COURSE OPTION

At university level you are not just tested on simply what you can remember & testing how much you know, but also in finding out how well you apply your knowledge.

Exams are the be all and end all of education. They represent a means of assessing the level at which you understand key concepts and work covered during the academic year.

Try not to think of exams as hurdles. Instead, think about exams as an opportunity for you to demonstrate your understanding of material you have studied.

Of course exams require you to work under conditions and time constraints which can be stressful, but this is just practice for dealing with the pressures and deadlines you will face in your working life after you graduate.

The most important thing any student can do to prepare for exam is to start early to plan your revision, and to use sound learning strategies.  College courses require far more effort.

• Start preparing for the next test the day after you take the prior one.  Daily preparation is crucial.  At a minimum, review material once every week between exams.

How much time is needed?  The classic question.

• Some recommend 2-3 hours outside of class for every hour of class time.  In some cases homework problems will require this much effort.
•  For a straightforward lecture course try the following:
• Every day before class, preview the material for 15-20 minutes.
• Attend every lecture.  Seems simple but it's the biggest mistake students make.
• Take good notes.
• Spend another 20-30 minutes after class going over the notes.
• Use this time to get any confusing points cleared up in your head; much better now than later.  This will make later exam easier.
• Once a week, review the material to get a more complete overview of the information

Exam strategies

• Get there on time - make arriving at the exam on time as simple and straightforward as possible so you feel relaxed.
• Take care of the technicalities - budgeting time, bringing the right equipment, writing legibly, improving weaker answers before polishing good ones.
• Read the instructions.
• Breathe deeply and don't panic.
• Answer the question. Establish what it asks for; then recall, select the relevant material, organise it, and formulate your answer.

Planning & priority

• Prioritise what % for which course?
• Calculate how many hours for each course
• Add up total time available
• Divide course work in ‘chunks’ /tasks
• Fill in your time plan

Keep motivation up

• Alternate study tasks (hard/easy, different note-making approaches: mind-mapping, diagrams, cue cards etc.)
  
• Plan some rewards/treats for yourself
  
• Work with other students: studying together has been proven to be effective for many students!

Body, Brain & spirit

• Exercise regularly: this is important, especially in stressful times
  
• Share your challenges…….talking helps
  
• Eat healthy… especially in this Exam Period…… your body needs to be helped in putting in a top performance
  
• Keep your fluids up (water!!): your body is 70% water
  
• Engage in positive self-talk: yes, exams are stressful, no, they are not the end of the world
  
• Have a good breakfast. If you are too anxious, eat a banana, smoothie or other liquid breakfast
  
• Practice a simple breathing relaxation technique
  
• Listen to music that makes you feel good
  
• Do not meet up with friends who are likely to distress you with questions or doom scenarios
• Affirm some positive messages: I have done my best; exams are not pleasant but I can do it; exams are not the end of the world.

Below are listed some other specific suggestions.

• Flashcards - help to memorize facts NOT understanding
• Groups - good to work through difficult material, quiz each other for understanding
• Review sessions - only go to early ones, last minute reviews sometimes cause needless confusion
• Tutors - get help early, waiting till the last minute only fosters aggravation and panic
• Professors/TA's - same as above, don't email about material the night before, do it early

The day of the exam

Substantial check-list

• Have you checked out where the exam venue is (better to do that the day before if you can...)?
  
• Have you double checked, triple checked: what exam, where and what time?
  
• Exam pack ready?  ID card, multiple pens, handkerchief, water bottle, right calculator (if allowed) with fresh batteries
• Have a planned plenty of time to get to the exam venue?

Go for it!---  Do it!

