GATE Guide: An Opening to a Brighter Future!

The GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering)is conducted annually in the month of Jan-Feb for admission into Post Graduate Programs i.e. ME, MS, direct PhD and M.Tech. The exam is jointly conducted by the IISc and seven IIT's.

Upon clearing the GATE exam, one is eligible for admission in IITs and various universities in India along with financial assistance which comes from the HRD Ministry.

The GATE score also qualifies you for taking up a job with various Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) such as BARC, IOCL, HPCL, NTPC, BHEL amongst other institutions.

The GATE exam is conducted online as a computer based test. It is now going to comprise a total of 23 papers.

All the GATE papers will carry a total of 65 questions and carry a total of 100 marks.

The paper has two types of questions:

(i) Multiple Choice Questions: These questions carry 1 or 2 marks and are present in all the papers and sections. They are objective and four answer choises are provided.

(ii) Numerical Answer Questions: These questions too carry 1 or 2 marks and the candidate is required to fill the answer in a numerical format using a virtual keyboard. No options are provided for this section.

The paper with the codes AE, AG, BT, CE, CH, CS, EC, EE, IN, ME, MN, MT, PE, PI, TF, XE have the following weightage:

• Engineering Mathematics holds 15% weightage.

• General Aptitude holds 15% weightage.

• The main subject matter holds 70% weightage.

The paper with the codes AR, CY, EY, GG, MA, PH, XL have the following weightage:

• General Aptitude holds 15% weightage.

• The main subject matter holds 85% weightage.

A paper wise break up of the syllabus is as follows:

• Aerospace Engineering (AE)

• Agricultural Engineering (AG)

• Architecture and Planning (AR)

• Biotechnology (BT)

• Civil Engineering (CE)

• Chemical Engineering (CH)

• Computer Science and Information Technology (CS)

• Chemistry (CY)

• Electronics and Communication Engineering (EC)

• Electrical Engineering (EE)

• Ecology and Evolution (EY)

• Geology and Geophysics (GG)

• Instrumentation Engineering (IN)

• Mathematics (MA)

• Mechanical Engineering (ME)

• Mining Engineering (MN)

• Metallurgical Engineering (MT)

• Petroleum Engineering (PE)

• Physics (PH)

• Production and Industrial Engineering (PI)

• Textile Engineering and Fibre Science (TF)

• Engineering Sciences (XE)

• Life Sciences (XL)

The fees for the exam is as follows:

Male Candidates (General/OBC): INR 1500

Female Candidates (General/OBC): INR 750

SC/ST/PWD Candidates ): INR 750

In order to give the GATE exam, candidates must fulfil one of the following criteria:

Qualifying Degree:B.E./B.Tech/B.Pharma

Duration:4 years after 10+2

Degree Status: Already complete or in the final year

Year of qualification: Not later than 2017

Qualifying Degree:B.Arch

Duration:5 years

Degree Status: Already complete or in the final year

Year of qualification: Not later than 2017

Qualifying Degree:B.Sc (Research)/B.S.

Duration:4 years after 10+2/Post Diploma

Degree Status: Already complete or in the final year

Year of qualification: Not later than 2017

Qualifying Degree:M.Sc/M.A./MCA/Equivalent Degree

Duration:Master's Degree in Science/Computer Applications/Statistics/Mathematics/Equivalent

Degree Status: Already complete or in the final year

Year of qualification: Not later than 2017

Qualifying Degree:M.E./M.Tech/Dual Degree (After B.Sc)

Duration:Dual/Integrated Degree in Technology/Engineering- 5 Years

Degree Status: Already complete or in the 4th/5th year

Year of qualification: Not later than 2019

Qualifying Degree:M.E./M.Tech/Dual Degree (After 10+2)

Duration:Dual/Integrated Degree in Technology/Engineering- 5 Years

Degree Status: Already complete or in the 4th/5th year

Year of qualification: Not later than 2018

Qualifying Degree:Int M.Sc./B.Sc.

Duration:5 years

Degree Status: Already complete or in the final year

Year of qualification: Not later than 2017

Qualifying Degree:Professional Society Examination- Equivalent to a B.E./B.Tech/B.Arch

Duration:5 years (degree should be recognised by MHRD/UPSC/AICTE)

Degree Status: Section A of the course to be complete or equivalent course

Year of qualification:NA

The time given to complete the paper is 3 hours.

Notification of GATE 2017: August, 2016.

Opening of Application Window: 1st September, 2016.

Closing of Submission Window: 4th October, 2016.

Closing Date for request to change City: 16th November, 2016.

