Quick Summary
Strategic Preparation: GATE 2025 requires a well-structured study plan, including topic prioritization, revision strategies, and the right study materials to ensure success.
Mock Tests & Time Management: Regular practice with mock tests, solving previous year’s papers, and effective time management are essential for improving accuracy and confidence.
Healthy Lifestyle & Coaching: Maintaining a balanced lifestyle, using expert-recommended resources, and enrolling in coaching classes (if needed) can enhance preparation and boost performance.
Students aspiring to pursue a master’s degree in engineering and technology must excel in the GATE exam. Passing GATE is essential for admission to top engineering institutes in India, including NITs, IITs, IISCs, and IIITs. IIT Kanpur is expected to conduct GATE 2025 in early February.
Given the importance of this national-level examination, a strong preparation strategy is crucial. Implementing practical last-minute GATE preparation tips is vital to achieving excellent scores on your first attempt. Ensuring you follow the right preparation path will enhance your chances of success.
Here are the most impactful last-minute GATE preparation tips to help you ace the exam and secure a stellar result.
To get ready for the GATE exam, make a study plan early. Focus on understanding the concepts and practice using previous year’s papers and mock tests. Keep a healthy schedule, manage your time well, and review regularly to build confidence and boost your performance.
Implementing effective GATE Preparation Tips is crucial for every candidate. These GATE Preparation Tips can significantly enhance your study process and ultimately lead to success in the GATE examination.
One option for GATE preparation is enrolling in a coaching center or using self-study. In any case, students will need a successful study plan to pass the GATE test. Having all the necessary data at one’s fingertips can aid in creating a successful study schedule.
Utilizing these GATE Preparation Tips will bolster your readiness for the exam.
Here is the most relevant information needed to devise a GATE 2023 preparation plan:
| Particulars | Details |
| Mode of Examination | Online |
| Duration | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Number of Papers | 29 papers |
| Section | General Aptitude Subjects selected by the student |
| Types of Questions | Multiple Select Questions (MSQ) Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) Numerical Answer Type Questions (NAT) |
| Purpose of Questions | The exam aims to assess the following abilities: Analysis Application Recall Comprehension Synthesis |
| Total Number of Questions | 65 questions |
| Total Marks | 100 marks |
| Distribution of Questions (Excluding CY, EY, AR, PH, MA, XL, and GG) | Subject questions: 72 marks Engineering Mathematics: 13 marks General Aptitude: 15 marks |
| Distribution of Questions in CY, EY, AR, PH, MA, XL, and GG | Subject questions: 85 marks General aptitude: 15 marks |
| Marking Scheme | Each question will be worth 1 or 2 marks |
| Negative Marking System | MCQs 1 mark questions: 1 mark will be given for every correct answer 1/3rd mark will be subtracted for every wrong answer. 2 mark questions: 2 marks will be given for each correct answer. 2/3rd marks will be subtracted for every wrong answer. NAT and MSQ: There will be no negative markings for these questions. |
| Shortlisting Procedure | In the interview or test-based selection process, a minimum of 70% weightage will be on GATE performance. 30% weightage will be on the candidate’s performance in the test, interview, or academic record. |
Understanding the topics is one of the essential GATE Preparation Tips that can help you excel.
These GATE Preparation Tips will ensure you’re fully prepared for the challenges ahead.
For practical GATE Preparation Tips, candidates should thoroughly understand the GATE syllabus. Each of these GATE Preparation Tips will guide your studies effectively.
These GATE Preparation Tips will help you stay focused and manage your time efficiently.
Following the best study resources is among the top GATE Preparation Tips.
Using flashcards is one of the practical GATE Preparation Tips many successful candidates recommend.
GATE aspirants should prepare early to ace the exam and get into a good college. Many candidates appear for this exam yearly while competing for very few seats.
Incorporating regular revision as part of your GATE Preparation Tips is essential.
To complete the syllabus, candidates must analyze their routine, time, and days. Listing topics in order of difficulty will tremendously help in preparation for GATE. Moreover, one should list all the books required to prepare for the exam. Expert guidance will help identify the best books in the market.
Solving mock tests is another crucial element of effective GATE Preparation Tips.
