TEST PREP- GATE

Source:- Freshersworld

What is GATE?

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is designed for those who want to pursue higher studies in Engineering. It is an all-India examination administered and conducted in eight zones across the country by the GATE Committee comprising faculty from Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and all the Indian Institutes of Technology on behalf of the National Coordinating Board-GATE, Department of Education, Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD), Government of India.

Why GATE?

Admission to postgraduate programmes with MHRD and some other Government scholarships/assistantships in engineering colleges/institutes is open to those who qualify in GATE examination.

GATE qualified candidates with Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Technology/Architecture or Master's degree in any branch of Science/ Mathematics/ Statistics/ Computer Applications are eligible for admission to Master's degree programmes in Engineering/Technology/Architecture as well as for Doctoral programmes in relevant branches of Science with MHRD or other government scholarships/assistantships.

GATE qualification is also a minimum requirement to apply for various fellowships awarded by many Government organizations.

Test Structure

The test format varies year to year but it would commonly consist of these sections

1. Multiple Choice Questions.

2. Common Data Questions.

3. Linked Answer Questions.

The students can appear in GATE under different disciplines according to their M.Tech interests. The discipline specification is done while filling the forms. Apart from the basic engineering disciplines there are XE and XL papers which are general in nature.

The examination consists of a single paper of 3 hours duration. The question paper consists of only objective type questions. Each question will have four choices for the answer. Only one choice is correct. Candidates have to mark the correct choice on an Optical Response Sheet (ORS) by darkening the appropriate bubble against each question. There will be negative marking for wrong answers, as given in question paper pattern.

A candidate can apply for only ONE of the 21 papers listed in the GATE syllabus.

The choice of the appropriate paper is the responsibility of the candidate. Some guidelines in this respect are suggested below.The candidate is expected to appear in a paper appropriate to the discipline of his / her qualifying degree.

The candidate is, however, free to choose any paper according to his / her admission plan, keeping in mind the eligibility criteria of the institutions in which he / she wishes to seek admission.

Eligibility

The following categories of candidates are eligible to appear in GATE:

• Bachelor's degree holders in Engineering/Technology/ Architecture (4 years after 10+2) and those who are in the final year of such programmes.
• Bachelor's degree holders in Engineering/Technology/Architecture (Post-B.Sc./Post-Diploma) and those who are in the final year of such programmes.
• Master's degree holders in any branch of Science/Mathematics/ Statistics/Computer Applications or equivalent and those who are in the final year of such programmes.
• Candidates in the second or higher year of the Four-year Integrated Master's degree programme (Post-B.Sc.) in Engineering/Technology.
• Candidates in the fourth or higher year of Five-year Integrated Master's degree programme or Dual Degree programme in Engineering/Technology.
• Candidates with qualifications obtained through examinations conducted by professional societies recognized by UPSC/AICTE (e.g. AMIE by Institute of Engineers (India); AMICE by Institute of Civil Engineers (India)) as equivalent to B.E./B.Tech. Those who have completed section A or equivalent of such professional courses are also eligible.

How to apply?

Before applying, candidates are advised to download the GATE Information Brochure and read it carefully.

Candidates have to apply only Online.

Application Process

Step 1: Decide Payment Option

Gateway Payment: Payment can be made using net banking. Bank service charge is extra (maximum of Rs.30/-)

Challan Payment: Payment by cash at ICICI, Indian Bank or State Bank of India branches. Bank service charge is extra (maximum of Rs.25/-)

Step 2: Obtain SC / ST / PD Certificate (if applicable)

Authorities empowered to issue Certificates

Step 3: Apply Online

Candidates must follow the instructions provided while applying online.

At the end of this process, a PDF file will be generated with the following pages:

(a) Page-1: Instructions, (b) Page-2: GATE 2013 Application - GATE Copy, (c) Page-3: GATE 2013 Application - Candidate's Copy, (d) Page-4: Address Slip of respective zonal GATE office, (e) Page-5: Bank Challan (for Challan Payment option only)

Take a print out of the entire file on A4 size white sheets using a laser/inkjet printer.

Step 4: Cash Payment: (only for Challan Payment option)

The bank challan (Page-5) will be printed in triplicate. Take it to any one of the branches of ICICI, Indian Bank or State Bank of India (as opted by the candidate) and pay the fees. Bank will retain a copy and will return two copies to you. In those two copies, retain the Candidate's copy with you and attach the GATE Copy with the application.

Step 5:

(a) Paste your recent photograph (3.5 cm X 3.5 cm) in the designated place of Page-2. Before pasting, please write your name and application number on the backside of the photo with black ball point pen.

(b)Sign at the designated place of Page-2.

(c) Paste Page-4 on top of a 10 inch x 12 inch size laminated envelope.

Step 6: Post/Submission

Before posting your application form, make sure that, in addition to the other relevant attachments, you have attached either a copy of the degree certificate or a certificate from your college principal as indicated in the Prospectus.

GATE Test Preparation

A candidate can apply for only ONE of the 21 papers listed in the table of GATE brochure. The choice of the appropriate paper is the responsibility of the candidate. Some guidelines in this respect are suggested below.

The candidate is expected to appear in a paper appropriate to the discipline of his/her qualifying degree. The candidate is, however, free to choose any paper according to his/her admission plan, keeping in mind the eligibility criteria of the institutions in which he/she wishes to seek admission.

Requests for change of GATE Examination paper after the submission of Application Form will not be considered.

Some quick tips to prepare well are:

• First and foremost important is that start preparing early once you have decided to take up GATE exam and read important information related to it.

• Always follow standard books, recommended books for preparation and learn how to crack GATE because now-a-days all the coaching institutes offer study material for assistance in studies. But if this material simply copy paste or re-write of materials taken from other books then these hold minimal importance.

• Try to cover complete syllabus. If not possible be perfect in whatever portion of syllabus you practice. To start the preparations go for the topics which are easy to you and then move towards the tough one.

• Prepare notes after finishing every chapter. This will help you during your last days of revision. You can also prepare running notes in the coaching classes. Self made notes for GATE are always beneficial than readymade notes because it increases your understanding and is also important GATE 2013 preparation tip.

• While studying a chapter, do ask yourself following questions "What", "How", and "Why" and see improvement. This is also very useful preparation tip for GATE 2013.

• To crack GATE exam 2012, avoid reading from soft copies, it is common among various students to search and download soft copies of GATE books and notes. These copies can easily be found downloaded and shareable among others. But the disadvantage with soft copies is that you will read them on computer and can be easily distracted to other things like music, videos, internet etc.

• It is always beneficial to make a hard copy of the important pages and avoid computer to concentrate well on the desired subject. You can also write down some important points if don't want to have printed copy.
  The idea is to avoid all kind of distraction that prevents GATE 2013 preparation.

• Buy or get a copy of previous year question papers if possible with solutions, it will help you to understand the pattern of paper.

• Practice as many model test papers as possible as you can get from any source.

• Analyze your score in model test papers and compare your performance periodically to see how you improve is very important

• Finish detailed reading at least one and half month before. Keep one month for revisions and clearing leftover doubts. Have a look of question you solved during preparation for GATE Exam 2013 and remember how you have solved them.

• Revise the short notes daily, weekly and monthly that you already have prepared.

• Consult your professors and seniors in case of any doubts. 
  
  
  The GATE exam is normally held on the second Sunday in February and the results announced by the middle of March.