Availability of Admit Card: 5th January, 2017.

Examination Date: 4th,5th,11th and 12th February, 2017.

Declaration of Results: 27th March, 2017.

In order to apply, candidates must register at the official website once the registration window opens.

Post registration candidates must fill up the online form.

Candidates are required to upload a photograph and scanned signature in the format mentioned on the website.

Post this, candidates can fill the application fee.

Candidates can check the status of their application.

Be sure to download the admit card before the date of the exam.

Candidates should keep a look out on the main website for declaration of results and know their respective GATE scores.

Crack the GATE with thorough practice with this link here giving you an idea of what the paper consists of.

Prepare diligently for the GATE thanks to Aglasem which provides study links allowing you to get an indepth understanding of the GATE paper and its scoring.

WizIQ is here to help you score better with a host of GATE practice links.Improve your score by taking as many mock tests as possible.

iPractice brings you a variety of practice links to help you better your score. Browse through a range of tests covering varied topics to give yourself thorough preparation. Click here to know more.

Gate Instructor brings to you over 25+ tests which you can take over time to help drastically improve your score. Cover a variety of topics here and crack the GATE with flying colors.

Ace Engineering Academy brings you a host of practice tests and options to sign up for group discussions with a variety of other benefits. Click here to find a program best suited for you.

T.I.M.E. is one of the most bankable names in the education industry and it now brings mock tests helping students better their score and be well prepared for the exam . Click here.

Test Book brings a huge plethora of study packs specially designed keeping in mind the requirement for GATE. Register here to start taking mock exams and improve your score over time.

Established in 1995, ACE Engineering Academy’s core motive is to deliver quality education for engineering students. The institute provides coaching for IES, GATE and PSUs. It has been ranked as number one 32 times for GATE. Ace Academy has branches in Delhi, Bhopal, Pune, Bhubaneswar, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Patna, Chennai and other major cities.

Click here for more information.

The institute has trained more than 1, 80,000 students for the GATE exam. Gate Forum has subdivisions in more than 65 cities. The faculty includes the alumni from IITs, IISC and IIMs. The coaching institute also provides classes for IES and PSUs.

Started in the year 1991, the institute provides classes for courses like ESE (Engineering Service Exam), JTO (Junior Telecom Officer) exam, GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering), PSUs (Public Sector Unit Exams) and other technical exams. Vani Institute has its presence in 7 cities including Hyderabad, Pune, Kochi, and Kolkata. The institute also offers GATE books for the students.

Engineers Study Circle was founded in 1991 and is based in Bangalore. The institute is giving classes for GATE, IES, JTO, BE, BCA, MCA, IIT-JEE and AMIE. ESC has a track record of 16 years and is known for its experienced and qualified faculty from IISC, IIT and IIM.

GBA was started as a single classroom at Jai Sarai in New Delhi and now has many offices & classrooms with massive libraries. The institute aims at delivering quality study material which will help students get a step closer towards their success.

Brilliant Tutorials has the most comprehensive study material and offers an intense training methodology. In the last 29 years, Brilliant’s students have proved to be number one 21 times. It means 7 out of top 10 and 55 out of 1oo have studied from Brilliant Tutorials. A student can enrol for the courses such as IAS, IES, GATE, BPOE, NIC and medical.

The institute has a very innovative teaching approach which helps students touch their potential. Pathfinder Academy was founded in 2003. It provides classes for CSIR- NET, GATE and MSc Biotech.

The coaching is known for the comprehensive teaching style which involves a holistic approach focusing on the strength and weakness of each and every student. The study material is framed by the experts who are the alumni of IITs and IIMs.

MADE EASY Delhi

Dronacharya

GATE Forum Delhi

DMC Education Ltd

The GATE Academy

Cambridge Institute Of Professional Studies

ACE Academy

Vani Hyderabad

ELITE Academy

IES Made Easy

GATE Forum

Sri Sai Academy

Aashirvad Classic

Architecture Aptitude

Career Avenues

Entrance Pathshala

Expert Educare Pvt. Ltd

Vani Institute

Gate Indian Institute of Tutorials

Time Education Bangalore

Gateforum

Innovator IEC

Biotecnika Info Labs

IES GATE Academy

Vani Institute

Gateforum

The GATE Academy

GATE zone

T.I.M.E

(i) The GATE questions are not lenghty per se and if they require more than 8-9 steps to solve, you should try approaching the problem differently.

(ii) GATE is there to test your understanding of concepts and their application in real life. Just completing the syllabus is not sufficient if you do not understand how various principles are applied. Understand the application of various concepts.

