Students’ Speak: How to obtain high percentile in GATE in one-month preparation

By: Shrikant Jha

Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is all about having good technical command over core subjects as well as good practice by giving as many mock tests as possible for preparation.

You will have to fight with the final year hardcore aspirants, who are fresh and at the top of their enthusiasm. I don’t mean to be rude I just want you people to let you feel the intensity of the exam and the competition ahead.

In the end, if you will prepare well with dedication trust me you will crack the exam. And can even have your dream job/college.

Things to do when preparing for GATE

By this, I mean that what mindset you must have towards GATE. Let’s say either you have been busy in your job or have not planned for GATE but you filled the application form and now, want to perform well. Here’s a general approach an aspirant could take to ensure they are able to prepare well and obtain high percentile in GATE 2020.

1. Avoid reading lengthy textbooks from scratch. In case if you do take it as a reference at some points in your preparation.
2. Design a simple and robust but working daily schedule with a weekend for revision.
3. Conserve your will power it is like a daily mental recharge. You are going to lose it at the end of the day. For example, if you are in a bad relationship or having trouble with some addiction don’t stress too much over it just for these two crucial months.
4. No multitasking. Isolate your mind, clean up your mess.
5. Have a dedicated study environment. This will avoid that sleepiness.
6. Have 25-minute studying slots and at least a five-minute break between each of these slots to maintain efficiency while studying.
7. You need to dedicate at least six hours minimum a day to cover the vast syllabus and practicing your concepts.
8. Count days and divide them. Plan your schedule and fire up your preparation.
9. Most important buy/borrow a precise course from an authentic source or arrange notes from your friend who is really a true good aspirant and regular in studies. Otherwise, if you can arrange to prepare short notes from scratch that would be better but harder work is there for you.
10. Stick yourself to the GATE syllabus and relevant course/notes only.
11. Once you are thorough with a subject try to attempt previous year question paper and pick up some test series or test pack that suits you.

GATE last week tips & tricks

1. Make sure you have given enough mock tests in the last month but in the last 7-10 days refrain yourself from that. 
2. Start a thorough revision of all the subjects and concepts followed by some proper breaks to avoid boredom.
3. Eat and sleep well along with some meditation would do no harm. 
4. Proper hydration of the body would be good because it helps the brain in proper functioning and getting focus.
5. You can review the list of your weak concepts or mistakes. And can polish them further to avoid any regrets.
6. Have patience and confidence because you won't make it work. Have faith in the hard work that you have done over a period of time.

Self-evaluation

You have to be truly honest with yourself when it comes to introspection and evaluation.

Customise it as per your liking.

1. Why I need a self-evaluation? This can give a proper boost to your preparation. Do it daily or at least weekly anyhow. Give yourself proper time in the analysis of your:
1. Performace in mockup tests
2. Daily subject preparation.
3. Ability to tackle question i.e where you lack behind.
4. (Pro Tip) Try to maintain a diary for it to hold the accountability of your mistakes and the reap benefits from it.
2. If you are missing in concepts go back brush them up and come back.
3. If you are having trouble with numerical. Hold yourself a bit and then analyze where you were the wrong fix it up as soon as possible.
4. Give as many mockup tests as you can this is your pure bonus and ranking up process. The do introspection of your rank and score in each test and subject.

About the Author:

Shrikant Jha is an experienced developer and an Open-Source enthusiast. He is currently pursuing B.Tech from Galgotias University and hails from Agra. He has always been passionate about hackathons and competitive coding. In his leisure time, he loves to read mythological books and practice yoga.