How to Get a Top Rank in GATE

Importance of Starting Early

• Begin preparation on time or early due to the extensive syllabus and numerous concepts/numericals.
• Common mistake: wasting time between March to June, leading to delayed syllabus completion.
• Early start helps in saving an entire year of preparation.

Initial Stage of Preparation

• Enthusiasm is high; students want to study everything.
• Avoid focusing too much on one or two subjects as it's a limited time exam.

Importance of a Long-Term Plan

• Decide on a preparation approach, syllabus completion timeline, revision strategy, and question-solving plan.
• Without a proper plan, you risk frequently changing your strategy, leading to ineffective preparation.
• Emphasize completing the syllabus within a set timeframe and include ongoing numerical practice and revision.

Two Approaches to GATE Preparation

Approach 1

Syllabus Completion

• Aim to finish the syllabus by September mid/end (about 30 weeks for 10 subjects).
• Allocate an average of 3 weeks per subject (some subjects may vary).

Key Activities Alongside Syllabus

• Include solving numerical examples and previous year questions (PYQs).
• Make and maintain notes: long notes for thorough understanding and short notes for quick revision.
• Daily cyclic revision to reinforce memory.

October: Major Revision

• October is for one major revision of the syllabus.
• If cyclic revision is done properly, this will be easier and faster.

Last 3 Months (Nov-Jan)

• Focus entirely on numerical solving skills.
• Solve question banks, test series, and address mistakes.*

Approach 2

Key Differences from Approach 1

• In addition to completing the syllabus, solve either a question bank or test series in parallel.

Benefits of Approach 2

• Early exposure to high-quality numerical questions improves understanding and retention.
• Syllabus might be completed later (October/November), but major revision and full-length tests become easier to manage.

Choosing the Right Approach

• Based on your availability, whether you are in college, have a job, and how hectic your schedule is.
• Approach 2 is more suitable if you have more than a year to prepare, like starting in your second or third year of college.

Notes Making and Revision

• Long notes: write detailed notes to ensure proper grasp of concepts.
• Short notes: concise points for quick revision.
• Daily cyclic revision: integrate revision into daily routine.

Numerical Practice

• Importance of solving as many numerical problems as possible.
• Use TSPs (Topic-wise Solved Problems) and PYQs for practice.
• Focus on areas where you feel less confident.

Final Tips

• Plan your strategy in advance and be consistent.
• Avoid wasting time on irrelevant topics or excessive random reading.
• Select the right study materials and courses to avoid wasting time and effort.

Conclusion

• The real competition starts after completing the syllabus with focus on numerical solving skills.
• Majority of top rankers are repeaters who have completed their syllabus and focus on numericals.
• Timely syllabus completion is crucial to start effective numerical practice and revision.
• Follow the shared strategies diligently to achieve a top rank in GATE.

Q&A and Comments

• Feel free to ask questions or clarify doubts in the comment section.