GATE 2014 Guide Book

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

GATE: Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 03

About Gate 2014 ......................................................................................................................................... 03

GATE 2014 Eligibility .................................................................................................................................. 04

GATE 2014: Important Dates ..................................................................................................................... 05

GATE 2014: Whats New ............................................................................................................................ 06

GATE Previous year analysis and Cutoffs .................................................................................................. 08

How to prepare for GATE 2014? ................................................................................................................ 11

GATE Preparation: Time Management ...................................................................................................... 12

Other Useful Links ...................................................................................................................................... 14

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Introduction
About GATE
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is an all India examination that primarily tests the
comprehensive understanding of various undergraduate subjects in Engineering and Technology of the
applicants.
The GATE scores are primarily used for admissions purposes to post-graduate engineering programmes
(eg. M.E/ M.Tech/ direct PhD), though increasingly they are also being used by Public sector units for
their recruitment process.
GATE is administered and conducted jointly by the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore (IISc) and seven
Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) listed below for the National Coordination Board - GATE,
Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Government of
India.
The IITs and IISc have been segregated as zonal centres and exam centres listed under each zone for the
ease of students and alike. The list and websites of the zonal centres can be viewed below on this page.

About GATE 2014

Admission to 7 IITs and IISC is based on GATE 2014
The operations related to GATE in each of the 8 zones are managed by a Zonal GATE Office at
IISc or IITs.
For GATE 2014, the Organizing Institute is Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur.
The Organizing Institute (OI) is responsible for the end-to-end process and coordination
amongst the administering Institutes.

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GATE 2014 Eligibility

Details on the eligibility criteria for GATE 2014 are given in the table below.
The applicants also need to send the necessary supportive documents along with the printed
version of the online application form by speed post/registered post to the respective zonal
centre.
Students are advised to study the table below carefully to understand the criterias
Students who are currently pursuing the degree or are expected to pass in 2014 or later also
need to submit Certificate from Principal.
Such candidates who need to submit Certificate from Principal have to obtain signature from
their Principal along with the seal on Certificate from the Principal that will be printed on the
application PDF file which will be automatically generated after the candidate complete the
online application procedure.
Candidate with Back logs: Candidates who have appeared for the final examinations but have a
current active backlog in any of the paper of qualifying degree should submit either any one of
the mark-sheets of final year or they need to get signature and seal on Certificate from the
Principal document which will be printed along with the application.

GATE Online Application Processing System Monday 2nd September 2013

(GOAPS) Website Opens: Enrolment, Application
Filling, Application Submission
Last Date for Enrolment (after this only enrolled Tuesday 1st October 2013
candidates can fill the application)
Last date for Submission of Online Application Thursday 3rd October 2013
through Website
Last Date for the receipt of Print-out of the ONLINE Thursday 10th October 2013
Application along with all the supporting
documents at the respective Zonal GATE Offices
Last Date for Request for Change in the Choice of Wednesday 20th November 2013
City
Availability of Admit Card on the GOAPS website Wednesday 18th December, 2013
for printing
GATE 2014 Online Examination Saturdays and Between 1st February and 2nd March 2014
Forenoon: 9.00 AM to 12.00 Noon Sundays
Afternoon: 2.00 PM to 5.00 PM
Announcement of Results on the Online Friday 28th March 2014
Application Website (10:00 Hrs)

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GATE 2014 Important Dates

The time-line of important activities for GATE 2014 are given below with respective dates.

GATE Online Application Processing System Monday 2nd September 2013

(GOAPS) Website Opens: Enrolment, Application
Filling, Application Submission
Last Date for Enrolment (after this only enrolled Tuesday 1st October 2013
candidates can fill the application)

Last date for Submission of Online Application Thursday 3rd October 2013
through Website

Last Date for the receipt of Print-out of the ONLINE Thursday 10th October 2013
Application along with all the supporting
documents at the respective Zonal GATE Offices

Last Date for Request for Change in the Choice of Wednesday 20th November 2013
City

Availability of Admit Card on the GOAPS website Wednesday 18th December, 2013
for printing

GATE 2014 Online Examination Saturdays and Between 1st February and 2nd March 2014
Forenoon: 9.00 AM to 12.00 Noon Sundays
Afternoon: 2.00 PM to 5.00 PM

Announcement of Results on the Online Friday 28th March 2014

Application Website (10:00 Hrs)

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GATE 2014: Whats new?

Here we bring you the details of the changes incorporated in the exam pattern, schedule for the year
2014 as compared to the year 2013. Candidates may note that GATE 2014 continues to have online
applications as in the previous year. The new changes will be in terms of the exam which will be online.
1. Computer Based Test:
All the 21 exam papers will be online through a Computer Based Test (CBT). Candidates will have to key
in some answers to the questions which will require numerical answers with the help of the virtual
keypad. The remaining questions will be Multiple Choice.

