About the GATE exam
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is an all-India examination that tests an individual’s comprehensive understanding of undergraduate subjects across the field of Engineering and Science. Conducted jointly by the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and the 7 Indian Institutes of Technology, the score is used for admissions to a host of Post-graduate programs including the Master of Engineering and Master of Technology amongst others. The candidate appearing for the exam is required to select amongst the areas he wishes to appear for from amongst the 22 offered papers.
Get a thorough understanding of the Syllabus: The first step would be to get acquainted thoroughly with the exam, its pattern and above all the syllabus. Given the exam is conducted to test the level of one’s basic knowledge understanding across various streams, one is expected to prepare thoroughly paying criticality to the basics and fundamentals across subject area.
Identify Resources: It is absolutely essential to get hold of the apt list of books – consult faculty, friends who’ve taken the test in ensuring one has the right resources at hand. Besides, while the internet may be flooded with free material on the exam, it is essential to identify the best amongst these. Not all may be useful or relevant.
Given the vast syllabus to be covered, it could help to avail of coaching for the exam. Studying under an experienced faculty could work for some students who would want to cut down on the number of books to be referred to.
Plan your course of study: The GATE exam covers a syllabus of approximately 3-4 years of engineering subjects. Accordingly, one is necessary to make a note of areas requiring increased focus, based on one’s comfort levels with the curriculum. It would be prudent to keep the syllabus at hand and plan a timetable accordingly. Make a prudent plan of study with allocation across subject matter – remember the syllabus is huge and questions are asked from across. Make notes as you go along, which can aid revision. These will be essential as one approaches the exam.
Weight your situation – some maybe working, some studying; accordingly time needs to be given towards preparation. On an average, around 5-6 months is recognised as an ideal amount of time for preparing for the exam.
Practice Mock exams: GATE is now an online exam, it is obvious for one to get acquainted with online exams. There are a whole load of resources available online acquainting one with the nature of the exam. It is critical to attempt mock exams and in all probabilities one should devote the last month prior to exam towards mock exams so as to understand ones standing. Many successful candidates across tests attribute the essentiality of Mock exams towards their success. It thus makes sense to go through past year papers in order to develop a level of comfort with the format and distribution across topics.
Given the GATE is considered amongst the most challenging of examinations in the country, it is essential to devote time to the same wholeheartedly in the months running up to the exam. It would pay to cut oneself off from extracurricular activities with an understanding that the payoff from doing well in the exam could go a long way towards one’s success.