GATE Exam: Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering

The following table shows the organizing institutes in various years:

The following candidates are eligible to appear in GATE:

• A candidate who is currently studying in the 3rd or higher years of any undergraduate degree program OR has already completed any government approved degree program in Engineering / Technology / Architecture / Science / Commerce / Arts is eligible for appearing in the GATE exam.

Some of the Professional Societies/Institutions, which conduct examination in various fields of engineering, are as follows.

• The Institution of Engineers (India) (IE)
• The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
• The Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (IETE)
• The Aeronautical Society of India (AeSI)
• The Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers, including Polymer and Environmental Group (IIChemE)
• The Indian Institute of Metals (IIM)
• The Indian Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIIE)

However, the candidates who possess certification from any of the professional societies must ensure that those examinations conducted by the societies are approved by MoE/AICTE/UGC/UPSC as equivalent to B.E. / B.Tech. / B.Arch. / B.Planning, etc.

Candidates who have obtained / are pursuing their qualifying degree from countries other than India:

• Must be currently in the 3rd or higher years or completed their Bachelor’s degree (duration: at least 3 years) in Engineering / Technology / Science / Arts / Commerce

GATE 2023 will be conducted on 29 subjects (papers). A candidate is allowed to appear in ANY ONE or UP TO TWO papers of the GATE examination. However, note that the combination of TWO papers in which a candidate can appear MUST be from the pre-defined list.

Also, it must be noted that for a paper running in multiple sessions, a candidate will be mapped to appear for the examination in one of the sessions ONLY.

All Test Papers of GATE 2023 will be entirely objective type. Pattern of questions may include:

• Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
• Multiple Select Questions (MSQ)
• Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions

The questions in a paper may be designed to test the following abilities:

1. Recall: These are based on facts, principles, formulae or laws in the discipline of the paper. The candidate is expected to be able to obtain the answer either from his/her memory of the subject or at most from a one-line computation.

Example:

Q. During machining, maximum heat is produced

(A) in flank face

(B) in rake face

(C) in shear zone

(D) due to friction between chip and tool

2. Comprehension: These questions will test the candidate’s understanding of the basics of his/her field, by requiring him/her to draw simple conclusions from fundamental ideas.

Example:

Q. A DC motor requires a starter in order to

(A) develop a starting torque

(B) compensate for auxiliary field ampere turns

(C) limit armature current at starting

(D) provide regenerative braking

3. Application:In these questions, the candidate is expected to apply his/her knowledge either through computation or by logical reasoning.

Example:

Q. The sequent depth ratio of a hydraulic jump in a rectangular channel is 16.48. The Froude number at the beginning of the jump is:

(A) 5.0

(B) 8.0

(C) 10.0

(D) 12.0

The above questions may be a mix of single standalone statement/phrase/data type questions, combination of option codes type questions or match items type questions.

4. Analysis and Synthesis:In these questions, the candidate is presented with data, diagrams, images, etc. that require analysis before a question can be answered. A Synthesis question might require the candidate to compare two or more pieces of information. Questions in this category could, for example, involve candidates in recognizing unstated assumptions, or separating useful information from irrelevant information.

1. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)carrying 1 or 2 marks each, in all the papers and sections. These questions are objective in nature, and each will have choice of four answers, out of which ONLY ONE choice is correct.

Negative Marking for Wrong Answers: For a wrong answer chosen in a MCQ, there will be negative marking. For 1-mark MCQ, 1/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer. Likewise, for 2-mark MCQ, 2/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer.

2. Multiple Select Questions (MSQ)carrying 1 or 2 marks each in all the papers and sections. These questions are objective in nature, and each will have choice of four answers, out of which ONE or MORE than ONE choice(s) are correct.

Note: There is NO negative marking for a wrong answer in MSQ questions. However, there is NO partial credit for choosing partially correct combinations of choices or any single wrong choice.

3. Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questionscarrying 1 or 2 marks each in most of the papers and sections. For these questions, the answer is a signed real number, which needs to be entered by the candidate using the virtual numeric keypad on the monitor (keyboard of the computer will be disabled). No choices will be shown for these types of questions. The answer can be a number such as 10 or -10 (an integer only). The answer may be in decimals as well, for example, 10.1 (one decimal) or 10.01 (two decimals) or -10.001 (three decimals). These questions will be mentioned with, up to which decimal places, the candidates need to present the answer. Also, for some NAT type problems an appropriate range will be considered while evaluating these questions so that the candidate is not unduly penalized due to the usual round-off errors. Candidates are advised to do the rounding off at the end of the calculation (not in between steps). Wherever required and possible, it is better to give NAT answer up to a maximum of three decimal places.

Example: If the wire diameter of a compressive helical spring is increased by 2%, the change in spring stiffness (in %) is _ (correct to two decimal places).

Note: There is NO negative marking for a wrong answer in NAT questions.

Also, there is NO partial credit in NAT questions.

• Students can pursue M.Tech/M.S/ M.E/Ph.D. from IISc Bangalore, IITs, NITs, IIITs and other reputed institutes.
• Students can pursue Post Graduate Diploma in Industrial Engineering (PGDIE), Post Graduate Diploma in Manufacturing Management (PGDMM), Post Graduate Diploma in Project Management (PGDPM) from NITIE Mumbai.
• Several reputed Maharatna and Navratna PSUs and research organizations recruit on basis of GATE Score. i.e. IOCL, NTPC, BHEL, PGCIL, BARC, CSIR etc.
• Teaching: Professor, Asst. Professor at IITs, NITs and other reputed educational institutes.
• Junior Research Fellow: ISRO, DRDO, BARC, CSIR, IITs etc.
• Senior Research Fellow: ISRO, DRDO, BARC, CSIR, IITs etc.
• Junior/Senior Research Associates.
• Scientists “C” grade jobs.
• Lucrative opportunities in research & development after post-graduation.
• Multinational firms shortlist candidates on the basis of GATE score.
• Some international universities offer M.S or Ph.D. programs on the basis of GATE Score.

The Journey of a Thousand Miles begins with One Step at a Time”

Success is not dependent on the mode of preparation but rather on the intensity and dedication during the preparation.

Students have a common question “What should be our strategy to crack ESE/GATE exams?" To answer this question in the most simplified way, this article will act as a guiding light to strategize things for aspirants, which will be fruitful for young friends.

There are two categories of aspirants in any examination:

1. Freshers, preparing first time for the competitive exams (Neophytes)
2. Repeaters, who have already given one or more attempts (Rank Improvers)

Strategy for Fresher’s (Neophytes):

If you are fresher who is preparing first time then it is suggested that you adhere to the following approach for the preparation-

• Define your aim and target the desired exam right from the beginning. You should examine closely the examination pattern, syllabus and the level of difficulty.
• The first step for amateurs should be, to go through previous years’ question papers of the aimed exam and identify what type of questions are asked, like whether it is theoretical (then what subjects/which topics are mostly asked) or derivations or numerical type.
• Keep one best reference book for each subject. You are not advised to read too many books for each subject; practically it is not possible in limited time frame.

The Study Plan:

Make an overall plan of your preparation; define immediate and ultimate goals you want to achieve during the preparation, then make a strategic roadmap to execute the plan in the most effective manner. Being an engineer, you should understand the importance of planning and execution of the plan.

Overall plan may be further divided in three stages:

1. Long-Term Plan:

Segregate the months for different subjects and optimize your plan so as to complete the entire syllabus in the dedicated time. In the current scenario of high scores, do not go for selective approach towards studies; it is advisable to cover the entire syllabus, because you never know “the topic left could be the topic of conquest.”

2. Mid-Term Plan:

For each and every subject, the approach should be exam oriented. One should get familiar with the subject and should know which area is to be focused like whether theory has to be focused or numerical or solving previous years’ questions will suffice. Every subject requires a very different approach. If you take mathematics as an example, you may be required to focus on practicing problems where as if theoretical Paper is taken into consideration then there an altogether different approach is required. Likewise, in all the technical subjects the approach differs from subject to subject depending on various factors.

