GATE Preparation
I am a third year
mechanical engineering student. When is the right time to start to begin my
GATE preparation?
I am an average ECE
engineering student. Can I make it to IIT Delhi with the rightGATE preparation for ECE ?
Is GATE preparation
worth it? How many hours do I need to study to crack GATE preparation 2018 ?
I'm a first year CS
student? How do I prepare for GATE Computer Science? Which is the right GATE preparation material ?
The internet is a hub of
queries. Some are interesting. Some are redundant. And some are downright
hubris.
In the information age,
knowledge is often scarce. Buried deep in within the mountain of webpages and
click baits, will you ever find what you truly need? Here is something making
order out of chaos. This article won't give you the secret elixir to cracking
GATE 2018. You will unfortunately have to find it yourself. However, you will
be given a roadmap. A path if you choose to walk on, will lead where you need
to be.
The aura of the IITs has long
stood the test of time. No matter how cynical or lackadaisical a generation
might have been, the glamour of IITs has ruled minds of engineering aspirants
all over the country. Why not?
In a country as chaotic
and clustered as ours, the IITs represent a doorway to instant gratification.
The pomp of making it to the institute kept aside, one successful exam secures
an uncertain future within a matter of four years.
Say what you will about
IIT and the moronic romanticism around it, seldom does an institute give such
credence to an applicant’s profile. The ultimate dream which keeps on giving,
the IITs seem poised to stay the most prestigious institutes in India for the
coming few years.
While JEE is considered
the front gate to IIT, GATE is its lesser known yet arguably more important
backdoor. For any developing country, to have a government sponsored strong
science programme is imperative. Likewise for any strong science programme, the
emergence of quality science post graduates is crucial.
Now, that we're aware of
the importance of GATE preparation; let us begin unearthing some misnomers about
the exam. By the way, GATE registration is
already underway.
1. GATE is a difficult exam
Don't let this hamper
your GATE preparation. This point needed addressing as it has been asked too
many times. GATE preparation is a hard slog requiring grit and heart. The GATE
exam itself is not all that mystical. It has often been lauded as a smart exam
needing quick thinking from a candidate, not extreme extrapolation of vivid
concepts like JEE.
A sound preparation of
all concepts is enough to crack GATE. The key lies in mastering the entire
length of the syllabus, which is the only true hindrance of GATE preparation.
Due to no particular importance to certain sections, GATE preparation is more
about sound completion rather than in depth question solving.
2. GATE preparation should begin in the third
year of engineering
Another quirk often
misunderstood and misrepresented. Every forum online will be telling you to
start GATE preparation at the end of your second year or the beginning of your
third. The answer is apparently quite simple.
You can start GATE
preparation whenever you want. First year is a good time too. Second year is
fine and the same goes for your third year. The difference is only in the
number of hours you're devoting to your GATE preparation.
Starting early means
you'll have to study less in the latter years of your engineering. Instead of
slogging 4-5 hours a day along with attending regular classes, you'll be able
to divide time equitably during GATE preparation.
However, if you so
choose to start late, it isn't a problem at all. Some students prefer to let
their hair down and enjoy the first few months of college. If that is what you
want, go for it.
As long as you deem GATE
preparation to be a long term goal, sitting back and letting college life seep
in is also an option.
3. GATE preparation requires building a
library inside your hostel room
Common mistake students
make every year. Amongst the many GATE preparation tips, this is perhaps the
most useful. You will find many students building book walls during GATE
preparation around their desks as the exam date approaches.
Studying the same topic
from ten different sources lacks vision and coherence.
To be truly proficient,
stick to one, not more than two books for GATE preparation. There are many
books out in the market who comprehensively compile many topics into a single
book for GATE preparation. Go for such materials to prepare concisely.
4. College
curriculum is sufficient for GATE preparation
GATE preparation is
solely based on being smart and proactive. Making the mistake of merely relying
on being attentive in class and taking notes makes for a foolhardy GATE
preparation. The main focus of colleges is to make students smart enough to sit
for placements and earn bumper packages.
While GATE preparation
is not ignored, it is usually part of a peripheral agenda rather than gathering
primary focus.
Make sure you primary
aim remains on GATE preparation. Doing well in college is important, but if M.Tech
from IIT is what you're really after, there should be no question about your
GATE preparation being a priority
Graduate students from all scientific backgrounds can apply for
GATE exam
5. Avoiding college faculty for GATE
preparation and opting for expensive coaching classes
To clarify, you don't
have to shun coaching classes for GATE preparation.
