HOW TO

CRACK GATE
 HOW TO CRACK GATE ?

CONTENT
Foreword 03
Introduction to GATE  04
Salient Points of GATE  05
How to Crack GATE? 06
Check the GATE syllabus.  06
Coaching or Not? 06
Topic Segregation as per weightage 07
Time Table  07
Sure shot marks (Engineering Mathematics & General Aptitude) 07
Resources-Books and Study Notes 08
Revise & Analyse 08
Sample Papers & mock Test 09
Group Study/ Forums/ Others 09
Relaxation 09
Time Management 09

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 HOW TO CRACK GATE ?

FOREWORD
Dear GATE Aspirants,
The Application Process has already started for GATE - the largest online PG
entrance exam for engineering graduates in the country. GATE is a tough exam to
crack as the syllabus encompasses three to four years of undergraduate studies.
What has to be kept in mind is that it is not impossible to crack GATE. With proper
dedication, preparation and perseverance, GATE exam can be cracked easily.

GATE Mantras to keep in mind!

Make GATE your Goal. Nothing else will work. Until and unless you believe in mak-
ing it your goal, you cannot really achieve outstanding success. It doesn’t matter
if no one else believes in you. When you believe, you can achieve!
GATE is one exam that has no prescribed minimum percentage in the qualifying
degree. It has no age limit either. In fact, IISc Bangalore takes in students who have
obtained second class in their graduation so there is no reason why you can’t take
the chance and turn it to your advantage.
GATE is the only exam where all students are equal and can score well irrespec-
tive of academic background. There are no constraints like experience and such.
Nothing matters except your GATE scores.
Careers360 has over the years interviewed a lot of toppers who have cracked
GATE in their respective papers. We have compiled their experiences, tips and
preparation mantras to being forth a good plan on “How to crack GATE”. Hope this
book guides you in your journey towards cracking GATE successfully and moving
ahead in your chosen goals.

All the best!

Team Careers360!

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 HOW TO CRACK GATE ?

INTRODUCTION TO GATE

G
ATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) is the All India
examination that is used to screen the applicants from across
the country for admissions to the various Post Graduate
courses in Engineering in the IITs, IISc Bangalore, NITs, some
CFTIs and many private institutes as well as many state universities.
GATE is an entrance test designed to test the comprehensive understand-
ing of the various subjects in Engineering and Technology of the applicants.
Candidates can apply to the PG courses like M.Tech/M.E/ Integrated
courses like M.Tech-Phd and even M.Des at some IITs on the basis of their
GATE scores. GATE qualified candidates are given preference over other
candidates in many state conducted entrance exams.
An increasing number of PSUs have been recruiting candidates on the
basis of their GATE scores. These candidates get selected on the basis
of their GATE scores and a personal interview paving the way to a good
career in their chosen fields.
GATE scores are valid for a period of three years from the day the result
for the same is declared. However, this is restricted to only M.Tech admis-
sions and not for any other purpose.

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 HOW TO CRACK GATE ?

Salient Points of GATE:

●● GATE is organized by Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and seven IITs

namely IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Madras, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Kanpur, IIT
Guwahati, and IIT Roorkee. Each year, the onus of conducting the exam falls on
the one of these eight institutes.
●● Admission to the M.Tech programmes at the IITs, NITs and IISC is based on
the GATE scores.
●● The GATE Application Process is completely online and through GOAPS which
is the GATE Online Application Processing System. Candidates can apply, check
their application status, download their admit cards, result as well as score card
through GOAPS only.
●● GATE is conducted online for 23 papers generally in the last week of January or
first week of February.
●● GATE Admit Card will have to be downloaded by candidates and will not be
available to candidates through any other means. The GATE Registration num-
ber that is mentioned in the admit card is important to apply for PSUs recruiting
through GATE.
●● Biometric information (Photograph and Fingerprints) for randomly selected
candidates may be captured before the start of the examination
●● The Result will be available to candidates after logging to GOAPS
●● GATE Score Card will be available for students who have qualified in the
entrance exam. They can downloaded it free with within the given time frame and
thereafter pay for a soft copy for another period of time as fixed by the conducting
body.
●● GATE Scores are valid for a period of three years from the date of the declara-
tion of the result.
●● An increasing number of PSUs are recruiting candidates on the basis of their
GATE scores.

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 HOW TO CRACK GATE ?

HOW TO CRACK GATE?

B
ig question as it covers a vast portion and one cannot just jump into
preparation without doing some proper homework. So how should you go
about planning? What parameters do you need? What information should
you have? How should you fix a time table that allows for your study/ job? How to
manage time? How to practice? Is coaching needed or not? So many questions,
that crop up in relation to the GATE preparation.
Well, it is not easy considering that the syllabus is vast and it is never easy to
segregate all topics. We suggest steps to combat every doubt and get you going
on your GATE preparation.

Step 1 - Check the GATE syllabus.

First check the syllabus thoroughly as you should know which topics are being
covered and how well you know them. It is important to start with this so you can
take stock of the amount of study you might have to undertake. Once you know
which topics you have to study, you are better equipped to make your schedules,
timetables and other such stuff.
It is equally important to segregate the GATE Syllabus into topics to prepare. “Lit-
tle drops of water make the mighty ocean” – the saying holds true in this case too.
The vast GATE Syllabus is do-able and achievable if broken into Topics. Segre-
gate them into Easy, Difficult and To Learn Anew. Study topic wise. Make sure that
most of the Syllabus is covered two months before the actual GATE exam dates.

Step 2 – Coaching or Not?

