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How to Prepare for GATE 2026 from 1st Year of College? - Year Wise Study Plan

How to Prepare for GATE 2026 from 1st Year of College? - Year Wise Study Plan

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Team Careers360Updated on 02 Jul 2025, 12:49 PM IST

How to prepare for GATE from 1st year of college? - Did this question ever pop into your head, “How to prepare for GATE from 1st year”? If yes, this is the right stop for you! GATE exam is an all-India test being conducted for admission to postgraduate programs and attractive job offers in various Public Sector Undertakings. Although most students begin their preparation in the final year, starting in the first year of college will help you a great deal. In this guide, you will find out how to prepare for GATE from 1st year of college.The GATE 2026 exam will tentatively happen in February, 2026.

How to Prepare for GATE 2026 from 1st Year of College? - Year Wise Study Plan
How to Prepare for GATE from 1st Year of College

Why to Start GATE Preparation from the First Year?

Early Bird Advantage: The benefits that are associated with early planning include; one, you are able to develop the right foundations, and two, you minimize stress at the end. Aligned with College Curriculum: Most subjects of the GATE examination fit your college subjects and, hence can be studied in parallel with ease. Time for In-depth Understanding: You are in a position to take your time to understand the ideas in question before you move to the next step. Opportunity for Multiple Revisions: Preparation ahead of time allows for several review sessions hence improved memory.

How to prepare for GATE from 1st year of college? - Step-by-Step Guide

GATE Preparation Plan for First Year of College

  • Familiarize Yourself with GATE especially if you're thinking about how to prepare for GATE CSE from 1st year.

  • Understand the GATE exam pattern and syllabus

  • Research about the different GATE papers and choose your target discipline

  • Focus on Fundamental Subjects

  • Pay extra attention to core subjects like Engineering Mathematics, which carry significant weightage in GATE. Start solving basic problems from GATE previous year questions related to these subjects

  • Develop a Reading Habit

  • Start reading standard textbooks recommended for GATE preparation

  • Focus on understanding concepts rather than memorizing

  • Build a Strong Foundation in General Aptitude

  • Begin preparing for the General Aptitude section, which is common across all GATE papers

  • Solve puzzles, logical reasoning problems, and improve your verbal ability

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GATE Preparation Plan for Second Year of College

  • Create a Structured Study Plan that allocates time for how to prepare for GATE with college alongside your regular studies.

  • Develop a weekly schedule allocating time for GATE preparation alongside your regular studies

  • Include topics from both 1st and 2nd-year subjects in your GATE preparation plan

  • Start Solving GATE Previous Year Questions

  • Begin with solving GATE questions from the past 5 years

  • Focus on understanding the question patterns and difficulty levels

  • Join Online GATE Communities to Participate in online forums and discussion groups to learn more about how to prepare for GATE CSE from 1st year.

  • Participate in online forums and discussion groups dedicated to GATE preparation

  • Share your doubts and learn from peers

  • Attend GATE Workshops and Seminars

  • Look for GATE-related workshops or seminars in your college or nearby institutions

GATE Previous Year Question Paper's
Download GATE previous year question papers to understand exam pattern and difficulty level. Practice with these papers to boost your preparation and improve your score.
Check Now

These events can provide valuable insights into exam strategies and important topics

GATE Preparation Plan for 3rd Year of College

  • Intensify Your Preparation

  • Increase the time dedicated to how to prepare for GATE from 1st year.

  • Start solving complete previous year papers under timed conditions

  • Focus on Core Subjects

  • Pay special attention to the core subjects of your chosen GATE paper

  • Create short notes for quick revision

  • Take Online Mock Tests

  • Start attempting full-length online mock tests to gauge your preparation level

  • Analyze your performance and work on your weak areas

  • Consider Joining a GATE Coaching Institute

  • If you feel the need for structured guidance, consider enrolling in a reputed GATE coaching institute to balance how to prepare for GATE with college.

  • Many institutes offer weekend batches suitable for college students

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GATE Preparation Plan for Final Year of College

  • Dedicate Maximum Time to GATE Preparation

  • Allocate the majority of your free time to GATE studies

  • Focus on revision and problem-solving

  • Solve Test Series

  • Enroll in a good test series to practice extensively

  • Aim to solve at least 30-40 full-length mock tests before the actual exam

  • Revise and Refine

  • Go through your notes and revise all important concepts

  • Focus on topics with higher weightage in GATE

  • Work on Your Weak Areas

  • Identify and strengthen your weak topics

  • Seek help from mentors or seniors if needed

  • Stay Updated with GATE Notifications

  • Keep track of GATE application dates, exam dates, and any changes in syllabus or exam pattern

Recommended eBooks

Related eBooks & Sample Papers

State M.Tech Admissions Through GATE

3411+ Downloads

Best Books for GATE Preparation

The following are the most recommended books for GATE preparation:

