Er. Neha Godbole: Day 3 and 4 Group Task Process

Day 3 & 4 are called as Group Tasks or Group Testing Officer Tests:-

Group Tasks are held during the third and fourth day of the selection process. i.e. Following the next day of the day 2 (psychology). First let we see what are the tests conducted during the day 3 & 4.

Group Discussion.(G.D) - Indoor Task
Group Planning Exercise or Military Planning Exercise.(G.P.E or M.P.E)- Indoor Task
Progressive Group Task.(P.G.T) -Outdoor Task
Half Group Task.(H.G.T) -Outdoor Task
Individual Obstacles(I.O)-Outdoor Task
Command Task.(C.T) -Outdoor Task
Snake Race or Group Obstacle Race.-Outdoor Task
Individual Lecturette.- Indoor Task
Final Group Task(F.G.T)-Outdoor Task

Let we see in detail about each tasks followed by its procedures, approach and tips.

1.GROUP DISCUSSION:-

What is Group Discussion?

Group Discussion is a discussion between group of persons about a topic which usually ends with a solution.

Group Discussion:-

In day 3, the GD is the first and important of the Group Task process. As this shows many of our OLQ to the GTO.

Rules followed in GD:-

Usually two GD's are held at a stretch. The topic given for the first GD will have three options to select and the topic given for the second GD is compulsory one.
The group is divided in 8 or 12 or 12 based on the order of the chest numbers.
The GD's will be held at a stretch with a little time gap.
Three options are given for the first G.D and the candidates have to chose one from that. In this scenario the candidates have to discuss within themselves to choose the topic which most of them are agree. After telling the chosen topic to the GTO, he gives time to think about the topic for few minutes(usually 3 to 4 minutes). Then after that he orders the candidates to start the discussion.(The war begins).
After the finishing of the first G.D. the G.T.O gives 2 minutes gap and gives the second topic which is compulsory topic.
The time give to think about this topic is only 3 to 4 minutes and he starts to observe the group.
The duration of both the G.D will be 10,15 or 20 minutes.

What GTO expect in GD?

First for a good human with good qualities, he should be able to put his points in front of others or in a group. This is what expected in defense officers also, since he should command his man at normal time or at the time of war. So he should be clear in expressing his thoughts and give good points at discussion even under pressure. For all these sakes, GD is conducted. For more G.D topics to practice click here

The GTO expects things such as

Communication Skills.
Listening to the group members point.
Leadership and Coordination with the group members (Heart)
Expressing one truthfully in the group.
Depth of Knowledge in the given topic.
Sharing of knowledge to the group members
Running the group parallel to the given point.

Let we see in depth about each expectations.

Communication Skills:-

This is the most important thing at G.D since the heart of the G.D is effective communication. To be an active member of the group, he should be able to put his points before the group and should make the group to agree his/her points. For this the candidate communication should be effective(able to influene the group).

Effective communication results in getting the attention of the group member. If you communicate well, then your point will be given a weightage and everyone will discuss around your point. So you are becoming the centre of attraction.

The main thing after becoming the centre of attraction is, After the group seems to conclude about your previous point, try to give a new point in relevant to the previous one so that the group tries to hold that point and start to discuss.

Make the G.D as GD and dont make is as a debate. The name is group discussion so try to make it as discussion and not as a debate show i.e. dont argue with any one.

Never say wrong about any point, even though it is wrong, over come that negative thing with a positve point. It gives a greater impression for you.

After giving your point, just listen to the group member who is speaking and if you get a change in that give a point supporting to your previous point.(merging your previous point and the current point talked by the group member).

Ok, now let we see how to put forward our point to the group when some one is talking i.e. how to interrupt?

While others talking, the ways we can put forward out points are :-

Excuseme gentleman, i have something to say
Excuseme gentleman, i agree with your point but also want to add one more point.
I agree with your point, could you explain in briefly.
Excuseme gentleman, My solution for this issue is ------(while two members are debating try to give a solution, this gives you a credit. Since the real leader is one who finds the solution for the problem)
Excuseme wait please, Let we give chance to chest number --. He is also having some point to discuss.(This shows your help attitude and broad widened mentality i.e. giviing chance to theweakones)

Listening to the group members point:-

As i told how important the communication is equally important to patient listening. A patient listener gives more quality point rather than the continuous speaker. Since it is easy to give quality point if we are an active listener rather than talking continuously. In the whole process, the quality only matters and not the quantity. How much we speak is not a matter, how much depth we speak about the subject is the matter.

Why iam telling is,

Example:- if we speak good quality point by listening to the group members, the group member will revolve around our points then we will be the centre for discussion. So try to initiate, if not give a strong point(the point should be strong enough than the initiator with examples) or mingle your point with the initiator. So that the group will stick to your point. Also try to give examples for your point.

Leadership and Coordination with the group members (Heart):-

This is the heart for an Army officer. Since he will lead the group, so he should have good leadership quality i.e. able to coordinate with the group.

In G.D leadership quality is analysed by the G.T.O by noticing the

Initiator of the group,
Listener of the group,
Helping the weak member to talk,
Supporting to the good point of the group member,
Able to analyse and priorotise the good point from the members,
Explaining others point by giving his own example,
Able to overcome his equally competent candidate with his depth of knowledge and communication skills.
The co-ordination of the group is not the separate quality. If we follow the above things, then the co-ordination for the group comes naturally.

