The GATE examination, or the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, is one of the biggest exams conducted in the country. It is meant as an entrance to Post Graduation for students with a science background, specifically engineers. The top engineering colleges in the country take turns in conducting the exam on a national level. In 2017, IIT Roorkee fulfilled this responsibility in February, when the exam is usually held. IIT Guwahati organized the exam in February 2018, and it is believed that in 2019, IIT Madras will take up the mantle. While not a be-all of entrance exams, GATE scores matter, for candidates are shortlisted for the top institutions according to their exam scores. However, once shortlisted, students must prepare themselves for further rounds of entrance and interviews.
What is the GATE? GATE is a lifeline for most engineering students wishing to pursue a higher degree and qualification before getting a job and joining a company. The following is a comprehensive list of all things you need to know about the GATE exam:
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering tests the skills of any engineer who has a graduation degree. TA student’s capabilities are tested in the exam, problem-solving abilities and understanding specific to the subject are tested. heir attitude towards the subject is tested to be properly judged and put into a college they deserve to go to for their Master’s degree. The exam is conducted jointly by the Indian Institute of Technology scattered across the country and by the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore. Each year, one of these institutions takes up the bulk of responsibility to successfully conduct the exam.
Where can you get admission through GATE?
The GATE scores are used to publish a merit list that awards a final score rank to each student by their scores and weightage calculation. This list is used for the CCMT or the centralized counseling method to get admission into the NITs or the National Institute of Technology institutes in India.
Once the GATE results are out, the students must apply individually to the IITs of their choice. Based on these applications, the IITs bring out their merit list with a list of eligible candidates. More rounds of entrance examinations and interviews follow, which the student needs to clear to call themself an IIT-in.
Most State-run colleges take students for the MTech course by GATE merits. State-level counseling is also held by the GATE scores for central and state engineering science colleges. The details of State counseling are announced shortly after the results are out.
Meritorious GATE candidates are also eligible for financial aid and scholarships. This is how the students are absorbed into the best institutions for their Master’s degree.
What are the cut-off marks at GATE?
Admission to IITs is the primary aim for most people who take the GATE exam, and with good reason; they are as prestigious institutions to get into for your Master’s as they are for the Bachelor’s degree. The cut-off that will get you into IIT varies from year to year. Your final GATE scores must be above 600 to hope for admission to one of the Institutes.
Remember that the IITs merely shortlist students by the GATE scores to begin the admission process. This is accentuated by several rounds of written tests and personal interviews before being taken into the institute as a Master’s degree student. The Top IITs often require a final score greater than 740 in GATE. To get admission to any of the IITs, you definitely need a 700+ score.
GATE application process
The application form for the Graduation Aptitude Test for Engineering is to be filled online. Over the last few years, the entire transaction is moved online with no scope for offline form fill up. No long queues for collecting forms are necessary, and the process is now completely hassle-free and convenient. Go to the GOAPS or the Gate Online Application Processing System to get started with the application process.
The submission of the forms is also restricted to the online forum. To successfully apply, you will need to submit certain documents. Access to a scanner is essential for this part of the submission process. Original documents are to be scanned, and the soft copies need to be sent along with your application form.
What are the documents needed for the application process
Have a soft copy of a recent passport size picture of the applicant available. The standard size of 4.5 cm× 2.5cm is to be maintained. Ask the photo studio to send you the picture in a jpeg format. Additionally, make sure that the background of your picture is either white or light-colored.
Secondly, you will need your signature available in soft copy. Take a blank sheet of paper and get the applicant’s signature in blue ink. Scan the page and save it in 2cm× 7cm size, also in the jpeg format.
If you have completed your B.Tech degree, keep a scanned copy of the degree certificate ready. If you are still in your final year, make sure you have a scanned copy of a certificate from your institution’s principal allowing you to take the GATE examination.
If the applicant is from a reserved category, scanned copies of relevant certificates will also be necessary for application.
The application fee for GATE
The application fee for the General Aptitude Test for Engineers is set at Rs. 1500. This is a non-refundable amount. Female candidates and candidates from reserved categories are eligible to pay Rs—750 only.
The examination is the only GATE-way for legitimate admission to top colleges for a Master’s degree in Engineering. However, every student from an engineering background should take the exam for the scores that may be necessary for the future.
