GATE CSE Preparation Strategy - Study Plan, Timetable, Important Topics, Best Books
How to Prepare for GATE CSE? This is the basic question that every CSE aspirant of GATE has. CollegeDekho has come up with a detailed preparation strategy & study plan for GATE CSE.
GATE CSE Preparation Strategy - Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) is one of the most competitive papers in the GATE examination. Most of the candidates aspiring to appear for GATE in CSE must start the exam preparation in advance so that he/ she can achieve a better score/ rank. Usually, most aspirants look for a long-term preparation plan for GATE CSE, and it may be either six months/ three months. In order to achieve the best score/ rank, a six-month preparation strategy is an advisable option. CollegeDekho has come up with a preparation strategy or study plan for GATE CSE along with the timetable and important topics.
Latest: GATE Admit Card released
Also read: GATE Syllabus
GATE CSE Syllabus
Before starting the exam preparation for GATE CSE, it is advisable to check the syllabus so that you can plan the revision accordingly. You can download the syllabus for GATE CSE in PDF format by clicking on the link below –
GATE CSE Division of Syllabus for Six-Month Preparation
It is always advisable to divide the GATE Syllabus for exam preparation so that you can make a study plan accordingly. At the same time, referring to the syllabus will help you identify the number of chapters that must be covered.
Total No. of Subjects | 3 (Engineering Mathematics, General Mathematics, and Computer Science & IT) |
Total No. of Chapters to be Covered in Engineering Mathematics | 04 |
Total No. of Chapters to be Covered in General Aptitude | 02 |
Total No. of Chapters to be Covered in Computer Science and IT | 09 |
Total No. of Chapters to be Covered (All Subjects) | 15 |
Out of the three subjects, the candidates will have to give more preference for Computer Science & IT, as the core subject will have more weightage. Once candidates have studied the complete GATE CSE syllabus, they should start attempting the previous year's GATE CSE Question Paper to get a fair idea about the exam pattern, and section-wise weightage and analyze their performance.
GATE CSE Subject Wise Sub Topics
The total number of sub-topics that a candidate must cover in each subject can be checked below.
Name of the Chapter | *Total No. of Sub Topics to be Covered (Refer Syllabus PDF for Sub Topics Names) |
Digital Logic | 04 |
Computer Organization and Architecture | 06 |
Programming and Data Structures | 08 |
Algorithms | 11 |
Theory of Computation | 05 |
Compiler Design | 05 |
Operating System | 08 |
Databases | 11 |
Computer Networks | 16 |
Discrete Mathematics | 12 |
Linear Algebra | 05 |
Calculus | 05 |
Probability | 08 |
Verbal Ability | 07 |
Numerical Ability | 04 |
Total No. of Sub Topics | 115 |
*The total number of subtopics mentioned in the table above is prepared on the basis of the syllabus specified for GATE CSE. The above number may be tentative and the same can undergo changes. If any changes, the same will be updated here.
Related Links
GATE CSE Six-Month Study Plan/ Timetable
Before referring to the six-month study plan/ timetable for GATE CSE, please note that a candidate must give preference to those topics/ chapters in which he/ she is not good/ well versed. Learning new concepts may take time. The below timetable is just for referential purposes, and you can tweak the same as per your requirements.
Total No. of Days for Exam Preparation | 180 Days (Six Months) |
Total No. of Chapters to be Covered (All Subjects) | 15 |
Total No. of Sub Topics | 115 |
Suggest No. of Hours Per Day | 3 Hours |
*Total No. of Days to be Allocated to Each Chapter | 7 Days |
Total No. of Chapters to be Covered in a Month | 4 Chapters |
Total No. of Days/ Months to Complete All Chapters | 4 Months |
No. of Days Left for Exam | 120 Days |
Practising Mock Test, Sample Papers/ Old Papers | 100 Days |
Total No. of Practice Tests Per Day | 1 |
Last Minute Revision | 20 Days |
*The total number of days allocated to each chapter depends on the difficulty level of the respective chapter. The allocation can be tweaked as per the candidate’s requirement.
It is advisable to make short notes of each chapter so that it will help you with the last-minute preparation.
The above six-month strategy or plan for GATE CSE will be practically possible if you allocate at least 3 hours for exam preparation per day. It is always better to focus on regular preparation rather than devoting time for the same on weekends.
