Common mistakes students do while preparing for GATE

What are the common mistakes to avoid during GATE Exam preparation?

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) exam basically tests the comprehensive understanding of the candidates in various undergraduate subjects in Engineering/Technology/Architecture and post-graduate level subjects in Science. There are several opportunities for engineering students through the GATE exam for postgraduate courses like M. TECH and also for employment in various PSU(s) like BHEL, GAIL, IOCL, NTPC, NPCIL, etc. Every year, around ten lakh engineering students, sign up for GATE preparation and aspire for good ranks to avail of these opportunities, but due to some common mistakes in GATE Exam Preparation, only a few of them reach the pinnacle of success. Avoiding these little common mistakes while preparing can avoid the delay in achieving success. Some of the frequently observed errors are:

1. Beginning preparation without analysis

A lot of students kick off their GATE exam preparation without analyzing the syllabus. A comprehensive study of the exam pattern, syllabus, and trend of questions asked on various topics is very important before you start the preparation. GATE exam preparation does not need very inclusive preparation in terms of coverage of the syllabus. One needs to monitor and analyze the previous paper’s trends properly. An in-depth study of concepts is required to survive the cutthroat competition; earlier, the cutoffs were less, but analyzing today’s scenario, toppers are scoring somewhere around 95–98 marks, and relatively, the cutoff has also increased. Also, one must identify their weak and strong areas and approach each subject accordingly. The same time and attention to each subject may not be a helpful idea.

2. Inadequate prioritization

Without a mind map of the course of action to follow, a loss of efficiency and effort may occur. Topics can be classified into two different types: conventional (traditional) areas of the syllabus and rarely asked topics. Conventional areas are those that must be prioritized since they are sure to carry the highest percentage of marks. Rarely asked topics can be taken care of at the end of the subject, as they can provide an extra edge in case a question from those topics comes up. Similarly, out of numerical and theoretical topics, depending on one’s own comfort and strengths, one must identify and prioritize topics accordingly.

3. Research-oriented study

Often, students waste a lot of time by trying to follow a plethora of sources to study. Time is a very crucial aspect of preparing, and it should be saved by avoiding unnecessary research on any topic. GATE preparation must be highly exam-oriented. Reading complete textbooks for each subject takes a lot of time and effort. It is a very good practice for enhancing knowledge, but not so much when one tries to prepare for the GATE exam in a stipulated amount of time. The focus must always be on clearing the exam, and thus, the preparation strategy must be highly goal-oriented at all times. Textbooks or any such sources must only be referred to for topics that one finds tough to understand from their primary source of study. It is here where coaching comes into play, as experienced faculties give you the right direction regarding how to study, what to study, and how much to study. This actually saves you unnecessary effort and time.

4. A generic approach for the GATE exam preparation

Following a generic approach or someone else’s approach for GATE exam preparation is another common mistake being observed. The preparation plan should be unique for every aspirant and for each subject. This practice is not good because every individual has his or her own limitations and strengths. So, one may take help from others’ strategies and plans to develop their own but not follow them completely. Similarly, each subject cannot be prepared similarly, and some subjects require more practice. Whereas subjects that involve more theory must not be taken one after another. Proper short notes and repeated revisions for such subjects are helpful, whereas practicing more questions for numerical or concept-based subjects proves more helpful.

5. Poor revision plan

This is the most common mistake seen in GATE exam preparation. A well-organized revision plan is even more important than a proper preparation plan because retention is more important for judgment day than understanding. Planning your preparation strategy in such a way that there’s no room for revision would, in the end, be a blunder. Also, keeping revisions only for the end is equally harmful. The revision must be done at regular intervals through practicing questions, re-reading notes, or appearing in test series. The time dedicated to revision must be increased with each successive month of preparation.

6. Lack of discipline

Lack of discipline does harm everybody’s life in general. And then, if you decide to devote a crucial phase of your life to GATE exam preparation, this is one mistake you would certainly want to avoid. A well-disciplined and scheduled routine is very important for GATE exam preparation. Continuity is another important aspect. Consistency in study hours and a set pattern must be maintained. It is suggested that one study for stretches of two to three hours at a time. The number of such sessions can be increased gradually and according to one’s caliber and stamina. Studying for twelve hours a day, three days a week, and two hours a day for the rest of the week does not let the mind train itself for the exam day. Furthermore, one’s study timing and schedule must be fixed and stuffed with small breaks in between. Proper food habits, sleep habits, and exercise are a few more things that can improve one’s efficiency while studying.

