Anisha has done MBA in Marketing from NMIMS And Executive Management(PMNO) from Harvard Business School. She has been instrumental in growing CATKing Digital with her experience with Marico and Henkel in the past.
Group Discussions (GD) are a vital part of the MBA admission process, used by many B-schools to assess a candidate’s communication skills, leadership, teamwork, and clarity of thought. While most aspirants focus on initiating or speaking during the discussion, concluding the GD is an equally important skill — and often underrated.
The conclusion is your last chance to leave a lasting impression on the evaluators. A smartly concluded GD shows maturity, understanding, and the ability to summarize viewpoints effectively. So how do you conclude a GD the right way? Let’s break it down.
Why is the Conclusion Important in a GD?
The person who concludes the GD is expected to:
- Summarize the discussion fairly and neutrally
- Highlight the key points made by participants
- Present a balanced view, if a consensus was reached
- Provide closure, showing clarity and command over the discussion
The conclusion helps evaluators understand how well you’ve listened, processed arguments, and formed a logical summary.
Who Should Conclude the GD?
Ideally, anyone who has actively participated, listened carefully, and maintained a neutral tone throughout can take the lead in concluding. You don’t need to be the most talkative person to conclude — but you must be attentive and respectful throughout the GD.
If the moderator announces “one minute to conclude,” and no one volunteers, that’s your opportunity!
Also Read: Profile for IIMs
How to Conclude a Group Discussion: Step-by-Step
Here’s a simple step-by-step approach to conclude a GD effectively:
1. Stay Neutral and Unbiased
Avoid favoring one side unless the group reached a clear consensus. Your job is to summarize, not judge.
Example:
"Both sides presented strong arguments — some highlighted the economic benefits of globalization, while others raised concerns about job losses. Let me summarize the key takeaways."
2. Summarize Key Points Briefly
Pick the main arguments and examples discussed by participants. Don't repeat everything; just highlight the essence.
Example:
"We discussed how globalization boosts international trade and allows countries to specialize. At the same time, we looked at how it affects local employment and cultural identity."
3. Mention Any Consensus (if reached)
If the group agreed on a particular conclusion, mention it clearly.
Example:
"Most members agreed that while globalization has benefits, it must be implemented with safeguards for vulnerable communities."
If there was no consensus, say so respectfully.
Example:
"There was a healthy exchange of views, though the group did not reach a single conclusion."
4. End With a Forward-Looking Statement
A powerful conclusion doesn’t just end; it leaves the group with a thought. This shows maturity and depth.
Example:
"To truly benefit from globalization, countries need to balance growth with inclusive policies. That could be the path forward."
Dos and Don’ts of Concluding a GD
✅ Dos:
- Be confident and calm
- Acknowledge everyone’s views
- Stay concise — 30 to 45 seconds is ideal
- Use clear, formal language
- Focus on the discussion, not your own opinion
❌ Don’ts:
- Don’t introduce new ideas or points in the conclusion
- Don’t take sides aggressively
- Don’t repeat the entire discussion
- Don’t use slang or casual language
- Don’t dominate or interrupt others while concluding
Sample Conclusion for Practice
Topic: "Is Artificial Intelligence a threat or a benefit to society?"
Sample Conclusion:
"To conclude, our discussion covered both the benefits and risks of AI. Some members emphasized how AI can improve efficiency, healthcare, and automation, while others raised concerns about job displacement and ethical misuse. While no clear consensus was reached, we agreed that AI’s impact depends on how responsibly it is developed and implemented. Moving forward, it’s essential that innovation is matched with regulation to ensure long-term societal benefits."
Conclusion
Concluding a Group Discussion is not about being the loudest voice — it’s about being the most composed, fair, and thoughtful speaker in the room. A strong conclusion shows that you can listen, analyze, and synthesize a conversation effectively — all key traits of a future manager or leader.
At CATKing Educare, we train students not just to speak, but to lead and conclude with clarity. Keep practicing, and you’ll soon be the one making impactful closing remarks in your GD rounds.
Also Read: New IIMs, Baby IIMS worth it?
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