In the actual exam – hot tips

• Read instructions carefully: sometimes you don’t have to answer all questions, and you may have to choose
  
• Make a quick time-plan: often questions have different mark allocations; the time you spend on each question should reflect this
  
• Read the questions carefully, underline key words: answer the exact question they want you to answer, do not write ‘around’ the question
  
• Especially for essay-type questions: plan your answer. You can use your answer booklet for  this, the left-hand page (just put a diagonal line through it afterwards).
• Do your best question first
  
• Attempt all the required questions
• When you run out of time: bullet point the answer

DO’S & DON’T’S

DO’S:

• Start early for preparation.
• Organized your course material
• Allocate the study time into several manageable study sessions
• Divide the course material into small segments and assign them to the study sessions
• Set clear and specific goals for the study sessions
• Plan your revision
• Include regular breaks
• Get a reasonable amount of sleep
• Eat properly
• Travel carefully
• Take care of yourself

DONT'S

• Make the study sessions too long
• Cramming before the exam
• Boredom and loss of effectiveness
• Make longer Revision sessions
• Have heavy foods that can make you drowsy
• Stay up too late
• Keep a negative attitude about the exam
• Meet up with friends who are likely to distress you with questions or doom scenarios
• Get panic before exam
• spend precious time agonising over something

GROUP DISCUSSION (GD)

A group discussion (GD) is a simulated exercise, where you cannot suddenly put up a show, since the evaluators will see through you easily. In this page you can find tips on GD and how to handle them to ensure a positive outcome.

Group discussion is a useful tool to ascertain qualities and many organizations use GD as a selection tool along with Personal Interviews, aptitude tests etc.

A GD is an activity where

• Groups of 8-10 candidates are formed into a leaderless group, and are given a specific situation to analyse and discuss within a given time limit, which may vary between twenty minutes and forty-five minutes, or
• They may be given a case study and asked to come out with a solution for a problem
• They may be given a topic and are asked to discuss the same

GD is a test of your ability to think, your analytical capabilities and your ability to make your point in a team-based environment .

Group Discussion basically means searching your team player, leadership, communication capability.

Preparing for a Group Discussion:

While GD reflects the inherent qualities of an individual, appearing for it unprepared may not augur well for you.

These tips would help you prepare for GDs:

Reading:

• This is the first and the most crucial step in preparation.
• This is a never ending process and the more you read, the better you are in your thoughts.
• While you may read anything to everything, you must ensure that you are in good touch with current affairs, the debates and hot topics of discussion and also with the latest in the IT and ITES industry.
• Chances are the topics would be around these. Read both for the thoughts as well as for data.
• Also read multiple view points on the same topic and then create your point of view with rationale. Also create answers for counter arguments for your point of view.
• The electronic media also will be of good use here.

Mocks:

• Create an informal GD group and meet regularly to discuss and exchange feedback. This is the best way to prepare.
• This would give you a good idea about your thoughts and how well can you convince.
• Remember, it is important that you are able to express your thoughts well.
• The better you perform in these mocks the better would be you chances to perform on the final day.
• Also try to interact and participate in other GD groups.
• This will develop in you a skill to discuss with unknown people as well.

Here are some of the most important personality traits that a candidate should possess to do well at a Group Discussion:

1. Team Player

B-Schools lay great emphasis on this parameter because it is essential for managers to be team players.
The reason: Managers always work in teams.
At the beginning of his career, a manager works as a team member. And, later, as a team leader.
Management aspirants who lack team skills cannot be good managers.

2. Reasoning Ability

Reasoning ability plays an important role while expressing your opinions or ideas at a Group Discussion.
For example, an opinion like 'Reduction in IIMs' fees will affect quality' can be better stated by demonstrating your reasoning ability and completing the missing links between fees and quality as:
'Reduction in IIMs' fees will result in less funds being invested on study material, student exchange programmes, research, student development activities, etc.
'Moreover, it costs money to attract good faculty, create good infrastructure and upgrade technology.
'With reduction in fees, less money will be available to perform these ,activities which will lead to deterioration in the quality of IIMs.

