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.
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.
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
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
These events can provide valuable insights into exam strategies and important topics
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
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
The following are the most recommended books for GATE preparation:
Subject | Books |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
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.
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.
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.
Counselling Date:01 August,2025 - 09 August,2025
Counselling Date:02 August,2025 - 04 August,2025
Others:11 August,2025 - 11 August,2025
Hello aspirant,
The syllabus of GATE Biotechnology 2026 has seven subjects,
And books recommended for preparation are,
For more information, click on the link given below,
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-syllabus-for-biotechnology
Best of luck for your preparation.
GATE exam for Electrical and Electronics Engineering:
The GATE is conducted annually, usually in February. For Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EE), the exam covers core subjects like:
Electrical Circuits
Signals & Systems
Power Systems
Electrical Machines
Control Systems
Analog & Digital Electronics
Power Electronics
Electromagnetic Fields
Engineering Mathematics
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree (final year or completed) in Engineering/Technology.
Admission Process:
Score is used for PG admissions (M.Tech, ME, MS) and PSU recruitment.
Exam Mode: Online (CBT)
Exam Duration: 3 hours
Question Types: MCQs, MSQs, and NATs
Total Marks: 100
Next Steps:
GATE 2026 application is expected to start in September 2025 on the official GATE portal.
BITS Pilani
VIT Vellore (Vellore Institute of Technology)
SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
Shiv Nadar University
IIIT-Hyderabad (for select PG programs)
DAIICT, Gandhinagar
UPES Dehradun
MIT-WPU Pune (MIT World Peace University)
RV College of Engineering, Bangalore
A GATE score of around 253 is not enough for top IITs or NITs, but you can still get admission into some private engineering colleges, especially in less competitive branches like Civil or Production. However, you might not receive a monthly stipend and will have to manage most of the expenses on your own.
GATE Textile Fiber (TF) focuses on subjects like textile technology, fiber science, yarn & fabric manufacturing, and finishing. The exam includes 65 questions—10 from General Aptitude and 55 from core TF subjects.
Total marks are 100, and the duration is 3 hours. It opens opportunities in PSUs, research, and M.Tech/M.E. admissions in textile-related fields.
Preparing from NITRA books, IIT Delhi lecture notes, and past papers is highly recommended.
A flight attendant ensures passenger safety and comfort during flights. Key duties include conducting safety checks, assisting passengers, serving food and drinks, and managing emergencies. They must be well-trained in safety procedures and customer service. A high school diploma is typically required, followed by rigorous training to qualify for the role.
A Flight Engineer monitors and operates an aircraft’s complex systems like engines, fuel, and hydraulics during flight, ensuring optimal performance and safety. They assist pilots with technical issues, conduct inspections, and maintain records. This role requires strong technical knowledge, problem-solving, and communication skills. Training usually involves a degree in aviation or aerospace engineering and specialised certification.
An Aircrew Officer operates and navigates aircraft, ensuring safe flights and compliance with aviation regulations. Key duties include managing flight systems, conducting pre- and post-flight checks, and adhering to safety standards. The role typically requires working five days a week, with around 120 flight hours monthly. Employment may be contractual or permanent, depending on the airline.
An aerospace engineer designs, develops, tests, and maintains aircraft, spacecraft, and related systems. They apply physics and engineering principles to improve aerospace technologies, often working in aviation, defence, or space sectors. Key tasks include designing components, conducting tests, and performing research. A bachelor’s degree is essential, with higher roles requiring advanced study. The role demands analytical skills, technical knowledge, precision, and effective communication.
An air hostess, or flight attendant, ensures passenger safety and comfort during flights. Responsibilities include safety demonstrations, serving meals, managing the cabin, handling emergencies, and post-flight reporting. The role demands strong communication skills, a calm demeanour, and a service-oriented attitude. It offers opportunities to travel and work in the dynamic aviation and hospitality industry.
An aeronautical engineer designs, develops, tests, and maintains aircraft and related systems. They work on components like engines and wings, ensuring performance, safety, and efficiency. The role involves simulations, flight testing, research, and technological innovation to improve fuel efficiency and reduce noise. Aeronautical engineers collaborate with teams in aerospace companies, government agencies, or research institutions, requiring strong skills in physics, mathematics, and engineering principles.
A Safety Manager ensures workplace safety by developing policies, conducting training, assessing risks, and ensuring regulatory compliance. They investigate incidents, manage workers’ compensation, and handle emergency responses. Working across industries like construction and healthcare, they combine leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills to protect employees and maintain safe environments.
An airline pilot operates aircraft to transport passengers and cargo safely. Responsibilities include pre-flight planning, in-flight operations, team collaboration, and post-flight duties. Pilots work in varying schedules and environments, often with overnight layovers. The demand for airline pilots is expected to grow, driven by retirements and industry expansion. The role requires specialized training and adaptability.
Welding Engineer Job Description: A Welding Engineer work involves managing welding projects and supervising welding teams. He or she is responsible for reviewing welding procedures, processes and documentation. A career as Welding Engineer involves conducting failure analyses and causes on welding issues.
A career as Transportation Planner requires technical application of science and technology in engineering, particularly the concepts, equipment and technologies involved in the production of products and services. In fields like land use, infrastructure review, ecological standards and street design, he or she considers issues of health, environment and performance. A Transportation Planner assigns resources for implementing and designing programmes. He or she is responsible for assessing needs, preparing plans and forecasts and compliance with regulations.
An architect plans and designs buildings, ensuring they are safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing. They collaborate with clients, engineers, and contractors throughout the construction process. Key skills include creativity, design software proficiency, and knowledge of building codes. In India, a 5-year B.Arch degree and registration with the Council of Architecture are required to practise professionally.
