GATE 2018: Ankit Goyal secures AIR 1 in EE for the second time

GATE 2018 results were declared today bringing much joy to Ankit Goyal who secured AIR (All India Rank) 1 in Electrical Engineering (EE). He scored 15 out of 15 in General Aptitude and 79 out of 85 in Technical. Ankit’s normalized score is 94 out of 100.

This is the second time in 5 years that Ankit has secured AIR 1 in GATE. He scored AIR 1 for the first time in 2014. But, this is his third time at GATE. His first GATE attempt was in 2013 when he secured AIR 8. Not satisfied with his rank as he had aimed for AIR 1, he took the exam again next year and topped it.

Talking about his GATE 2018 result, Ankit said, “I am not very excited because I am normally very low-key. I appeared for GATE just to get a feel of how an aspirant feels in the GATE environment because it has been a long time since I last appeared for GATE. Also, I wanted to know if the pattern has changed or not over the years”.

Ankit found GATE 2018 easier than the last two years. “It was easier than the last two years. Since I have been teaching for the last four years, my knowledge level has increased. So I was able to attempt 100% of the paper”.  

Ankit is GATE mentor himself and is very happy that 18 of his students have secured  ranks under 100 in EE and ECE(Electronics and Communications Engineering).  He currently runs his own business by the name Kreatryx which offers classroom and online courses. Ankit’s company also offers postal courses and online test series for GATE and PSU preparation. Read the full interview below:

Q. Tell us about your educational background? Where have you done your engineering from and in which branch?

I completed my BTech in 2013 from IIT Indore in Electrical Engineering Stream. 

Q. What was the GATE Paper you appeared in? What rank did you get in GATE 2018? What is your GATE score and how many marks did you secure out of 100 in GATE paper?

I appeared in EE (Electrical Engineering) Paper of GATE 2018. I secured an AIR 1 and got 94 out of 100 in GATE.

Q. Did you take coaching classes? If yes- From where? How did it help?

I myself teach all subjects of Electrical Engineering at Kreatryx so I was very well versed with all the subjects and did not need any coaching. 

Q. Is it necessary to take coaching classes or is self-study enough?

If one’s educational background is not strong enough then preparing 12 subjects in 6 months is an uphill task so one needs coaching to build the base. Whereas students from IITs and NITs can easily take GATE without coaching. 

Q. How long have you been preparing for the exam? When did you start your preparation? How did you prepare for the GATE exam? How many hours did you put in per day as per the stage of preparation?

I had taught all subjects of EE multiple times in the year 2017 so I was not preparing for GATE. By teaching and solving the doubts of the students my concepts were clear enough. 

Q. Can you share any preparation strategies with our readers? When should one start their preparation for GATE? How to schedule study time and make timetables?

Here is a video in which students can learn how to prepare time table for GATE:

Q. How should one schedule answering the GATE exam – which section to attempt first and which next?

One must go question by question but keep time per section fixed.

1 mark technical: 45 mins

2 marks technical: 1.5 hrs

Aptitude: 15-20 mins

Also one must attempt those problems at first which can be solved easily and the difficult ones should be marked for review. 

Q. Name some important Topics that you feel are a must read for any student attempting GATE exam?

Now a days all topics are important because you cannot rely just on previous year papers to predict what will be asked in GATE. 

Q. How important do you feel mock tests are and why? Is it true that if one solves the previous year question papers, there is a good chance of cracking the exam successfully?

Mock Tests are very important as it teaches a student about how to manage time and solving previous year questions of EE, ECE and IN will suffice. 

Q. What is the difference between your UG exams and GATE 2018?

GATE is more numerical based and tests the application of concepts whereas UG exams are more based on facts and do not test application. So one must practice a lot of numericals to get well versed in GATE. 

Q. What do you plan to do next? Have you applied to any PSUs recruiting through GATE?

No I have not applied for nay jobs through GATE and I wish to continue to provide best services to GATE Aspirants through Kreatryx. 

Q. Any tips for students taking the exam next year?

Give your 100% and practice as much as possible. No target is impossible. 

Q. Tell us something about yourself, your hobbies and your family.

I my family we have me and my mother and one elder who recently got married. My hobbies include interacting with students and reading books.

IIT Guwahati declared GATE 2018 results on April 16, a day before the scheduled date. The score cards of GATE 2018 will be available for download from March 20 to May 31. The exam was held on February 03 - 04 & February 10 - 11, 2018. Check GATE 2018 important dates here.

GATE 2018 final answer keys were released recently.  Along with results, GATE 2018 cut-offs too have been announced.

GATE 2018 official cut-offs:

Also read:

• PSU Recruitment Procedure Through GATE

• Opportunities after GATE
• GATE 2017 cut-off for top engineering streams