Students’ Speak: Things to keep in mind for GATE 2020 preparation

By: P Veena Vaibhavi

GATE syllabus varies from branch to branch. So check the weightage of marks accordingly. Every year weightage of subjects may change but the importance doesn’t.

Graduate Aptitude Test Engineering (GATE) is a national-level engineering entrance exam conducted by the Indian Institutes of Science (IISc) and seven Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT). It is one of the hardest exams to get admission into India’s premier engineering colleges, including IISc, IITs and National Institutes of Technology (NITs). It requires efforts, motivation and knowledge to obtain a good score in this exam.

So, if you are preparing for GATE 2020, here’s what you need to do:

Practice to perfection

• Practice previous years’ GATE question papers. They may give you a proper idea of the complexity of questions.
• Before starting preparation, have a glance on the GATE syllabus and accordingly categorise the difficulty of subjects.
• Never start reading new topics before the day of the exam or before one week.
• Focus on the topics which have more weightage.
• Revise notes before going to the exam. It will develop confidence and potential to clear the exam.

Important topics for GATE 2020 (Computer Science & Engineering)

• Engineering Mathematics
• Computer Organization and Architecture
• Programming and Data Structures and Algorithms
• Theory of Computation
• Compiler Design
• Digital Logic
• Operating System
• Databases
• Computer Networks
• Language Skills and General Aptitude

Note: GATE syllabus varies from branch to branch. So check the weightage of marks accordingly. Every year weightage of subjects may change but the importance doesn’t.

Familiar topics

Start your preparation with familiar topics. It will keep you motivated to achieve your goal. Don’t try to learn unfamiliar topics now. Create a timetable with a distribution of subjects. Don’t let yourself into confusion. Be clear about what you are doing and what you are learning.

Solve test papers

Solve test papers daily. It is important as they make you familiar with the level of difficulty of questions as well as with the time management in solving questions. Time is a key factor.

Keep in mind

• Adapt yourself to the virtual calculator and get hands-on practice with it.
• Give yourself breaks to relax. Music, meditation can be some techniques you can use.
• Always be positive and don’t think too much about the outcome.
• Remember, it is the syllabus you studied in your graduation. So, focus on your strengths and build on them. It just requires revision. Revise all formulas before the day of examination.
• Don’t panic and pressurise yourself. Stay calm and cool. Just believe in yourself. Have a good and enough sleep.
• Eat healthily and stay healthy. Prefer not to have oily foods on or before the exam.

About the Author:

P Veena Vaibhavi is a B.Tech student, studying in the final year at Vignan's Institute of Engineering for Women. Her specialisation is in Computer Science. Apart from academics, Vaibhavi is interested in story writing and quilling.