Students’ Speak: Top tips Preparation strategy for GATE exams

By: Shubham Singh

Here are some GATE preparation tips and tricks that compiled by Shubham Singh after reviewing and taking the advice of previous GATE aspirants, previous toppers and many experts in this field.

Graduate Aptitude Test for Engineering (GATE) is among the most prestigious engineering exams in the country. As the years go by, the competition and the numbers of students appearing for the exam is on a rise.

Here I will answer one of the most critical questions, "How to Prepare for GATE?", for Mechanical Engineering. Here are some GATE preparation tips and tricks that I have compiled after reviewing and taking the advice of previous GATE aspirants, previous toppers and many experts in this field.

When we start the preparation of GATE

 This is the most frequently asked question by the first- and second-year students as they generally ask the toppers about how and when they start their preparation for the GATE. Many of the toppers and experts suggest that do not start preparation during the first and the second year. During this time you should grow first and explore. The chances for this exam are only just 2% and if you want to get into this you need to understand the whole process of this exam. You can not touch the Nucleus without touching the Electron. The ideal time for the preparation of the GATE from third year onwards. The fifth semester is the ideal time to start.

Be Familiar with Exam Pattern and the Syllabus

It is necessary to know the exam pattern and the syllabus of the exams be it GATE or any other competitive exams. Every year the list of all the topics and concepts which have the highest possibility for being in the question paper is available at the website of many concerned authorities. By knowing the syllabus and your familiarity with topics will ease out your study process.

Scoring Topics in Mechanical Engineering

 Based on an analysis of the previous year's question paper here it is the overview of weightage of topics.

1. Engineering Mathematics and Aptitude: 30 marks
2. Production and Manufacturing Technology: 14-18 marks
3. Strength of material (SOM) and Machine Design: 5-8 marks
4. Thermodynamics: 8-12 marks
5. Fluid Mechanics: 6-12 marks
6. Theory of Machine: 8-10 marks

GATE Topic-wise Reference Books

A lot of books are often named for reference by previous year toppers and experts for GATE preparation in Mechanical Engineering. The following list is compiled by me based on previous-years’ toppers, experts recordation and the past reputation of these in that field.

Study Plan for Preparation

• A well-developed study plan will help you to divide subjects according to their weightage
• You will able to give equal time to each and every subject.
• Target should be kept on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.
• Divide the topics according to the difficulty level.
• First, finish the most difficult topics
• Give time for mock test and sample papers
• Give more importance to those topics which have more chances of having high weightage in the GATE.
• Revision of each and every topic is a must.
• Do not take more difficult topics within the single time slot
• Do not make a strict time table as they can't follow after some time.
• Do not follow your friends or anyone’s timetable.
• Do not forget to make a time slot for revision.
• Consistency must be present during the preparation days.
• Clear your concept for each and every topic.
• Social Media is not bad if you use it for preparation as groups dedicated to GATE preparation can be very helpful.
• Keep the focus on your calculation skills.
• At the exam centre there is a virtual calculator that is more difficult to handle than a regular calculator, so do not fully rely upon it.
• It is important to take care of your health.
• Analyse your preparation with the help of the mock test.
• Time management is very important to manage your time according to your strength and weaknesses

About the About:

Shubham Singh, a student and an enthusiastic blogger. He loves playing football and cricket, writing about sports and engineering exams and reading the autobiographies of great leaders of India.