Having a landscape architecture career, you are involved in site analysis, site inventory, land planning, planting design, grading, stormwater management, suitable design, and construction specification. Frederick Law Olmsted, the designer of Central Park in New York introduced the title “landscape architect”. The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) proclaims that "Landscape Architects research, plan, design and advise on the stewardship, conservation and sustainability of development of the environment and spaces, both within and beyond the built environment". Therefore, individuals who opt for a career as a landscape architect are those who are educated and experienced in landscape architecture. Students need to pursue various landscape architecture degrees, such as M.Des, M.Plan to become landscape architects. If you have more questions regarding a career as a landscape architect or how to become a landscape architect then you can read the article to get your doubts cleared.
Urban Planning careers revolve around the idea of developing a plan to use the land optimally, without affecting the environment. Urban planning jobs are offered to those candidates who are skilled in making the right use of land to distribute the growing population, to create various communities.
Urban planning careers come with the opportunity to make changes to the existing cities and towns. They identify various community needs and make short and long-term plans accordingly.
A plumber installs, maintains, and repairs water, gas, and waste systems in homes and buildings. Their duties include fixing leaks, installing fixtures, testing systems, ensuring safety compliance, and working with other professionals on projects. They also document repairs and may supervise apprentices. Plumbers play a key role in ensuring public health and the smooth functioning of essential utilities.
Individuals who opt for a career as construction managers have a senior-level management role offered in construction firms. Responsibilities in the construction management career path are assigning tasks to workers, inspecting their work, and coordinating with other professionals including architects, subcontractors, and building services engineers.
Individuals who opt for a career as an environmental engineer are construction professionals who utilise the skills and knowledge of biology, soil science, chemistry and the concept of engineering to design and develop projects that serve as solutions to various environmental problems.
Individuals who opt for a career as geothermal engineers are the professionals involved in the processing of geothermal energy. The responsibilities of geothermal engineers may vary depending on the workplace location. Those who work in fields design facilities to process and distribute geothermal energy. They oversee the functioning of machinery used in the field.
Energy efficiency engineering is a broad field of engineering which deals with energy efficiency, energy services, facility management, plant engineering, and sustainable energy resources. Energy efficiency engineering is one of the most recent engineering disciplines to emerge. The field combines the knowledge and understanding of physics, chemistry, and mathematics, with economic and environmental engineering practices. The main job of individuals who opt for a career as an energy performance engineer is to find the most efficient and sustainable path to operate buildings and manufacturing processes.
Individuals who opt for a career as energy performance engineers apply their understanding and knowledge to increase efficiency and further develop renewable sources of energy. The energy efficiency engineers also examine the use of energy in those procedures and suggest the ways in which systems can be improved.
A geologist attempts to comprehend the historical backdrop of the planet we live on, all the more likely to anticipate the future and clarify current events. He or she analyses the components, deployments, results, physical characteristics, and past of the planet. A geologist examines the landforms and landscapes of the earth in relation to the geology, climatic, and human processes that have shaped them.
A geologist studies earth procedures, for example, seismic tremors, avalanches, floods, and volcanic eruptions to review land and draw up safe structure plans. When he or she researches earth materials, explores metals and minerals, yet in addition search for oil, petroleum gas, water, and strategies to extricate these.
A career as a Petroleum engineer is concerned with activities related to producing petroleum. These products can be in the form of either crude oil or natural gas. Petroleum engineering also requires the exploration and refinement of petroleum resources. Therefore, a career as a petroleum engineer comes up with oil and gas onshore jobs. There are also desk jobs in the petroleum industry. In layman’s terms, a petroleum engineer is a person who finds the best way to drill and extract oil from oil wells. Individuals who opt for a career as petroleum engineer also tries to find new ways to extract oil in an efficient manner.
A career as Transportation Planner requires technical application of science and technology in engineering, particularly the concepts, equipment and technologies involved in the production of products and services. In fields like land use, infrastructure review, ecological standards and street design, he or she considers issues of health, environment and performance. A Transportation Planner assigns resources for implementing and designing programmes. He or she is responsible for assessing needs, preparing plans and forecasts and compliance with regulations.
A career as a civil engineer is of great importance for the infrastructural growth of the country. It is one of the most popular professions and there is great professional as well as personal growth in this civil engineering career path. There is job satisfaction in this civil engineering career path, but it also comes with a lot of stress, as there are multiple projects that need to be handled and have to be completed on time. Students should pursue physics, chemistry and mathematics in their 10+2 to become civil engineers.
A career as a Transportation Engineer is someone who takes care of people's safety. He or she is responsible for designing, planning and constructing a safe and secure transportation system. The transportation sector has seen a huge transformation and is growing day by day and improving every day.
As a Transport Engineer, he or she needs to solve complex problems such as accidents, costs, traffic flow, and statistics. A Transport Engineer also collaborates for projects with some other companies.
A Loco Pilot operates trains, ensuring safe and timely transport of passengers or goods. Starting as an Assistant Loco Pilot, one can progress to senior roles with experience. The job demands technical knowledge, focus, and adherence to safety protocols. It involves coordination with train staff and may require working long hours under pressure.
Ranked amongst top 3% universities globally (QS Rankings).
NAAC A+ Accredited | Scholarships worth 5 CR
Apply for an Online MBA from Amity Online.
Apply for Online MBA from Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE)
Ranked #46 Among Universities in India by NIRF | 1950+ Students Placed 91% Placement, 590+ Recruiters
NAAC A+ Grade | Ranked No.1 Private University in India (QS World University Rankings 2025)
