GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) is one of the most competitive postgraduate entrance exams because of its extensive and in-depth syllabus of the undergraduate engineering curriculum. In addition, tougher competition for a limited number of seats makes it more challenging. For most students, the biggest challenge is not how difficult the exam is, but an ineffective study plan that defines their performance on the GATE exam 2026.

To help students crack this prestigious exam, Shivalik College of Engineering shares the 5 best preparation tips.

1. Understand the GATE Exam Syllabus & Pattern

Preparing for any exam and not knowing the exam pattern is like shooting in the dark. By understanding the exam pattern, you can build an effective strategy by knowing the GATE syllabus, question types, marking schemes, time limits, topic weightage, etc.

GATE Exam Pattern 2026

The GATE exam 2026 will be of a total of 100 marks with a total of 65 questions held in a CBT mode (computer-based test). The total duration for the exam will be 3 hours (i.e., 180 minutes) covering General Aptitude and the candidate’s selected subjects. The GATE syllabus will consist of three types of questions, including the following:

• MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions): Negative marking applies with a 1/3 mark deduction for every 1-mark question and a 2/3 mark deduction for every 2-mark question.
• MSQs (Multiple Select Questions): No negative marking.
• NAT (Numerical Answer Type): No negative marking.

2. GATE Exam Preparation with an Effective Study Plan

Based on the exam pattern, the aspirants need to start with learning the basics in-depth, especially the subject questions. Begin with the foundational preparation that will help you build a strong base, starting with subjects you are most confident in and also giving time to master the areas you are weak in.

It is also important to note that engineering mathematics and general aptitude carry significant weightage (13% and 15% of the total paper), so include them in your study plan from the very beginning.

3. Choose Quality Study Materials

The problem faced by GATE aspirants is that they end up with multiple references, creating pressure to cover everything, causing burnout and repetitive content wasting your time. It is best to rely on preparation materials that are provided by IITs/IISc via NPTEL, MIT OpenCourseWare, or standard textbooks, covering the entire GATE syllabus thoroughly.

If you have joined a coaching institute, you can follow the materials provided to you. For subject specialization, pick a maximum of 2-3 books with high-quality resources, focusing on the quality of study materials instead of quantity.

4. Practice and Revise

The best strategy for GATE exam preparation is to dedicate 75% of your time to practice after covering the theory. In addition, practicing previous year’s question papers and mock tests will help you understand the difficulty level of the questions.

To revise topics, you can use flashcards for formulas or key derivations, use short notes, & integrate mnemonic methods in your study plan. Create a realistic study structure that gives you time for revising every subject.

5. Time Management is the Key

Managing time starts when you begin with GATE preparation. It’s always best to start early so you have ample time to complete the entire syllabus, along with revision and practice.

To improve your time management during the exam, practice mock papers to improve your performance within a time limit. One very effective strategy for managing time during the paper is the “Three-Round Method”, where you have to skim over the entire paper, mark easy questions and proceed with the paper with them, and then jump to the rest of the questions.

Final Thoughts

In this article, we discussed the top 5 strategies that can help students get prepared for GATE 2026, which are:

• Understand the GATE Exam Syllabus & Pattern
• Create an Effective Study Plan
• Choose Quality Study Materials
• Practice and Revise
• Time Management is the Key

To clear the GATE exam and get into top institutes like IITs and NITs is a dream for many engineers. At Shivalik College of Engineering, we help students build a strong foundation of engineering with our B. Tech courses.

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