Every GATE aspirant follows different a strategy for success. Even though there is no magic mantra of GATE prep, almost every expert agrees that hard work and determination will maximize the chances of success in GATE. An above average score in GATE can offer a massive head start to your career and to get that benefit, you must know to when and how to start your prep.
GATE happens in the month of February, and since most students prefer giving it in their fourth year, it takes during the last semester (8th) of engineering for such students. Such students usually end up under massive stress since they not only have to prepare for GATE but also for their last semester projects and exams. To avoid such last-minute stress and to have enough time to prepare for an important competitive exam like GATE, it is suggested to start your prep early.
In our opinion, the 3rd year is the best year for starting your GATE studies and here are some reasons why:
● Starting early will help you focus on the basic concepts. In the first two years of engineering, you are new to subjects and you need time to cope with the concepts. Coming to the third year you will be familiar with the engineering concepts and it will be easy for you to understand new concepts. You will have enough time to work on the basics.
● Most of the high scoring subjects in GATE are from 3rd and the 4th year of engineering. So if you will start preparing from the 3rd year you will get a double benefit.
● Preparing in advance will help you to cope up easily with the concepts you will be studying in your final year. This advance preparation prevents you from entering a phase of struggle. You will be confident enough to solve problems related to new subjects wherein other students will be struggling to learn those concepts.
● If you start preparing from the 3rd year you will get enough time to gather the best resources to study. You will be able to find the best institute, best books and make proper notes. You would not have to take any decision in a hurry.
● Most importantly, starting early will give you enough time for revision. In your final year where you also have other important things on your head, you will not have to spend your entire time on GATE preparation. You can spare out time from your time table for revision. All concepts & tricks will be on your fingertips.
There is no specific set of rules that applies to every student, there is no specific date when everyone starts preparing. It is up to you when you start but we think you should start as early as you can. And as you prepare, make sure you are not merely studying for the heck of it but make it a point to have thorough preparation. To have consistent preparation:
● Make proper notes for each topic or subject so later it will be easy for you to revise.
● Every 3 months, take out those notes and read them thoroughly. Since your prep will span over a year, it is important to keep revising what you have studied so you don’t forget the older concepts as you study new ones.
● Practice more questions to get conceptual knowledge. Studying alone isn’t enough, you must constantly assess your prep by taking mock tests as regularly as you can.
