By: Swapnaneel Bhuiya
The initiative to prepare for Graduate Aptitude Test for Engineering (GATE) has to start early. This helps in preparing the right study plan and get hold of the material you need to refer to.
Early preparation will also ensure that you get enough time to strategise and to study various concepts and topics present in the syllabus. Ensure that no day is left wasted and make use of each and every minute while also prioritising your health and sleep.
Explore colleges based on GATE
The first step once you begin your preparation is to find topics that are top-scoring. Knowledge about the topic distribution in the question paper is a good strategy to adapt for preparation purposes. You can go through the previous year question papers to see how the topics and concepts were divided for the examination. By having an idea of the weightage, you can concentrate on those topics which seem to have more questions and distribution in the question paper. Knowing your topic-wise distribution is a great way to start your preparation for the examination.
Creating a Study Plan
After checking the syllabus and topic weightage, the next step in how to prepare for GATE 2020 is to create an individual study plan. A personalised study plan will help you to divide the study sessions subject-wise according to your preference. By preparing a study plan, you will be able to equally give your time to an allotted chapter or topic while squeezing in time for mock tests, sample paper practice and also some rest. The following points can be remembered while preparing the study plan:
- Daily, weekly and monthly targets should be kept.
- You should remember to evenly divide the difficult, moderate and easy topics.
- Topics should be divided in such a way as to not make it monotonous.
- Give more importance to those topics which have more chances of having high weightage in the examination.
- Make sure to give adequate time for mock tests and sample papers.
- Break times should be placed strategically so that you remain fresh during studies.
Similarly, the following points should be avoided while the study plan is being prepared:
- Do not overcrowd a single slot with tough or difficult topics.
- Do not forget to make time for revision after finishing a particular chapter.
- Do not follow another person’s schedule. Make your own personalized study plan since it will fit your taste and help you in a better way.
How to source correct study material and books for your stream/branch?
A lot of books are often named for reference by previous year toppers for GATE preparation. While the textbooks can be used for studying, it is recommended that extra books should also be looked into to give that extra boost. The following table can be referred to know the best books for preparation of GATE 2020.
| GATE Preparation Books for ME |
Author |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Vibration |
GK Grover |
| Design Of Machine Elements |
VB Bhandari |
| Engineering Mechanics |
SS Bhavikatti |
| Fluid Mechanics |
RK Bansal |
| Heat & Mass Transfer |
PK Nag |
| Engineering Thermodynamics |
Cengel & Boles |
| Internal Combustion Engine |
V Ganesan |
| Refrigeration & Air Conditioning |
CP Arora |
| Material Science |
UC Jindal |
| Production Engineering |
Amitabh Ghosh |
| Industrial Engineering
|
OP Khanna
|
| GATE Preparation Books for CSE |
Author |
| Algorithms |
Cormen |
| Operating System |
Galvin |
| Theory of Computation |
Ullman |
| Computer Networks |
Tanenbaum |
| Computer Organisation |
Carl Hamacher |
| Database System |
Korth |
| Compiler Design |
Aho & Ull Man |
| Digital Logic |
Morris Mano |
| Software Engineering |
Pressman |
| GATE Preparation Books for EE |
Author |
|---|---|
| Network Analysis |
Val Valken Burg |
| Solution of Network Analysis |
GK Publications |
| Engineering Circuit Analysis |
Hayt & Kemmerly |
| Graph Theory |
Narsing Das |
| Circuit Theory |
Chakravarthy |
| Control System |
Nagrath Gopal |
| Electrical machines |
PS Bimbhra |
| Power Electronics |
UA Bakshi |
| Power Systems |
Nagrath Kothari |
| Signals & Systems |
Oppenheim Wisky |
| GATE Preparation Books for ECE |
Author |
| Network Analysis |
Van Valken Burg |
| Solutions of Network Analysis |
GK Publications |
| Engg. Circuit Analysis |
Hayt and Kemmerly |
| Network Analysis |
Soni and Gupta |
| Graph Theory |
Narsing Deo (Cutset and Others) |
| Circuit Theory |
Chakravarthy |
| Electric Circuits |
Schaum’s Series |
| Network Theory |
Prof Yoganarasimhan |
| Electronic Devices Circuits |
Boylested and Neshelsky |
| Microelectronic Circuits |
Sedra and Smith |
| Electronic Devices Circuits |
Millman and Halkias (Black Pad) |
| Microelectronics |
Millman and Grabel |
| Integrated Electronics |
Millman and Halkias |
| Electronic Circuits |
Schilling and Belove |
| Switching and Finite Automatic Theory |
Kohavi |
| Digital Logic and Computer Design |
Mano |
| Digital Electronics |
Malvino and Leach |
| Digital Systems, Principles and Applications |
Tocci |
| Microprocessor and its Applications |
Goankar |
| Microprocessors |
B Ram |
