GATE 2026 Preparation Tips

Start Your Preparation Early

Candidates must start their preparation early; by doing so, they will be able to compile all the necessary study material and create a proper plan that they may follow during their course of preparation. Preparing a layout and then working accordingly will cut down the time wasted while being confused about how to start their preparation

• During this phase, the candidate must analyse the time required for each subject and divide the number of days that they may give on a particular subject for thorough preparation.
• Candidate must create a hierarchy of the subjects he/she will cover.
• Follow what you have planned throughout your preparation phase.

Time Management

Time Management plays a major role while preparing for the exam. GATE aspirants should utilise each second effectively. Proper time division for covering the syllabus, practising sample papers and last-minute preparation should be done so that the candidate does not miss anything before attempting the paper.

Keep Your Concepts Strong

Having a stronghold on the basics of the topics can help in performing much better in the exam. Candidates must have deeper conceptual knowledge of the frequently asked topics. The easiest way to keep command of basics is: Prepare short notes of formulas, concepts and compile them in a single place. Make it your habit to go through the short notes before starting your preparation each day.

Practice Mock Tests

Mock Tests are the best source for GATE preparation. If taken seriously, it has its benefits that candidates may get to know while attempting the question paper.

Once the candidates have covered all the syllabi, they must take as many mock tests as possible. Mock tests are similar to the final test that candidates will give. One mock test each day will benefit the candidates in the following way:

• It will enhance a candidate’s problem-solving efficiency.
• Mock test improves the chances of error.
• Solving mock tests will give candidates an idea about the type of questions asked frequently.
• Many times it happens that the questions asked in mock tests come as it is in the question paper.
• Mock tests boost confidence in the GATE aspirant.

Go through the Syllabus First

Another foremost step that candidates must take is to have a clear idea of the GATE Syllabus that needs to be covered.

GATE is a high-level exam, and therefore, there is a vast syllabus that candidates need to cover. To cover the overall syllabus without missing any topic, candidates must go through the syllabus provided on the official website of GATE 2025. Candidates must try to cover those topics first, from which the possibilities of questions asked are higher.

Get a Clear Understanding of Exam Pattern

Along with the syllabus, candidates must be aware of the GATE paper pattern and its trending changes. Having an idea about the exam pattern before taking the final test will help them to solve the paper with ease. Though the pattern remains the same each year, the structure of the paper may differ.

An idea about the number of questions asked and the questions with higher weight may increase the chance of scoring high.

Topic-Wise Weightage in GATE 2026

The distribution of each topic in the paper will help a candidate in prioritising the topic that needs to be covered first. Topics with higher weight must be prepared thoroughly. It will be a good strategy to ace the exam. This could be done by going through the previous year's question paper and analysing the trending changes.