GATE 2025 Learnings
GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) is one of the prestigious exams conducted in India. GATE offers a gateway for Indian engineering undergraduates for higher education and better job opportunities.
Back when I was still an undergrad student, I didn’t plan to pursue masters. Somehow, I decided to pursue Masters while I was working in SMS Group Pune Office and that’s when decided to appear for the GATE 2025.
After my decision, I consulted one of my good friends (dude’s an aerospace engineer and works with satellites and stuffs) who has already appeared for the exam. I took his suggestion and then I planned my studies. I planned my subjects, starting with easy ones because I needed to form a habit of studying. Having a realistic plan is a first step. But having a plan is not enough; one must dedicate to follow the plan.
The difficulty was, I had a day time job and I had to manage GATE preparation with it. As I progressed, I managed to balance both of these. That’s when I learnt how to balance work with goals.
At start, I used to drift and get distracted from my studies. But with patience, consistency (being persistent) and perseverance, I managed to form a daily routine where I could spend 3 hours a day for the preparation.
We may need to set clear boundaries and learn to say NO considering we have a family or friend who would like to meet us or they may have some plans. But those are the sacrifices that one must be willing to take. Friends and family are there to support. But one should be ready to face the fact that we may not receive the support which we want from friends and family all the time.
One of the biggest mistakes in my planning was, I didn’t take uncertainty into account. There were certain things beyond my control (such as getting sick, disasters, zombie apocalypse, etc.). It is unlikely to avoid such unexpected events, but one must take those into account while planning.
We expect to be perfect in our execution but in the end, we are mere humans. It’s a natural tendency to fail or loose a track. It’s a part of the process and as long as we get back on track, then there are no worries.
Also, I used to focus only on my studies only. Dedicating on one specific task or goal. I avoided doing anything apart from studies. But when I was nominated for office cricked tournament against my will, I was distresses because I have been avoiding tasks that would distract me from my studies. Again, with time, I was able to manage my studies with cricket practices. For the first time in my life, I was able to manage my studies with extra-curricular activities.
As exam date was approaching, I have realized some mistakes that I could have avoided. They are listed below
Cyclic revision was not followed
Test series started late
PYQ solved but important questions were not collected
Test series was not properly analyzed
Neglecting aptitude; Couldn’t follow parallel study of mathematics.
Not preparing cheat sheets or micro notes.
Delaying planned activities or topics. Accumulated many tasks for later
Didn’t take Parkinson’s law into account
Did not measure time spent on studying
Then, I realized how I should have studied from the start. Like using:
Pomodoro technique
Active recall and spaced repetition
Frequently testing
On 2nd Feb 2025, I appeared for the exam and then, I didn’t know what to do. Although I had planned certain tasks to do after my GATE Exam, I have failed to do them. Also, I was focused on appearing for GATE 2025. Once it was achieved, I stopped studying, revising, planning, etc. Thus, I lost my momentum. As stated in Atomic Habits by James Clear, one must make a system and not a goal. I have realized that I should I made a system for preparing for competitive exam. I got lazy and lost my commitment. This is explained by James Clear in one of his articles Zanshin.
To summarize, GATE taught me following things,
Importance of having a plan and executing it
Perseverance, Practice, Patience, Persistence (Consistency)
Setting up boundaries (Learning to say NO), sacrificing for the good
Getting back up repeatedly despite falling down