GATE

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. 

To prepare for the GATE General Aptitude section, here are some of the best books -

• Quantitative Aptitude for all competitive exams by Abhijit Guha
• A Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S Agarwal

To fetch full marks in GATE General Aptitude, here's what you can do -

• Study English Grammar Textbooks.
• Try solving language puzzles and take online quizzes to test your skills and accuracy.
• Practice general aptitude section from previous year's GATE question paper.

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. 

Qualifying GATE offers the following benefits to the students -

• Admission to the master's programmes in top institutes like IITs, NITs, IIITs, etc. 
• Jobs at PSUs like AAI, NHAI, GRID-India, ONGC, BHEL, etc. with high salary and perks
• Stipend of INR 12,400 monthly to adjust expenses.
• Research fellowships at top government organisations. 

No, candidates cannot change the GATE exam centre after the release of the admit card. Therefore, it is advisable to carefully opt for the exam cities as per their preference. The GATE admit card mentions complete address of the candidate's test centre.