The Complete Guide to GATE: All the Information You Need

Engineering continues to be a top career choice for many students interested in Science. Each year, many students take admission in different branches of engineering.

It is a rewarding career option with high employability. According to a study, the employability of engineering graduates has boosted from 57.44% in 2023 to 64.67% in 2024.

However, for graduates who want to increase their knowledge and boost their employability, pursuing a master’s degree can be helpful. In India, to get enrolment in a Master of Engineering programme, you will have to clear the GATE exam.

Let us understand what the GATE exam is and how you can prepare for it.

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What is the GATE exam?

GATE, or Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering is an all-India test organized and managed by the faculty members of IISc (Indian Institute of Science) and other IITs (Indian Institute of Technology).

The GATE exam offers admission into M.Tech or ME and PhD courses in some of the most prestigious institutes in the nation. This exam is conducted to test a student’s knowledge and understanding of the undergraduate Engineering and Science disciplines. GATE registration can be done online from their official website.

The exam scorecard is valid for three years. You can use your GATE scores to find jobs in public sector enterprises like BHEL, HPCL, ONGC, ISRO, DRDO, IOCL, GAIL, SAIL, etc. Candidates who pass the GATE exam are also eligible for Junior Research Fellowships in CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) projects and labs.

GATE Eligibility Criteria

GATE is one of the toughest exams in the country, yet thousands of students appear each year for the exam to explore better career opportunities. Let us discuss the GATE eligibility criteria in detail:

• Candidates who are currently in the 3rd or higher years of any approved undergraduate program are eligible for the exam.
• Candidates who have finished some government-approved degree in Engineering, Science, Technology, Humanities, or Architecture are eligible.
• Candidates pursuing a degree from outside India must be in the 3rd or higher year. Alternately, they should have completed their Bachelor's degree (of at least three years) in Engineering, Science, Technology, Humanities, or Architecture to be eligible.

The exam is open to all ages and there is no limit on the number of attempts. The detailed list of eligibility criteria is on the IISc's official website.

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GATE Exam Pattern

In this examination, there are 30 papers that students get to choose from. You can check out the test paper codes and GATE syllabus on the IISc website. Here is a detailed view of the exam pattern:

Particulars	Details
Examination language	English
Examination mode	Computer-based test (CBT)
Duration	3 hours
Type of questions	Multiple choice questions (MCQs) Multiple select questions (MSQs) Numerical answer type (NAT)
Sections	General Aptitude (GA) + Selected Subjects
Tested for abilities	Recall  Application  Comprehension  Analysis and synthesis
Marks distribution (except in papers AR, DA, CY, GG, EY, PH, MA, XH, XL and ST)	General aptitude: 15  Engineering Mathematics: 13  Subject question: 72  Totals: 100
Marks distribution in papers AR, DA, CY, GG, EY, PH, MA, XH, XL and ST	General aptitude: 15  Subject question: 85  Total: 100

Marking Scheme of the GATE exam

Each question in the GATE examination carries either 1 or 2 marks. This implies for every correct answer, the candidate is going to be awarded the full mark of the question. However, the GATE marking scheme includes negative markings. For every wrong answer, there will be a negative marking, such as:

• For a 1-mark MCQ: ⅓ marks will be deducted for every incorrect answer.
• For a 2-mark MCQ: ⅔ marks will be deducted for every incorrect answer.

There is no negative marking for wrong answers to MSQ or NAT questions.

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How to prepare for the GATE examination?

Passing the GATE exam is no child’s play. Candidates need rigorous training and preparation to clear the exam with good marks. Here are some study tips you can follow to excel in the exam:

1. Create a schedule

Chalk out everything you need to do, and according to the time you have left schedule your tasks. Creating a proper schedule will help you track your progress. This gives you a realistic understanding of where you stand and reduces the chances of you lagging.

Create your schedule according to the GATE important dates. Once you know when the registration starts and when the exam is, you can set a deadline for yourself.

2. Seek guidance

Learn from the experience of people who have already attempted the exam. GATE is a difficult exam to clear, but candidates who have already passed it will be able to give you insights.

You can also enroll in GATE coaching institutes to learn from experts. It will also provide you with an environment of healthy competition. This is a great way of understanding where you stand.

3. Choose the proper study material

The GATE exam is designed to mainly test your undergraduate knowledge. You can refer to your graduating study material to prepare for the exam. However, GATE study material also comprises some reference books, which will help you have a broader understanding of the subject.

Conclusion

Clearing the GATE exam opens up many opportunities. Preparing for the exam requires focus and dedication. This article lists details about the exam, which will help you understand how it is conducted and how to prepare for it.

Are you confused as to what is the right path for you? Book a counselling session with the mentors of Amity Online. They also offer many credible courses which will help you boost your employability.

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