2. GATE 2014 will be held on alternate weekends (Saturday and Sunday) during the forenoon and the
afternoon sessions starting from February 1 to March 2, 2014.

3. Some exam papers may be held in multiple sessions.

4. Choice of Third City to appear for the exam:

A Third Choice of specified cities as exam centre will be offered to candidates from 2014.

The list of such Third Choice Cities will be specified by the respective Zone.

Candidates may note that the Third Choice of City may belong to the particular zone or another
zone also.
This Third Choice will be considered when the first two choices cannot be accommodated for
any reason.

Changes incorporated in GATE 2013 that will remain in force for GATE 2014:

1. Online Application Process:

A single GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS) will hold the details of all the
registered candidates.
Applications are Online only through the zonal GATE websites of IISc and any of the seven IITs as
specified.
The online application requires uploading of the photograph and signature of the applicant
The print out of the online application process with the candidates signature and a good quality
photograph affixed in the appropriate place has to be received by the respective Zonal GATE
offices along with necessary documents, if any, on or before 10th October 2013.
Candidates whose applications are received as above can only appear for the exam.

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2. Downloadable Admit Card:

Admit Cards must be downloaded from the zonal GATE websites from 1st January 2014.

Admit Cards will not be sent by any other means.

The downloaded and printed Admit Card has to be brought to the exam centre along with one
valid photo identity.
The Photo Identity must be in original and not a photocopy.

Permissible Photo IDs:

Driving license,
Passport,
PAN Card,
Voter ID,
Aadhaar UID,
College ID,
Employee identification card
A notarized affidavit with Photo, Signature, Date of Birth and Residential Address. The details of
this ID proof have to be given while filling the online application.
3. Numerical Answer Type Questions:
Both multiple-choice type and numerical answer type will feature in the exam papers.

The candidates have to choose the correct answer from the given options for the multiple
choice questions
Candidates have to key in a number using the virtual keypad for the numerical answer type
questions

Click Here to download complete GATE 2014 Brochure.

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GATE: Facts and Figures

Fast Facts-GATE 2013:

12,00,728 candidates registered for GATE 2013 exam.

9,84,855 candidates appeared for GATE 2013 exam.

3,45,510 female candidates appeared in GATE 2013 and 28,572 qualified.

Number of students who qualified GATE 2013 as per category:

GATE 2013 GENERAL SC/ST OBC(Non-Creamy) Total Qualified

Qualified 72,125 18,936 41,237 1,36,699

Cutoff scores of various branches in GATE 2013:

GATE 2013 Cut-off Marks for all Branches

GATE-2013 CUTOFF MARKS BRANCH & CATEGORY WISE

BRANCH GENERAL SC/ST/PD OBC(Non-Creamy) Total Appeared

Computer Sc. & IT 25 16.67 22.25 2,24,160

Chemical 32.35 21.57 29.12 14,835

Engineering

Civil Engineering 27.13 18.09 24.42 67,472

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Electronics & 25 16.67 22.5 2,56,135

Communication

Electrical 25.74 17.16 23.17 1,52,381

Engineering

Instrumentation 25 16.67 22.25 28,249

Engineering

Mechanical 25 16.67 22.5 1,65,814

Engineering

Fast Facts-GATE 2012:

7,77,134 candidates registered for GATE 2012 exam.

6,86,614 candidates appeared for GATE 2012 exam.

1,85,198 female candidates appeared in GATE 2012 and 22,896 qualified.

Number of students who qualified GATE 2012 as per category:

GATE 2012 GENERAL SC/ST OBC(Non-Creamy) Total Qualified

Qualified 54,020 23,765 30,294 1,08,526

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Cutoff scores of various branches in GATE 2012:

GATE 2012 Cut-off Marks for all Branches

GATE-2012 CUTOFF MARKS BRANCH & CATEGORY WISE

BRANCH GENERAL SC/ST/PD OBC(Non- Total Appeared
Creamy)

Computer Sc. & 31.54 21.03 28.39 1,56,780

IT
Chemical 29.38 19.59 26.44 11,407
Engineering

Civil 33.03 22.02 29.73 36,156

Engineering

Electronics & 25 16.67 22.5 1,76,944

Communication

Electrical 25 16.67 22.5 1,10,125

Engineering

Instrumentation 25 16.67 22.5 21,509

Engineering

Mechanical 27.14 18.09 24.42 1,12,320

Engineering

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How to Prepare for GATE

GATE is All-India level examination for aspirants interested in pursuing Masters/Direct PhD in India.
More than 12 Lac students applied for GATE 2013. This clearly shows that the competition is tough if
you are aiming the top institutes or for job prospective in PSUs.

