Students’ Speak: Tips to create GATE preparation plan

Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering 2025 ( GATE )

DeskCalelnderAdmit Card - 2 Jan '26

Updated on Jan 14, 2020 13:08 IST

By: Parakh Mishra

Creating a successful preparation strategy for GATEwill depend on whether you have sufficient time or are you cramped with limited preparation time. Find out the scoring topics and a few other tips to score better in the upcoming exam.

To prepare for Graduate Aptitude Test for Engineering (GATE) one must go through the concepts of all the topics related to the respective fields. For an exam like GATE candidate must go through only selective topics as there are a no. of topics in an engineering curriculum which have zero weightage in exam. Basically, two situations are there “Sufficient time” and “Limited time” and strategy for both are different. If you have sufficient time then go to all the topics read them and thoroughly revise.

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Scoring GATE Topics

  • General Aptitude
  • Calculus
  • Linear Algebra
  • Matrix and Determinants
  • Traffic Engineering
  • Open Channel
  • Working Stress and Limit State
  • BOD, COD
  • Properties of Soils
  • Infiltration, Hydrograph, Runoff
  • Deep Foundation
  • Effective Stress and Permeability in Geo-Tech
  • Quality and Characteristic of Waste Water
  • Remote Sensing GIS and GPS
  • Levelling and Contouring

GATE Study Plan

For a competitive exam such as GATE candidate should focus on the score, not on attempts. Here different topics have different weightage so one must go through the topics having higher weightage. Qualifying GATE is not a big deal but scoring for a job in a public sector undertaking (PSU) is a great deal.

GATE Study Plan should be in a way that each and every subject and topics are covered at least twice so that in last month’s candidate can only focus on revision of them and solving question banks.

The best way to revise the entire syllabus is to join a crash course offered by different institutes. There is two advantage of crash course:

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  1. Revision of Entire Syllabus
  2.  Question-Solving Tips and Tricks

 GATE Last Week Tips and Tricks

In the last week as there is no time to go through all the chapters again so for that candidate should select important topics in which they are facing difficulties. If most of the topics were covered completely then candidates should take some mock test or last-year papers which are available in both online and offline modes.

GATE Study Material

For GATE, your study material decides your chances of getting success. If a candidate joins any coaching institute then they must check last year’s results of institutes. General feedback some institutes offer a good material. For coaching institutes, if the material offered is sufficient only. All you need is a reference book for which you can go for academic books, and for students who are preparing by self should go for Arihant Publication’s or MADE EASY study material. Self-prepared notes are also very important at the time of revision.

About the Author:

Parakh Mishra

Parakh Mishra is a final year student at ABES Engineering College, Ghaziabad. He is in the final year of Bachelors in Civil Engineering. He is currently working as a Guide for Shiksha.com. He had cleared entrance exams such as JEE Mains, VITEEE and UPSEEE in 2015 and is currently preparing for NICMAR.

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Answered 2 days ago

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

Shiksha Hazarika

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

Shiksha Gaurav

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

...Read more

D

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)
  • Number of registered applicants
  • The difficulty level of the examination - (GATE is conducted on multiple days, however, the paper difficulty varies for eve

...Read more

I

Indrani Uniyal

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,

...Read more

U

UPASANA PRADHAN

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

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

...Read more

B

Bhumika Uniyal

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

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. 

T

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
  • Pen (blue or black)

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

...Read more

A

Aishwarya Uniyal

Contributor-Level 7