How to Prepare for GATE 2024 in 3 Months, Tips & Tricks

Are you aspiring to crack the GATE 2024 exam and secure a job in your dream Public sector Undertaking (PSU) or a seat in a top postgraduate program? With just three months left, it’s natural to feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. But don’t worry! This blog post will be the ultimate guide to making the most out of these crucial three months by showing you how to prepare for GATE 2024 in such a short span of time.

How to prepare for GATE in just three months?

1. Understand the Exam Pattern:

The first step in this productive journey of 90 days for GATE 2024 is to understand the marking scheme, types of questions, and the time allocation to each section. 

In GATE, three varieties of questions are asked – MCQ, MSQ and NAT – that are awarded either 1 or 2 marks. Only MCQ has a negative marking of 33%. For MSQ, the candidate has to select all the correct options to get full marks; there is no provision for partial marking. For NAT, there is a provision of a 5% tolerance limit for correct answers.

Then, by referring to the previous year’s GATE questions, identify the weightage of all the subjects. You can divide these subjects into three categories: High-weight subject (C1), medium-weight subject (C2) and low-weight subject (C3). 

Prioritise your preparation based on the weightage of the subject.

2. Create a Study Plan:

The most crucial step in this journey is to have a well-structured study plan. In these 90 days, on average, you’ll have 720 hours of preparation time. 

You can divide this available time into two parts. Keep 500 hours for learning and practising the concepts and the remaining 220 hours for revision and attempting mock tests.

Out of the 500 hours, keep 250 hours for C1 category subjects, 150 hours for C2 category subjects and the remaining 100 hours for C3 category subjects.

Go through the syllabus of every subject thoroughly, divide it into manageable sections, and then start your preparation. 

Ensure a balance between subjects and give more time to challenging areas while covering easier topics quickly.

3. Choose the Right Study Material:

As the candidate is already inching towards the GATE exam, efficient learning is key. To practise this learning method, the candidate must have access to well-curated study material containing all the concepts explained clearly in fewer words while also including solved examples and practice questions.  The Theory Books published by IMS GATE ACADEMY cover all these aspects.

The next step in practising efficient learning is to have exclusive authentic video lectures. The video lectures provided by IMS GATE ACADEMY can be a game changer for the candidate. 

Authentic video content will ensure candidates are able to finish the syllabus quickly. On the other hand, the real-time doubt-solving feature will allow them to get total clarity on the subject without any delays.

4. Practice Regularly:

Practice is the key to mastering concepts for any competitive exam; the same applies to GATE as well. To successfully learn how to prepare for GATE in 3 months, candidates should have an exercise book and a comprehensive GATE question bank handy. 

The exercise book should have questions that are divided chapter-wise. And for each chapter, questions should be well-placed in Levels 1, 2, and 3 based on their difficulty level. This will save a lot of time for the candidate. They can directly refer to the questions of a particular chapter while also tracking their level of preparation with ease.

Similarly, practising previous years’ GATE questions can help candidates identify critical concepts and frequent questions to boost their preparation level further. 

Much like the exercise book, the GATE question bank should contain all the GATE questions asked to date, divided into different chapters for all the subjects, as presented in the GATE QUESTION BANK of IMS GATE ACADEMY. 

5. Revise Wisely:

Revision is crucial, especially in the last few months. Create concise notes summarising essential formulas, concepts, and tricks. Regularly revise these notes to reinforce your memory. Utilise flashcards and mind maps for quick revision.

6. Focus on Weak Areas:

Solve previous years’ question papers and take regular mock tests to identify weak areas which require extra attention. Time yourself during these mock tests to improve your time management skills. 

Candidates can also opt for a quality online test series with detailed solutions, short tricks, and detailed exam analysis data like accuracy, time efficiency (time taken per question), and ROI (marks earned per minute). 

IMS GATE ACADEMY is the only institute in the country to provide such an exhaustive test series, providing 135+ tests with detailed solutions and exam analysis.

Identify your weak areas through practice tests and focus your energy on strengthening them. Seek help from well-trained Mentors from IISc/IITs/NITs to clarify doubts. Don’t shy away from asking questions; clarity leads to confidence.

7.  Stay Healthy:

Remember, a healthy mind resides in a healthy body. Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and get adequate sleep. Avoid burnout by taking short breaks during study sessions. Meditation and yoga can also help in improving concentration.

8. Seek Guidance:

If possible, join a reputable coaching institute or online course. Experienced mentors can provide valuable insights, shortcuts, and strategies for approaching the exam. 

The personalised one-to-one mentoring sessions can help the candidate develop a customised strategy for the question – how to prepare for GATE in three months. The plan can be tailored based on the challenges the candidate faces, as done in the MY PLAN session feature of IMS GATE ACADEMY.

These sessions can also offer immensely valuable personalised feedback to help students score better marks.

9. Believe in Yourself:

Lastly, believe in your abilities. Stay positive and confident. Visualise your success and keep pushing your limits. Remember, with dedication, hard work, and a positive mindset, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

In these three months, focus on consistency and smart studying. Be disciplined, stay motivated, and never underestimate the power of self-belief. Best of luck with your GATE 2024 exam! May your hard work pave the way for a bright and successful future!