MBAUniverse.com held the first Live Expert Chat on GD, PI and Essay preparation on Saturday, March 13, 2010. The expert for the day was Ms Jaya Desai, Product Manager (Communication Skills Building), IMS Learning. The chat saw participation from a lot of MBA aspirants pouring in their queries related to their upcoming GD, PI and essay writing.

Ms Desai answered all their questions in great detail which cleared the doubts among the aspirants’ minds.

Excerpts from the Live Expert Chat:

Q: Abid: If I speak for too long in the GD will it be disadvantageous?
A: Yes because the essence of a GD is interaction within a team and not a monologue. So, ensure that your input is crisp and relevant and not long winded.

Q: Siddharth: Could you tell me which magazines I can refer to apart from the dailies for GD preparation?
A: Apart from the general and business dailies, you can read India Today and Business World. These are good magazines.

Q: Tamal: I feel nervous when I face the GD. What should I do?
A: You need to admit, dear friend. So tell yourself that the rest are participants like you and make a beginning. Once you start, the nervousness will evaporate.

Q: Harsh: What shall be the pattern of essay writing?
A: It can be a 10 minute writing assignment or a 15 minute (like in IIM Lucknow) or a 30 minute (like in IIM Bangalore). So ensure that you have a perspective on current affairs and you are able to express thoughts cogently.

Q: Dewang: What will be the word limit for the essay writing part in the personal assessment round?
A: There is no word limit as such but the IIMs have prescribed a time limit. If on D-day there is indeed a word limit, you ensure that you abide by it.

Q: Sruthi: My voice is very soft so it is difficult to get heard in a GD. If I try to be loud, my body language appears to be aggressive. What do I do about it?
A: In a GD, being assertive is the key. So, practice on your voice pitch in such a way that you are heard easily but are not perceived as a threatening person. You can record your input and play it back or practice with friends.
 

Q: Aditya Kumar: What do I do if I keep on speaking and nobody takes over?
A: You cannot actively ask someone to speak. However, look at someone who appears receptive to your ideas so that it can be taken forward or at best give the topic an interesting turn.

Q: Abid: Please tell me how to manage a stress interview?
A: Keep your cool and answer politely. The only motive of the panel is to test your managerial aptitude of responding to unpleasant situations. Do not answer back or become exceedingly nervous.

Q: Sumit Kumar: What are the most common questions which I can expect during PI?
A: The range is academics (your core area of specialization), general awareness, work related (if you have work experience), why MBA as a career option and career goals (specific) and some unexpected queries.

Q: Harsh: If I don’t know a particular answer in PI, will it be a good idea to say that?
A: Yes but there is a way of saying it, a polite way. One cannot know everything!

Q: Alok: How to supercede others in a loud GD?
A: One, say something interesting, true but unusual so that you get the attention. Two, wait for a point where there is silence after all the raucous exchange and then state your point.

Q: Antony: Is there any particular body language to be maintained during GD?
A: You should not slouch or keep fidgeting. Sit straight (comfortably) with your hands in control to avoid over gesticulation. Maintain reasonable eye contact and avoid overreaction.

Q: Abid: I have heard so many times that content is the king of GD. How should I work on it for a successful GD?
A: Regular reading helps. Let the range be wide- economics, politics, social/psychology etc. Listen to news modules and interviews.

Q: Ayan: If I don’t know the answer in the PI round? Will it be good to ask the answer to the interviewer in a polite manner?
A: No. Experimentation like this is like going to Mount Everest without oxygen mask.

Q: Antony: When we practice for Mock GDs, most of the times it becomes a fish market. What is better: keep silent or be a part of that?

A: You may be part of that. Yet, eventually, stand out with tips pointed out earlier in this chat. You may remain silent for a while if there is utter irrelevance.

If you could not participate in Saturday’s chat, there is another chance for you. Do register and login for the next Live Expert Chat on Wednesday, March 17, 2010, 5 pm onwards with Mr. Sai Kumar Swamy, Course Director, T.I.M.E.

Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more on Live Expert Chat!