from all four IIMs?
21. Is management skill inborn or developed?
22. Which place have you visited recently? Things about
it that you don't read in the newspapers.
23. Name three wild life sanctuaries in India.
24. What is the GNLF?
25. What are the ills affecting Indian economy?
26. What is the caste system in India?
27. What are trade barriers?
28. Who are Napier, Newton?
29. Why is the Indian industry ailing?
30. Will public sector improve if handed to private sector?
31. View on politics as a profession.
32. How are you affected if the dollar appreciates or
depreciates?
33. Has there been an erosion in the values of Indian
society?
34. What is the controversy over the Postal Bill?
35. Will you fit in the IIM's culture?
36. What did you gain from your college/job?
37. What did you contribute to your college/job?
38. Name any one person who has been awarded the Nobel
Prize for Literature in the last 5 years.
39. What did we ask those interviewed before you?
40. What is the difference between Hinduism and Christianity?
41. What is Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection?
42. What is Darwin's Theory of Evolution?
43. List 10 uses of a pen in one minute.
44. What is your contribution to college life?
45. What are the social issues that trouble you the most?
46. Do you feel the need to sell yourself to us?
47. Name five advertising agencies in India?
48. Which of the latest advertising campaigns do you
like the best?
49. What is glasnost?
50. What is family planning? Why have we failed in implementing
it and how can we go about implementing it more effectively?
51. What did you observe when you came up the stairs?
52. How many steps did you travel to come to this floor?
53. What are the compulsory courses offered at the IIM's?
54. Who was Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Swami Vivekananda, Swami
Dayananda, Aurobindo Ghosh, etc. Who was Gandhi? Where/When
was he born? Name a famous book of his? Have you read
it?
55. Name the two most recent amendments to the Constitution.
56. Name a state which does not have a Vidhan Parishad?
57. Who do you think is a 'complete' man?
58. What is the difference between Fiscal Policy &
Monetary Policy of the Government? Is deficit financing
a part of the fiscal or monetary policy?
59. Do you think Hindi has developed at the cost of other
language?
60. We are going to ask you only one question and then
ask you to leave. What will your reaction be like?(This
was their one question). After a pause. How long will
you sit here, if we don't ask you to leave or don't ask
any questions either? What will your friends outside think
when you return after a short interview of 2 minutes?
(An unsettling question, indeed).
61. Is poverty a problem or a cause? What is the poverty
line?
62. List five problems facing India.
63. Why should we take a raw graduates when we have so
many people with work experience coming to us?
64. Are you Theory X oriented or a Theory Y oriented?
65. How many States are there in India? How many languages
are recognised? Why the difference?
66. What is creativity?
67. Why is being an idealist a drawback? Does 'honesty'
become a drawback?
68. Tell us about the most important international and
national events which have taken place over the last 2-3months.
69. What are your weaknesses? How will you overcome them?
70. What salary do you expect after studying at the IIM's?
71. What is the Greenhouse effect?
72. Name three products that prove a country is industrialised.
73. If we asked you to give money as donation to our
institute in order to get admission, would you give it?
74. Questions based on father's / mother's occupation.
75. What is your definition of a good job?
76. What do you want to specialise in? Why?
77. What are your strength and weaknesses?
78. Career Plans - long term, short term, medium term.
79. Will management education help you become an entrepreneur?
80. Which industrialist is your favorite? Why?
81. Can business and ethics go together?
82. What is the role of participative management in the
Indian economy?
83. Is automation viable for India?
84. What is productivity? Why is it important?
85. Don't you think Technical students make better managers?
86. Where does your father work? What do you know about
the company he works for?
87. Tell me three differences between city life and rural
life.
88. What fascinates you most about India?
89. What political ideology do you follow? Why? Did you
vote last time? Who was your local candidate?
90. Why are you running away from engineering?
91. Who is your hero? Why?
92. 'A housewife is a born manager' - Explain.
93. Why are you wearing a tie?
94. What does your name mean?
95. Distinguish between a classic and a best-seller.
Give me three criteria by which I could classify all books
into these two categories.
96. What is an entrepreneur? Is a gambler an entrepreneur?
97. Why are Gujaratis better traders than Marwaris?
98. What do you think of Dhirubhai Ambani?
99. Are you an optimist or a pessimist?
100. Introduce yourself.
101. Does money motivate you?
102. What questions did you come prepared for?
103. Give me 10 uses of a brick.
104. How many engineering colleges are there in your
state? Which is the best for Mech., Elect., etc.?
105. Don't you think you are too young for management?
106. How will you manage marriage and a transferrable
job as an M.B.A. (asked to a male candidate). What are
you views on working women?
107. Tell me something about yourself that is not on
this form.
108. Justify your existence !
109. What were today's headlines?
110. Why do you want to do international business (IIFT)?
111. Should agriculture income be taxed?
112. What are your views on the new economic policy?
113. Name the venues of the last three Olympics.
114. Tell me what you know about the Bodo issue. How
many states does India have? Union Territories?
115. Point out three similarities between the Punjab
situation and the Kashmir situation.
116. What is the official name of the World Bank? Where
are its headquarters?
117. What is the length of India? Breadth? Area?
118. What is the BSE? BSE index? What is a blue-chip
company?
119. What is the contribution of agriculture to India's
GNP?
120. What is the budget deficit? Fiscal deficit? As a
% of GNP, what are they ?
121. What is Super 301?
122. What are the items India imports? Exports?
123. Do you think you displayed leadership skills in
the GD?
124. To a student who was a debater: Speak for two minutes
in who is a better leader - Saddam Hussein or Clinton.
125. Why have your marks fallen so much in college (compared
to your 10th and 12th )?
126. Why are you not going abroad for further studies?
127. Do you remember what career goals you have written
down in your application form?
128. If a fairy gave you three wishes, what would you
wish for?
129. What do you think feel about reservations?
130. What do you think of "Hindutva"?
131. What is Public Administration? How different is
a Public Administrator from a manager?
132. "What is good for General Motors is good for
the World" any comments?
133. What is Karma? Do you believe in it? Why? Apply
Karma principles to Physics.
134. Define Motivation.
135. Who runs XLRI? You don't know this still you want
to join us?
136. What is GATT? Can trade between countries of the
world be uniform? Why not?
137. Questions on Pygmalion. What is Pygmalion effect
in management?
138. Which is the world's riches country?
139. Name the EEC countries?
140. Tell me five women heads of states? (need not be
present heads)
141. Whose side will you take once you are a Manager,
the Management's or the Workers? What do you know about
Management? Have you been influenced by your father and
brother who are in sales, to go in for management? what
are the products of your father's company?
142. Would you appear for Civil Services? Would you go
into politics? Would you want to become like Indira Gandhi?
143. As the last person to be interviewed, how do you
feel?
144. If you were given a cabin on being made a manager,
what would you do?
145. Is economic independence making women independent,
unreasonable?
146. What would you do if your husband oppose your career
priorities?
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