Students’ Speak: GATE preparation tips for working professionals

Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering 2025 ( GATE )

DeskCalelnderAdmit Card - 2 Jan '26

Updated on Feb 7, 2020 11:00 IST

By: Yash Singhal

The most important thing in the job is the work and study balance, as both things are equally important. So you can’t neglect any of these or can give more priority to one.

GATE, is one of the life-changing exams, that opens up avenues for students who want to pursue post-graduation or get placed in a public sector undertaking. The aim for all GATE takers is to crack the exam, study further to better their skills and give their existing salary packages a jump.

Most of the exam takers are working professionals and find it challenging to manage job as well as preparation. However, if you have the dedication, you can easily face all the challenges in your way of success.

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The most important here is time management, to maintain a good balance between a job and preparation. If you are in a private job, you need to be in a place with good work culture. This would allow you to request for preparation time by telling your condition.

Once that is resolved, make at least four hours of daily study for your paper, and for this you need to manage your own time table. Focus more on the most scoring and the repeating topics of the paper. As these are the topics that will surely come in the exam and can ensure good result with least effort. Scoring topics are different for different streams of the GATE exam.

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Practice more for the aptitude, this is the most scoring part of the paper and can be solved easily within minutes, if you have mastered this topic. From this, you can also write many other papers as well.

The most important thing in the job is the work and study balance, as both things are equally important. So you can’t neglect any of these or can give more priority to one. Try to maintain the balance in this struggling period, as if you can be able to maintain this you can be able to crack the exam easily and you will be even given preference over the freshies during any placements or the recruitments.

But never think of quitting the job for the study purpose if you feel that you might not be able to crack the exam as if you do so then there might be a possibility that if you can’t crack it, you will find it hard to get a new job. You can quit if you are confident enough that you will surely be able to clear the cut off and can be able to get a good college. Only then it is advised to do so.

So here are some of the tips that you can follow up to manage the preparation time and your job, without quitting any of the ones.

About the Author:

Yash Singal

Yash Singhal writes articles as a mentor. He has been in the field of guiding and counselling students to get into the right stream by smart work instead of hard work.

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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. 

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Shiksha Hazarika

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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.

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Shiksha Gaurav

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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

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Dheeraj Goswami

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)
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Indrani Uniyal

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Based on the previous year's trends, the GATE 2026 expected cutoff for computer Science and engineering can be checked below- 

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However, the GATE cutoff varies every year, depending on the difficulty level, number of applicants appearing for the exam,

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UPASANA PRADHAN

Contributor-Level 10

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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. 

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Piyush Shukla

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

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Bhumika Uniyal

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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. 

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Sumridhi Sinha

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. 

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Taru Shukla

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
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It is advised to carry two to three copies of the GATE admit card to avoid

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Aishwarya Uniyal

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