STUDENTS CORNER

 GATE

After pursuing engineering, all engineering students stand at the crossroad of making a decisive choice so as to explore interesting avenues as a choice for their careers. A majority of people opt for mainly two things that are management or M.Tech. With the current economic scenario of the India, there are various colleges that are not able to give 100% placement to their students. This results in candidates making a tough choice between management and M.Tech. In order to get admission in M.Tech the examination that holds significant importance on national as well as international level is GATE. Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, commonly known as GATE, is the sole examination that leads to admission to these world-class institutions. GATE is one of the most competitive examinations in India. With 3 lakhs applicants (GATE-2010), it is more competitive than CAT (2.8 lakh applicants), GRE or GMAT. Securing admission to these institutions, hence, requires a perfect combination of hard work, intelligence and proper application of different kind of test taking strategies. The preparation phase for GATE is a journey fraught with heart-breaks, disappointments, election and log of other emotions.

What Is GATE?

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is an all-India examination administered and conducted in eight zones across the country by the GATE Committee comprising faculty from Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and seven Indian Institutes of Technology on behalf of the National Coordinating Board - GATE, Department of Education, Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD), Government of India.

GATE Exam:

The examination is a single paper of three-hour duration of the objective type. Negative marking is adopted for some questions in the paper. The results of qualifying candidates will be ranked on an all-India basis and indicate a percentile score. A percentile score of 99 means one is in the top one per cent category of the candidates who appeared for GATE. Candidates who get less than 70 percentile get no score card.
GATE scores are valid for 2 years. One can reappear for the GATE exam if one is not satisfied with the earlier score. The new score (if better than the old one) will be used for admission.Students have to apply to individual institutes and get application forms after the GATE results are out. M.Tech. course admission details are advertised in leading newspapers from April 1 till July end. However, some institutes do not advertise and students should approach them directly for the forms. The concerned institute may conduct a written test and/or interview for admission.
Students of M.Tech. are paid scholarships by the Government of India for the entire 18-month period.

What is the Date and Time of GATE Exam?
GATE is usually held on the second Sunday of February every year. Candidates will be required to appear in a single paper of three hours duration. The examination will be held on second Sunday of February from 0930 to 1230 hrs.

CUT-OFF Scores From Various Institutions:

Each institute has its own cut off percentage in the GATE score. I m trying to get information regarding the history of cut-off scores from all institutions. I will be putting in that information as soon as it comes available. For now, here is the information I have gathered so far.

Typical cut-off scores:

1. Above 96 Percentile: IITs., IISC
2. Between 85-96 Percentile: NITs (previously called as RECs)
3. Less than 85 perentile: Other institutes
The GATE cutoff scores for IITs are as follows.
For Electronics and Communication

General	620
OBC	615
SC	430
ST	375

Important Dates For GATE 2012:  

GATE Exam date announced: 12th Feb 2012

Commencement of sale of Application Form and Information Brochure
September 21, 2011

of Online Application Form submission
September 21, 2011

Last date for issue of Information Brochure and Application Form at Bank Counters
October 27, 2011

Last date for issue of Information Brochure and Application Form at zonal GATE office counters
October 29, 2011

Last date for Submission of Online Application Form (website closure)
October 27, 2011 (18:00 Hrs)

Last date for the Receipt of completed Offline/Online Application Form at the respective zonal GATE Office
November 02, 2011

Website display of final list of registered candidates, choices of test paper and examination city
December 10, 2011

Date for reporting any discrepancy in the choice of examination cities or in the choice of GATE paper
December 31, 2011

Date for reporting the non-receipt of admit cards for ONLINE examination papers
January 20, 2012

Last date for reporting the non-receipt of admit cards for OFFLINE examination papers
January 31, 2012

GATE 2012 Online Examination (Papers: GG and TF)
January 30, 2012 (09:00 Hrs to 12:00 Hrs)

GATE 2012 Online Examination (Papers: AE and MN)
January 30, 2012 (14:00 Hrs to 17:00 Hrs)

GATE 2012 Offline Examination (Papers: AR, BT, CE, CH, CS, ME, PH and PI)
February 13, 2012 (09:00 Hrs to 12:00 Hrs)

