Last month preparation strategy for scoring a high percentile in GATE 2020

By: Kandarp Patel

Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is one of the most important exams for engineering students. This exam is considered as the most important because of the scope and benefits it offers, such as obtaining jobs in PSUs (Public Sector Undertakings), obtaining admission in M.Tech programmes in top engineering institutes like IITs, IISC, NITs, etc.

This exam is conducted by different IITs which tests a student’s abilities in the core subjects of his/her field, including the engineering mathematics and verbal ability. It is conducted every year in February.

The first basic thing required for scoring well is to have a clear goal and a specific purpose for giving the exam. This will keep you motivated throughout the exam’s preparation.

Overall strategy in general

In order to excel in the exam, lay utmost importance on practicing more and more questions from your strong areas/topics. Do not waste too much of your time on new concepts and the topics in which you are weak. Make sure that you revise your strong topics accurately, i.e. to the point of fluency and thoroughness. Keep a track of proper time management while solving the mock test papers. Try analyzing the exam pattern in a detailed manner while going through them. Do not forget to solve the previous year’s question papers (last 5-7 years) and while attempting them, make a handy book of each and every important formula for the last minute revision. By solving more and more mock test papers you won’t get confused at any instance while attempting the real question paper. Most importantly, try to attempt all the NAT (Numerical Answer Type) questions during the exam because there is no negative marking for them.

Finally, you could allocate your daily study hours according to the given schedule:

1. Branch Specific Topics: 5-6 hours
2. General Aptitude: 1 hour

3. Engineering mathematics: 1-2 hours

About the Author:

Kandarp Patel is a student at Nirma University, Ahemdabad, pursuing Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering (final year). He is also a campus representative with Shiksha.com since 2016.