If you have the money and time to manage college and coaching classes, go for
it. Focused training along with fellow peers for GATE preparation is never a
bad idea. The danger lies in overkill.
Too much GATE
preparation usually dampens momentum towards the end of the race when
candidates need to be at their best. If you feel absolutely determined about
having the fuel to complete GATE preparation, coaching is ideal for
you.
Another trick many
candidates miss is consulting faculties at their own college during GATE
preparation. While depending on college curriculum is dangerous, getting handy
GATE preparation tips and advice from professors is crucial to cracking
competitive exams.
Many senior professors
in colleges are alumni from IITs and NITs. Their advice thus will always be
derived from experience and know-how. Using the resources at your disposal is
essential for cracking any exam, let alone GATE.
6. Simultaneous preparation for multiple
entrance exams is beneficial
In college, there are
many instances when your mind might be turned. Seeing friends and roommates
preparing for GRE, CAT or GMAT might dissuade your own goal of acing GATE
preparation. The mistake students make at this stage is trying to prepare for
all exams.
Here lies the fault.
GATE, GRE and CAT require a completely different approach. GATE preparation is
not the same as CAT preparation or
vice versa. The important lesson here is to identify which path you want to
walk on.
If studying abroad is
something that excites you and is within your means, GRE is the perfect exam
for you. Don't fool yourself over thinking you can achieve excellence in both.
GATE preparation is not a game and the same can be said about other entrance
exams.
Success after college is
purely based on vision.
7. Ignoring campus placements
While looking at
multiple exams besides GATE preparation should be out of the question, ignoring
campus placements is another matter though. Getting placed in a top company
requires plenty of skills aside from technical knowledge.
The good news is these
skills aren't subjective, but personality based. While GATE preparation hones
your technical attributes, developing an affable persona to dazzle recruiters
isn't so much about preparation than a simple change in attitude.
Imagine a scenario where
you fail to clear GATE and also remain jobless after B.Tech completion. Sit for
interviews of companies you deem worthy of your talents. It wouldn't take a lot
of time out of your GATE preparation and might just land you a great backup
plan in case you fail to make it through GATE.
8. Ignoring social interactions and the
lighter side of life during GATE preparation
Unlike CAT, JEE or Civil
Services, GATE preparation doesn't need your soul. A good 3-4 hour study
everyday is good enough to land a strong GATE rank .
Many students give their heart and soul to GATE preparation, but when they finally
arrive for their first day of post graduation, they realize their energy is
sapped.
Working so hard to reach
the summit only to breathe slowly and die is a great travesty. GATE preparation
should be your focus, but a life outside the bubble is crucial. Socialize with
friends and family, do something you love and live a little. Only a hard day's
night brings a sound and blissful sleep.
9. Ignoring the bigger picture of GATE
preparation
Engineers around the
world consider visionaries such as Tesla and Newton as the epitome of their
respective fields. Yet only a few grasp their true message.
A Masters in Technology
makes you a lifelong patron of science and technology. While some may think
this as an overstatement, but devoting six years of your youth to science
should translate to something substantial.
If you close your
eyes and imagine yourself pioneering or being part of game changing innovations
and technological advances, GATE preparation is right for you. However having
no vision and preparing for the sake of getting the IIT tag is a monstrous
waste of time and talent.
Look at the big picture
and only then nail down a decision on GATE preparation.
10. Conducting excessive self analysis is good
during GATE preparation
GATE preparation can
become a severe headache with too much self analysis. Like mentioned before,
GATE isn't a deviously difficult exam to ace. Deliberating over weaknesses over
and over again only disseminates confidence. Work hard to improve your level of
GATE preparation and don't sabotage a good atmosphere with negativity and
doubt.
After myth busting of
the highest order, one final GATE preparation tip :
Have nerves of steel.
It is something you
can't call upon. The trickling sweat always sends a shiver down the spine as
the GATE clock approaches. You'll be faced with times when you ponder your
credentials. Some people will tell you it’s a fool's endeavour. A pipe dream.
At times such as those, remember: A lion doesn't lose sleep over the opinion of
sheep.
When people can't do
something themselves, they derive pleasure in telling everyone it’s impossible.
Your GATE preparation is only as good as your nerve is in handling situations.
Create optimism and cheer about yourself, success will find you nonetheless.
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