GATE 2012 Offline Examination (Papers: AG, CY, EC, EE, IN, MA, MT, XE and XL)
February 13, 2012 (14:00 Hrs to 17:00 Hrs)

Announcement of results
March 15, 2012 (10:00 Hrs)

M.Tech admissions 2012: Mid of March 2012 till July 2012

Scope of GATE
Admission to postgraduate programmes with MHRD and some other government scholarship/assistantship at engineering colleges/institutes in the country are open to those who qualify through GATE. GATE qualified candidates with Bachelor"s degree in Engineering/ Technology/ Architecture/ Pharmacy or Master"s degree in any branch of Science/Mathematics/Statistics/Computer Application are eligible for Master/Doctoral programmes in Engineering/Technology/Architecture/Pharmacy as well as for Doctoral programmes in relevant branches of Science.
	To avail the scholarship, the candidate must secure admission to such a postgraduate programme, as per the prevailing procedure of the admitting institution. GATE qualification, however, is not required for candidates with Master"s degree in Engineering /Technology/Architecture/Pharmacy, who may be seeking scholarship/ assistantship for relevant doctoral programmes.
1.   Some private institutions specify GATE as the Mandatory Qualification even for admission of self-financing students to postgraduate programmes 2.   GATE qualified candidates are also eligible for the award of Junior Research Fellowship in CSIR Laboratories and CSIR sponsored projects  3.   Some government organizations prescribe GATE qualification as a  requirement for applying to the post of a Scientist / Engineer 4.    Indian Institute of Managements (IIMs) consider the GATE  score for admissions to their prestigious fellowship program  (Ph.D in  management). For details visit the websites of the  respective IIMs  5.    Some universities of high repute ( top 100 globally)  ,abroad, also  consider the GATE score for admissions to their post graduation/M.S programs  6.   GATE score is required for admissions to the highly acclaimed Post         Graduate Diploma in Industrial Engineering (PGDIE) offered by National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE)

Plan for success at Exam

1. Aim for taking GATE exam varies from candidate to candidate. Students from private engineering colleges try to get into M.Tech in order to have stamp of the better known institutions and for them reasonable percentile should serve the purpose. On the other hand, students studying in well established institutes may aim to get into IIT or equivalent institutions. For them very high percentile is essential. 2. Normally 6 to 8 months of serious study should be sufficient for preparation. Students in final year have to properly schedule their studies as semester exam in winter and other engagements may absorb lot of time. 3. In the first run study all topics as per syllabus. 4. In the revision stage concentrate more on selected topics. 5. Try to solve papers of previous years. This well given you an idea about the mismatch between the actual paper and your level of preparation. 6. Fill up the gap by extra study. 7. Try to take up practice tests. Examination Details 1. GATE score is valid for 2 years. 2. A candidate is expected to answer the paper appropriate to the discipline of his/her qualifying degree. However, the candidate is free to choose any of the papers as his/her admission plan. 3. You have to choose the subject and study as per the syllabus mentioned in the GATE brochure 4. The syllabus prescribed in GATE covers mainly upto 5th semester. 5. It will be a good try! If it is a bad score you can always try again.

Why should we take GATE?

To pursue M.Tech/M.E. program in a leading institute of the country. The benefits of M.Tech are :

1. More and better companies are coming for Campus Placement in leading Institutes. 2. Higher salaries are being offered for M.Tech as compared to B.E. 3. M.Tech degree leads to specialization and furthering of interest in a certain area which may lead to Ph.D. 4. M.Tech degree leads is must for those wishing to apply for Faculty/Research positions in educational institutes/R&D centres. 5. Scholarship is paid during M.Tech. so student can easily afford his needs. 6. M.Tech program is a 4 semester (24 months) program; so get more time to work out career opportunities. 7. To be a part of any Nationally reputed Educational Institute and enjoy learning and research. 8. Some colleges/Institutes specify GATE as mandatory qualification even for admission of self financing students. 9. Some industries and foreign universities have indicated their interest in GATE qualified candidates. 10. Gate qualified candidates in the engineering discipline are also eligible for the award of Junior Research Fellowship in CSIR Laboratories.