The document provides tips for preparing for the GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) exam without coaching. It discusses what the GATE exam is, the benefits of taking it, and myths about preparing for it. It outlines the exam pattern and sections. It offers self-study tips including creating a preparation plan, studying important materials, and practicing previous year question papers. It provides dos and don'ts, recommended study materials, and links to practice questions. The overall message is that disciplined self-study focusing on key topics and practice can help one prepare well for GATE without a coach.

1. How To Prepare GATE 2021 Without Coaching
By.
Er. Kewal Singh Khokhar
Dean I/C GGSCET
Guru Kashi University
Self Study Tips
Guru Kashi University, Sardulgarh Road, Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda(Punjab)-151302

2. Content in this Article
What is GATE Exam?
Benefits of GATE Exam
Myths about GATE Exam
GATE Exam Pattern
GATE Exam Self Study TipsGATE Exam Self Study Tips
GATE Exam Preparation Plan
Do’s for GATE Exam
Don’ts for GATE Exam
GATE Exam Study Material
GATE Exam Previous Years Question Papers
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3. What is GATE Exam?
Graduate aptitude test in engineering (GATE) is
conducted every year by Indian Institute of Science,
Bangalore and seven Indian Institutes of Technology
(IIT).
Graduate aptitude test in engineering (GATE)Graduate aptitude test in engineering (GATE)
Examination is mainly for those who want to join Indian
Institute of Science, Bangalore or any Indian Institutes of
Technology (IIT) out of seven IITs or any reputed college
for higher education such as Master in Technology (M.
Tech.) or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D.).
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4. Benefits of GATE Exam
Admission into M.E. / M.Tech../ M.Sc. With Stipends Rs
12, 400 per month for 24 months to students for 8 hours of
work per week.
The ME/M. Tech programs provide a stipend. This
ensures that the students have the required financialensures that the students have the required financial
assistance to complete their course.
PSU(NTPC. ONGC, SAIL, BHEL, IOCL, CIL, GAIL,
etc.) recruitment through GATE exam.
Research institutes recruitment through GATE exam for
JRF or SRF with stipend of Rs 31000 to 35000 per month
The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)
recruitment through GATE exam
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5. Benefits of GATE
Teaching jobs after GATE exam- To ensure that a teaching job is
obtained in good universities, it is necessary to have graduated from well-
reputed universities and this can only be obtained by getting a high score in
GATE exam
Foreign study through GATE exam- The GATE score is used as a
criterion for judgment by universities like Nanyang Technological University
(Singapore), National University of Singapore (Singapore), RWTH Aachen
(Germany), TU Munich (Germany), etc. to grant admission into Masters and(Germany), TU Munich (Germany), etc. to grant admission into Masters and
Ph.D. programs without the requirement of a GRE score.
Higher chance of recruitment in top MNC’s after GATE
exam-Post-graduation from the top institutions of India after the GATE exam
provides a better chance for recruitment into top MNC’s such as Google,
CISCO, SKODA, Siemens, Samsung, Maruti, LG electronics, etc. as these
companies require highly qualified recruits and also provide the corresponding
remuneration.
GATE might be compulsory for engineering students as exit
exam by AICTE Guru Kashi University

6. Myths about GATE Exam
Tough nut to crack - Every exam will be tough for you if you do not
practice for it and study without focus. Toughness of any exam depends on
the preparation done. Keeping the concepts right will help you in scoring
high in the GATE exam. So be focused and strengthen your concepts.
All topics are needed to be covered- If your aim is only to qualify
in the exam, then you can afford to leave out some sections and focus on thein the exam, then you can afford to leave out some sections and focus on the
important ones and still get enough marks to qualify. Engineering
Mathematics and General Ability constitute 30 percent of the marks and
hence are critical but also high scoring sections.
Attending all questions will earn you more marks-Students
should keep this in mind that GATE has negative marking for wrong
answers. The penalty for a wrong answer (for the multiple choice questions)
is a severe 33 percent and hence one is required to answer the questions
carefully to maximize his/her marks. It's okay if you missed a couple of
questions but attempting it wrong could affect your GATE score.