3. Leadership

There are three types of situations that can arise in a Group Discussion:

• A Group Discussion where participants are unable to establish a proper rapport and do not speak much.
• A Group Discussion where participants get emotionally charged and the Group Discussion gets chaotic.
• A Group Discussion where participants discuss the topic assertively by touching on all its nuances and try to reach the objective.
• Here, a leader would be someone who facilitates the third situation at a Group Discussion.

A leader would have the following qualities:

• She/he shows direction to the group whenever group moves away from the topic.
• She/he coordinates the effort of the different team members in the Group Discussion.
• She/he contributes to the Group Discussion at regular intervals with valuable insights.
• She/he also inspires and motivates team members to express their views.

Caution: Being a mere coordinator in a Group Discussion does not help, because it is a secondary role.

Contribute to the Group Discussion with your ideas and opinions, but also try and steer the conversation towards a goal.

4. Flexibility

You must be open to other ideas as well as to the evaluation of your ideas: That is what flexibility is all about.

But first, remember: Never ever starts your Group Discussion with a stand or a conclusion.

Say the topic of a Group Discussion is, 'Should India go to war with Pakistan?'

Some participants tend to get emotionally attached to the topic and take a stand either in favour or against the topic, ie 'Yes, India should', or, 'No, India should not'.

By taking a stand, you have already given your decision without discussing the topic at hand or listening to the views of your team members.

Also, if you encounter an opposition with a very strong point at the 11th hour, you end up in a typical catch-22 situation:
~If you change your stand, you are seen as a fickle-minded or a whimsical person.
~If you do not change your stand, you are seen as an inflexible, stubborn and obstinate person.

5. Assertiveness

You must put forth your point to the group in a very emphatic, positive and confident manner.
Participants often confuse assertiveness with aggressiveness.

Aggressiveness is all about forcing your point on the other person, and can be a threat to the group.

An aggressive person can also demonstrate negative body language, whereas an assertive person displays positive body language.

6. Initiative

A general trend amongst students is to start a Group Discussion and get the initial kitty of points earmarked for the initiator.
But that is a high risk-high return strategy.
Initiate a Group Discussion only if you are well versed with the topic.
If you start and fail to contribute at regular intervals, it gives the impression that you started the Group Discussion just for the sake of the initial points.
Also, if you fumble, stammer or misquote facts, it may work against you.
Remember: You never ever get a second chance to create a first impression.

7. Creativity/ Out of the box thinking

An idea or a perspective which opens new horizons for discussion on the Group Discussion topic is always highly appreciated.

When you put across a new idea convincingly, such that it is discussed at length by the group, it can only be positive.

You will find yourself in the good books of the examiner.

8. Inspiring ability

A good group discussion should incorporate views of all the team members.

If some team members want to express their ideas but are not getting the opportunity to do so, giving them an opportunity to express their ideas or opinions will be seen as a positive trait.

Caution: If a participant is not willing to speak, you need not necessarily go out of the way to ask him to express his views.

This may insult him and hamper the flow of the Group Discussion.

9. Listening

Always try and strike a proper balance between expressing your ideas and imbibing ideas.

10. Awareness

You must be well versed with both the micro and macro environment.
Your awareness about your environment helps a lot in your Group Discussion content, which carries maximum weightage.

Caution: The content or awareness generally constitutes 40 to 50 percent marks of your Group Discussion.

Apart from these qualities, communication skills, confidence and the ability to think on one's feet are also very important.

A group discussion can be categorically divided into three different phases:

• Initiation Techniques
• Body of the group discussion
• Summarization/ Conclusion

Initiation Techniques

Initiating a GD is a high profit-high loss strategy.

When you initiate a GD, you not only grab the opportunity to speak, you also grab the attention of the examiner and your fellow candidates.

If you can make a favourable first impression with your content and communication skills after you initiate a GD, it will help you sail through the discussion.

But if you initiate a GD and stammer/ stutter/ quote wrong facts and figures, the damage might be irreparable.

