UPES M.Tech Admissions 2026
Ranked #45 Among Universities in India by NIRF | 1950+ Students Placed 91% Placement, 800+ Recruiters
GATE Exam Date:07 Feb' 26 - 08 Feb' 26
How to Prepare for GATE 2026 by Self Study - Getting admission into the top institutes offering postgraduate engineering courses is a dream for many students, but only lucky ones get through. The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a gateway to get admission into the best institutes. GATE exam 2026 is one of the most important entrance examinations. Aspirants are often confused about whether they should enroll in a coaching institute or study on their own. The GATE 2026 exam is tentatively scheduled for February 2026.
Many people strongly believe that in order to crack the GATE 2026 entrance examination, one should get help from a coaching institute. But is it really true? No, candidates can prepare for GATE 2026 by self-study. Here in this article, we are presenting the ways to prepare for GATE by self-study. Candidates can find some important points to keep in mind while preparing for the exam. These points will help them to crack GATE 2026 by self study. Read the complete article to know more about how to clear GATE 2026 by self study.
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Having the right preparation strategy is the most crucial of all. Candidates are advised to follow the below given steps in order to crack GATE 2026.
Start your preparation as early as possible
The thumb rule to crack GATE 2026 is to start its preparation as early as possible. Give it enough time to prepare in the best possible way. Many times, students fail to crack the entrance exam because of their inability to complete the syllabus on time. Therefore, it is advisable to start your preparation as soon as possible.
Know the syllabus & exam pattern
GATE 2026 preparation requires candidates to have an accurate understanding of the syllabus. It must be noted that the GATE 2026 syllabus is an important key for preparation. It helps candidates to know what to read. The syllabus comprises all the topics that must be covered by the students while preparing for the exam. The questions in the GATE 2026 exam will be asked from the prescribed syllabus. Also, it will enable the students to ensure that they are not missing out on any important topic.
Along with the syllabus, candidates must have knowledge of the exam pattern of GATE 2026. The exam pattern allows candidates to prepare a strategy in a much more effective way. The exam pattern contains details about the exam such as the mode of exam, type of questions, the total number of questions, sections, total duration, and more.
Take help from the internet
We are living in an era of technology. Hence candidates are advised to take help from the internet to prepare for the exam. It has answers to all questions. There are many online lectures that can be attended by students while preparing for the exam. Search all your queries on Google. If utilized in the right way, you'll be exam ready in no time.
Do not leave any topic
It is important to remember that every topic is equally important. Make sure you give all subjects the same amount of time and attention. Skipping any particular topic can often cause you to fall behind. Therefore, it is crucial to avoid skipping any topic.
Solve more and more previous years’ question papers
Focus on solving more and more GATE previous years’ question papers. It helps candidates to identify the pattern of the question paper in a much better way. Also, Practicing question papers help in understanding how to manage time, speed, and accuracy.
Analyze your tests
Solving GATE 2026 mock tests or question papers is not enough, analyzing them properly is equally important. Check your tests and know the mistakes that you have made. This will help in knowing the strong and weak points.
Make short notes
It is recommended to make notes on all the topics that are completed. The notes should include all the important formulas and concepts. This helps in revising the topics anytime and anywhere without wasting much time on it. Regular revision allows candidates to keep topics fresh in mind.
We have given the links of question papers of GATE 2025 below. You can check them to get a better understanding of the question papers.
