GATE Syllabus

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. 

Yes, GATE General Aptitude is common for all papers. The general aptitude section carries 15 marks out 100 marks, comprising 10 questions in total. The section mainly tests candidates' analytical and thinking skills in the exam. Here's a breakdown of the GATE General breakdown of questions -

• The GA section includes 5 questions of 1 mark and 
• 5 questions of 2 marks. 

The GATE marking scheme is the same for all. 

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

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. 

The GATE CS is one of the most demanding paper taken by the aspirants. Here are some of the important high-weightage topics and chapters that are frequently asked in the GATE exam every year. 

• Data Structures and Algorithms
• Theory of Computation
• Operation Systems
• Databases and Computer Networks. 

Every year, more than 8 to 12 marks of questions are extracted from these topics. The questions range from easy to challenging. So, it is advisable to focus on these topics for GATE preparation. 

Candidates can check GATE exam pattern and question distribution of the papers - AR, CY, DA, EY, GG, GE, MA, PH, ST, XH, and XL below -

• General aptitude section carry 15 marks and subject mark consists questions of 85 marks
• Total marks of GATE question paper - 100 marks
• Mode of exam is online and time duration is 3 hours

The GATE exam is conducted for 30 subject papers. In 2024, the GATE Data Science and Artificial Intelligence was introduced. Each subject or branch is determined by a paper code which applicant must note carefully. While filling out the application form, candidates must check the GATE branch and paper codes and add them. 

Yes, the GATE General Aptitude syllabus is common for all branch papers in GATE. Candidates must check the GATE syllabus PDF carefully before starting their preparation. The GATE GA syllabus includes the following -

• Verbal aptitude (basic English grammar and vocabulary)
• Quantitative Aptitude - Data interpretation and numerical computation and estimation
• Analytical Aptitude and Spatial Aptitude

The MCQ, MSQ, and NAT are the types of questions asked in the GATE examination. 

• MCQs are the multiple-choice questions
• MSQs are the multiple select questions
• and NAT are numerical answer type questions 

Each question type has a different marking scheme, which the candidates must go through the information brochure carefully.