GATEway to success

GATE 2015 will see some serious modifications — the score is being made valid for three years, numerical questions replacing traditional multiple choice format and a complete online mode of exam being some of the most talked about ones.  With the test only a month away, aspirants need to be well versed with the new changes that will be applied from this year and prepare a strategy keeping in mind their strength and weakness, says Abhijit Chaudhari

Engineering is considered to be the most sought after option and hence has been one of the most lucrative career options for many students in India for many years now. With an increasing number of engineering students every year, the market has witnessed tough competition thus making it the most sought after options for students to register/enroll for further education/qualification with a Masters degree in Engineering. The GATE is the only doorway to the top engineering and science colleges in the country. The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is an essential platform for the students aiming to pursue their masters in engineering.

The primary reasons for undertaking GATE are the scholarship that one can secure. Financial assistance during master’s programmes and direct doctoral programmes in Engineering or Technology or  Architecture and doctoral programmes in relevant branches of Science in institutes supported by the Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD) or other Government agencies is possible only through GATE.

What is new in GATE 2015IJ

A lot of changes have taken place that will be implicated in GATE 2015. Some of them are —

• GATE score will be valid for three years instead of two years.
• All the registration process is made online.
• The test will be conducted online for all the streams.
• Students are allowed to carry their scientific calculator and no virtual calculator to be provided for the test.
• The test will have numerical answer questions apart from multiple choice questions.
• The application fee has been increased to 1,500 for general and OBC category students while it is 750 for female and SC/ST students.

Implications for aspirants

• With the exam going online, a lot of practice would be needed to familiarise with a computer based test. A peculiar problem that can arise in GATE, where some questions might need workings to be done on a complicated figure/diagram (in case of a paper based test the same can be done on the question paper itself), is that of replicating it.

• With the test having numerical answer questions, wherein one has to enter an answer, instead of choosing between four options, guesswork is eliminated and hence one cannot bet on luck.

GATE pattern

• As there is no change in exam pattern, the GATE paper consist of total of 65 questions carrying 100 marks, out of which 10 questions carrying a total of 15 marks are in General Aptitude (GA). The test will have both —

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) carrying one or two marks each in all papers and sections. These questions are objective in nature, and each will have a choice of four answers, out of which the candidate has to mark the correct answer(s).

Numerical Answer Questions of one or two marks each in all papers and sections. For these questions the answer is a real number, to be entered by the candidate using the virtual keypad. No choices will be shown for this type of questions.

lAST MINUTES TIPS FOR GATE ASPIRANTS

GATE is not a board walk as it requires a lot of dedication and diligence. Here are few tips and tricks one must keep in mind —

• As the old adage goes, there is nothing better than extensive practice. Solve all types of questions you come across in various books and be prepared on all question patterns
• Engineering subjects have a lot of formulae, which more often than not have to be memorized. Noting down all formulae as and when you finish each topic or referring to a collection of formulae will help you get familiar.
• General Ability constitutes 15 percent of the total marks and hence is one of the most important sections. Ignore it at your own peril.
• Take up a mock test series as it will help you adapt to the online pattern as this year students will have to use a virtual calculator enabled in their test logins. It will also help you assess your preparation
• Some people like to start solving a paper from the first question, while some people like to glance through the entire paper and start answering questions from their areas of strength. Based on your experiments in the mock test series, you can fine tune your own exam strategy.
• Don’t panic about the competition and the exam keep calm this will help you focus on your preparation.
• The penalty for a wrong answer (for the multiple choice questions) is a severe 33 per cent and hence answer the questions carefully to maximise your marks
• Don’t take the ‘eliminating the wrong answer options’ approach too often as many questions in GATE 2015 are of Numerical type (wherein you will have to enter a value instead of choosing from four options).
• Reach the examination centre 30 min before the start of the exam. It helps you to stay cool and calm during exam.
• Carry your stationary and admit card along with one valid photo identification proof.
• One day before GATE, stop thinking about it. Watch a movie or anything that relaxes you. Appear for the exam with a fresh mind.
• Put your best foot forward and do not worry excessively about the results.

The writer is director of Gateforum.