If you initiate a GD impeccably but don't speak much after that, it gives the impression that you started the GD for the sake of starting it or getting those initial kitty of points earmarked for an initiator!

When you start a GD, you are responsible for putting it into the right perspective or framework. So initiate one only if you have in-depth knowledge about the topic at hand.

Body of the group discussion

Different techniques to initiate a GD and make a good first impression:

i. Quotes
ii. Definition
iii. Question
iv. Shock statement
v. Facts, figures and statistics
vi. Short story
vii. General statement

i. Quotes

Quotes are an effective way of initiating a GD.

If the topic of a GD is: Should the Censor Board be abolished?, you could start with a quote like, 'Hidden apples are always sweet'.

For a GD topic like, Customer is King, you could quote Sam (Wall-mart) Walton's famous saying, 'There is only one boss: the customer. And he can fire everybody in the company -- from the chairman on down, simply by spending his money somewhere else.'

ii. Definition

Start a GD by defining the topic or an important term in the topic.

For example, if the topic of the GD is Advertising is a Diplomatic Way of Telling a Lie, why not start the GD by defining advertising as, 'Any paid form of non-personal presentation and promotion of ideas, goods or services through mass media like newspapers, magazines, television or radio by an identified sponsor'?

For a topic like The Malthusian Economic Prophecy is no longer relevant, you could start by explaining the definition of the Malthusian Economic Prophecy.

iii. Question

Asking a question is an impact way of starting a GD.

It does not signify asking a question to any of the candidates in a GD so as to hamper the flow. It implies asking a question, and answering it yourself.

Any question that might hamper the flow of a GD or insult a participant or play devil's advocate must be discouraged.

Questions that promote a flow of ideas are always appreciated.

For a topic like, Should India go to war with Pakistan, you could start by asking, 'What does war bring to the people of a nation? We have had four clashes with Pakistan. The pertinent question is: what have we achieved?'

iv. Shock statement

Initiating a GD with a shocking statement is the best way to grab immediate attention and put forth your point.

If a GD topic is, The Impact of Population on the Indian Economy, you could start with, 'At the centre of the Indian capital stands a population clock that ticks away relentlessly. It tracks 33 births a minute, 2,000 an hour, 48,000 a day. Which calculates to about 12 million every year. That is roughly the size of Australia. As a current political slogan puts it, 'Nothing's impossible when 1 billion Indians work together'.'

v. Facts, figures and statistics

If you decide to initiate your GD with facts, figure and statistics, make sure to quote them accurately.

Approximation is allowed in macro level figures, but micro level figures need to be correct and accurate.

For example, you can say, approximately 70 per cent of the Indian population stays in rural areas (macro figures, approximation allowed).

But you cannot say 30 states of India instead of 28 (micro figures, no approximations).

Stating wrong facts works to your disadvantage.

For a GD topic like, China, a Rising Tiger, you could start with, 'In 1983, when China was still in its initial stages of reform and opening up, China's real use of Foreign Direct Investment only stood at $636 million. China actually utilized $60 billion of FID in 2004, which is almost 100 times that of its 1983 statistics."

vi. Short story

Use a short story in a GD topic like, Attitude is Everything.

This can be initiated with, 'A child once asked a balloon vendor, who was selling helium gas-filled balloons, whether a blue-colored balloon will go as high in the sky as a green-colored balloon. The balloon vendor told the child, it is not the color of the balloon but what is inside it that makes it go high.'

vii. General statement

Use a general statement to put the GD in proper perspective.

For example, if the topic is, Should Sonia Gandhi be the prime minister of India?, you could start by saying, 'Before jumping to conclusions like, 'Yes, Sonia Gandhi should be', or 'No, Sonia Gandhi should not be', let's first find out the qualities one needs to be a a good prime minister of India. Then we can compare these qualities with those that Mrs. Gandhi possesses. This will help us reach the conclusion in a more objective and effective manner.'

