The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) exam is all set to begin from January 31. Conducted jointly by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) and seven Indian Institutes of Technology, IIT Kanpur is the organising institute for GATE 2015.
The score in the all-India exam, of which the results are expected on March 12, will be used for admissions to postgraduate programmes (M.E., M.Tech, direct Ph.D.) in Indian institutes of higher education with financial assistance provided by the Ministry of Human Resource Development and other government agencies, as well as by public and private sector undertakings for employment screening purposes.
Among the major changes to look forward to this year are the registration process and the test going online, and the inclusion of numerical answer questions apart from multiple choice questions.
Experts share a few last minute tips on preparations. Abhijit Chaudhari, Director, Gateforum, said with the exam going online, a lot of practice would be needed to familiarise oneself with a computer-based test. “A peculiar problem that can arise in GATE, where some questions might need workings to be done on a complicated figure/diagram (in case of a paper-based test the same can be done on the question paper itself), is that of replicating the diagram. Students might need to practice on that.”
With reference to the exam pattern, he said the GATE paper will consist of a total of 65 questions carrying 100 marks, out of which 10 questions carrying a total of 15 marks are in General Aptitude (GA). The test will have both Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) carrying one or two marks each in all papers and sections; and Numerical Answer Questions of one or two marks each in all papers and sections. “For these questions, one has to enter an answer, instead of choosing among four options. Guesswork is eliminated and hence one cannot bet on luck or a solution based on elimination of wrong options.”
Students aiming particularly for a seat in the IISc., he said, must target a GATE rank less than 100.
Amartya Singh, Director, T.I.M.E., said with a low student qualification rate, one of the major focus areas in the exam has been a few fundamental subjects. “These subjects are not only doable, they are also mark-scoring. They need to be mastered first. A strong understanding of these subjects helps in doing well in other subjects.” In addition to extensive problem practice, he said, “There are questions which require smartness to identify the right approach rather than the conventional approach. A student should know the right tricks and strategies which can help in saving time and increasing accuracy.”
Thanks to : The Hindu | 11.01.2015
Thanks to : The Hindu | 11.01.2015