This is something many students believe will help. However past trends show
that most toppers have taken the help of coaching centres for their study material
which is concise and GATE oriented. They also use the coaching centres to avail
the test series for practise purposes once their study is done. This is to ensure
that they practice and hone their concepts. It is your choice on whether you think
coaching will help or not. Irrespective of the fact of the decision you will make, the
steps in GATE preparation won’t change if you wish to score well.

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 HOW TO CRACK GATE ?

Step 3 – Topic Segregation as per weightage

Many toppers have spent some time sifting through previous GATE question
papers to understand w hich topics carry more weightage while others that need
to be studied but not stressed on. This is an important exercise that will help you
choose the order of study you should do in order to get good scores in GATE. So
don’t dismiss this step. Instead, make sure you do it to get familiar with the topics
that will be your constant companions for the next few months. An important point
to note here is that the GATE syllabus must be studied at least to a major extent if
not in its entirety. To do this, you must sift through all the previous question papers

Step 4 – Time Table

While it is good to set up a timetable and follow it rigidly as well as religiously,

some candidates may not be able to adhere to it. This part is a personal decision.
However, it is good to at least broadly set goals else completing the syllabus and
practising well cannot be achieved in a good measure. The previous step has
ensured that the topics are segregated as per weightage. All you have to do is to
allocate the time to it with regard to studying and completing it. It is important to
ensure that you keep up to the timetable as far as possible.
You know which topics will require more effort from your side and which wont
require that much of time. Also you will know which topics you have to start afresh.
If there is a topic that carries much weightage and you are weak in it, it is advisable
to tackle it first. Trends show that some topics are covered more than the others
and you don’t want to lose out on any.

Step 5 – Sure shot marks (Engineering Mathematics

& General Aptitude)

A common mistake many make is to leave the preparation of Mathematics and

General Aptitude to the last. These sections carry 30 marks in total out of the 100.
The syllabus is also not that tough. So it is advisable to practice these sections
all along the preparation time so as to not lose the marks that could be gained.

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 HOW TO CRACK GATE ?

Step 6 - Resources-Books and Study Notes

Without the right kind of books, study material, no student can do well. How to
know which books to refer? Engineering books are detailed and vast so it is a
dicey thing to decide which ones to choose and learn from. While the text books
are good, they are more in tune with the academic requirements. Therefore top-
pers suggest that it is best to refer to the text books to cement the concepts.
However exclusive GATE preparation is best done from coaching materials as the
coaching centres present the reading material as per GATE requirements.
Candidates can access the reading and studying material from the internet.
There are also videos and tutorials that are available exclusive for GATE aspirants.
These can be used to hone the preparation. The internet is full of books available
for download, notes by successful students who simply help others, forums for
GATE preparation – all these are pretty helpful to decide on the study material
needed for GATE.
While preparing, it is important to make short notes for all important topics. The
relevance of these notes comes forth during the revision times when it is easier
to revise using these short notes instead of reading through all the topics.

Step 7 – Revise & Analyse

Nothing will work if you don’t analyse what you have studied. This will help you
pet a check on your study to understand how prepared you are and where you
need to improve. At the start, it is better to attempt the topic wise question papers
to understand how well your study and preparation is. After every attempt, it is
imperative to analyse the attempt and understand how much improvement is
required and what needs to be done more.
Slowly as you get better at the preparation, you should attempt practice tests
and get accustomed to the GATE exam. Frequent practice allows one to improve
the speed of solving the test paper while cementing an exam strategy for the
D-Day

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 HOW TO CRACK GATE ?

Step 8 - Sample Papers & mock Test

Sample papers from various coaching centres, previous exam question papers
are tools that you will need to use to taste success in GATE. They will enable you
to get an understanding of how the exam will be and the types of questions asked.
GATE is completely online. So it is important that you feel comfortable with the
computer based exam. This is where the GATE Mock Test plays a role. Candi-
dates can attempt the exam in a simulated mode. The Mock Test is exactly similar
to the actual test. The only difference is that the scores will not be calculated or
displayed.

Step 9 - Group Study/ Forums/ Others

It is up to you to decide whether you can study better in a group or solo. You could
also take the help of your teachers, seniors or other students on various forums
on GATE Preparation. This helps you understand the problems; sometimes a
problem you are stuck in can be resolved like this and more. There is a whole lot
of help available on the internet, in your group of friends, college and other places.

Step 10 - Relaxation

It is important to put a stop to frivolous activities during this period of GATE Prepa-
ration. However, it is also equally important to make sure that the mind is relaxed
to tackle the stress of preparation. Ensure that you relax every few hours. Give a
break to monotony but also ensure that it is kept to a necessary minimum. Take a
walk, meditate, listen to your favourite music etc – these are some activities that
could help you relax.

Step 11 - Time Management

One important factor in GATE is time management. It is not the very hardworking
students but the smart ones that generally walk away with success. It is important
to time your practice sessions. This is particularly needed for the exam where
it is important that you answer questions in such a manner that you score the
maximum.
What is important to note is that you can crack GATE with the right kind of com-
mitment and dedication. It is not easy but not impossible. Give it your best shot.
We wish you all the best!

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 HOW TO CRACK GATE ?

USEFUL LINKS FOR GATE:

●● GATE
●● GATE Exam Pattern
●● GATE Syllabus
●● What are the best books for GATE Preparation?
●● GATE Sample Papers
●● GATE Mock Test
●● GATE Normalisation process: How Scores are calculated?
●● What is a good GATE score and How to get it?
●● M.Tech Admissions
●● PSU Recruitment Through GATE

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