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7. Myths about GATE Exam
Complete syllabus knowledge of Graduation is needed to crack
GATE- GATE has a syllabus for each stream mentioned on the
website. Although it is based on your complete graduation syllabus but all
subjects and all topics are not included. So no need to waste time on topics
that are not important for GATE
Luck too is required- Success is one percent luck and ninety-nineLuck too is required- Success is one percent luck and ninety-nine
percent perspiration. Don't let that 99 percent thing slip from your hand.
Toil sincerely, and you will be rewarded with that one percent luck.
Lacs of aspirants give this exam and only few get good results
in GATE. I am scared- Although lacs of aspirants apply and give this
exam, the real competition is between only 2,000 to 3,000 serious aspirants.
Those who study systematically and consistently, get into service. If you do
the same, you will be one among them. Don't have fears even before you
start. You must enter the race and work hard to win it.
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8. GATE Exam Pattern
Exam Mode Online
Number of Questions 65
Total Marks 100
Type of Questions MCQs and NAT
Number of Sections 3(General Aptitude 15%,Engineering Mathematics 15%Number of Sections 3(General Aptitude 15%,Engineering Mathematics 15%
& Subject Specification Section 70 %)
Total Time Duration 3 Hours (180 Minutes)
Sectional Time-Limit No
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9. GATE Exam Pattern
From the total of 100 marks, there will be 10 questions of 15 marks
covering the entire General Aptitude section (Language and Analytical
Skills). General Aptitude- 5 Questions of 2 Marks each and 5 Questions of 1
Marks each.
Engineering Mathematics will cover approximately 15% weight out of 100Engineering Mathematics will cover approximately 15% weight out of 100
marks for the paper. Engineering Mathematics- 5 Questions of 2 Marks
each and 5 Questions of 1 Marks each.
Remaining 70% weight of total marks is acquired by the subject of the
paper. Subject Knowledge- 25 Questions of 2 Marks each and 20 Questions
of 1 Marks each.
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10. GATE Exam Pattern
GATE is a 3 hour computer based test where candidates are
required to attempt 65 questions carrying 100 marks.
For MCQ type questions +1 or 2 marks will be awarded for
correct answers whereas ⅓ mark will be deducted for 1 mark
question and ⅔ for 2 mark question.question and ⅔ for 2 mark question.
No negative marking will be carried out in Numerical Answer
Type (NAT).
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11. GATE Self Study Tips
Understanding the GATE syllabus
Collect important information and resources
Study only high quality and relevant books
Understand that you cannot get 100 marks in GATE ( IUnderstand that you cannot get 100 marks in GATE ( I
think even 90 is a tough ask. Toppers answer around 85-
90 marks (of course it depends on the paper’s difficulty,
but the general trend is this).
NEVER OMIT ANY subject. I find most students omit a
subject based on the weightage.
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12. GATE Self Study Tips
Aptitude & Math will make a huge difference in your
scores. Around 30 marks (including aptitude) is really
easy to score. They are usually less difficult and direct
than subject questions.
Solve as many previous year GATE problems as you can.Solve as many previous year GATE problems as you can.
Make proper revision notes
Practice tests and Quizzes
Use online quizzes and tests to check your performance
prior
“Practice makes man perfect.” Always revise the content
that you studied.
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13. GATE Preparation Plan
If you are self-studying for GATE then you can create a disciplined plan
to complete it successfully as follows
Daily Schedule (Make your habits in daily routine)
GATE Preparation Plan for 1 Month(Time for the Exam)GATE Preparation Plan for 1 Month(Time for the Exam)
GATE Preparation Plan for 3 Months(Time for the Exam)
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14. GATE Preparation Plan
Daily Schedule
6:00 AM- Wake up and daily works, etc.
6:30 AM – 9:00 AM- Study/ revise the old subjects. And
practice the previous year gate questions and old workbook
questions.