Summarization/ Conclusion

• Most GD do not really have conclusions. A conclusion is where the whole group decides in favor or against the topic.
• But every GD is summarized. You can summaries what the group has discussed in the GD in a nutshell.

Keep the following points in mind while summarizing a discussion:

1. Avoid raising new points.

2. Avoid stating only your viewpoint.

3. Avoid dwelling only on one aspect of the GD.

4. Keep it brief and concise.

5. It must incorporate all the important points that came out during the GD.

6. If the examiner asks you to summaries a GD, it means the GD has come to an end.

7. Do not add anything once the GD has been summarized.

Some of the qualities assessed by panellists in a GD are:

Leadership Skills

Ability to take leadership roles and be able to lead, inspire and carry the team along to help them achieve the group's objectives.

Communication Skills

Candidates will be assessed in terms of clarity of thought, expression and aptness of language. One key aspect is listening. It indicates a willingness to accommodate others views.

Interpersonal Skills

People skills are an important aspect of any job. They are reflected in the ability to interact with other members of the group in a brief situation. Emotional maturity and balance promotes good interpersonal relationships. The person has to be more people centric and less self-centered.

Persuasive Skills

The ability to analyze and persuade others to see the problem from  multiple perspectives.

GD is a test of your ability to think, your analytical capabilities and your ability to make your point in a team-based environment.

These are some of the sub-skills that also get assessed with the skills mentioned above:

• Clarity of thought
• Group working skills (especially during a group task of case study discussion)
• Conflict handling
• Listening and probing skills
• Knowledge about the subject and individual point of view
• Ability to create a consensus
• Openness and flexibility towards new ideas
• Data based approach to decision making

While, it is not possible to reflect all these qualities in a short time, you would do well if you are able to show a couple or more qualities and avoid giving negative evidence on others.

DO’S & DONT’S

DO’s:

Be as natural as possible.  Be yourself.

1. A GD is your chance to be more vocal. The evaluator wants to hear you speak.

2. Maintain a good posture in the GD

3. Take time to organize your thoughts. Think of what you are going to say.

4. Seek clarification if you have any doubts regarding the subject.

5. Have an eye contact with everyone during the GD especially when making a point.

6. Work out various strategies to help you make an entry: initiate the discussion or agree with someone else's point and then move onto express your views.

7. Give valuable insights during the discussion, all your efforts of initiating the discussion will be in vain.

8. Your body language says a lot about you - your gestures and mannerisms are more likely to reflect your attitude than what you say.

9. Language skills are important only to the effect as to how you get your points across clearly and fluently.

10. Note down or remember what all has been discussed, If you have not spoken in a GD before. It’s highly probable that you will be asked to summarize.

11. Be assertive not dominating; try to maintain a balanced tone in your discussion and analysis.

12. Brush up on your leadership skills; motivate the other members of the team to speak (this surely does not mean that the only thing that you do in the GD is to say "let us hear what the young lady with the blue scarf has to say," or "Raghu, let us hear your views" - Essentially be subtle), and listen to their views. Be receptive to others' opinions and do not be abrasive or aggressive.

13. Mock group discussion with like-minded friends where you can learn from each other through giving and receiving feedback.

14. Apart from the above points, the panel will also judge team members for their alertness and presence of mind, problem-solving abilities, ability to work as a team without alienating certain members, and creativity.

15. Be precise and if possible do use the PREP model. (Point Reason Example Point) but again BE PRECISE coz no 1 will let you speak for longer time.

DON’T’S

1. Be aggressive in the GD.

2. Speak for long duration or for number of times

3. Look at the panel  in a GD.

4. Use too many gestures and do not cross your space...i.e.  Let you hands go beyond the width of your shoulders. Otherwise you will be encroaching into the other person’s personal space.

