HOW TO PREPARE GATE IN LAST TIME

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We have been asked repeatedly that what should be the focus areas for a GATE 2014 Aspirantin these last 45 days. In this article, we will discuss How to Prepare for GATE 2014 in final 45 days. It is very important that proper utilization of final days available should be done in revision, practicing and building confidence and should not be left out on easy note. GATE 2014 starts from Feb 01 2014 and will continue till March 02 2014.

Before we proceed, here are 3 mantras you must always keep in mind:

• You cannot crack GATE if you are planning to start now until and unless you have been studying your engineering curriculum very well but had no intention to give GATE seriously.
• These are tips based on experiences of previous years GATE toppers and what best faculties for GATE advise to students. You may modulate the tips as per your requirement and study pattern.
• GATE is not the end. Always ensure you have a backup plan ‘Plan B’. You must always have an answer to ‘What if I don’t clear GATE’. This is in no way to lose confidence on you but to act and plan smart.

Let’s begin with what to do in final 45 days for GATE 2014 Preparation.

1. Focusing on important topics

For every branch there are some topics which get more weightage compared to the other subjects and there are some topics which never get picked well at all. Identify such topics and areas as per your branch and give some extra time for revision and practice to such topics.

Mental Ability and English constitutes 15% of the total marks and scoring well here can fetch you good score! Also, Engineering Mathematics also gets considerable weightage and should be kept in high in priority list of important topics. 

2. Revision

Revision is the key for building command on the subject. You need to ensure you do revise after sometime otherwise you will lose the information. In this final sprint of GATE 2014 Preparation, do ensure you revise the important formulae and important concepts.

Write down the important formulae topic-wise in a separate sheet if you don’t have topic wise short notes already for quick revision. Similar way you can follow for important concepts and note them down in easy manner. Important formulae and important concepts should be on your finger tips before GATE 2014.

3. Mock Tests

This is one thing you MUST NOT miss! Mock examinations based on Pattern of GATE 2014 are the only way you can get yourself and your mind in position to face the real exam situations. Remember, solving a question with no time limit is easier to solving same question sitting in exam hall with immense pressure. Ensure you attempt mock tests in regular intervals (preferably same time of the day as per slot you have got) which will give you good habit and confidence for the Exam Day. You can join some proctored Mock Test Series for GATE 2014 Preparation or can attempt the same at home as well if you can ensure a silent environment. 

4. Flukes don’t work

GATE 2014 is more about accuracy than just the number of questions you attempt. If you have low accuracy level then probably it will become difficult for you to score well. Flukes don’t really work all the time and at-least for exams like GATE with 12 Lac+ candidates. Focus on gaining higher accuracy level and ensure you don’t tick answers merely by gut feeling.

One important thing for GATE 2014 or any exam you must know is out of the four options, one is the correct answer and rest 3 are generally the options which you get an answer for choosing the wrong path in solving questions. Those options are also destination answers you get when you do mistake at some or the other step. This again asks you to focus on accuracy along-with number of questions you attempt.

5. Eat healthy and stay fit

Getting ill in the final sprint will do the maximum harm! Take good care of your health and find time daily for a 30 minute walk or for exercising. This will keep your mind fresh and body fit for mental activity. Keep a check on your diet and you should increase fibre and protein content in your daily eating habits. Remember, a fresh and fit body hosts a smart brain. The more you take care of your health, more its capability and capacity increases.  

6. The D-Day strategy

It’s not a long way for the GATE Exam Date. The exam schedule for all branches is already released and you can check it here. You need to have a plan and strategy in place on how you will proceed with the paper in the examination hall. More of it will get clear when you will attempt mock papers. They will give you a clear idea on which questions you should target first and decide your flow.

Based on these experiences while giving mock examinations and identifying your strong and weak areas you can develop strong exam day strategy that will take you through the GATE 2014 Exam pretty well with high confidence level. 

7. Applying for PSUs

If you are serious about GATE 2014 Preparation and also looking forward to making career with Public Sector Units (PSU) then you must ensure you are applying for relevant PSUs Hiring through GATE 2014. There are many well-known PSUs hiring through GATE 2014like NTPC, BHEL, ONGC, BPCL etc. which pay as high as 10-12 Lakhs per annum.

Application dates for many of the PSUs hring through GATE 2014 have already been announced and more are expected soon. You need to separately apply for each PSU and the primary level selection is based on GATE 2014 scores. Based on the Scores in GATE 2014, you are called for further rounds of selections of PSU which can comprise of Group Discussions/Activities and Personal Interview.

Click Here to track all PSUs hiring through GATE 2014.

8. Exams other than GATE-The Plan ‘B’

There are various other organizations which conduct entrance examinations for technical hiring. Some organizations like Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), All India Radio (Prasar Bharti) etc. conduct their own examinations. GATE 2014 Aspirants can also apply for such examinations as these exams won’t need any separate dedicated preparation. But these exams will open door to multiple opportunities which can act as Back-Up Plan if you don’t get through GATE with expected scores.

Indian Engineering Services (IES) though cannot be counted under the Plan B category as comparatively its even tougher to crack the IES but serious GATE Aspirants can also appear in IES. 

9. The Peer Group Effect

Do you think people you have around you can affect your performance in GATE 2014? If your answer is YES, you are right. People around us or the people we spend time with affect the way we think and act. Staying with positive people/friends and having similar interest group friends-in this case, serious GATE 2014 Aspirants will give you positive energy and enthusiasm to prepare even harder for GATE 2014. This level of internal competition among friends is very healthy for GATE 2014 Preparation.

During these 45 days, avoid hanging around for no reason but try to stay with similar interest group friends. This will keep you focused to the goal of cracking GATE 2014 and will not create divergence which can be going out for a movie or a weekend party. Postpone such plans till you appear in GATE 2014 Exam if possible. 

10. GATE is not the end of the world

This is not the time to worry about what will happen if you don’t clear GATE 2014. And even if you end up performing below what you expected in GATE 2014, it’s not the end of the world. That’s why we suggest you to keep back plans and Plan ‘B’ in place. Give GATE 2014 your best shot and leave rest to the future.