Students’ Speak: A low GATE percentile is not the end of the road
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering 2025 ( GATE )
Admit Card - 2 Jan '26
By: Akansha Maurya
If you have given the exam and couldn’t make it through or you have cleared the exam but got marks lower than you had expected, you don’t have to worry. You still have so many other ways to complete your dream and get ahead in life.
After graduation, some of us think about getting a job while some of us want to do further studies and pursue Masters in Technology (MTech). For getting enrolled in M tech the greatest exam that is held in our country is GATE exam. All the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs) and all other reputed technical institutes take admissions through this exam.
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If you have given the exam and couldn’t make it through or you have cleared the exam but got marks lower than you had expected, you don’t have to worry. You still have so many other ways to complete your dream and get ahead in life.
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The options you have after getting low marks in the exam are:
- Give it a second chance: This is the hardest decision to make after graduation because it is not easy to dedicate a whole year just for an exam. If you succeed in the second attempt that’s the best. However, if you can’t make through it this year as well, it is going to put a lot of pressure on you and that’s not a good feeling. But if you can dedicate yourself completely and you know that you can achieve your goal then definitely go for it. Dedication and hard work will pay you off.
- Get admission in the college that you are getting through your percentile: This option is better than the previous one because in this case you do not have that pressure on you. The ultimate goal of doing m tech is getting a good job and if you study well and stay focused then you can achieve your dreams from any college or university.
- Get a job and do preparation alongside: If you are not happy with your percentile then you can get a job in a company and continue your GATE preparation alongside. This way, if you face any failure, you would have a good back up plan and you will not have to start from scratch.
- Give some other exams: GATE is not the only exam that is conducted for the MTech admissions. There so many other exams that you could give BITS HD, VITMEE, etc. these exams will make you get admission in good institutes.
- Reconsider your career option: If you have given the exam twice and still can’t clear it then you may need to reconsider your career and try to explore other options.
About the Author:
Akansha Maurya is a B.Tech Computer Science student at B.M. Institute of Engineering and Technology.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
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 2 weeks 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 2 weeks 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