7. Demotivation from others’ results

Everybody has their own battle and their own way to fight it. In the same instance, when it’s 2 p.m. in India, it would be 4:30 a.m. in New York, but that does not make India faster than New York. The same applies to people. Everybody has their own time zone and achieves what he or she deserves accordingly. What is important is that they keep moving forward. One should not get demotivated by others’ success only because they achieved it earlier. It’s better to learn from their mistakes, get inspired by their hard work, and then keep moving according to your plan.
Students generally go into solitude while preparing, which is not good in the extreme. Rather, small support groups of two–three students with like minds and similar goals can be helpful. Discussion and doubt resolution can be done very easily with the help of such groups.

8. Unverified study sources

Lack of trust in the faculty or oneself often leads students to seek out additional sources of study. These sources, which may include some web portals, YouTube channels, or local textbooks, may be unverified. Reading from these sources may sometimes lead you to gain incorrect information or concepts. This practice may be very harmful; therefore, it is very important to maintain trust in your primary source of study. If, in any case, it’s very important to refer to any secondary sources, they must be verified first. Also, before referring to any book for model questions or previous-year GATE solutions, one must check the credibility of the publication to ensure correct learning.

9. Lack of evaluation

Students tend to appear for less online tests or take offline tests for GATE to save some money. This leads to insufficient practice for the actual exam in its true mode. Regular evaluation and proper analysis are crucial for proper GATE exam preparation. It helps one to understand where they stand among all the aspirants. Also, by analyzing mistakes and obtaining marks, further courses of action can be easily decided. Tests must be taken in online mode with a virtual calculator only so that one can properly analyze their speed, accuracy, and concepts.
Only appearing for the test is not enough, though. After a test is completed, one must examine the questions that you failed to attempt, look for a plausible reason why you could not answer them, and update your strategy accordingly. As for wrong attempts, it is important to know if the mistakes are being repeated. If the mistakes are conceptual or related to memory, referring to the notes again may help. If more calculation-related or silly mistakes are made, more practice is needed.

10. Insufficient tuning for the exam day

This mistake is generally seen thirty to forty days before the exam or after the admit card has been released. Students tend to follow the same schedule until the end, which is not a healthy practice. The human body needs to tune its daily schedule to work at its maximum efficiency. After one receives his or her admit card, he or she must tune or plan their schedule according to their final exam slot. This helps the body be the most productive and efficient in that time slot. For example, if one is habitually studying at night and gets an afternoon session for the exam, they may not be at their most efficient at that time. Also, one must try to give actual computer-based tests conducted for a real-time experience of the GATE exam. This helps one get acquainted with the exam environment and avoid panic on exam day.

During the exam, it is important to remain hydrated, energetic, and stress-free, as they say, “Prepare hard, test easy.”

FAQs

This section further answers some commonly asked questions on how to prepare and avoid silly mistakes while studying for a prominent exam like GATE.

How do you avoid silly mistakes in GATE exam preparation?

There should be no lack of consistency in GATE exam preparation; frequent revisions, practicing previous year question papers, and taking General Aptitude for granted are silly mistakes that must be avoided for GATE.

How many hours should a GATE-aspirant study?

There are no fixed hours allotted for a GATE aspirant to study, but a maximum of 6–8 hours should be there to score the expected outcome. Every aspirant can make changes in the hours as per their convenience, but maximum hours with some healthy breaks are a must for every aspirant.

What is the best time to start GATE exam preparation?

As they say, “the early bird gets the worm” hence it is advised to begin preparing for the GATE exam in your engineering final year. Since first-year students are not yet aware of technical subjects, it is not advisable to begin there.

Is 2 months enough for GATE exam preparation?

For a technical exam like GATE, two months may not be sufficient for thorough preparation. However, aspirants who are already engaged in exam preparation should focus on regular revisions and frequent mock tests as the GATE 2024 exams are commencing.

These GATE exam preparation tips, put together with strong determination and motivation, can help students avoid committing common mistakes in the GATE exam and be on the path to success.

“Mistakes are only harmful when you’re not learning from them; otherwise,  they are just advancing steps towards success.” Success is easy for no one. Only those who can identify, accept, and rectify their mistakes and learn from others can make it through easily. It’s very important to read success stories and take motivation from them, but what is more important is to read failure stories and learn lessons from them.

 

 

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