GATE 2026: 10 Signs You're Officially a Aspirant and Proud of it, How many did you tick off already?
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering 2025 ( GATE )
Admit Card - 2 Jan '26
10 signs you are officially a GATE aspirant: Being a GATE aspirant is like signing for a reality show, where villains are distractions, drama are those heavy study materials, and grand prize is your dream institute. Well, to be honest, studying for GATE is overall a personality upgrade and here are 10 signs that make you officially a GATE aspirant. Read below.
Here is a breakdown of 10 relatable signs stating that you are a TRUE GATE ASPIRANT!
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| Signs | Do You Relate? |
|---|---|
| 🍵Coffee or Tea Is Your New Blood Group |
Normal people drink coffee to feel awake. You drink coffee because thought of solving one more differential equation at midnight would otherwise feel like climbing Mount Everest barefoot. Your mugs are now trophies, each one silently screaming, “This aspirant survived another all-nighter.” Now, your bloodstream isn’t blood anymore, it’s half caffeine and half determination. Keep it up!! |
| ☮You’ve Made Peace with the Syllabus |
GATE syllabus isn’t just a PDF on your laptop; it’s practically your new roommate. You now remember each term like your favourite lyrics. The GATE Mechanical aspirants whisper “Thermodynamics” in their sleep. GATE CS students dream in binary. And Civil? Well, they look at every bridge like it’s a potential exam question. Right? Sure, it feels endless, but secretly, you’re proud of knowing more formulas than the average calculator. |
| ⏳Time Is Now Displayed in Mock Test |
While others measure time in hours or weeks, you measure it in GATE mock tests. “How long till your birthday?” someone asks. You reply, “About 6 mock tests away.” Your life calendar isn’t Google, it’s the GATE test series. Deadlines? Assignments? Festivals? Nope. Everything is scheduled around the next full-length test. |
| 🔬Friends = Study Groups, Enemies = Distractions |
Your old college gang is long forgotten. Now your WhatsApp groups are filled with screenshots of tricky GATE PYQs, arguments over standard textbooks, and someone constantly asking, “What are some of the important topics in computer science?” or Is covering just standard books and PYQs enough for GATE? The new villain in your life? Instagram reels. One innocent scroll and boom, you’re two hours deep into cat videos, viral memes, questioning all your life choices. |
| 📚PYQs and Problem-Solving Skills Are Your Love Language |
You will come to know you are true GATE aspirant, when your idea of bonding is not gossiping about the latest shows, but solving questions together. You join community forums to discuss and bond through hustle memes. In fact, PYQs are like horoscopes, you analyse them to predict your destiny. If you get all of them correct, you feel like an achievement. |
| 📌You’ve Developed a ‘Formula Vision’ |
Ever noticed how The Matrix characters see the world in green code? That’s you now. Every situation reminds you of formulas and concepts. A simple swing in the park? That’s SHM. A leaking tap? Fluid mechanics. The whole world revolves around GATE chapters. You just don’t see the world, you live in it and solve it. |
| 💻Your Laptop/Desktop Is Your Battle Station |
A lot of you might agree on this. A student appearing for GATE or planning for PSU through GATE will raise a hand to it. Your study table is sacred. |
| 🤖You’re Fluent in the Language of Panic and Motivation |
You wake up motivated, declaring, “I will finish Signals and Systems today!” By noon, you’re panicking, whispering, “Maybe I should just open a tea stall instead.” By night, you’re motivated again, planning your IIT dream. These are true signs of being a GATE aspirant. |
| 📲Your Social Media Is 90% Memes, 10% Notes |
You scroll through your mobile gallery, and it is a battlefield of memes, formula shortcuts, tricks to solve important GATE questions, or screenshots of the GATE toppers' timetable. You don’t even share vacation photos and selfies anymore, what you share are GATE memes. But deep down, we all know these memes feel like therapy to get through the deadly nights. |
We all know, that GATE exam is tough, syllabus is vast, and competition is massive, yet deep down you kind of feel proud of yourself. Because, not everyone plans to go for such a demanding goal, by sacrificing weekends.
No, applicants cannot opt for any paper from the combination list. Candidates can only select from the options provided by the GATE authorities in the GATE 2026 paper combination list. For example, a CS student has the free will to choose from the following set of exam papers: DA, EC, GE, MA, PH, and ST.
You can apply for two GATE papers (maximum). While filling out the GATE application form, you need to select the primary and secondary paper. The GATE secondary paper must be from the subject list prescribed by the GATE authorities. Before adding the paper, go through the subject combination list and GATE paper codes.
Candidates opting for two GATE papers will have to pay double the fees mentioned -
For example,
- If a general category candidate is applying for two GATE papers, then he/she has to pay a fee of INR 4000 (during the regular timeline) and INR 5000 (during the extended period).
- The same applies to the female, SC, ST, and PwD category candidates, INR 2000 (during the regular time period) and INR 3000 (during the extended period).
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a month ago
The GATE exam is conducted once a year. The entrance test takes place on multiple dates and shifts for 30 test papers. For 2026, IIT Guwahati is conducting the exam on February 7, 8, 14, and 15.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
Yes, IIT Guwahati has extended the GATE 2026 registration date with late fees. The new GATE 2026 registration date is October 13.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
If you notice an error or discrepancy after submitting your GATE form, don't panic. Once the application correction window opens, log in via GOAPS using your credentials and make the corrections. Details like category, gender, exam city, paper choice, date of birth, etc., can often be edited — usual
D
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months ago
The GATE cutoff changes every year depending on seat intake, number of applicants appeared in exam, toughness of question paper, and previous cutoff trends. Candidates who meet cutoff score can participate for counselling.
I
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
Based on the previous year's trends, the GATE 2026 expected cutoff for computer Science and engineering can be checked below-
- For General category it might go around 30 to 31.0
However, the GATE cutoff varies every year, depending on the difficulty level, number of applicants appearing for the exam,
U
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
No, a duplicate GATE 2026 admit card will not be provided at the test center. Candidates must carry their own admit card along with the mentioned documents and items to the GATE exam center. IIT Guwahati will release the GATE admit card on January 2.
P
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
Candidates will get only one scribble pad at a time. They must write their name and registration number before using it. If the rough sheet gets filled, then they can ask for another one scribble pad after returning the previous one to the invigilator. After the exam concludes, candidates must retur
B
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
Yes, candidates will get a scribble pad in the GATE exam 2026 to do the rough work. Candidates have to write their name and registration number on the scribble pad before using it. However, the rough sheet must be returned after the completion of the exam.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
The barcode present in the GATE admit card 2026 carries the candidate's information. It is required for a faster verification process and fraud prevention. So, make sure it does not get tampered. Carry multiple copies in case your GATE 2026 hall ticket is torn or tampered.
T
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
Candidates who are appearing for the GATE exam must carry a valid ID proof along with a passport-size photograph, transperant water bottle, and pen (blue or black) along with GATE 2026 hall ticket. We advise to carry atleast two to three copies of admit card to the centre.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Yes, candidates having qualifying degree in B.Com can apply for GATE exam to get admission to the master's programmes in IITs and IISc. Candidates must go through the GATE information brochure carefully before applying. Also, students in 3rd year or final year in commerce are also eligible for GATE.