
GATE can be a tricky proposition unless you are well equipped with a preparation study, study material and key preparation tips. Graduate aptitude test in engineering, GATE is taken by over 8 lakh candidates every year. The exam is a gateway to seek admission into the ME/ MTech, MSc and PhD courses offered at MHRD supported institutes and other government agencies. GATE scores are also used by PSUs (Public Sector Undertakings) for recruitment. This makes the exam highly competitive and a hard shell to crack.
GATE 2020 exam dates have been announced by IIT Delhi and the exam is set to be held on February 1, 2, 8, & 9. With just six months left, your exam preparations must be in full swing. While the aspirants must be well equipped with a well strategized study plan and the right study material, here are a few key tips to keep in mind during your GATE preparation. The below enlisted tips to crack GATE 2020 will aid your exam preparation and help you yield better results.
Tips to crack GATE
Check out the 10 best tips to crack GATE 2020 exam with a good score:
- Set your goal right
It is a fact that different goals have different strategies. Hence, it is very important to first set your goal and then begin with preparing a strategy. Define your goals in terms of the rank you wish to obtain in GATE 2020 and whether you wish to seek admission into the MTech course of bag a job in some PSU. If you are aspiring for admission at one of 23 IITs in India or to bag a PSU job, you need a rank within 1000. While, if your goal is only to qualify the exam, you can afford leaving aside a few topics that take most of your preparation time.
- Take a diagnostic test
Once your goal to take GATE 2020 exam is set, take a sample test to test your strong and weak areas. The aim is know your initial level of competence and the areas you need to work on the most. An analysis of your performance in a sample test will tell your strengths that can be worked upon for a better score. This analysis will help you create a GATE preparation plan.
- Understand the pattern and syllabus
It is very crucial to understand the exam pattern when beginning with your GATE preparation. Once you are done understanding the patter pattern, move on to the GATE syllabus. Since you have already segregated the strong and weak areas, prepare a time table and fit in all the topics to be covered for your GATE paper. If you feel that covering the entire syllabus is difficult for you, try strengthening the important topics with heavy weightage in GATE question paper. Such topics help you score more.
- Build your concept
GATE exam pattern is designed to test a candidate’s concepts and its real time application. Try joining a good coaching or an online crash course that will help strengthen your concepts.
- Practice makes a man perfect
Practice makes a man perfect and you should practice as much as you can. It is a fact that there is nothing better than extensive practice. Try different types of questions or refer study material.
- Study the formulae
Since the engineering syllabus involves a lot of numerical which cannot be memorized, it is better to understand he formula to solve such questions. Prepare a list of formula and keep on revising them during breaks.
- Focus on high weightage important topics
Engineering mathematics and General Ability forms 30% of the total marks and are relatively easier to score. Focusing on topics with heavy weightage will help you yield a better score.
- Take mock test
Previous year papers and mock tests are equally important for your GATE preparation. They will help in giving you a real time exam day feel. The aim is to access whether you can take that amount of pressure on the actual exam day. Try and solve as many GATE question papers and mock test as possible.
- Make your own strategy
Every aspirant has different strengths and weaknesses. Their caliber of memorizing the topics also differ. Hence, it is important to make a strategy which fits your requirement.
- Do not over burden yourself
Do not overwork your brain and do as much as you can. Unnecessary stress will only hamper your health, eventually pulling down your performance on the exam day. Just put your best foot forward and do not worry excessively about the results.