Common Gate related queries:

Over the last few weeks I have received lots of queries over mail, Facebook and Google+. I realized that most of the people are having same kind of queries, so I thought of compiling them together so that they may be beneficial to all. Here are the answers to most frequently asked questions:

1.  Some useful links?:
   • This link provides most of the standard books required for GATE(CS), test series, practice questions and other useful things : Gate material
   • Here you can find hand written notes of a guy who has recently cleared GATE: Hand written notes
   • This is the link to hand written notes by Ankur, currently studying in IISc Bangalore. I found these notes apt and precise of preparation: http://www.ankurgupta.net/gate-notes/
   • NPTEL video lectures
   
   
   The hand written notes provided here should be used for assistance only and not as core reading material. They will act as guideline in determining what topics need to be covered and in what depth and will also be useful during revision sessions. Besides, unless you are an extremely lazy and careless person like me, I suggest you to prepare you own notes, it's always beneficial.
   
   
2. Books to follow?:
   There are many excellent books for understanding CS theory and one can follow any book with which he/she is comfortable. I am just quoting the list of books which me and many of my friends followed for GATE(CS) preparation.
   
   • Engineering Mathematics: rosen
   • Graph Theory: narsingh deo
   • Digital Logic & Computer Organization and Architecture: morris mano
   • Principle of programming languages – pratt zelkowitz
   • Algorithms: Cormen
   • Theory of Computation: 1) Ullman and 2) Papadimitriou
   • Compiler Design: Aho, Ullman
   • Operating System: 1) Galvin and 2) Tannenbaum
   • Databases: 1) Korth and 2) C.J.Date
   • Computer Networks: Forouzen
   • Information Systems and Software Engineering: Pressman
     
     
3. How should I prepare?
   I suggest you to start your preparation by doing in-depth study of your subjects. Clarity of concepts is must. Divide coming 6 months into appropriate time Qantums so that you can cover all the subjects. I have made a precedence graphs of subjects as per my understanding. It is given below. The graph shows interdependence among the subjects.  Those subjects which are not interdependent can be prepared in parallel or in any order but order must be followed while preparing subject which depends on another subject. For example as shown in graph "Theory of computation" must be read before "compiler design". You may plan the order in which you would like to cover your syllabus by taking help of this graph. It is not necessary to follow this precedence, you may prepare in any order but I found this precedence order useful and efficient.
   
   

Precedence Graph of Subjects

    4.    Self Doubt:
       I received may queries indicating self doubt. Mails like how will I be able to crack GATE. I am not good enough for it. I have less percentage in B.tech does that mean I  can't etc. The answer to all these self doubts is "Don't have any prejudice". For cracking GATE all that matters is how you prepare in these coming months. Having self doubt is normal for everyone, but overcoming it leads to success. Just prepare for the exam and leave the rest to God.

    5.    Is it necessary to join coaching?:
          Your success depends on your hard work and luck. Yeah luck also plays its role, deal with it. Join coaching or    not, if u work hard and smart u will get through and this applies to pretty much everything in life let alone GATE exam. So in nutshell NO coaching is not "necessary". If you think that even after reading the subject thoroughly            you will not be able to understand it then you may try coaching.

Hope this post helped. Your comments, queries and compliments are always welcome.
Keep yourself motivated and for God's sake, Start Preparing NOW!!!