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GATE EXAM – HOW TO PREPARE GATE EXAM – HOW TO PREPAREMany students may not be aware that there are several institutions in this country, offering specialized postgraduate progra-mmes in various disciplines. Attractive scholarship/Assistant-ship for postgraduate courses in engineering/Technology/Archi-tecture/Pharmacyat Engineering colleges/institutes in the country are available to those who qualify through GATE. Some Engineering colleges/institutes specify GATE as a mandatory qualification even for admission to post graduate programmes. The candidate is required to find the procedure of final selection and award of scholarship/ Assistant-ship from the respective Institution to which the candidate seeks admission. GATE qualified candidates in Engineering subjects) will also be eligible for the award of junior research fellowship in CSIR Laboratories.
What is GATE ?
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is an all-India examination administered and conducted in eight zones across the country by the GATE Committee comprising faculty from Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and seven Indian Institutes of Technology on behalf of the National Coordinating Board-GATE, Department of Education, Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD), Government of India.
Objective
The objective of ATE is identify meritorious and motivated candidates for admission to Post Graduate Programmes in Engineering, Technology, Architecture and Pharmacy at the National level, to serve as benchmark for normali-sation of the Undergraduate Engineering Education in the country.
Why should we take GATE
1. M.Tech degree leads to specialization and furthering of interest in a certain area which may lead to Ph.D
M.Tech degree is best for those wishing to apply for Faculty/Research positions in educational Institutes/R&D centers.
Examination Details
1. The examination is a single paper of 3 hours duration and generally consists of Section A (Objective Type) which is of 75 marks and Section B (Problem Type) which is of 75 marks. Total: 150 marks.
2. You have to opt for your subject and study as per the syllabus mentioned in the GATE brochure.
3. The subjects of our interest are Computer Science and Engineering, Electronics & Communication Engineering., Electrical Engineering and Instrumentation Engineering. Other subjects are also available such as Mathematics, Physics, etc.
4. Results of qualified candidates in GATE will give All India Rank and indicate percentile score. For example, a percentile score of 99 means you are in the top 1% category of the candidates who appeared for GATE.
5. Candidates who get less than 70 percentile get no score card.
6. GATE scores are valid for 2 years. You may reappear in the GATE exam if you are not satisfied with the earlier score and the new score (if better than the old one) will be used for admission purposes.
After the Exam, what next
1. After publication of GATE results, students must apply to individual Institutes to get their application forms.
2. Institutes advertise M.Tech admissions in leading news-papers from 1st April till end July. However some Institutes do not advertise and therefore students have to get the forms themselves.
3. In the application forms, you have to mention your GATE score alongwith other details.
4. The concerned Institute may conduct written test and/or interview for the purpose of admission.
5. Thumb rules: If your Gate score in Computer Science is 96 percentile or more then you can try for IITs, if between 85 - 96 percentile, then apply for top RECs, JADAVPUR, SHIBPUR, ROORKEE, etc. If less than 85, you have to look for appropriate institutes.
Scholarship
During the pursuit of M.Tech, you are paid a scholarship of Rs. 5000.00 per month by the Government of India. This amount is enough for living expenses including purchase of books, etc. The scholarship is paid for the entire 18 months M.Tech period.
SPECIAL:
We encourage 3rd year students to also appear for GATE alongwith Final Year students since:
a. GATE score is valid for 2 years.
b. The syllabus as required by GATE is generally over by 5th semester.
STRUCTURE OF GATE
The GATE 2008 examination consists of a single paper of 3 hours duration and carries a maximum of 150 marks. The question paper of GATE 2008 will be fully objective type.
Candidates have to mark the correct choice by darkening the appropriate bubble against each question on an Objective Response Sheet (ORS). There will be negative marking for wrong answers. The deduction will be 25% of the marks allotted.
