What to expect in GATE 2015

Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is an all India examination that tests the understanding of various undergraduate subjects in engineering and technology. GATE is conducted jointly by the Indian Institute of Science and seven IITs (IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Madras and IIT Roorkee) on behalf of the National Coordination Board - GATE and Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development.

What is new in GATE 2015?

1. GATE Score will now be valid for three years.

2. The registration process has been made online.

3. The test will be conducted online for all the streams.

4. No scientific calculators will be allowed for the examination. Instead a virtual scientific calculator will be made live for all students.

5. The test will have numerical answer questions apart from multiple-choice questions.

6. In GATE'14 the tests did not have linked and common data questions. We expect the same to continue for GATE'15 as well.

7. The GATE online application system will open on September 1, 2014 and the last date for submission for the online application is October 1, 2014.

Implications for aspirants

With the examination going online, students need to invest in familiarising themselves 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 (in case of a paper-based test the same can be done on the question paper itself), is that of replicating the diagram. Students might need to practice on that.

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 or a solution based on elimination of wrong options.

GATE exam pattern

The paper will consist of a total of 65 questions carrying 100 marks. Out of this, ten questions will carry a total of 15 marks in general aptitude (GA). The test will have the following type of questions:

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.

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

Tips for GATE aspirants

Appear in a mock test series: Take up a mock test series as it will help you adapt to the online pattern and assess your preparation. Based on the test analysis you can focus on areas that you are weak in. This will also give you exhaustive practice on different types of questions.

Focus on high-return topics: Engineering, mathematics and general ability constitute 30 per cent of the total marks and are relatively easier to score in. You could look at some online lectures to prepare in these key topics.

Relax before the exam: One day before GATE, stop thinking about it. Go watch a movie or do something fun to relax.

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