Students’ Speak: Qualified GATE with low percentile? Here are your options

By: Tanish Gupta

In this article, Tanish Gupta talks about various options like appearing for other exams or preparing again in case of a low GATE Score. 

If I go five years back from today, qualifying GATE was a hope for many as well as a great achievement as only 15-16% of students qualified this test. Disregarding the fact that qualifying this test wouldn't offer any of the opportunities to undergraduates. Circumstances do matter a lot for the students if they score low. Many free online lectures and tests are taken up by students for preparing for GATE Test and it acts as an inspiration for others.

Now, let’s talk about what you could do in case you have qualified GATE exam with a low percentile.

• Other exams: There are some other tests ahead you could attempt in case you are geared up to study MTech. Do whatever it takes to make sure you do not repeat the same mistakes that you made during the GATE. Prepare well for them. If you haven't got the syllabus for some other test except for GATE, then first check the complete syllabus. You can opt for BARC, ISRO etc. Don’t lose hope. If you have not scored well in one exam you could show your expertise in others.
• Preparation again: This is an extreme call to take. As it is hard to contribute one complete year again to GATE. However, if you are still completing your BTech and you feel that you couldn’t put all of your effort and time in the upcoming GATE, then opt for a one-year drop plan. I will also suggest you genuinely feel that you can qualify next time if you appear for GATE again with attaining an incredible position, then appear for the exam next year. Moreover, I will suggest you pick up work from home so that you do not pressurise yourself mentally. It will also minimise your stress and you will get some money, too.
• Admission in any government college: This elective is again for the people who are making a fresh start and have taken a drop to prepare for next year again. You can take attestation in any government school, there you will be getting Rs 12,500 as a stipend. During your first year of post-graduation, you can prepare for GATE again.
• Career change: If you have taken more than two years of drop and still you are staying with just qualifying marks so here I will propose you to look in some other work zone. So perceive your ideal limit and start preparing for some other tests.
• Job: There are a couple of individuals who urge to scan for focus occupations with your GATE scorecard. In case you are adequately versed with programming, by then certainly, you can look at some IT options. Also, in some organisations GATE scores are not considered. In case you have to get a call from any company based on your GATE score, make sure your marks are over 550.

About the Author:

Tanish Gupta is a student at NIIT, University of Neemrana, Rajasthan. He is pursuing his B.Tech in Computer Science Engineering. He enjoys playing basketball and writes about his experiences.