| Automatic Control Systems |
BC Kuo |
| Control Systems |
Nagarath and Gopal |
| Modern Control Systems |
Ogata |
| OP Amps and Linear Integrated Circuits |
Gayakwad |
| Electrical and Electronic Measurements and Instrumentation |
AK Sawhney |
| DC Machines Measurements and Measuring Instruments |
GB Bharadhwajan |
| Electrical Machines |
PS Bimhra |
| Electrical Technology |
Hughes |
| The performance and Design of AC Machines |
MG Say |
| Electrical Engg. (Problems and Solutions) |
Natesan |
| Electrical Machines |
Mukherjee & Chakravarthy |
| Elements of Power System Analysis |
William D Stevenson |
| Modern Power System Analysis |
Nagrath and Kothari |
| Electrical Power Systems |
Wadhwa |
| Power Systems |
VK Mehta (For basics of PS) |
| GATE Preparation Books for Civil Engineering |
Author |
|---|---|
| Gate 2020: Civil Engineering Solved Papers |
Made Easy |
| Gate Guide Civil Engg. 2020 |
Gkp |
| Gate Tutor 2020 Civil Engineering |
Prasant Dixit |
| Gate 2020: Civil Engineering Chapterwise Solved Papers: 20 Years |
Hitesh Aggarwal |
| Gate 2020 Civil Engineering |
Vani Institute |
| Civil Engineering Gate 2020 30 Years Solution |
IES Master |
| Gate Guide Civil Engineering 2020 |
Hitesh Aggarwal |
| Gate Guide Civil Engg. 2020 |
GKP |
| Gate Paper Civil Engineering 2020 (Solved Papers 2000-2016) |
GKP |
| Engineering Branch |
GATE Reference Books 2020 |
|---|---|
| GATE 2020 Bio-Technology |
Lehning M Prescott, Eldon John, Lehninger |
| GATE 2020 Marine Engineering |
RK Rajput, RK Bansal, |
| GATE 2020 Paint Technology |
PK Nag |
| GATE 2020 Chemical Engineering |
Cengel & Boles |
| GATE 2020 Instrumentation & Control |
Natesan, Mukherjee & Chakravarthy |
| GATE 2020 Architecture |
The Road Ahead, GATE Architecture |
| GATE 2020 Oil Engineering |
RK Bansal, RK Rajput |
About the Author:
Swapnaneel Bhuiya is a fourth-year student in Mining Engineering at Indian Institute of Engineering Science And Technology (IIEST), Shibpur. He appeared for JEE in 2016 and scored 140 in his first attempt.
News & Updates
Explore Other Exams
24 Oct '26 - 22 Nov '26 | JEE Main 2027 Registration Ses... |
23 Nov '26 - 26 Nov '26 | JEE Main 2027 Registration Ses... |
19 Aug '26 - 20 Aug '26 | TS EAMCET 2026 MPC Counselling... |
12 Aug '26 - 17 Aug '26 | TS EAMCET 2026 MPC Counselling... |
Feb '27 | AP EAMCET 2026 Registration wi... |
Mar '27 | AP EAMCET 2026 Application for... |
14 Jan '27 - 31 Jan '27 | OJEE 2027 registrations |
22 Apr '27 - 30 Apr '27 | OJEE 2027 Admit Card Release |
Jul '26 | AISECT Joint Entrance Exam 202... |
Jun '26 | AISECT Joint Entrance Exam 202... |
Student Forum
Answered a week ago
Yes, candidates can change their category during the rectification phase. A fnon-refundable fee of INR 500 must be paid to change to make modifications in application.
A
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 2 weeks ago
If the edit option is visible on dashboard, then it means you can edit. However, officials will open defect rectification window before result declaration giving another chance to upload correct photo and signature.
T
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 2 weeks ago
No, the correction link of GATE 2027 application is not activated yet. The link along with required details and instructions will be notified soon on the official website.
I
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a month ago
The syllabus of SRMJEEE PG and GATE is same, but the questions asked in SRMJEEE PG are moderate level. Most questions are basic and direct formula-based.
B
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a month ago
Yes, you can change or correct spelling mistakes in your name during the GATE Application Form Correction process by paying a fee of ₹500 and providing supporting documents.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
No, Alliance School of Business only accepts the scores of its own exam called ARAT for admitting candidates to its PhD course.
Candidates can also get direct admission into PhD courses if they completed UG level graduation with an aggregate over 75% in honors mode or in a UG course of four year dura
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The GATE total marks is 100. The marks in GATE question paper is distributed as follows:
- General Aptitude - 15 marks
- Engineering Mathematics - 13 marks
- Subject/Core Discipline - 72 marks
A
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a month ago
No
Every one need to pay fee
A
Beginner-Level 3
Answered a month ago
NIT Silchar has a moderate overall engineering placement record with average packages around INR 12–14 LPA, but core CSE/IT departments claim a major share of these high-paying software offers.
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
No GATE score is required for admission to BITS Pilani Dubai MEng course. For admission to the MEng course, Indian students are required to submit a Bachelor's degree in the relevant field with minimum 60% marks. Students can apply for the MEng course by filling out the application form.
C
Contributor-Level 10
