How to Get Top Ranks in the GATE Civil Engineering Exam on Your First Attempt Like a Pro

Tips & Tricks to Ace the GATE Civil Exam

Here are some tips that can help you pass the GATE Civil Exam and get a high-ranking score.

1. Check the Syllabus

Before developing a prep plan, it is vital to familiarize yourself with the GATE exam syllabus. Knowing about the subjects and the topics to be covered helps you devise a preparation strategy.

2. Start Ahead

"If you fail to prepare, you are preparing to fail."

Give yourself optimal time to prepare for the exam. Start your exam prep at least 6 months before the test date. It is recommended to spend 4-6 hours on weekdays and half a day on weekends studying for the exam.

3. Develop a Solid Study Plan

"A goal without a plan is just a dream."

Having a good study plan can make all the difference when it comes to ranking high in the GATE exam.

Make a study schedule and adhere to it. Analyze the syllabus and make a note of the important topics to be covered and the time required to cover each subject. Identify complex and easy concepts and allocate time accordingly. Ensure you start with the complicated topics first so that you have enough time to cover the syllabus.

Make sure you are focused on the subject matter and do not leave the door open for distractions. Let your friends and family know you are preparing for the GATE exam, and you will have little to no time to socialize.

"Plan your work, then work your plan."

4. Acquire the Best Books

Gather the study resources well in advance. Buy the best-rated books, review manuals to boost your exam preparation. Finding the best books can be hard, so browse the internet and explore several blogs, discussion forums, and social media threads to identify the best books available in the market. If you are running low on cash, you can borrow the books from your friends who have previously taken the exam.

However, do not buy too many study resources. Using several resources can lead to confusion. So, make a cheat sheet of the important formulas and refer to them every day.

5. Take Practice Tests

Practice, practice, practice - is your success mantra!

Take practice exams as often as necessary to improve your problem-solving skills. You have 180 minutes to solve 65 questions, so solving many practice problems helps you enhance your time-management skills and calculation speed. Practice tests also help you understand the exam pattern and the difficulty level of questions.

You can find several free practice tests online, or you can solve previous year's GATE question papers. Evaluate your performance in these tests to identify your areas of strengths and weaknesses. Focus more on your weaker subject areas to achieve a good score in the exam. Doing well in the practice tests gives you a sense of confidence to tackle the GATE exam.

6. Register in a GATE Exam Prep Course

Join a GATE exam online course to strengthen your exam preparation. Choosing expert guidance on platforms like VISHWA helps you understand complex subjects with ease, and expert tutors help you solve tricky problems within the time limit. Further, a prep course gives you access to lecture videos, subject-wise practice tests, and much more.

7. Formulate a Test-Taking Strategy

Examinees should have a clear plan of how many questions they should attempt to achieve a high score in the exam. The GATE exam has negative marking, so randomly clicking on options is not a smart thing to do. If you do not know the answer to a question, do not answer it. Prioritizing which sections and what questions to attempt first can be helpful. Solving the easy questions first can give you enough time to solve difficult queries.