How To Prepare for GATE CS/IT 2025?

For engineering graduates in our nation, the GATE exam is a crucial and popular entrance examination. Being focused and committing to your plan is the most crucial aspect of GATE exam preparation. It would be terrifying to consider getting a top GATE rank, especially considering the competition. Do not worry, you are no longer alone. GFG decided to provide excellent step-by-step guidance for your GATE preparation. So let’s get started.

Before moving toward GATE we must understand what is GATE exam.

What is GATE Exam?

GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) is the highly competitive entrance exam conducted for students who want to pursue a postgraduate program (ME/M.Tech) and most of the PSUs recruit engineers having valid GATE Scores. It has an average passing percentage of 15 to 20 percent. Every year 7 Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) conduct the GATE exam. It consists of a 100-mark paper that further consists of 65 questions. It is being conducted once a year and the eligibility criteria are 3rd-year students and above.

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1. Understand the GATE Exam Pattern

It is necessary to understand the pattern of the exam, the exam design provides a clear understanding of the number of sections, weighting of marks, and time allotted.

Here below is the detailed GATE 2025 Exam Pattern:

GATE 2025 Exam Pattern – Overview
Particulars	Description
Number of Gate Papers	30 Subjects
Duration of Gate Exam	180 minutes (3 hours)
Divisions in Gate Paper	Paper 1: General Aptitude (GA) Paper 2: Technical Section
Total Number of Questions	Total Question = 65 General Aptitude: 10 Questions Selected Subjects: 55 Questions
Types of Questions in the GATE Exam	MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions) MSQ (Multiple Select Questions) NAT (Numerical Answer Type)
Distribution of marks for CS	Total Marks: 100 Mark GA – General Aptitude = 15 marks Engineering Math = 13 marks Subject Questions = 72 marks
Marking System	Questions Carry 1 mark or 2 marks.
Negative Marking in the GATE 2025	For 1-mark MCQs, 1/3 marks will be deducted for an incorrect answer. For 2-mark MCQs, 2/3 marks will be deducted for an incorrect answer. There is no negative marking for wrong answers to MSQ or NAT Questions.

2. Understand the Subjects along with Weightage

It is essential to understand the GATE subjects, which breaks down the entire process into more manageable sections and provides you with a quick overview of each subject and its significance.

Subject List	Weightage
Programming & Data Structures	10-12%
Algorithm	5-7%
Operating System	7-9%
Database Management System(DBMS)	8-10%
Computer Networks	6-8%
Discrete Mathematics	6-7%
Theory Of Computation(TOC)	8-9%
Digital Logic	4-5%
Compiler Design	2-4%
Computer Organisation and Architecture(COA)	9-10%
Engineering Mathematics	6-7%
General Aptitude	15%

3. Standard Textbooks According to the Syllabus

Every subject covered in the GATE exam has a large number of suggested books accessible. For a given subject, two or three books are usually sufficient; one book can be used initially, and additional volumes can be consulted if questions come up. Some well-known books for the GATE CS/IT are listed below:

Subject	Book Name	Author Name
Programming	The C Programming language	Brian W. Kernighan and Dennis M. Ritchie
Data Structures	Classic Data Structures	Debasis Samanta
Algorithm	Introduction to Algorithms	Thomas H. Cormen
Operating System	Operating System Concepts	Galvin
Computer Organization and Architecture	Computer Organization and Architecture	William Stallings
Computer Networks	Computer Networks	William Stallings
	Networks by Fourozon	Andrew S. Tanenbaum and David J. Wetherall
Theory of Computation	An Introduction to Formal Languages and Automata	Peter Linz
Database Management Systems	Database System Concepts	Henry Korth
Discrete Mathematics	Discrete Mathematics and its Applications	Kenneth H Rosen
Digital Logic	Logic and Computer Design Fundamentals	Morris Mano
Compiler Design	Compiler Design	Aho & Ullman
Engineering Mathematics	Higher Engineering Mathematics	B.S. Grewal

4. Create a Study Plan for GATE Preparation

It is crucial to have a study plan for GATE preparation as it infix discipline and time management skills. It is good to create a unique study plan tailored to the strengths and weaknesses of the individual with the appropriate revision and evaluation slots. During GATE preparation , aim to set daily and weekly goals to track your progress. Each Subject should be divided so that they do not get repetitive, and extra time should be spent on those subjects where you find difficulty in learning. It is essential to revise this helps you learn topics for long-term retention of topics.

