#CareerBytes: Best preparation strategies by toppers to crack GATE exam
What's the story
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is one of the most competitive exams for engineering graduates. It is conducted for admitting candidates to postgraduate courses, but GATE scores are also used for PSU recruitment. Cracking GATE isn't easy without right preparation, and following the tips and strategies of toppers can also be of great help. Here are some topper strategies for GATE preparation.
#1
Know the latest syllabus and weightage of topics, subjects
Before starting their GATE preparation, aspirants must first know and understand the latest syllabus. They should take note of all the topics in every subject from their GATE stream. Also, every topic/subject has different weightage and understanding the same will help aspirants in deciding which topics/subjects they should prioritize. They should also know the latest exam pattern and questioning trends, and prepare accordingly.
#2
It's essential to collect the right exam preparation material
Selecting good books/material for GATE preparation is a must. Aspirants should collect 1-2 good books for each subject rather than consulting a lot of books which may lead to confusion. They can also go through books/material from their undergraduate course for fundamentals. Apart from offline resources, they can also take the help of online resources, including preparatory courses, video lectures, study material, notes, etc.
#3
A solid study plan is necessary to crack GATE
According to many toppers, one should create a practical preparation plan depending on the number of months left for GATE and adhere to it without fail. Their study plan should cover all topics/subjects, giving sufficient time to each of them, and also include revision and practice time. Also, they should set daily, weekly, and monthly targets to meet their short-term and long-term preparation goals.
#4
Understand the concepts thoroughly; revise and practice regularly
GATE is a concept-focused exam, and aspirants must be thorough with all the concepts to get a good score. Apart from studying, regular revision and written practice are essential for improving accuracy and speed. They should also prepare revision notes in their own language for different subjects, important definitions, formulas, etc. Self-prepared notes help in understanding a topic better and in quick revision.
#5
What should be the preparation strategy in last 1-2 months?
GATE aspirants must cover the entire syllabus two months before the exam and dedicate the last 1-2 months for revision and practice. One must also solve previous question papers, mock tests, quizzes, etc. regularly as it will help them recall/revise concepts and analyze their performance as well. At the last minute, however, they should avoid studying anything new, and focus on what they know.