5. Point at anyone, either by finger or by pen/pencil..

6. Use slang or regional language….Mind ur language.

7. Start the GD, If you know nothing about the topic, Wait.. Let a couple of people speak, get a general idea and then use others points as the base and either tinker with them to present them as yours or give examples of the same.

8. In summarizing NEVER add your own points which you have not been able to speak in the GD.

9. Stick to what has been discussed. Express the opinion of the group not your own opinion while summarizing. If a consensus has not been reached say so.. Do not say falsely that the group has reached a consensus.

10. Show an uninterested expression EVER in a GD. No matter how boring or irrelevant the point is.

11. DONT EVER SMIRK at the others point. If someone is making a good point let him complete it before cutting in. The panel wont appreciate a good speaker being cut short for no reason. Give him just enough time to complete his point.. if he keeps rambling... Then DO CUT him.

12. Start speaking until you have clearly understood and analyzed the subject.

13. Lose your cool if anyone says anything you object to. The key is to stay objective: Don't take the discussion personally

14.Use extreme phrases like: `I strongly object' or `I disagree'. Instead try phrases like: `I would like to share my views on…' or `One difference between your point and mine…' or "I beg to differ with you"

GROUP DISCUSSION TOPICS

There are roughly four types of group discussion topics:

1. Factual speech topics

2. Controversial and argumentative issues

3. Abstract discussion material

4. Case studies

Keep in mind that all current group discussion topics are not my opinion, but just a sample list of topics!

1. Factual topics

As the word says - about facts. This is a sample list of speech topics on current issues and facts:

1. Conspiracy is a very common form of political behaviour.

2. The pros and cons of having a credit card.

3. A chain gang is a modern form of slavery.

4. Why drinking and driving is dangerous to yourself and others.

5. Passive smoking is equally harmful.

6. The economic boycott causes most of the problems in Cuba.

7. International trade barriers work.

8. City curfews help to prevent juvenile crime and to protect youth from victimization.

9. The U.N. is mainly based on diplomacy and enhancing relationships.

10. Affirmative action draws people to work they never considered before.

2. Speech topic

A controversial group discussion topic, that has many controversies, pros and cons.

1. Sustainable urban living without the use of excessive natural resources must be our future.

2. Are there extraterrestrials who influence events on Earth?

3. Marijuana has a medical value.

4. Direct mail is a special form of junk mail.

5. The pros and cons of a female President.

6. Online dating chats have nothing to do with a search for a soul mate.

7. Should schools distribute condoms?

8. Most people support embryonic stem cell research.

9. Life imprisonment is a good alternative to capital punishment.

10. What is wrong with child labor?

3. Abstract discussion materials

Topics are things that cannot be touched, not be easily defined or formulated. Just think in a creative manner and start a vivid group discussion with one of these abstract topics to talk about:

1. The Nostradamus Code

2. Breast Implants

3. Bribery in Business

4. Computer Viruses

5. Bigamy

6. Hidden Persuaders

7. Moral Majority

8. The Hippocratic Oath

9. Political Correctness

10. Vegetarianism

4. Case Studies

You determine a problem and together with the other group members you have to find a satisfying solution.

These are small group discussion topic ideas. Just modify and alter where necessary, these are just guiding light topic ideas:

1. Leadership - What necessary changes are needed in your community organization and how do you want to lead the process?

2. Malpractice Insurance - Doctors walk out on the job to protest the rising malpractice insurance costs. What to do about it?

3. Work Ethics - Can we shape workers who have the sense that they serve the company ánd community?

4. School Violence - What are the real causes of violence and bullying in Schools?

5. Recycling - Sort out how to make money with recycling.

6. Dropouts - Individual attention in safe schools and smaller classes; is that the way to stop students to drop out?

7. Iraq - What are the best exit strategies?

8. Speech Privacy - What are the best technologies to safeguard the right of free speech privacy on the internet?

9. Minimum Wage - Why should we have a minimum wage or why not?

10. Burnout - Should everybody check his or herself of burnout signs? How?