What are good ways to study for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)?

Here are links of answers previously given which is sufficient I think. Still if you want more inputs, you can always comment.

Well being a mechanical engineer u have bright chances. Prepare from previous years papers, give mock tests and work on your weak areas. I wud rather suggest you to find a gud website such as (http://www.gyanpal.com)  to appear for mock test, although this websites provides full free test series but unfortunately it is only for ECE branch.

It is never too late to get started!!  With proper dedication, you just need to have more practice of problem solving.  Solve old papers. If you have already solved them, solve any mock tests  that you can find. Speed is important. You may subscribe to an online test series that would give you an experience of the GATE online test. The following link may be of the best help to you.. http://www.gate.onlinetestseries.in/

Well its never late than it would have been on Tomorrow, Coming straight to key points : Gate 2014 is ONLINE for mechanical and there if u follow this link http://gate.iitkgp.ac.in/gate2014/qp_pattern.php you will see that they have specifically mentioned about the type of questions they will ask. Preparing based on MOCK test papers or previous year papers will not be much of use because they have changed the patter this time and there is also the online factor, Rather i will suggest you to get the syllabus printed first and then for each subject study intensively about each of its topics mentioned in syllabus, and yes I mean intensively until you are sure you have understood the concept completely and can answer any question no matter how indirect it is from that subject.. the best way to do that is read books and keep debating not discussing on the topics with your friends and profs. and practice some questions and try to effectively finish your revision of whatever portion of syllabus you can cover for gate before 10 days of exam, and then i would recommend you to try the questions and see if you can crack them, spend this time in perfecting your grip on the topics, do try previous year papers and mock to see your 3 hour timing

(1) How to prepare for Engineering Mathematics for GATE 2017 ?You can start preparation of engineering mathematics from your first / second year because engineering mathematics is a part of first and second year syllabus of B.E/ B. Tech course. If you start preparation for engineering mathemetics as early as possible it would be good for you because candidates either get admission in B.E./ B. Tech. course after clearing 12th examination or after completing Diploma in engineering. In both the levels you must have read mathematics which is not more different than engineering mathematics of B.E./ B. Tech. level. Just after completing 12th or after completing Diploma in engineering with mathematics as one of your main subject you get admission in engineering you study engineering mathematics in first and second year syllabus of B.E./B. Tech. so you would be in a flow. I mean to say if you any how would be able to continue this flow from 12th / Diploma in engineering to engineering from first year to final year you would be master of engineering mathematics finally.2) How to prepare for General Aptitude for GATE 2017 ?Similarly as engineering mathematics general aptitude also cover 15% marks of total marks and this section can also prepare at any level of engineering. This section is common for all branches of engineering and science except any paper code. This section is comprises of Verbal ability & Numerical ability. General aptitude are not studied by engineering students at their graduate level so that these subjects have no relation with neither engineering nor any year of engineering. Any one can start General aptitude preparation at any time and in any year of engineering either you are in first year or final year.(3) How to prepare for Subject Questions for GATE 2017 ?This section contain 70% weightage of total marks for paper codes – AE, AG, BT, CE, CH, CS, EC, EE, IN, ME, MN, MT, PI, TF and XE in GATE exam and 85% weightage of total marks for paper codes – AR, CY, EY, GG, MA, PH and XL. This section contains nearly 8 to 10 subjects of what you have studied at your engineering degree level. Mainly these subjects are from your second and third year engineering degree syllabus. Nearly 80­90% of GATE subject section syllabus is covered in these 2 years of engineering. So, candidates those who are in First year just start preparing their subjects of semester as per GATE syllabus and paper pattern. Subject section of GATE paper contain nearly 8­10 major subjects of engineering so if you study 2­3 subjects right from first year of engineering you would not be pressurized in your final year and you may also save your money by not getting admission in any coaching with or after final year under pressure of preparation of GATE.Which books should I refer ?You study English grammar in your first year of engineering, engineering mathematics in your first and second year of engineering and Engineering subjects from first year to final year. While you don’t study Verbal and Numerical reasoning at any level of engineering.There are three section in GATE paper for paper codes – AE, AG, BT, CE, CH, CS, EC, EE, IN, ME, MN, MT, PI, TF and XE and two sections in GATE paper for paper codes – AR, CY, EY, GG, MA, PH and XL. You can start preparation for engineering mathematics from your first year of engineering. Here I am providing a list of books for almost all engineering and technology streams. You can refer Gate 2017 books section for getting complete list of books for GATE preparation of particular subject.Here I am providing a list of books for almost all engineering and technology streams. You can refer Gate books section for getting complete list of books for GATE preparation of particular subjecthttp://www.gate2016.info/gate-books/aerospace-engineering-ae-gate-books/http://www.gate2016.info/gate-books/agricultural-engineering-ag-gate-books/http://www.gate2016.info/gate-books/architecture-and-planning-ar-gate-books/http://www.gate2016.info/gate-books/biotechnology-bt-gate-books/http://www.gate2016.info/gate-books/civil-engineering-ce-gate-books/http://www.gate2016.info/gate-books/chemical-engineering-ch-gate-books/http://www.gate2016.info/gate-books/computer-science-and-information-technology-cs-gate-books/http://www.gate2016.info/gate-books/chemistry-cy-gate-books/http://www.gate2016.info/gate-books/electronics-and-communication-engineering-ec-gate-books/http://www.gate2016.info/gate-books/electrical-engineering-ee-gate-books/http://www.gate2016.info/gate-books/instrumentation-engineering-in-gate-books/http://www.gate2016.info/gate-books/mechanical-engineering-me-gate-books/http://www.gate2016.info/gate-books/metallurgical-engineering-mt-gate-books/http://www.gate2016.info/gate-books/petroleum-engineering-pe-gate-books/http://www.gate2016.info/gate-books/physics-ph-gate-books/http://www.gate2016.info/gate-books/production-and-industrial-engineering-pi-gate-books/NOTE- Study only mentioned topics no need study full book