How to Ace the MBA Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI)

The MBA degree is one of the finest courses for an individual to enroll in to get deeper theoretical and practical knowledge about the real business world. A graduate with an MBA, master skills such as decision-making, Critical Thinking, leadership, interpersonal skills, time management, resource management, etc. Transforming an inexperienced student into a business leader is independent of a two-year postgraduate course. The individual has to start to groom oneself as they prepare for the enrollment of the MBA course. The students have to understand the procedure for admission to an MBA is based on two important phases, academic performance and the selection Process.

The student will be first shortlisted based on past academic performance and the entrance exam performance. To know more details and preparation tips for these exams visit planedu. in. The shortlisted students have to appear for the selection process conducted by the MBA colleges they apply for admission. This Selection process involves Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI). The selection process is to test the student's personality, confidence,  and communication skills. Hence, the selection process is an important phase and the student has to prepare well for the selection.

So let us know a few strategies through which a candidate can easily ace MBA Group Discussion and Personal Interview.

What is a Group Discussion in Selection Process for MBA Course

The Group Discussion (GD) is assessed to test the candidates’ ability to articulate their ideas, collaborate with peers, and present well-rounded arguments. This is a process that accompanies a professional in every stage of the career path as it is one of the most efficient methods to check qualities such as confidence, teamwork abilities, leadership, empathy, and analytical skills of the candidate. So let us first understand the effective Group Discussion techniques:

• Fact-Based-  these discussions focus on presenting a variety of facts against each other. The candidates have to support their arguments with hard facts instead of using emotions.
• Case study-based: the candidates speak on a real-life scenario demonstrating their practical and critical thinking abilities.
• Opinion-based: here the candidates can share their opinions, thoughts, and subjective viewpoints on a topic apart from facts.
• Abstract Discussion: One of the most effective ways to judge a group’s imagination is to bring an abstract discussion to the table. In this environment, candidates are forced to approach the subject with originality. 

Skills Needed to impress in Group Discussions are as follows:

• Empathy
• Strong Interpersonal Communication Skills
• Proactivity
• Leadership to boost confidence in others
• Time management
• Speech management

Tips to remember while preparing for the Group Discussion(GD)

Tips to remember while preparing for the Group Discussion(GD) in top MBA Colleges are as follows::

• Practice before discussion: It is always advised to “think before you speak”, so the candidate has to possess adequate knowledge in the domain and how to present them in the speech with the right keywords and accept the viewpoints of the other participants while confronted.
• Awareness of the topic: The core subject knowledge is very important to keep you grounded in the topic that is being discussed. As the group discussion frequently steers one away from the topic, in-depth knowledge of the subject will always provide apt information necessary for the discussion.
• Lead the Discussion: It is always advised to keep track of every word spoken, and always control the direction of where the conversation is leading to. If you are unsure of the topic laid in front of you allow others to take the lead.
• Be a good listener: In every aspect of your life being a good listener is advantageous, be a good listener and understand the viewpoints of the other participants.  
• Support your point with an example: The concept is often well understood when illustrated with an example. A good discussion should always hold a good example. 
• Work on body language: The body language of a person is an important feature which will communicate in the discussion without any verbal interpretation. Many times polite gestures during the interaction is more effective than a verbal debate. 
• Summarize the discussion by taking the lead: conclude the discussion by taking a lead to summarize the topic smoothly. This is an impressive quality of a good speaker.

What is personal Interview in Selection Process for MBA Course

In the Personal Interview (PI) the management panel of the organisation conducting the interview will delve deeply into an applicant’s personality, motivations, and aspirations in order to understand their suitability for the program and the potential impact they could make as future business leaders. Before the interview, set aside some time for self-reflection. 

Consider your personal and professional experiences, as well as your long-term professional goals.  Create a compelling narrative that highlights your educational background, work experience, key accomplishments, and reasons for pursuing an MBA. structure your responses in STAR method (Situation, Task, Acti0n, Result) which allows you to effectively communicate your problem-solving abilities, leadership skills and teamwork experiences.

The Personal Interview questions can be categorised into three phases:

• HR questions: these are the basic question which are asked about the details specified in the candidate profile. This will demonstrate the selection panel that you are deserving to enroll in the B-School.
• Questions on Academics & work experience: The candidates will be asked few questions based on the academics to understand the candidates’ knowledge in the specific field. The questions regarding work experience have to be answered by the professionals who are ready to enroll in the MBA course. 
• General Knowledge: This section of questions involves all the general questions of all the subjects which a candidates has acquired from their school times to current affairs.

The tips which are necessary for the students to ace the personal Interview 

The tips which are necessary for the students to ace the personal Interview in top MBA colleges are as follows:

• Dress Formally for the interview and confidence is the key to impress the interviewers.
• Work on your Strength and weaknesses before appearing for the interview. 
• Have a clear vision and explain why you want to enroll into the course and your long term plans after the graduation.
• When asked about a current event, give a brief and clear summary of what happened, avoiding overly technical or complex explanations.
• To stay up to date on current events and global issues, read newspapers, watch news broadcasts, and follow reputable news websites on a regular basis. 
• Be Polite and calm throughout the interview as PI can be stressful compared to GD.
• Connect current events to your field of study or industry whenever possible, demonstrating how your knowledge can be applied in a real-world context.

Expected PI questions

The most expected questions of asked by the Selection Panel in the Personal Interview are as follows:

• Tell Us about yourself?
• Why do you want to Pursue MBA in this particular specialization?
• Where do you see yourself in the next five years from now?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• Why do we select you? How will you contribute to our institution?
• What expectation do you have from MBA graduation?
• Past academic related question?
• Work experience related questions, if any?

Common Mistakes to avoid during Selection Process in the B-Schools

The common mistakes students have to avoid during Selection Process in the B-Schools are as follows:

• Focusing on how long you speak rather than what you speak.
• Not paying attention to your body Language.
• Suppressing voices and not allowing others to speak.
• Being rude or aggressive during the GD and giving vague or rehearsed answers in PI.
• Not making eye-contact while communicating.

FAQs:

1. How to deal with stress durin PI?

Stay focused, calm, listen and understand the questions carefully. Be genuine and authentic while you respond. 

       2.Is coaching necessary for GD & PI?

Attending coaching classes for GD & PI is optional. If attended it provides many advantages such as structured guidance, mock interview practice, prepare you for interview, etc .

       3.What are effective tips for cracking GD?

Effective GD preparation involves staying updated with current affairs, analyzing various perspectives on topics, and practicing articulating your thoughts assertively yet diplomatically.

       4.How can I improve my chances of cracking the GD & PI for the admission to the top MBA colleges?

Focus on enhancing your knowledge of diverse topics, develop strong communication skills, and practice group discussions and mock interviews regularly to increase your chances of success.

       5.When shoul you start to prepare for GD & PI?

Focus on enhancing your knowledge of diverse topics, develop strong communication skills, and practice group discussions and mock interviews regularly to increase your chances of success.