How to prepare for GATE Exam while working or studying in college?

Know the GATE Syllabus and Exam Pattern

The exam Pattern of Civil Engineering is as follows:

ParticularsDetails
Examination ModeComputer Based Test (CBT)
Duration3 hours*
Number of Subjects (Papers)29
SectionsGeneral Aptitude (GA) + Candidate’s Selected Subject
Types of Questions(a) Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)(b) Multiple Select Questions (MSQ) and/or(c) Numerical Answer Type (NAT)
Questions for testing these abilities(a) Recall(b) Comprehension(c) Application(d) Analysis and Synthesis
Number of Questions10 (GA) + 55 (Subject) = 65 Questions
Distribution of Marks in all Papers EXCEPT papers AR, CY, EY, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH, and XLGeneral Aptitude: 15 Marks + Engineering Mathematics*: 13 Marks + Subject Questions: 72 Marks =Total: 100 Marks(*XE includes Engineering Mathematics section XE-A of 15 Marks)
Distribution of Marks in papers AR, CY, EY, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH, and XLGeneral Aptitude: 15 Marks + Subject Questions: 85 Marks =Total: 100 Marks
Marking SchemeQuestions carry 1 mark and 2 marks
Negative MarkingFor a wrong answer chosen in an MCQ, there will be a negative marking. For 1-mark MCQ, 1/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer. Likewise, for a 2-mark MCQ, the 2/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer. There is no negative marking for wrong answer(s) to MSQ and NAT questions.

Paper Code

Paper CodeGeneral Aptitude (GA)MarksSubject MarksTotal MarksTotal Time (Minutes)*
AE, AG, BM, BT, CE, CH, CS, CY, EC, EE, ES, EY, IN, MA, ME, MN, MT, NM, PE, PH, PI, ST, TF1585100180
AR [Part A + Part B1 or B2](B1: Architecture or B2: Planning)1560 + 25100180
GE [Part A + Part B1 or B2](B1: Surveying and Mapping or B2: Image Processing and Analysis)1555 + 30100180
GG [Part A + Part B](Section 1: Geology or Section 2: Geophysics)1525 + 60100180
XE (Section A + Any TWO Sections)1515 + (2 x 35)100180
XH (Section B1 + Any ONE Section)1525 + 60100180
XL (Section P + Any TWO Sections)1525 + (2 x 30)100180

The Exam Pattern of Mechanical Engineering is given below:

ParticularsDetails
Examination ModeComputer Based Test (CBT)
Duration3 hours*
Number of Subjects (Papers)29
SectionsGeneral Aptitude (GA) + Candidate’s Selected Subject
Types of Questions(a) Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)(b) Multiple Select Questions (MSQ) and/or(c) Numerical Answer Type (NAT)
Questions for testing these abilities(a) Recall(b) Comprehension(c) Application(d) Analysis and Synthesis
Number of Questions10 (GA) + 55 (Subject) = 65 Questions
Distribution of Marks in all Papers EXCEPT papers AR, CY, EY, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH, and XLGeneral Aptitude: 15 Marks + Engineering Mathematics*: 13 Marks + Subject Questions: 72 Marks =Total: 100 Marks(*XE includes Engineering Mathematics section XE-A of 15 Marks)
Distribution of Marks in papers AR, CY, EY, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH, and XLGeneral Aptitude: 15 Marks + Subject Questions: 85 Marks =Total: 100 Marks
Marking SchemeQuestions carry 1 mark and 2 marks
Negative MarkingFor a wrong answer chosen in an MCQ, there will be a negative marking. For 1-mark MCQ, 1/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer. Likewise, for a 2-mark MCQ, the 2/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer. There is no negative marking for wrong answer(s) to MSQ and NAT questions.

Exam Pattern & List of GATE Mechanical Engineering 2023 Papers and Corresponding Codes

Pattern of Examination

ParticularsDetails
Examination ModeComputer Based Test (CBT)
Duration3 hours*
Number of Subjects (Papers)29
SectionsGeneral Aptitude (GA) + Candidate’s Selected Subject
Types of Questions(a) Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)(b) Multiple Select Questions (MSQ) and/or(c) Numerical Answer Type (NAT)
Questions for testing these abilities(a) Recall(b) Comprehension(c) Application(d) Analysis and Synthesis
Number of Questions10 (GA) + 55 (Subject) = 65 Questions
Distribution of Marks in all Papers EXCEPT papers AR, CY, EY, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH, and XLGeneral Aptitude: 15 Marks + Engineering Mathematics*: 13 Marks + Subject Questions: 72 Marks =Total: 100 Marks(*XE includes Engineering Mathematics section XE-A of 15 Marks)
Distribution of Marks in papers AR, CY, EY, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH, and XLGeneral Aptitude: 15 Marks + Subject Questions: 85 Marks =Total: 100 Marks
Marking SchemeQuestions carry 1 mark and 2 marks
Negative MarkingFor a wrong answer chosen in an MCQ, there will be a negative marking. For 1-mark MCQ, 1/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer. Likewise, for 2-mark MCQ, the 2/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer. There is no negative marking for wrong answer(s) to MSQ and NAT questions.

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Pick GATE Books Wisely

Books play an important role in GATE preparation, We are providing some books along with the subject name.

SubjectAuthor
Engineering MechanicsR.C Hibbeler
Mechanics of MaterialsR.K Bansal , cengel
Theory of MachinesKhurmi
VibrationsGyörgy Szeidl
Machine DesignShigley, R.E Sonntag
Fluid MechanicsR.K Bansal, F.P Beer
Heat TransferY.A cengel
ThermodynamicsP.K Nag & Sonntag
Engineering MaterialsH . A Taha
Production-1R.K Jain
Production -2R.K Jain
Operations ResearchH . A Taha

Prepare and Self Study

Make a study plan – While you’re starting the preparation make a study plan that suits your time and stick to it. So that it will not disbalance your day-to-day work

Easy and Tough Subjects– Try to distinguish your easy and tough subjects/topics, So you can prepare accordingly. In the starting try to focus on easy subjects so that they can build your confidence and improve your knowledge.

Study Material – First start your preparation, In addition, solve the previous year’s question paper so that you can understand the exam pattern In addition, focus on Mock Test which you can easily get from our website. However, we have provided the books which you can use to prepare.

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Thoughts of Giving up

You should never give up on yourself. Before you start the preparation, make up your mind properly, so that you would never have any second thoughts about giving up.

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Distractions

Avoid distraction while you prepare for the GATE exam. This will help you to improve your focus and also improve your preparation speed.

Wasting Time.

Stop wasting time on social media. After your college or working hours, try to study at night so that you can cover your syllabus easily without any pressure.

Nikhil

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