GATE Preparation

Important topics to score 60+ marks in GATE CE are as follows -

• Environmental engineering carry around 10 to 12 marks
• Geotechnical Engineering carry around 13 marks
• Fluid mechanics and OCF carry 7 to 8 marks

Honestly, textbooks are not enough for GATE preparation (especially if you are targeting IITs and top colleges). 

Besides your college books, look out for top GATE books recommended by toppers, mentors, and professors. Pick at least one standard book for each subject and start studying it side by side. Apart from that, also practice solving GATE question papers of last 5 to 10 years to get hands on the question difficulty and pattern. 

Stay consistent, prepare a practical timetable and religiously follow it. At the end, it's all upto how you prepare for the exam. 

NAT are Numerical Answer Type questions, where candidates have to enter a numerical value using GATE virtual calculator. There is no negative marking for GATE NAT questions.

The GATE 2026 exam pattern for CS, EC, EE, and ME can be checked below. The general aptitude section (GA) carries 15 marks, while the subject-based questions carries 85 marks, out of which engineering mathematics section consists of 13 marks. The GATE question paper will be in English language and the time duration is three hours. 

Reserve at least two to three months for GATE revision. Grab your notes, formula handbooks, and shortcut tricks sheet and revise daily. Avoid starting anything new. Practice question papers and mock tests daily to build efficiency and accuracy to attempt the questions, and you are good to go. 

There is no ideal time to start the GATE preparation. Start early (from the first year itself). It is mainly because your bachelor's topics and chapters have the most weightage in the GATE question paper. The topics that are taught in your third year are the backbone. If you are clear with the fundamentals and concepts (taught in classes), then you do not require extra time to prepare for GATE. Just revise and practice questions. That's enough. 

So, start preparing for GATE right from the first year. Your brain is fresh with the concepts and formulas, thus making it easy to solve the questions and prepare for the exam. 

Here are some good books for GATE Electrical Engineering and Electronics and Communication Engineering  -

Use standard books to clear concepts. Memorise one chapter and go through the related topics and try solving questions from every level - easy, medium, and tough. After covering one topic, pick questions from PYQs that are relevant to that particular topic and practice.

Here are some of the best books for GATE Computer Science and Engineering preparation -

• Digital Logic and Computer Design by Morris Mano
• The C Programming Language by Dennis M.Ritchie
• Introduction to Algorithms by Thomas H.Cormen
• Database System Concepts Henry Korth
• Data Communication and Networking Behrouz A.Forouzon

Candidates are advised not to neglect textbooks as well. They are gold. The textbooks cover majority of concepts and fundamentals explained easily. So, start with your standard books first, then use the reference books for further preparation.