Finding the right study resources is essential for successful GATE preparation. Candidates should focus on selecting reliable online and offline materials. Many GATE preparation lectures and videos are free on platforms like YouTube and Instagram. Additionally, the internet offers a wealth of written notes, eBooks, articles, and other study materials. Referring to resources recommended by IIT professors and experienced educators can be particularly beneficial. Make the most of these diverse resources to enhance your study strategy and boost your chances of excelling in the exam.
Flashcards are great last-minute GATE Preparation Tips. Students can write important points and formulas on them and revise them daily. They can also use sticky notes for this purpose. They only need to note the crucial matter and stick it on their study tables. Seeing and revising these daily will help them solve questions faster during the GATE exam.
Distributing your study hours effectively is one of the key GATE Preparation Tips for success.
Revision is crucial for a good GATE score. Ideally, students should have two hours to revise their concepts every day. Moreover, during the eleventh hour, students should only rely on their notes for revision.
This process will keep the concepts fresh in their minds. Knowing the concepts will help answer the most questions in the least time.
One cannot underestimate the relevance of mock tests in last-minute GATE preparation tips. GATE authorities annually release mock test series to boost confidence and answering speeds. Solving these tests will highlight one’s strengths and areas of concern.
This process will also help one ponder their mistakes and consider improving them.
However, one should select the test series curated and recommended by toppers and experts.
| Day | Minimum 2 Hours | More than 2 Hours | From 2 to 3 Hours |
| Monday | Engineering Mathematics | Subject-specific topics | Numerical Ability |
| Tuesday | Subject-specific topics | Subject-specific topics | Verbal Ability |
| Wednesday | Engineering Mathematics | Subject-specific topics | Pick subjects that demand more time |
| Thursday | Subject-specific topics | Pick Engineering Mathematics topics that demand more time investment | Numerical Ability |
| Friday | Subject-specific topics | Verbal Ability | Numerical Ability |
| Saturday | Subject-specific tests | One mock test series | Analyze the results |
| Sunday | Subject-specific tests | One mock test series | Analyze the results |
GATE preparation tips demand a perfect strategic plan. The General Aptitude section is common to all the subjects in GATE. Students must thoroughly prepare for this part of the syllabus. The GATE general aptitude section is divided into two sections:
Let us examine the preparation strategy for both categories.
These last-minute GATE Preparation Tips can greatly influence your performance on exam day.
Utilising GATE Preparation Resources effectively is another one of the essential GATE Preparation Tips.
GATE preparation can be demanding, but it’s essential to prioritize your physical and mental health. A healthy mind and body contribute significantly to effective study. Here’s how you can stay healthy during the preparation period:
Here are some useful last-minute revision tricks for a good score in GATE 2025.
Chegg provides excellent GATE Preparation Tips to help you navigate your studies.
Many students require some direction and guidance to prepare for exams. This is where GATE coaching institutions come into the picture. Instead of trying their luck alone, such students should consider enrolling in reputed GATE coaching classes. This will help refine their preparation strategies.
Here are a few benefits GATE aspirants can avail of when they join coaching institutes:
Lastly, implementing the right strategies during your GATE preparation is crucial.
Here are the top 3 GATE preparation apps to look for in 2025.