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM- Breakfast
9:30 AM – 1:00 PM- Do / Solve Core Subject (relax 5 minutes
for every 1 hr.)
1:00 AM – 1:30 PM- lunch
1:30 PM – 2:00 PM- Power nap+ strong coffee.(to boost
concentration)
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15. GATE Preparation Plan
Daily Schedule
2:00 PM – 5.00 PM – General Aptitude & Engineering
Mathematics
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM- Break & Go Outside or play Games
6.30 PM – 8.30 PM – Core Subject
8:30 PM- 9.30 PM – Relax & Have Dinner8:30 PM- 9.30 PM – Relax & Have Dinner
9:30 PM – 11:00 PM- Revise the current subject of coaching
and solving its problems. or Watch GATE Coaching Videos
online
11:15 PM – Have Sleep
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16. GATE Preparation Plan for 1 Month
If you have 3 months of preparation time for the GATE exam,
you can prepare 6-8 hours per day.
GATE Preparation Plan for All Branches(Before 1 Month)
Subject Allocation Time
Engineering Mathematics 2 hr daily
General Aptitude 2 hr daily
Subject questions 4 hrs. daily
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17. GATE Preparation Plan for 3 Months
If you have 3 months of preparation time for the GATE exam,
you can prepare 4-5 hours per day.
GATE Preparation Plan for All Branches(Before 3 Months)
Subject Allocation Time
Engineering Mathematics 1 hr daily
General Aptitude 1 hr daily
Subject questions 2 hrs. daily
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18. Do’s for GATE Exam
Prepare easy subject first
Focus more on 2 mark questions. They boost your Score
exponentially
Keep your fundamentals and concepts clear. The
Questions asked in the GATE Exam are mostly based on
the fundamental concepts.the fundamental concepts.
By giving the Mock test you will actually know about
question patterns and gain experience.
Practice as many Mock-tests as you can (that too as per
the Standard pattern of the Gate Exam)
Solve at-least the last 10 years of Previous Papers. It will
make you get the idea about the type of questions being
asked in the Exam. Guru Kashi University

19. Don’ts for GATE Exam
Don’t lose your hope and confidence in preparation.
Don’t start your preparation with hard subjects. It may
waste your time.
Don’t waste your time studying stuff that is out of the
syllabus.syllabus.
Don’t waste your time reading all the books for a single
topic.
Don’t discuss the doubts just before the Exam at the
Exam Centre.
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20. Best Study Books for GATE Exam
https://learnmech.com/gate-mechanical-r-k-kanodia-
preparation/
https://www.inspirenignite.com/gate-study-material/
https://www.slideshare.net/mishradivya121/gate-study-
material-for-civil-engineeringmaterial-for-civil-engineering
https://learnmech.com/gate-2016-mechanical-notes-sk-
monda/
https://www.powershow.com/view0/5f931d-
NzcwY/GATE_Study_Material_for_Electronics_and_comm
unication_powerpoint_ppt_presentation
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21. Best Study Books for GATE Exam
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graduate_Aptitude_Test_in_E
ngineering
https://collegedunia.com/exams/gate/books
https://www.shiksha.com/engineering/articles/gate-books-
blogId-21817blogId-21817
https://www.gate2016.info/free-gate-notes/
https://www.engineersinstitute.com/gate-study-material.php
https://www.powershow.com/view0/5f9318-
OTNjM/GATE_Study_Material_for_Mechanical_Engineeri
ng_powerpoint_ppt_presentation
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22. GATE Exam Previous Years Question Papers
http://gate.iitm.ac.in/gate2019/previousqp18.php
https://www.nodia.co.in/gate-previous-year-solved-
papers
https://www.gate2016.info/gate-previous-years-papers/
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-
question-papers
https://qualifygate.com/gate-previous-years-papers/
https://www.iitr.ac.in/gate/gateprevious.html
http://gate.iitg.ac.in/?page_id=59
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