The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is an all-India examination that primarily tests a candidate’s comprehensive understanding in the undergraduate engineering streams and science subjects. Here cramming won’t work; as the name suggests it is a test of your aptitude level, and your score depends on how well you understand the concepts. 

We have time on our hands to prepare for GATE 2017 so it would be good if we make the most of it.  A proper strategy to prepare for the exam can lead to success.

Always keep in mind your goal or the rank which you want to secure. If your want to join any of the top courses in the Indian Institutes of Technology, you need to attain a rank of less than 1,000, which means that you cannot afford to leave out any section during preparation. On the other hand, if one’s aiming to qualify, then one can afford to leave some sections, and focus only on the important ones and still get enough marks to make the cut.

    The candidates are advised to check the entire syllabus thoroughly on the official website.

    Collect the study material for the whole curriculum before starting preparation.

    Dedicate five-six hours per day. The whole B.Tech syllabus is supposed to be completed in a few months so it will require that much of time and effort.

    Analyse previous years’ GATE question papers, and weightage of each chapter, and kickstart preparation with the topics that have more weightage.

    Take a diagnostic test to analyse your readiness for GATE, and make your preparation strategy accordingly.

    Allot an hour a day for Engineering Mathematics and General Ability as these two topics cover 30 per cent weightage in GATE and they need regular practice.

    Start solving sample paper as it gives a better understanding of the concepts; it also gives get a better idea of the paper pattern of the paper. 

    While studying, make footnotes and formula sheet to make it easy for you to revise at the end.

    You should start taking the mock tests two months before the test. By then, you would have completed your basic preparation as well. Make sure that you take mock tests from a noted institute, which will not only provide you questions on relevant topics and difficulty level, but also an appropriate environment and the navigation would be as per the latest changes introduced by GATE. You can time yourself and assess your performance. 

    Based on your performance, you can tune your exam strategy!

    In the last month of preparation, taking up new topics would never help. Revision is the key to success at this point.

    Relax on the day before your exam so that you are fresh and agile.

Relaxing and rebooting is essential for achieving productivity, success, and a positive outlook on the future, especially for students who spend hours huddled in front of their books. In fact, not taking breaks can lead to anxiety, insomnia, and other health-related issues. While you know that have good eight months for the examination, you can manage your time well. 

Good Luck!

The author is an alumnus of IIM, Ahmedabad and IIT, Bombay, and the CEO & MD of Thinkcell Learning Solutions Pvt. Ltd., formerly Gateforum Educational Services Pvt. Ltd, and a founder and director of YUKTI, a leading company in Maharashtra in the Engineering test prep domain, offering classroom courses for JEE, MHT-CET and 12th Board exams. He has more than 15 years’ experience in the field of education, in designing, coordinating, marketing and executing classroom-based training programmes.