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Lesson 20
Half Group Task (HGT)

“Just how immense the untapped potential is, for an example, be seen in the current low
volume and high volume of performance or how an individual is adaptable to create a balance
between seeking the co-operation and extending the co-operation which in turn reveal the
leadership qualities which assessors are looking forward to evaluate. Finally the word co-
operation means the subjugation of personal interest for the interest of the
group”.
Half Group Task—Half Group Task is generally a two stage task. As the name suggests the task
is performed by half of the group strength. Other rules of the game remain the same.
The tester divides the batch into two-half after completion of the PGT. If your batch comprises of
eight members, four members each would constitute each half. As a matter of practice, such a division
is done randomly. But the GTO would be careful not to club all the bright people into a single half.
With lesser number of participants, it is possible to observe every individual rather closely. This close
observation serves more than one purpose.
Firstly, it confirms the initial observations of PGT wherein probable leaders mark their presence
assertively. With closer observation, it is possible to verify/test their group effectiveness. Not only the
leadership behaviour, but the passive and passengers also get well scanned during the Half Group Task.
Secondly, the Half Group Task still provides opportunity to the shy and the late bloomer.
Sometimes even a good candidate gets subdued due to the presence of many bright candidates. Half
Group Task promotes such candidates to come off their inhibition and prove their leadership qualities.
By the end of the HGT, the GTO would be left with the task fathom your level. He has, by now
categorised you as a leader, follower or a passenger and accordingly he would select a Command Task
to confirm his observation.

Lesson 21
PGT, HGT and Command Task

Conduct of PGT and HGT : Role of GTO—Before beginning of every test, the GTO explains
the requirement and the rules of the task. He will provide the helping material and explain the requisite
information. Leaving no scope for any ambiguity or doubt, the GTO will withdraw at a distance where
his presence is not shadowing the autonomy of the group once the group begins.
However, the GTO remains watchful and keeps manipulating the interactional involvement of the
group by his active involvement. He may shorten or lengthen the route taken by the group to evaluate
the increase or decrease of difficulty by adding/withdrawing one or the other materials. (For example
the GTO might put the group in an assumed situation in which rope is broken). He might ask for an
alternative route/solution. Thus the tester is not a passive spectator. He is an active, grasping, absorbing,
controlling, manipulating and punctuating the individual and the group. The Group Testing Officer
reserves his right to check the group at his discretion.