Subject

Books

  1. Engineering Mathematics:

  • Higher Engineering Mathematics by B.S. Grewal

  • Advanced Engineering Mathematics by Erwin Kreyszig

  1. General Aptitude:

  • A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal

  • General Aptitude for GATE by R. S. Aggarwal

  1. Computer Science and Engineering (CSE):

  • Discrete Mathematics and Its Applications by Kenneth H. Rosen

  • Operating System Concepts by Abraham Silberschatz

  1. Electrical Engineering:

  • Electrical Engineering: Principles and Applications by Allan R. Hambley

  • Power System Analysis by John J. Grainger

  1. Mechanical Engineering:

  • Mechanical Engineering Design by J.E. Shigley

  • Engineering Mechanics by J.L. Meriam

  1. Civil Engineering:

  • Strength of Materials by R.K. Bansal

  • R.S. Khurmi for Fluid Mechanics

  1. Chemical Engineering:

  • Transport Processes and Separation Process Principles by Christie John Geankoplis

  • Chemical Engineering Design by Gavin Towler

Tips for Consistent GATE Preparation Throughout College

Balance College Studies and GATE Preparation: Ensure that your GATE preparation doesn't hamper your college performance for how to prepare for GATE with college.
Use Technology Wisely: Many GATE preparation apps and online resources are helpful if used correctly during the learning process.

Form Study Groups: Get together with other students for group study purposes.

Stay Motivated: Lack of motivation during preparation is usually dangerous, therefore you should set Small, Achievable Goals to keep you focused.

Take Care of Your Health: Keep a clean and healthy diet, exercise, and get enough rest.

Be Consistent: The following is true when it comes to long-term preparations; Consistency is vital. As little as an hour or two a day can count miles over a four-year duration of the course.

Seek Guidance: It is not wrong to seek help from your professors or seniors as you prepare for the GATE.

All these strategies explained in this guide and starting from the first year of college with GATE preparation will help you to successfully pass the exam. Please note that with the right kind of effort consistently applied, understanding particular strategies that work with you, and a strong conceptual base, anyone can crack GATE. Begin on time, work hard, and be determined and you will definitely make it big.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Even if life is so tough and competitive, is it essential to start preparing for GATE right from the first year of college or engineering?
A:

Of course, it is not mandatory but starting early gives you a substantial head start. It invites time for better preparation, without the pressure that is usually associated with the last year of college. But if you’re studying this later than your first year you should not panic – you can make a plan of preparation starting from this point.

Q: Is it necessary to join any coaching for preparing for the GATE?
A:

As we have seen through the previous pages, it is not necessary to be a part of a coaching institute to crack GATE. Thus, a large number of students manage to prepare successfully independently. This decision should be made depending on the learning style as well as the needs one may have.

Q: How many hours do I need to study each day for GATE?
A:

Often the period can greatly depend upon various factors including the amount of prior knowledge on the subject as well as the remaining duration before the exam. Even in the first years of college, it is possible to organize a Hamburguesa class, spending 1-2 hours a day. You may find it necessary to move up to 3-4 hours or more in your final year depending on the number of assignments you handle at any given time.

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Questions related to GATE

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to GATE ?
can BSc home science graduate appear for gate 2026 exam

Hello,

Yes, you as a Bachelor of Science graduate in home science can appear for the GATE 2026 exam, as the eligibility criteria include graduates from "Science" and other fields, as well as those in the 3rd year or higher of an undergraduate program.

I hope it will clear your query!!

Read Complete Answer
R
Rahul Mandal
29 Sep'25
What importance will this Gate exam provide in the long run

Hey! The GATE exam (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) is very important for long-term career growth. It opens opportunities for postgraduate studies (M.Tech, MS, PhD) in top institutes like IITs and NITs and is also used by many public sector companies (PSUs) for recruitment, often with higher salary packages. In the long run, qualifying GATE can enhance your technical knowledge, career prospects, and credibility in the engineering field.

Read Complete Answer
A
Ankur Mehta
29 Sep'25
i applied for gate examinatin my payment was succeded but application status was showing failed what can i do ?

If your GATE application shows failed status even after a successful payment, don’t worry, this usually happens due to server or transaction update delays. First, wait for 24–48 hours as sometimes the status gets updated automatically. If it still shows failed, you should raise a query through the GATE application portal by providing your enrollment ID and payment receipt or transaction details. You can also contact the GATE zonal office via email or helpline with proof of payment. Keeping a screenshot of the payment success message will also help in resolving the issue quickly.

Read Complete Answer
C
Chelsie G
28 Sep'25
gate exam cs it relevant books and main topic to read

Hi dear candidate,

You can refer to the online E Books for GATE examination available on our official website that you can download anytime.

Kindly refer to the link attached below to access them for practice.

Link: GATE E-books and Sample Papers

BEST REGARDS

Read Complete Answer
A
Aryan
27 Sep'25
what is qualified marks for gate in cs if in 2026 with cut off pf marks

Hey! The qualifying cutoff for GATE CSE in 2025 was around 29.2 marks for General, 26.2 for OBC/EWS, and 19.4 for SC/ST/PwD. For GATE 2026, the official cutoff is not declared yet, but if we look at the past trends, it usually stays around 30–32 marks for General category. So, if you are preparing, it’s better to target a score well above this range to be on the safer side.

Read Complete Answer
A
Ankur Mehta
26 Sep'25
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