Abhijit Chaudhari
Abhijit Chaudhari, Director, GATEFORUM, an engineering entrance coaching services provider shares advice on how you can optimise your preparation for the upcoming entrance test. Illustration by Uttam Ghosh
From 2014 onwards, the entrance examination for science and engineering graduates in India -- Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) -- will be held online.
The online exam will be held for the first time between February 1 and March 2, 2014.
A good GATE score is crucial for admission into post graduate programmes in engineering and science at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Indian Institutes of Technology, National Institutes of Technology and other engineering colleges in India.
Here are a few things you can bear in mind while preparing for the test:
1. Set your goals
Different goals have different strategies and hence it is important to define your goals in terms of the rank you want to achieve.
If you are aspiring for the top IITs or PSUs, you will need a rank of less than 1000 and hence you will have to prepare thoroughly on all topics.
On the other hand, if your goal is to just qualify, then you can afford to leave out two to three topics from your preparation.
2. Take a diagnostic test
Before starting your preparation it is important to know your initial level of competence.
An analysis of your performance in this test will tell you your strengths and areas where improvement is required. Based on this, you can device your preparation strategy.
3. Build your concepts
The GATE is an exam which tests concepts as well as their application thoroughly. Join a good classroom programme or an online tutoring programme that'll will help strengthen your concepts.
4. Practice makes man perfect
As the old adage goes, there is nothing better than extensive practice. Solve all types of questions you come across in various books and be prepared on all question patterns
5. Familiarise with formulae
Engineering subjects have a lot of formulae, which more often than not have to be memorised. Noting down all formulae as and when you finish each topic or referring to a collection of formulae will help you get familiar.
6. Do not ignore General Ability
General Ability constitutes 15 percent of the total marks and hence is one of the most important sections. Ignore it at your own peril.
7. Appear in a Mock Test Series
Take up a mock test series as it will help you adapt to the online pattern. It will also help you assess your preparation
8. Make your own exam strategy
Some people like to start solving a paper from the first question, while some people like to glance through the entire paper and start answering questions from their areas of strength. Based on your experiments in the mock test series, you can fine tune your own exam strategy.
9. Relax before the exam
One day before GATE, stop thinking about it. Watch a movie or anything that relaxes you. Appear for the exam with a fresh mind.
10. Don't stress about results
Remember that GATE is not the end of the world. Put your best foot forward and do not worry excessively about the results.
ALSO READ: What you must know about the new GATE 2014
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