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Gateway to GATE

        After the GATE result has been published I have received a lot requests to write a post on how to prepare for GATE. Preparation strategy for GATE depends on many parameters like -

• Technical background of the student: if you have sound knowledge of the key subjects (like algorithm, OS, DBMS, Networking) then you are already halfway through your journey. If you don't have that then don't be upset, just you have to try harder than the others.
• Speed of learning : if you have good learning speed then you will need less time to learn things, but if you have comparatively low speed then don't panic, don't rush, calm down, learn at your comfortable speed. Believe me at the end of the day speed merely matters.
• Can you follow routine: if you cannot follow your own routine then learning will be difficult.
• Confidence level: if you are confident then you can learn things by heart. If you have lack of confidence then you will be panicked, you will rush, you will try to memorize things, and at the end will mess up everything in the exam hall. But if you have over confidence then you are ruined. Over confidence is worse than low confidence.
• Dedication level: no dedication no gain.
• Study materials: try to follow some good video lectures because sometimes you don't even know that what you know is wrong. Read what is worth reading, don't read garbage. Here is a small list of some standard study materials.
• Intelligence level: if you have high intelligence level then surely you will get advantage. But hey we can change our brain wiring, a stupid person can become a genius over time if he keeps pursuing what he wants to do. There are numerous examples in history. Even Einstein was not the class topper.

etc. Long story short - preparation strategy is not same for all. Only you can tell which strategy is suitable for you. Here I am writing a simple generalized version of a preparation plan, it is up to you to customize this version for your own benefit.

     I have divided the preparation process in 4 phases. This is my personal opinion you are free to use your own process.

        Approximately an average student should need a minimum of 7-8 months ( 6-8 hrs/day ) of study and an advanced student should need minimum of 4-5 (4 hrs/day)months of study. 

• Phase 1: Mental Preparation

Before you begin your journey mental preparation is a must. Take your time be prepared mentally then start your preparation.

• Are you sure? : So you want to prepare for GATE. Are you sure you really want to do this? Think properly and take a final decision. If you really want to crack GATE then you should not be reluctant about it. GATE should be your only aim for the next few months. If you just want to sit for GATE just because your friends are doing so then I would suggest don't waste your time and money, go to some restaurant and have some good food with the money. Only prepare for it if you really want it.
• Can I do it? : Ask yourself this question. Be honest with yourself when answering. If the answer is yes then your preparation is already 50% done because you have the fuel - self-confidence. If the answer is no then you need motivation. Before doing something you have to believe you can do it. If you can't crack GATE even in your dreams then how can you do it in the real exam? No matter how hard it may seem don't lose hope, just try harder, and push your limits. No hope no chance.

• Phase 2: Study the basics

Duration of this phase: approx. 2-3 months (for advanced students), 4-6 months (for average students)

• Make a mental routine and try to follow it.
• Make a list of tasks each week and check at the end of the week how many of those tasks are complete. Try to complete at least 60% tasks. Don't push yourself too hard. Just comfortably learn things.
• No matter how strong your background is don't ignore the basics, because who knows you may don't even know what you don't know or what you know is wrong. Read all the basics at least for one time. All the advanced topics requires a sound knowledge of the basics. If there is some flaw in basics then you are in a big trouble. It's like a BMW running on kerosene.
• After reading a chapter solve some problems (at least 50 mcqs and some long problems). Mark problems you could not solve in first attempt.
• Draw mind maps for some important topics if possible, it works.
• Try to finish the math syllabus in this phase.
• If possible register for some online mock test series. This will give you the push.

• Phase 3: Study advanced topics and practice a lot

Duration of this phase: never ending. Stop this phase 20 days before GATE exam.

• It is time to modify the structure of your to do list, add more time for problem solving. Try to solve previous year GATE papers (and solve them by yourself, don't cheat).
• Now that you have a sound knowledge of basics you are ready for advanced topics - like avl, B , B+ tree, tcp life cycle, type checking, p-np-npc, turing machine, DMA controller, pipelining etc.
• Read a topic until you understand it properly.
• Take some mock test. Analyze you performance.
• Weekly revise the previous topics. Solve the previously marked problems.

• Phase 4: Revision and practice

Duration of this phase: last 15-20 days before GATE exam

• Revise the important topics and any other topic you need to revise.
• Solve previous year GATE papers (in this phase don't even look at the mock test papers by different coaching institutes, they just don't have the standard).
• Stay cool; don't take pressure; leave any topic you have not read yet; believe me no one feels 100% prepared in this phase. Mental condition is vital in these days.

   Click here to download Gate study materials  

GATE study materials

        This is a minimal list of study materials for GATE. This list includes two types of materials - first a set of video lectures, books, lectures notes for basic concepts and the second type is a set of practice books for testing those concepts. Remember reading theory is not enough, after reading a chapter always try to solve some problems (both mcq and long problems).

List of materials for theory:

• MATH

• A first course in probability by Sheldon Ross - this is easy and efficient book for basic probability theory. 
• Graph Theory : with applications to engineering and computer science by Narsingh Deo 
• Engineering mathematics by B.S. Grewal

• Digital Logic

  • Digital Logic and Computer Design by Morris Mano

• Computer organization and architecture

  • Computer system architecture by Morris Mano -- this book easy to understand.
  • Mano's book does not cover all parts so you need to google for some chapters.
  • Computer organization bu Hamacher -- difficult to understand. Read only if you have plenty of time.

• Data structures

  • For basics read any standard book, if you find any difficulty in understanding then watch video lectures, there are thousands of video lectures in youtube
  • For advanced topics watch these lectures Data Structures And Algorithms by Naveen Garg

• Algorithm

  • Video Lectures (including lecture slides) : Intoduction to algorithms - this is one of the best resources available in the internet on this topic.
  • Books : Introduction to algorithms by Cormen - it may seem difficult for average students, you may have to read 2-3 times to understand some difficult topics but its worth it.
  • Algorithms by Papadimitriou - easy to understand.

• Theory of computation

  • Video lecture ( including study materials): Theory of Computation by Shai Simonson - simple, elegant & awesome.
  • Study material by Dr. Baker of Texax university - very good material.

• Compiler design

  • Compiler book by Aho,Ullman

• Operating Systems

• Video Lectures: UCB lectures - a huge list of video lectures, just find whatever topic you want to learn.
• Books: Operating system conceppts by Galvin

 to be continued ...

Note: This list will be modified in regular interval. This is just a minimal list, there are many advanced topics for which you need to google for a better study material. 

List of materials for practice:

• Previous years GATE papers - must practice these in order to get the feel of GATE.
• Gateforum, Madeeasy, Kanodia materials are good for practice

A huge list of video lectures are available here covering most of the topics in GATE - arsdigita lectures

Please post your comments -- good, bad, or otherwise — I would really appreciate it.



Click here to learn how to prepare for GATE

                                    -------------------HAPPY READING-----------------------