How To Prepare for GATE CS/IT 2025?
Last Updated :
23 Jul, 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) |
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Divisions in Gate Paper | |
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Total Number of Questions | Total Question = 65 - General Aptitude: 10 Questions
- Selected Subjects: 55 Questions
|
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Types of Questions in the GATE Exam | - MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions)
- MSQ (Multiple Select Questions)
- NAT (Numerical Answer Type)
|
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Distribution of marks for CS | Total Marks: 100 Mark - GA – General Aptitude = 15 marks
- Engineering Math = 13 marks
- Subject Questions = 72 marks
|
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Marking System | Questions Carry 1 mark or 2 marks. |
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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
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