Also Check,
| CSE Preparation Strategy | GATE CSE Preparation Strategy |
| Subject Wise Weightage | GATE CSE Subject/ Topic Wise Weightage |
GATE CSE Division of Syllabus for Three-Month Preparation
When you are preparing for an entrance exam like GATE in three months, it is important to allocate more time for the exam preparation. The division of the syllabus is the same as the six-month preparation.
Engineering Mathematics | 4 Chapters |
General Aptitude | 2 Chapters |
Computer Science & IT | 9 Chapters |
GATE CSE Three-Month Study Plan/ Timetable (90 Days)
Before referring to the three-month study plan, please note that the primary importance must be given to chapters that you are not well versed in. Depending on the topic-wise weightage, you will have to plan your preparation accordingly. The timetable for GATE CSE mentioned below is only for referential purposes, and the same can be alternated or tweaked as per your requirement.
Total No. of Days for Exam Preparation | 90 Days (Three Months) |
Total No. of Chapters to be Covered (All Subjects) | 15 |
Total No. of Sub Topics | 115 |
Suggest No. of Hours Per Day | 4 Hours |
*Total No. of Days to be Allocated to Each Chapter | 3 ½ Days |
Total No. of Chapters to be Covered in a Week | 2 Chapters |
Total No. of Chapters to be Covered in a Month | 8 Chapters |
Total No. of Days/ Months to Complete All Chapters | 2 Months |
No. of Days Left for Exam | 30 Days |
Practising Mock Test, Sample Papers/ Old Papers | 25 Days |
Total No. of Practice Tests Per Day | 1 |
Last Minute Revision | 5 Days |
*The difficulty level of the chapter must be taken into consideration in terms of the number of days allocated for the same.
You will have to study for at least 4 hours a day to make the above strategy practically possible.
GATE CSE One-Month (30-Day) Revision Plan
When you want to prepare for GATE CSE exam in 30 days, please make sure that the focus should be on revising the syllabus rather than learning new concepts. Your short notes play a vital role in 30-day revision. The 30-day revision plan for GATE CSE is as follows –
Total No. of Days for the Exam | 30 Days |
Suggest No. of Hours to Revise Per Day | 3-4 Hours |
Total No. of Chapters to be Revised Per Day | 01 |
Total Revision Completes in | 15 Days |
Total No. of Days for Mock Tests/ Practice Tests | 14 Days |
Last Minute Revision | 1 Day |
GATE CSE Most Important Topics & Weightage
According to the previous trends, candidates can expect at least 25% of questions from DBMS and Computer N/W, while the other topics/ chapters will have 20% weightage each. You can click on the link available under the syllabus to check the chapter-wise weightage.
GATE CSE Best Books
Here is the list of some of the best books for GATE CSE –
Digital Logic and Computer Design by Morris Mano | Computer Organization & Architecture by Hamacher, Zaky and Vranesic |
Database System Concepts by Korth, Sudarshan and Silberschatz | Computer Networking – A Top-Down Approach by Keith W Ross and James F Kurose |
Introduction to Algorithms by Thomas H Cormen | Classic Data Structures by Debasis Samanta |
Apart from the books mentioned above, you will have to refer to CSE books of B.Tech (all semesters) so that it will help to prepare for the exam effectively. You can also look for other books available in the market/ e-commerce platforms apart from the list mentioned above.
Quick Link:
- |
What is CSE?
CSE is the abridged version of Computer Science Engineering. This course deals with the fundamentals of programming languages, calculation, program configuration, computer hardware, and software and integrates the various specializations of computer science. Candidates in order to pursue the diploma in the CSE course should complete their class 10 from a well-recognized institute with an aggregate of 50% in general.
GATE Exam Materials
Other GATE Articles
We hope that this article has helped you in planning a strategy for GATE CSE exam preparation. All the Best! For the latest GATE exam news and updates, stay tuned to CollegeDekho.
Get Help From Our Expert Counsellors
FAQs
When will the result of GATE Computer Science Engineering (CSE) be released?
The result release date of GATE 2024 Computer Science Engineering (CSE) is March 16, 2024.
When will the cutoff of GATE Computer Science Engineering (CSE) be released?
The cutoff of GATE Computer Science Engineering (CSE) is released after the exam is conducted.
What are the major subjects covered under the GATE Computer Science Engineering (CSE) syllabus?
The major subjects covered under the GATE Computer Science Engineering (CSE) syllabus are Engineering Mathematics, General Mathematics, and Computer Science & IT.