Ronika Goswami from Guwahati, Assam, aspired to be a Chemical Engineer. She started her journey from the Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT) Nagpur, in 2010. After finishing her Bachelors in Technology, she took the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) as she aspired to work with one of the top Public Service Undertaking (PSU) as a chemical engineer. She took GATE in 2014, and did not get a satisfactory score. She took it again in 2016, and when the results were declared, her dream of working with a good PSU came true.

In conversation with PaGaLGuY she spoke about her preparation strategy for the exam, and the importance on how to tackle anxiety and keeping calm in the examination hall. Excerpts:

What was your strategy for GATE?

My preparation strategy was simple; first clear the concepts and then practice as many questions as possible. I followed the standard Chemical Engineering books which are generally followed in all colleges. Solving the last few years’ GATE papers along with a timer really helped me in the main exam. I enrolled for test series at Gateforum and Gate Coach.

Any advice for GATE 2017 aspirants?

For cracking a competitive exam like GATE, it is necessary to keep calm during the exam. Do not bog yourself down with unnecessary negative thoughts about the outcome of the exam. Practice how to keep calm and only then, you are fully prepared for the exam.

Any last-minute tips for those who do self-study?

Revise whatever you have already studied rather than taking up new topics in the last few days before the exam.

Men generally dominate the top 10-20 AIR. What could be the reason behind a handful of female toppers?

In many parts of our country, girls are generally not allowed to go for higher studies or for a job. Even though the country has progressed to a level where we can find girls in professional degree colleges, many of them are married off just after graduation.

​