| Subject | Name of the Books |
| Mechanical Engineering | 1. Machine Design: V B Bhandari 2. Engineering Thermodynamics, P. P K Nag |
| Electrical Engineering | 1. Fundamentals of Electric Circuits, Matthew N O Sadiku 2. Digital Design, M. Morris Mano |
| Civil Engineering | 1. SEA Advanced Engineering Mathematics—Erwin Kreyszig 2. Highway Engineering, S. S K Khanna 3. R C C Designs – B C Punmia 4. Basic Structural Analysis, C. C S Reddy 5. Higher Engineering Mathematics—B.S. Grewal |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering | 1. Electronic Devices and Circuits, Jacob Millman 2. Signals and Systems, Alan V Oppenheim 3. Principles of Electromagnetics (4thEdition) – Matthew N O Sadiku 4. Network Analysis: Man Van Valkenburg 5. Modern Digital and Analog Communication (B.P. Lathi) |
| Manufacturing Engineering | 1. Engineering Thermodynamics, P. P K Nag 2. Fundamentals of Engineering Heat and Mass Transfer, R. R C Sachdeva 3. Manufacturing Engineering and Technology—Serope Kalpakjian 4. Theory of Machines—S. S. Rattan |
| General Aptitude | 1. How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude—Arun Sharma 2. Succeed at IQ Tests: Philip Carter and Ken Russell 3. High School English Grammar—Wren and Martin |
| Mathematics | 1. Projective Geometry—Harold Scott MacDonald Coxeter 2. Sequence, Combinations, and Limits—Sergei L Gelfand 3. A Mathematical Mosiac—Ravi Vakil 4. Algebra—Isreal Gelfand |
| Statistics | 1. Probability, Random, Variables, and Stochastic Processes—Athanasios Papoulis 2. Introduction to Algorithms, Ronald Rivest 3. The Elements of Statistical Learning, Trevor Hastie 4. Practical Statistics for Data Scientists, Andrew Bruce |
The life of an engineering aspirant is never easy. Juggling endless assignments and preparing for GATE simultaneously can be challenging for students. Relying on Google for all queries may not solve the purpose.
This is where Chegg comes into the picture. It is an innovative platform for all GATE aspirants. It provides a comprehensive database of notes, videos, and audio. Features like Ask an Expert, Math Solver, and Writing Support ensure 360° exposure and student support.
The platform offers practical career guidance and government exam preparations. It is a one-stop destination for helping candidates crack GATE 2025 with good scores.
Visit Chegg today to ace the GATE preparation!
Preparing for the GATE 2025 exam requires a well-structured strategy, as it is a crucial step for admission to top engineering institutes like IITs, NITs, and IISCs. The exam comprises 65 questions across General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, and Subject-Specific Topics, with MCQs, MSQs, and NAT questions. Last-minute preparation should focus on revision, mock tests, and strategic time management. Using flashcards, short notes, and formula sheets can enhance retention. Prioritizing numerical-based questions, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and following expert-recommended study resources will boost confidence and performance. Coaching institutes can further help with structured learning and mock tests for better results.
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To prepare for GATE, understand the syllabus, study from solid books, and practice mock tests regularly.
Example: Riya studied for 2 hours each day, focused on her weak areas, and solved past papers to improve her speed.
Tip: Stay consistent. Short, daily study sessions are more effective than cramming at the last minute.
Scoring 70 in GATE isn’t easy. It’s a top-tier score that requires strong concepts, a lot of practice, and good time management.
Example: Arjun revised daily, solved five years of past papers, and took weekly mock tests. He scored over 70.
Tip: Focus on understanding, not just memorizing. GATE tests how well you apply concepts, not how much you can memorize.
They’re tough in different ways. IIT entrance (JEE) tests your school-level physics, chemistry, and math. GATE tests in-depth engineering or architecture knowledge.
Example: Meera found JEE tricky because of its speed but found GATE harder due to its depth.
Tip: If you really understand your subject, GATE feels more logical than difficult.
A GATE topper can earn around ₹10 to 20 lakhs per year if they join top PSUs like ONGC or IOCL.
For example, Ravi, a GATE AIR 1, received about ₹18 LPA at a Maharatna PSU.
Tip: Your salary depends on your branch, company, and skills, not just your rank.
No IIT guarantees full placement, but the best ones, like IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, and IIT Madras, often have almost complete placement in Computer Science and ECE.
Tip: Focus on your branch and skills. They are more important than the IIT name alone.
Authored by, Mansi Rawat
Career Guidance Expert
Mansi crafts content that makes learning engaging and accessible. For her, writing is more than just a profession—it’s a way to transform complex ideas into meaningful, relatable stories. She has written extensively on topics such as education, online teaching tools, and productivity. Whether she’s reading, observing, or striking up a conversation while waiting in line, she’s constantly discovering new narratives hidden in everyday moments.
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Chegg India does not ask for money to offer any opportunity with the company. We request you to be vigilant before sharing your personal and financial information with any third party. Beware of fraudulent activities claiming affiliation with our company and promising monetary rewards or benefits. Chegg India shall not be responsible for any losses resulting from such activities.
