How to crack GATE Exam?

Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering Exam popularly known as GATE Exam is an all India examination conducted for undergraduate students who are willing to get admission in Post Graduation Engineering courses as well as getting a job in some of the Topmost public and private companies. It is a good way to test the comprehensive understanding of undergraduate students in the field of Engineering and Science. It is very important for a student to perform exceptionally well in GATE exam. The GATE score of a candidate reflects his relative performance level. It is one of the toughest and competitive exams for prospective engineers conducted in India. GATE score is currently seen as the benchmark for admission to postgraduate. 

Tips for Preparing for the GATE Exam

• Prepare Study Guide: A study guide is a book or learning resource which provides assistance and support in studying different topics, subjects, and courses. Easy steps involved in the preparation of an effective study guide are as follows:
  • Formatting: Each one of us have different learning styles. One needs to identify his/her learning type, pattern or style.
  • If You are a Quick Learner: Consider using coloured pens while drawing out the information so that it becomes more accessible and you can memorize for a long period of time.
  • If You are Linear Minded: Then consider organizing your data in a chronological, alphabetical and the systematic manner so you can make the most out of it.
  • If You get Emotionally Connected to the Information: If so then prefer writing the information in the form of a short story. Translate the mathematical concepts in a story so as to recite the formulas.
  • Prioritize the Information: Candidates who are preparing for GATE examination need to prioritize the important topics and should give more attention energy and time to important things. 
• Portable Study Space: Study space should be calm and quiet to keep you awake without being distracted. The student needs to study in a quiet, comfortable and distraction-free environment. Study areas should have adequate lighting and ventilation. It should be well organized not a messy one. 
• Time Management: Time management is very necessary while preparing for the GATE examination, as the syllabus is very vast. With the help of time management students can prioritize their task and accurately judge the amount of time needed to complete the task. If you manage your time well then you can reduce your stress level. With time management you can divide your time between learning practicing and revising and as well as solving the sample papers. 
• Avoid Distractions: Distraction comes in waves. A distractive element could be anything like an urge to watch television, mobile phone, social networking etc it needs to be controlled. In order to avoid distractions turn off your mobile phone, internet and say goodbye to social networking for some time. 
• Revolve your Focus: Do not stick to one subject only try studying two or three subjects each day so as to complete your syllabus much early. By studying this way you can pay more attention and will feel more focused. 
• Be Comprehensive: Students should study in detail about every topic and concept. As GATE is one of the toughest examination conducted in India. So the preparation should also be likewise. Try not to leave any topic, refer to different books, internet etc to clear your queries. Study as much as you can.
• Practice Diligently: As we all know practice makes a man perfect. Practice is the only way to become proficient. Students should practice sample papers so as to have a brief idea about the pattern and type of question asked in the previous year GATE examination.
• Know Your Strength and Weakness: Everyone has specific strengths and weakness, all you need to do is identify them. While preparing for the GATE examination, work hard on your weakness i.e. pay more attention to difficult topics and try practicing as much as you can.
• Always Study in Short Spans: Everyone should study for short phases. Each phase should not exceed more than 40 minutes. The main advantage of studying for a short duration is that you can study multiple subjects in a day. Set reminders to ensure that proper time is given to each subject. Avoid studying in continuation as brain requires rest and body needs to relax after a certain point in time.
• Avoid Shortcuts: There are no shortcuts to success. Therefore you have to make a great effort to crack the GATE exam.
• Study in Morning: The best time to study is in the morning itself. There is always a zero social media distraction and optimistic silence in the morning. Moreover, brain cells are more alert in the morning.  Therefore if you study in the morning you tend to memorize the information for a long period of time.
• Read Thoroughly: Read every topic and chapter properly and thoroughly. If needed, read every chapter thrice. Make sure you are well versed with the heading and introductory part of every topic which will surely help you during the examination. 
• Keywords: After reading the chapters, twice or thrice you get to know all the important points. Prepare keyword from such important points and highlight them. By highlighting you can easily recognize the keywords. With the help of keywords, you can have a brief description of the topic. Keywords are very important and will surely help you while preparing for GATE examination.
• Don't Study all the Tough Subject in Continuation: Students should avoid studying tough subject one after another. If you do so then your brain will slow down and your body will be tired very soon. One should prefer studying the most difficult subject in the beginning followed by an easy subject after taking a short break.
• Study Hard: GATE exam is not easy to crack. If you want to get a good score in GATE exam then don't distract yourself and pay complete attention towards studies. Make sure you are spending 6 to 7 hours on studies. Don't waste a minute of your time.
• Avoid Stress: If you are studying on a daily basis then there is no need to be stressed. Don't postpone your daily work for any reason. Make yourself study regularly for a fixed period of time. Meditate to reduce exam stress.
• Revise Regularly: Learning the work is not sufficient if you want a good score in GATE. If you only learn the topics and don't revise it then there are more chances to forget it at the time of examination. Make sure you revise every topic you complete each day.
• Test Yourself: Once you have completed your entire syllabus then test your knowledge by solving previous years question papers. By doing this you'll get to know you’re what more you need to prepare and where you actually stand in terms of knowledge.
• Revise Again and Again: Once you test yourself; you will be able to identify the topics on which you need to work hard. Now all you have to do is revise those topics or chapters.