A candidate will have to choose any one of the papers listed below:
Paper Code Paper Code
Aerospace Engg AE Information Technology IT
Agricultural Engineering AG Mathematics MA
Architecture and Planning AR Mechanical Engineering ME
Civil Engineering CE Mining engineering MN
Chemical Engineering CE Metallurgical Engineering MT
Computer Science & Engineering CS Physics PH
Chemistry CY Production & Industrial Engineering PI
Electronics and Communication Engineering EC Pharmaceutical Sciences PY
Electrical Engg EE Textile Engg. & Fibre TF
Geology & Geophysics GG Engineering Sciences XE
Instrumentation Engineering IE Life Sciences XL
Papers XE and XL are of general nature and will comprise the following Sections:
Engineering Sciences (XE) Life Sciences (XL)
Subjects Code Subjects Code
Engg. Mathematics (Compulsory) (A) Food Technology (I)
Computational Science (B) Chemistry (Compulsory) (J)
Electrical Sciences (C) Biochemistry (K)
Fluid Mechanics (D) Biotechnology (L)
Materials Science (E) Botany (M)
Solid Mechanics (F) Microbiology (N)
Thermodynamics (G) Zoology (O)
PolymerScience and Enginerring (H) – –
Candidates appearing in XE or XL papers are required to answer three sections Sections (A) and (H) are compulsory in XE and XL respectively. Candidates can choose any two out of the remaining sections mentioned against the respective papers. The choice of the appropriate paper is the responsibility of the candidate. However, some guidelines are suggested below: Candidates are expected to appear in a paper appropriate to the discipline of their qualifying degree.
However, the candidates are free to choose any paper according to their admission plan, keeping in mind the eligibility criteria of the admitting institute.
Instructions: Do not forget to send the Original Transaction Slip, SC/ST or Disability Certificate (if applicable) alongwith the application form (duly filled and signed) that is generated while filling-in the Online Application to the Organizing Chairman, GATE-2007, IIT Kanpur, Kanpur-208016. Remember that in the Application Form you have to paste the recent Passport size Photograph (unsigned) with light background.
Payments can also be made through the Demand drafts (Rs. 900 for general category and Rs. 400 for SC/ST category). The Drafts should be made in favour of Chairman GATE, IIT Kanpur on any nationalized bank payable at Kanpur. In the event of paying via Demand drafts, please send the original Demand Draft (instead of the ATM Transaction Slip) together with the application form directly to Chairman GATE, IIT Kanpur, Kanpur-208016. Other enclosures are same as mentioned earlier.
IMPORTANT DATES
Scorecard will be sent only to the qualified candidates. No information will be sent to candidates who are not qualified.
Commencement of sale of information Wednesday- 20 Sept 2008
brochure and application forms/online
application form submission
Last date of issue of information brochures by post from at bank counters- at GATE office
and application forms GATE Offices- Monday -30 counters –
Thursday Oct 2008 Monday - 30
19 Oct 2008 Oct 2008
Last date for
Online application form submission Monday - 30 Oct 2008
(website closure)
Receipt of completed Offline application Friday- 3 Nov 2008
forms at different GATE Offices
Receipt of completed Online application Friday - 3 Nov 2008
forms at IIT Kanpur
Last date for despatch of admit cards by Monday - 22 Jan 2009
the respective Institutes
Date of the examination Sunday - 11 Feb 2009
Announmcement of results Thrusday - 15 March 2009
EXAMINATION ZONES AND ADDRESS:
Examination Address of the Chairman, GATE of the Telephone, Fax and email
Cities corresponding zone
Zone 1 Chairman,GATE
Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012 Phone: 080-2293 2392
Fax: 080-2360 1227
email:gate@gate.iisc.ernet.in
Zone 2 Chairman, GATE Phone: 022-2576 7068
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay Powai, Fax: 022-2572 3706
Mumbai 400 076 email: gateoffice@iitb.ac.in
Zone 3 Chairman, GATE Phone: 011-2659 1749
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi Hauz Khas Fax: 011-2658 1579
New Delhi 110 016 email: gate@admin.iitd.ernet.in
Zone 4 Chairman, GATE
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati 781 039 Phone: 0361-258 2751
Fax : 0361-269 0789
email: gate@iitg.ernet.in
Zone 5 Chairman, GATE Phone: 0512-259 7412
Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur 208 016 Fax : 0512-259 0932
email: gate@iitk.ac.in
Zone 6 Chairman, GATE Phone: 03222-282091
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur 721 302 Fax : 03222-278243
email:gate@adm.iitkgp.ernet
Zone 7 Chairman, GATE Phone: 044-2257 8200
Indian Institute of Technology Madras Fax : 044-2257 8204
Chennai 600 036 email: gate@iitm.ac.in
Zone 8 Chairman, GATE Phone: 01332-284531
Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee 247 667 Fax: 01332-285707
email: gate@iitr.ernet.in

(The author is Lecturer in Biochemistry, Govt. Arts & Science College, Paramakudi, Tamil Nadu.)