If you are enrolled in an Online Course; then concentrate and study well during the sessions. Your notes should be complete and ready during the session itself, with simultaneous marking of the IMPORTANT concepts and formulae.

One point that you should always keep in mind is “Work for Yourself”; i.e. make notes for yourself in a manner which is comfortable for you. This will increase your writing efficiency in terms of speed, accuracy and hand writing and also helps in memory retention.

3. Short-Term Plan:

This is essential for effective time management. You should plan and freeze the study hours and abstain from using mobile phones, social media, what's app etc. during these hours. A separate time of 10 to 15 minutes is sufficient to plan schedule for the next day. This will help in removing redundant activities from your schedule and you will be able to make the best use of your time dedicated to study. I would also suggest to pre plan your area /subject /topic of your study for next day, it would help in activating senses of your mind to stimulate for study which helps in better memory retention.

Solving previous years’ questions of GATE (at least of last 10-15 years) should be done while referring to and updating the notes that you have made. Do not postpone it for later, finish the previous years' questions on priority basis for all the topics that is covered in the Online Session or studied on your own.

While solving questions, mark the questions which you were not able to solve. Refer the reference book for the clarity of concepts, and solve again. In front of the question write the Page Number and Name of the book referred and underline or highlight the concept. This above methodology is to be followed for all workbook and other materials also. After a few months while doing revision you should re-attempt these marked questions only and no need to solve other questions.

Need of a Revision Plan:

One has to make a habit of reading and revising simultaneously.

While studying a particular subject; one should devote 70-80% of self-study time in understanding the concepts of new subject and rest 20-30% of the time should be religiously devoted towards revision of already completed topics/subjects. Moreover, as you reach towards months closer to the exam, increase the time devoted to revision for proper retention of concepts till exam day.

While revising, make sure you do the following:

• Review of class notes.
• Revise underlined/ highlighted portion of text book.
• Then attempt only the marked questions once more.
• If time permits, then start with new set of questions.

The Magic of Make Micro notes:

• After finishing every subject, you can also make micro notes, which comprises of only principal formulae/ diagrams/ concepts which are very important. Especially note down the areas in which you find difficulty to remember. Then take a snapshot and store that in your mobile gallery. These shall be your Digital Micro Notes, which can be accessible anywhere and everywhere even while travelling or free time.

Flow is Important:

• Be vocal and discussion oriented with friends as well as seniors. Keep on clearing your doubt and don't allow them to accumulate as it may result in mental stress. Let your doubts/thoughts flow like a river which gets self-purified when it flows through its course. Also interact with successful seniors and fellow mates to know about their path of success/strategy.

Evaluate yourself:

• Take tests in examination environment and analyze your performance and make note of areas of difficulty and make a roadmap to improve these before the next test.
• Stay away from incompetent and non-achievers. Don’t let their failure demoralize you in any sense.

(II)  Strategy for Non-Freshers:

• Reviewing your past performance and finding the reasons for failure is very important. You should consider failure as the next stepping stone towards your success. In fact, you have not failed your success is little postponed.
• Identify the weak areas of each subject. You should start your preparation by first improving these areas.
• Dedicate more time on solving different types of problems and that too from new sources during each attempt.
• Plan your study to maintain consistency and self-motivation. Daily planner and subject wise scheduling are very important for a strategic preparation.
• Join some good Test Series and take the tests with full preparation while staying in examination environment.

Important Tips:

• Avoid reading too many books for the same topic. This will simply take away precious amount of time. To save time, try referring to material of coaching institute supplemented by the standard books.
• Strengthen the key concepts of each subject. The questions are based on the basic concepts and they do not require much calculation. Cramming up the formulae won’t help until and unless you have a clear concept of the topic.
• Focus on writing & presentation skills, theory, derivations & diagrams for subjective paper.
• Solve all the previous 10 years questions thoroughly. In IES exam, a lot many questions are based on the concepts of previous year’s questions.

Rather than solving five questions on similar concepts. It is better to solve one question with five different methods. It gives knowledge about the shortest methods to be used.

GATE 2024 Information Brochure