(iii) Preparation time varies from student to student as every student has his own pace of understanding and learning. However an indepth preparation of 4-6 months should be sufficient to crack the GATE.

(iv) Keep your mind open while attempting questions as no question can be solved in just one way. Being intuitive and innovative too can help you crack the trickier questions and tackle the paper better.

(v) Always be sure to read standard and prescribed books for better preparation and covering all the important and relavent topics.

(i) Study in Advance: It is advised that candidates begin preparing for Engineering Mathematics from the first and second year onwards as this subject is part of the first and second year syllabus of both B.E and the B.Tech course. Studyign and keeping preparation on point well in advance will help you crack this segment fairly simply.

(ii) Practice is Key: It is advisable to keep in touch with the subject material and continue practicing of all topics that are relavent to the GATE For better insight, practice previous year papers to understand the pattern.

(iii) Understanding Concepts: It is advisable to understand concepts before going forward with the preparation. Be it theorems or formulae, the key to cracking the GATE is by knowing when to apply what concept.

(iv) Focus on the right material: Try not to waste time by going through too many books. Go through the prescribed books to cover major topics and divide time to preparation of every topic.

(v) Analyse the Syllabus: Before beginning the preparation, it is important to analyse and break down the syllabus to understand what topics are important from Engineering Mathematics point of view. Focus on the important topics and continue revising them thoroughly.

(i) It is important to keep focus on the relavent topics from the right books. Do not try to burden yourself with unnecessary books as this will only add to preparation time.

(ii) Most students prepare by going through just the previous year papers. It is advisable to understand the syllabus top to end and devise a study plan to cover everything from previous papers to mock tests. Be as thorough as you can.

(iii) Laying emphasis on Mathematics and General Aptitude is just as important as studying for the technical paper. Most students focus majorly on the technical papers but the Mathematics and General Aptitude consitutes a good 30% of the paper which is why it cannot be ignored.

(iv) It is important to keep focus on time and managing time from the very beginning. When you practice mock tests, keep in mind that time plays a crucial role and if your time is not spread out evenly, it can cost you marks.

(v) Be sure to carry the admit card before the exam. At times before the exam, students can tend to panic and forget keeping important details that are required for the exam. Pack your requirements a night before the exam and go with a cool mind before sitting for the paper.

The GA is one of the easy scoring sections if prepared with care. Read on these tips to better crack the GA and score better :

(i) When it comes to verbal ability, be sure to cover sentence completion and sentence correction as this is an area where it is easy to make mistakes and hence requires good practice.

(ii) Focus should also be laid on verbal analogies where relationship has to be determined among a group of words. This too is an easy segment but requires some tuning and focus of the mind to crack it better.

(iii) Critical reasoning too forms an integral part of preparation and candidates should focus on inferences, assumptions, strengthening and weakening of arguments which might appear easy but requires a fair amount of practice well in time.

(iv) For numerical ability it is important to focus on mathetmatics and questions based on formulae as well as lay focus on numerical estimation which requires practice of approximation questions.

(v) When it comes to data interpretation be sure to cover topics on flow charts, tables, pie charts and graphs.

(vi) Do not overlook miscellaneous topics including probability, percentages, time and distance, calendars, directions and mensuration.These topics cover a key portion of the questions asked.

The last date for submission of forms is 4th October, 2016.

Yes, he can apply for the GATE exam by providing any of the following documents:

• Provisional Certificate

• Professional Certificate

• Course Completion Certificate

• Membership Certificate issued by institute/college

Yes, he can. He will be required to clear the backlog by August 2017 to be eligible for the examination.

There is no limit to the number of attempts for the GATE exam.

No, one e-mail address can be used to submit only one application form.

Contact IISc, Bangalore in case you don’t receive the refund by October, 2016.

GOAPS reflects the payment in three working days. If in case, the payment is received by IISc, they will revert.

A candidate can request for change of exam city before November 16th, 2017 with an additional fee of Rs 400 to be paid online.

Please note mistakes except for mobile number, email address, GATE 2017 exam paper and caste certificate cannot be corrected/allowed. For the correction, the candidate must write to IISc Bangalore with their enrolment ID along with a document showcasing correct details.

No, the candidate must carry the admit card and original photo identification. The candidate will not be allowed to sit in the examination without the original photo identification.

Yes, the candidate is eligible for the exam as there is no specified mode of completing one's degree. However the institute needs to be AICTE recognised to be eligible.

During scrutiny of forms, IISc goes through candidates photograph as well. If your photograph is not eligible, you will be alerted via an email or SMS to correct the photograph.

GATE scores are valid for a period of 3 years.