Role and Importance of Coaching Classes in Preparing for GATE Exam

Students can also take coaching for preparation of GATE examination. Joining a coaching institute is beneficial as you would be exposed to a regular systematic study. Also, joining a peer group would make one more competitive. Make sure you are taking coaching from a professional Institute; who can provide you with specialized study material also. There are a few tips that students should keep in mind while studying in coaching class; which are as follows:

• Come Prepared: Before going for a class revise what you studied in last class by this way you can actively participate in the class by answering to all the questions asked by the teacher and will result in a good way. 
• Be a Good Listener: The student needs to develop adequate listening skills while studying in the coaching class. Efficient listening saves time and tends to improve the result.
• Pay Attention: Students should train their brain to pay attention while studying in the class. Paying attention in class is important because by this way you will be able to remember what you are learning long period of time. If you don't do so then you will miss something important.
• Make Quality Notes: When you are studying in a coaching class; make the best of it by preparing good notes. Handwritten notes are considered to be more effective than typing. While preparing notes one should focus on keywords, concepts, and relevant information. Use colour codes in your notes in order to make them attractive. Write all the important questions in your note from exam point of view. 
• Review your Notes: Make a habit of reviewing your notes from 20 to 30 minutes after the coaching class in order to retain the information much more effectively. By this way, you will be able to get rid of stress during the exam time.
• Don't Let your Mind Distract: While you are studying in a class focus on the present. Don't let your mind distract. Distractions can be in the form of a friend sitting next to you who is not letting you study, mobile phones, text messages etc. Turn off your mobile phone when you are in a class to be fully focused  Thinking of another aspect in a class won't let you focus and absorb the information that you need to learn at the moment.
• Talk to your Teacher: If you have any doubts or queries regarding the topic or concepts of GATE Exam, you should talk to your teacher.  You are teaching well definitely find a solution to it.
• Don't Hesitate: Don't hesitate while asking questions to your teacher Ask as many questions you feel like. You can also ask important questions for the examination and can prepare well.
• Find a Better Environment: Prefer sitting in front in the class so that you can hear more clearly and will be less affected by the distractions. By sitting in front you will feel more focused and attentive in the class and it will help you gain a lot of information.
• Active Participation: Try to participate in the class by replying to all the questions asked by the teacher if you are wrong then your teacher was correct you. By this way, you will be able to learn something new and you will gain more confidence.
• Avoid Cramming: In order to avoid cramming student should understand the concept, do some research regarding that topic and then start learning it. By this, you will be able to avoid cramming during the exam.  Once you start cramming your thinking and analyzing power becomes zero; so try to avoid it. 
• Investigate Systematically
  If you are not satisfied with the information provided by the coaching class then you can refer to other books, internet etc. It will help you establish facts and reach a new conclusion.

Importance of Healthy Body and Mind in Clearing GATE Exam

Preparation for examination is a continuous process. Unhealthy body or mind will not even let you give the exam. Here are some important points to keep in mind in order to maintain proper health required to clear GATE Exam.

• Enough Sleep: Sleep is incredibly important for Better results in the exam. Make sure you get a good sleep of about 6 to 8 hours in the night before the date of GATE examination. Sleep will help you reset your brain and will prepare you for critical thinking and retention.
• Eat Right: When you are studying for an exam, good nutrition should be on your priority list. Right food and drinks can energize your system and will improve your thinking and learning power. During the exam, the student should prefer a lot of veggies, fruit juice, whole grain and plenty of lean proteins. Avoid caffeine during the exam as it makes too jittery to pay attention for a long period of time.
• Drink Plenty of Water: Water helps in improving the mental performance of the brain. Water also helps in lowering the anxiety level among the students. So be well hydrated, before going for the exam.
• Exercise Daily: Exercise helps in relieving tension and also allows your brain to function in a systematic manner. By doing some physical activity like jumping, walking and swimming etc your body will be more focused while studying.
• Stay Calm: It is important to stay calm during the examination time so as to avoid stress and worries.  Stress and worries lead to an increase in the blood pressure which will result in Bad mental and physical condition.

Conclusion: GATE examination is an eligibility clause for the award of Junior Research Fellowship in CSIR laboratories. The GATE score is valid for 2 years. GATE score is definitely essential for those who are seeking a job in reputed companies. If Candidate has a valid gate score, he/she don't have to appear in the written/aptitude test and he/she are directly called for interview. One should work really hard to crack the GATE examination.