5. Prepare Mathematics and Aptitude

Do not leave aptitude and mathematics , This is a very common mistake made by students , they leave aptitude and engineering mathematics which are high-scoring subjects. So make sure not to leave these subjects.This is a very common mistake made by the students, they leave aptitude and engineering mathematics which are very easy and high-scoring subjects. So make sure not to leave these subjects.

6. Strengthen Your Conceptual Knowledge

It is important to have conceptual clarity as GATE is an exam that tests the candidates’ concepts in depth and has very little questions that have direct application of formulae. Also, understanding of the subject concepts can lead to the correct response in GATE if there are any doubts as to the answer. Clear all the fundamentals of GATE related CSE subjects

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7. Solve Previous Year Questions(PYQs)

Make sure that you have solved all the previous year’s gate questions for individual subjects after completing it. This will help you to get an idea of how questions are structured in gate exams and also solve a variety of questions. Make sure that you have solved all the previous year’s gate questions for individual subjects after completing it. This will help you to get an idea of how questions are structured in gate exams and also solve a variety of questions and solve question around 2 to 3 times.

8. Enroll in Good Test Series

Choosing a test series with questions of different levels of difficulty and thorough covering of the syllabus is crucial. The GATE test series should also provide thorough analysis and feedback to candidates so they may pinpoint their areas of weakness and strengthen them. So Purchase as many test series as you can they are really helpful in clearing exams. Refer – Sudo GATE . Test series will helpyou to evaluate your daily and weekly performance through which you can find your mistakes and better perform in GATE exam and achieve a good GATE rank.

9. Revise all the Topics

Revision s very necessary to ace GATE exam, aim to set weekly and daily goals to track your progress. Each Subject should be divided so that they do not get repetitive, and extra time should be spent on those subjects where you find difficulty in learning. It is essential to revise this helps you learn topics for long-term retention. Finally gives mock tests that help you to track your daily progress.

10. Last Minute Notes

Last Minute Notes are very crucial for consolidating your knowledge, increasing your confidence so make sure after revising everything give preference to last minute notes of every subject.

Tips and Tricks for GATE CS/IT Preparation

• Understand syllabus and Exam Pattern
• Strengthen each and every concepts of every subjects
• Selection of high quality study material is very important
• Revise all the topics is necessary
• Good test series is beneficial
• Consistency is the key of success so be consistent during your studies
• Dedicate your time to prepare for General aptitude and Engineering maths concepts
• Solves all the problem tagged with MSQs and NAT
• Do not stuck on the single question for longer duration of time
• Eat healthy so that you don’t have any mental or physical illness
• Solves large amount of PYQs multiple times this helps you to get view of variety of question

Frequently Asked Question on GATE Preparation – FAQs

When is the GATE exam conducted?

The GATE exam is conducted at first and second weekends of February every year.

What are the important subjects for GATE CS/IT?

Subjects like Programming & Data Structures , DBMS , Operating System , Computer Networks , COA , Mathematics and Aptitude are very important.

Significance of PYQs in GATE preparation?

PYQs are crucial for GATE preparation; finish them completely after studying the material that is certainly useful.

Can I prepare for GATE in the last 6 months?

Yes you can ace GATE 2025 exam in last 6 months of preparation if you have good knowledge of computer science fundamentals and with suitable preparation planing you can crack exam.