Work on Your Strengths for the GATE Exam

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Work on Your Strengths for the GATE Exam
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The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)
essentially examines the aptitude of engineering
graduates/students with simple problems and
applying engineering concepts to solve them. So,
GATE aspirants have to develop the ability to
solveconceptual and practical problems.
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GATE aspirants have to go through the following
stages of preparationMotivationPreparation
StrategyBook SelectionTheoretical StudyKey
ConceptsPracticeRevision
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Time, energy, hard work and books are the basic
necessities of success in the GATE. Each of the
seven stages mentioned above is critical to
preparing well.
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MotivationTo succeed in the GATE needs
motivation, confidence, determination, time,
books, energy and hard work. Aspirants need to be
motivated and have the right amount of curiosity
to study and seek knowledge as much as possible
as a result of self-interest.
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MotivationWhile preparing for GATE, its
important to keep in mind the long-term and
short-term effects of success in the GATE in the
career-making process.
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Preparation strategyEffectively utilizing time
and energy are very important for the GATE Exam.
Candidates have to develop a solid preparation
strategy including picking important topics for
study, selecting the right books/chapters to
study from, allotting time for a particular list
of topics, etc.
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Book SelectionPlanning for theoretical study
can be enhanced by using error-free books and
cover the topics in detail. The tendency to
follow too many books should be
avoided.Candidates should carefully survey others
and ask their peers and professors to find the
right books. Information available online can
also be used.
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Book SelectionAlthough there are various
resources available online, limiting your
browsing can help you prevent wasting time.
Choose books from respected authors and, if
youre using online sources, check to make sure
they are not misleading.
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Theoretical study Studying the topics asked in
GATE papers in depth is very important. For Ask
around to see which questions commonly appear in
the GATE.
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Theoretical study Refer to books that provide
chapter-wise solutions of GATE questions.
Generally, students tend to have only a few
subjects that interest them.
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Theoretical study Find what interests you and
learn these topics through and through so you
know and understand the concepts.
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Theoretical study Thereafter, subjects of
secondary interest must be given priority in
preparation, and so on.
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Theoretical study We recommend that you study
your interests thoroughly to ensure your success
in the GATE.
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Its important to make a summary of all the
important concepts you come across. This makes it
easy to revise later and can help you understand
your theoretical concepts much better. This helps
you save time and helps build confidence.
Understanding Key Concepts
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All the important observations must be clearly
noted in brief so you can use them instead of
referring to textbooks or starting from the
eginning.
Understanding Key Concepts
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PracticeThe best way to generate and maintain
self-confidence is to test yourself regularly. A
strong theoretical background is good but,
practice is the key to knowing where to apply
your theory.
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PracticeThe questions asked in the GATE are
mainly used to your fundamental aptitude in your
chosen discipline or stream.
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Practice Difficult or lengthy questions are
asked very rarely and, those questions will also
be based on simple and basic concepts.
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PracticeA physical interpretation of
engineering quantities is very important to
understanding the problems.
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RevisionAs the GATE is held in February, you
should devote at least 4 months to revising for
the GATE, with the material you prepared or with
help from a guide book
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Revision Preparing from October gives you
enough time to be thorough and,the month of
January can be used to master key concepts,
derivations, formulae and any difficult questions.
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Revision Like any other competitive exam, the
accuracy of your answers and time management are
very important.You need to answer 65 questions
within 3 hours an average time of 2.76 minutes
for each question.
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Revision Questions on engineering mathematics
and general aptitude are usually very easy and
so, you can spend less time on them.Speed is a
very important factor of time management while
writing the exam.
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With Inputs from Mr. J K Sinha (M.Tech, IIT
Kharagpur), Director, GATEFORUM