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 up for a reality show, where the drama is your long, back-breaking timetable and notes, the villains are your distractions, and the grand prize is your dream IIT. Studying for GATE is overall a personality upgrade. Here are 10 signs you are officially a GATE aspirant and proud of it.
So, you've finally decided to appear for GATE 2026 exam, and if you've registered already, congratulations, you've joined the GATE Aspirant CLUB, where time is measured in GATE previous year's questions, and relationships revolve around pattern, and dates. During this phase, GATE syllabus feels longer than your Netflix watchlist.
Here is a breakdown of 10 relatable signs stating that you are a TRUE GATE ASPIRANT!
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🍵Coffee or Tea Is Your New Blood Group
Normal people drink coffee to feel awake. You drink coffee because the 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
The GATE syllabus isn’t just a PDF on your laptop; it’s practically your new roommate. You’ve memorised every section like it’s the lyrics to your favourite song. The GATE Mechanical aspirants whisper “Thermodynamics” in their sleep. The GATE 2026 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.
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.
The GATE eligibility for architecture students are -
- Must have a bachelor's degree in architecture (5 years course)
- Naval architecture (4-years course) or
- Must have pursued B.Planning (4-year course)
Candidates must ensure that they go through the GATE eligibility criteria carefully before applying.
⏳Time Is Now Measured in Mock Tests
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.
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🔬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 know you’re a true GATE aspirant when your idea of bonding is not flowers or chocolates, but solving GATE 2026 PYQs together. Someone who can explain a tough problem better than your teacher? That’s soulmate material.
In fact, PYQs are like horoscopes; you analyse them to predict your destiny. If you’ve solved them all thrice, you probably feel invincible.
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.
The eligible GATE paper codes (for two paper combinations) in GATE computer Science and engineering are -
- Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DA)
- Electronics and Communication (EC)
- Geomatics Engineering (GE)
- Mathematics (MA)
- Physics (PH) and
- Statistics (ST)
Candidates must be careful with the GATE paper codes while filling out the application form.
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).
📌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. A simple swing in the park? That’s SHM. A leaking tap? Fluid mechanics. A bus taking a turn? Centripetal force.
You just don’t see the world, you live in it and solve it.
💻Your Laptop/Desktop Is Your Battle Station
Forget Pinterest-worthy study setups. A GATE aspirant’s desk is sacred ground. Stacks of standard books, hastily scribbled notes, sticky notes, and a half-dead pen collection.
| Your laptop, your tablet, or your desktop isn’t just a machine; it’s your sword. Full of lectures, GATE notes, formulas, mock tests, revision timetable, PDFs, etc. It holds your entire empire. One crash, and you’d rather fight Thanos than lose your data. |
🤖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.
📲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; you share GATE memes. And somehow, those memes feel like therapy, because nothing heals faster than laughing at your own misery.
✌Somehow, You’re Weirdly Proud of Hustle
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.
Being a GATE Aspirant is not just cracking exam, but also upgrading your whole personality. So next time you find yourself crying over syllabus, just remember that you're studying, training and have the guts to take challenges.
Wear your “GATE Aspirant” badge with pride. Because if these 10 signs describe you, then you’re already halfway to greatness. ALL THE BEST!
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a week 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 week 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 a month ago
The factors that determine the GATE cutoff are -
- Availability of seats (the total seat intake varies every year for NITs, IIITs, and IIT admission)
- Number of registered applicants
- The difficulty level of the examination - (GATE is conducted on multiple days, however, the paper difficulty varies for eve
I
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month 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 a month 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 a month 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 a month 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 a month 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 a month ago
Applicants must carry the following documents and items to the center along with the GATE 2026 admit card -
- Photo ID proof (as uploaded in the application form)
- Passport-size photograph
- Transparent water bottle
- Pen (blue or black)
It is advised to carry two to three copies of the GATE admit card to avoid
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
Candidates must provide their enrollment ID and password (created at the time of registration) to download their GATE admit card. The admit card will be made available on the GOAPS portal at the GATE candidate login. The GATE 2026 hall ticket release date is January 2 as mentioned in the information
H
Contributor-Level 7
The GATE conducting authorities offer strict guidelines for the applicants who want to apply and appear for the GATE. So, if you want to attempt GATE exam this year, you need to go through the criteria first, as the acceptance of the application form entirely depends on it.
Here is a generic information about the GATE eligibility. However, regarding the educational qualifications, the criteria is different for each stream.