First step would be to ensure you have read all the information about the exam, its pattern,
eligibility, syllabus etc. some of which you just read in previous pages.
Make up your mind for the preparation. This seems like a light statement but merely reading the
preparation strategies would get the exam cleared for you. What we are discussing with you
here is to be implemented with whole hearted efforts.
If you are currently pursuing your qualifying degree/recently completed it, you are already in
touch with the study environment and concepts & topics. Use it to your advantage.
Buy previous year question papers with solutions so that you have understanding about the
paper pattern. Ensure you completely solve the previous year questions properly.
GATE covers syllabus of roughly 3-4 years of Engineering (Considering the subjects and concepts
of First year comes as part of application) so some subjects have higher weight age where as
some have low.
Analyze which are the focus area subject as per your branch and level of command you have on
the subjects.
Keep syllabus of GATE 2014 handy and plan your time-table as per the syllabus only. Keep in
mind that even if a subject has lower weight age compared to others, it also contributes to the
question paper.
Never have the mindset of ignoring some specific subjects completely. The moment you build
this negative mindset you will not be able to cover these subjects till the end.
Do realistic allocation of time to each subject. You need to cover each topic thoroughly because
the syllabus is huge and question can be asked from anywhere.
Always keep short notes of each chapter which you can revise often. They will be very helpful in
last 30 days when revising directly from book would be difficult.
Once you cover a topic/subject, refer to the GATE previous year papers and check your label
where you stand. Dont refer to solutions after one failed attempt. Give 2-3 attempts before you
decide to refer to solution.
More you sweat in practice, less you bleed in war. If you feel some topics are still weak and can
be improved with revision dont ignore it. Prepare yourself in best way for those 3 hours in exam
hall.
If you have enrolled for some Test Series, it will help you to have a regular check mechanism of
where you stand. This will be self analysis as well that what are the areas that demand more
efforts.

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Buy or get a copy of previous year question papers if possible with solutions. Having a
hard copy is very important and we are going to refer it again and again during whole
preparation.

Ensure that you complete your syllabus at least 45 days before. Start solving sample
papers and appearing in Mock Examination frequently in this period.

If you have not enrolled for any test series, its perfectly fine. Get a book of sample
papers and solve it on the time real examination is scheduled. For example: If you are
from ECE branch and your exam timings would be 2:00 PM to 05:00 PM, prefer to
attempt your mock paper at same time in a peaceful environment at home where no one
disturbs you.

Ensure you revise all your topics in the first 30 days of this 45Day timeline. In last 15
days solve GATE previous year questions and attempt more mock papers.

Along with preparation ensure you have all the needed documents for GATE 2014 ready
at least a week before.

Since from 2014, the examination would be online, ENSURE YOU HAVE GIVEN
SOME SAMPLE TESTS ONLINE.

Time Management:
It sounds like an easy task but is very complex. Have you made time-tables in past? And how many times
did you strictly followed them? If your answer is NO You didnt followed the time-table properly, below
are the points to understand how to do proper planning for GATE 2014.

Firstly, start believing that GATE 2014 is your goal. Till the time you dont really mean that GATE
2014 is your GOAL all the planning and management will turn up to be crap.
Once you have defined your goal, ensure you always keep a positive approach that you can do
it! The moment you enter the zone of pessimism there is no escape.
Make a month-wise plan on what topics you will be covering and when. If you have joined some
coaching institute, they will give you a schedule as well. You can plan as per the same too.
If you have not joined any classes, there is nothing to panic. Make your own plan. If you want to
ensure you are doing it right just to make yourself feel better, discuss it with someone who is in
coaching and compare the same.
Make a daily time table. And paste it on the wall exactly in front of the table you study. Now
since you have made a time table, ensure you follow it.
Figure out the less needed activities. They may be sleeping overtime, TV, internet, partying etc.
Its okay to skip these activities or reduce the time you invest in them for the goal you are
working for.

Stop using internet beyond limit. 2 hours are more than sufficient to track any exam updates,
surf internet, use Facebook or for other recreational activities.

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Its not a rule to watch a movie every weekend! If you have that habit, pause it for this year. It
will give you proper time to manage your studies.

If you are a student who studied in an average engineering college for BE/BTech and
always criticized that they didnt had opportunity to prove their capabilities GATE
2014 is your GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY.

GATE is totally an open competition where you may beat the students from top
engineering colleges like IITs/NITs with your efforts.

Dont feel depressed because your friends are making fun of you, parents feel
that you are not worth enough or your girlfriend/boyfriend thinks its a wrong
decision to prepare for GATE or PSUs. If you really want to do it, DO IT. And
prove them that you made a right decision.

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Other Useful Links:

All you need to know about GATE 2014

GATE 2014 Official Website
Follow us on Facebook for all the latest updates

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