Who is the real Leader?

A real leader is not the person who is initiating first by fighting with others.(i.e. starting the discussion in an urge mentallity).

A real leader is the person who keeps himself cool, and he will start if no body of the group does not have knowledge about the topic to start or guts to start. He will volunteer himself to start the discussion by giving his valuable points and start the discussion. He is the real leader in G.D. The board also likes this leaders only.

Expressing one truthfully in the group:-

The success mantra of the recommended candidates is "Be Yourself". Since this is not a corporate selection to act as someone who is not you. In corporate selection process it is a known fact, if we are good in communication with basic technical skills, we will get a job for 25000k per month. But the defense is not the job it is a devoted service. So it wants the person who is real and truthful and doesnt like the person who acts.

Since it is not a desk job to act and keep fake smile at office from morning to evening and come back to home. Its a service with field works, so we should be truthful to ourself by taking responsibility for our men and materials around us. So in selection, its not possible to bluff or act as someone who is not you. Be Yourself and show your all positive qualities fully. If you have the all OLQ then the officers surely recommend you.

How they are finding the fake/bluffing/acting persons at SSB interview?

Since from the first day we are filling a PIQ, The psychologist check our response on the PT with the PIQ and gives a map represention of every candidate.(that is why PT are held at second day i.e. before the personal and GTO tasks). That representation is given to the personal interview (PI) and the GTO officers. So what they do is just cross check our information by the psychologist with our responses in the (PI) and GTO. So if we act as someone, then we itself are opening the door to get back out of selection process. "Be Yourself" this is the key for success.

Depth of Knowledge in the given topic:-

While talking in discussion as i told earlie the quality is matter and not the quantity. To be a good participant in GD we should have a depth, sound knowledge in the given topic. To get these depth knowlege see various discussion at national news channels such as NDTV, CNN IBN etc. Also read national daily news papers such as the hindu etc. So you will increase your knowledge day by day. It is a long term process but results good in GD. Also be crispy in putting the point. Clarity of though is important.

Sharing of knowledge to the group members:-

In GD, to make the discussion in a smooth manner sharing of knowledge plays a important role. Since every candidate will give a point and expects that the group should stick over his point. So it willl be a non-co operative discussion. So to make it fruit ful, give supportive points to the members such as motivating them by sharing our knowledge i.e. giving our own examples to their point. By these activity we are becoming active member of the group, supportive and helping nature, showing our depthness of knowledge and making the discussion interesting.

Running the group parallel to the given point.:-

If you were in the first three of the discussion by giving a good point with an example. Also any of the group member agree your point and talk means, At that time you should run parallel to that person by giving more supportive points to him. So if both of you are in the same stream the weak members will automatically stick to both of you. In this scenario all are talking around your point. So it is also an important thing.

Two Important parts of the G.D:-

Initialisation:-

Initialisation gives either two things in GD. It will be a King Crown in your head if you start/initiate the G.D very well. i.e. Everyone will agree to your initialization. Else it will be a indeleble remark over yor if you stammer at the starting point of G.D. So if you know very well about the topic just start the discussion confidently. Else listen to others and summarize your point then trigger it to the group.

Initiation in Group Discussion Techniques:-

There are several techniques in the initiation of group discussion. They are as follows:-

Real time example initiation technique.
Defining about the topic technique.
Interrogatory type technique.
Starting with hot issues and sailing over that technique.
Using phrases or quotes at the starting.
Let we see in detail about each,

Real time example initiation technique:-

This is the common initiation technique followed by many in the G.D. i.e. if the topic given by the G.T.O is about "BRIBES IN BHARAT", then the candidate may start the discussion by giving real time examples such as CBI enquiry for various scams etc. This is merging the theme of the topic with the real time.

Starting with hot issues and sailing over that technique:-

This is an interesting technique, giving a hot topic and social welfare topic such that every one will get little more interest to discuss abou this.

Conclusion:-

In day 3 of Group Discussion they dont expect to conclude the G.D. The conclusion is expected only in M.P.E i.e. Military Planning Exercises. So to conclude the G.D. dont stick with your points till the end. Instead of that try to summarize all the important points of others by mentioning their chest numbers and also add your view with that. Also try to add your own solution for the issues which you discussed in the Group Discussion Session. As it shows your leadership qualities.(since the person finds the solution for the problem is the real leader).

Important tips for Group Discusson:-

First listen to the GTO commands keenly and patiently.
If you have enough knowledge about the topic and good effective communication then start the discussion. Else be patient and wait for the sequential chances summerize your point in your mind then trigger it into the discussion. Why i am saying is if you are weak in communication and get stammered in the initialisation, it may give a bad impression.
Keep proper eye contact with the group members who is talking and dont ever look to the G.T.O
Have a depth knowledge in basic topics and national issues as it be easy for you cross the group discussion like a cake walk.
Dont ever make a debate in the discussion by joining hands as two or three person with in the group itself, then all will lose your chances of getting selected.
To be best read news papers, see discussion at national news channels also discuss with your class mates, friends in english to avoid stammering and to get flow of points in mind even in pressure.

Some common Group Discussion topics are,