Subject Code | Subject Name | Download |
AE | Aerospace Engineering | |
AG | Agricultural Engineering | |
AR | Architecture and Planning | |
BM | Biomedical Engineering | |
BT | Biotechnology | |
CE-1 | Civil Engineering (Forenoon) | |
CE-2 | Civil Engineering (Afternoon) | |
CH | Chemical Engineering | |
CS-1 | Computer Science and IT (Forenoon) | |
CS-2 | Computer Science and IT (Afternoon) | |
CY | Chemistry | |
DA | Data Science and Artificial Intelligence | |
EC | Electronics and Communication Engineering | |
EE | Electrical Engineering | |
ES | Environmental Science & Engineering | |
EY | Ecology and Evolution | |
GE | Geomatics Engineering | |
GG-1 | Geology and Geophysics - Geology | |
GG-2 | Geology and Geophysics - Geophysics | |
IN | Instrumentation Engineering | |
MA | Mathematics | |
ME | Mechanical Engineering | |
MN | Mining Engineering | |
MT | Metallurgical Engineering | |
NM | Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering | |
PE | Petroleum Engineering | |
PH | Physics | |
PI | Production and Industrial Engineering | |
ST | Statistics | |
TF | Textile Engineering and Fibre Science | |
XE | Engineering Sciences | |
XH-C1 | Humanities & Social Sciences - Economics | |
XH-C2 | Humanities & Social Sciences - English | |
XH-C3 | Humanities & Social Sciences - Linguistics | |
XH-C4 | Humanities & Social Sciences - Philosophy | |
XH-C5 | Humanities & Social Sciences - Psychology | |
XH-C6 | Humanities & Social Sciences - Sociology | |
XL | Life Sciences |
Paper Name | GATE Question Paper |
AE: Aerospace Engineering | |
AG: Agricultural Engineering | |
AR: Architecture and Planning | |
BM: Biomedical Engineering | |
BT: Biotechnology | |
CE: Civil Engineering | |
CH: Chemical Engineering | |
CS: Computer Science and Information Technology | |
CY: Chemistry | |
DA: Data Science and Artificial Intelligence | |
EC: Electronics and Communication Engineering | |
EE: Electrical Engineering | |
ES: Environmental Science and Engineering | |
EY: Ecology and Evolution | |
GE: Geomatics Engineering | |
GG: Geology and Geophysics | |
IN: Instrumentation Engineering | |
MA: Mathematics | |
ME: Mechanical Engineering | |
MN: Mining Engineering | |
MT: Metallurgical Engineering | |
NM: Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering | |
PE: Petroleum Engineering | |
PH: Physics | |
PI: Production and Industrial Engineering | |
ST: Statistics | |
TF: Textile Engineering and Fibre Science | |
XE: Engineering Sciences | |
XH: Humanities & Social Sciences | |
XL: Life Sciences |
Paper Name | GATE Question Paper |
CE: Civil Engineering Previous Year Question Papers | |
CH: Chemical Engineering | |
CS: Computer Science Engineering Previous Year Question Papers | |
CY: Chemistry | |
IN: Instrumentation Engineering Previous Year Question Papers | |
XE: Engineering Sciences | |
XH: Humanities & Social Sciences | |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Coaching is not mandatory. Many toppers have cracked GATE through self-study using standard textbooks, previous year papers, online lectures (like NPTEL), and mock tests. What matters most is a clear plan, disciplined execution, and regular revision.
A balanced daily plan should include 2–3 hours for technical subjects, 1 hour for Engineering Mathematics or Aptitude, and 1 hour for problem-solving or revision. Weekly goals and monthly targets help maintain progress and motivation.
Mock tests and previous year question papers are essential. They improve time management, expose weak areas, and simulate exam pressure. Practicing PYQs helps you understand the GATE exam pattern and frequently asked concepts.
Ideally, 10 to 12 months of consistent preparation is sufficient for GATE. However, candidates starting even 6 months before the exam can succeed with a disciplined schedule. The key is maintaining 3–5 hours of focused study daily in the early phase and increasing it gradually.
On Question asked by student community
Hello
If you're in 2nd year right now, you can’t register for GATE 2026 just yet.
The exam is only open to students in the 3rd year or beyond in their degree.
It’s mainly because the GATE tests subjects that are usually taught later in your course.
But don’t worry, you are in a great position to start preparing early!
Focus on your basics, practice problem-solving, and build strong concepts now.
By the time you reach 3rd year, you’ll be well ahead of the game.
Hello,
If your GATE 2026 application shows "under scrutiny," continue to monitor your applicant portal and registered email for updates, as this is a routine process where officials verify your details. An "under scrutiny" status does not mean your application is rejected; you may be notified of discrepancies and given a chance to correct them during the application correction window, which opens later. Keep your application details accurate and prepare for the exam while waiting for the correction window to open.
I hope it will clear your query!!
Hello,
In the GATE application form , you should enter your name exactly as it appears in your official ID proof , even if the order is different.
For example:
If your ID proof shows Surname + First Name , enter it in the same way in the form.
Do not change the order to First Name + Surname.
This is important because your GATE admit card and scorecard will match your ID proof.
Keep it exactly the same to avoid any issues later.
Hope it helps !
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!!
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.
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