GATE 2026 CSE AIR 285 Shreyansh Gupta Shares How Consistency Led to Success with Physics Wallah

Every year, thousands of engineering graduates appear for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) with dreams of pursuing higher education at IITs or securing opportunities in leading PSUs. While many aspirants prepare during their undergraduate studies, balancing GATE preparation alongside an M.Tech programme is a challenge very few take on successfully.

One such inspiring story is that of Shreyansh Gupta, who secured AIR 285 in GATE 2026 Computer Science (CS) while pursuing M.Tech in Data Science at IIT Guwahati. Interestingly, this wasn't his first GATE attempt. In GATE 2025, he had secured AIR 707 but wasn't fully satisfied with his result and decided to challenge himself once again.

During an interaction with Physics Wallah, Shreyansh shared the obstacles he faced, the mistakes he corrected, and the preparation strategy that helped him improve his performance.

From AIR 707 to AIR 285: Why Shreyansh Appeared for GATE Again

Most students would have been satisfied after securing admission to IIT Guwahati. However, Shreyansh believed he still had unfinished goals.

Introducing himself, he said,

"Hello everyone, I am Shreyansh Gupta. I am currently pursuing my M. Tech in Data Science from IIT Guwahati, and this year I secured AIR 285 in GATE CSE. Last year, I also appeared for GATE CSE, and my rank was 707.

Although AIR 707 helped him secure admission to IIT Guwahati through the spot round, he felt his preparation had not reflected his true potential.

"I wasn't completely satisfied with my previous rank because I knew I had made some mistakes during the exam. That's why I decided to appear once again," he shared.

His decision was not driven by necessity but by the desire to improve himself.

Managing IIT Guwahati Coursework Alongside GATE Preparation

Preparing for GATE while studying at IIT Guwahati was far from easy.

Shreyansh explained that the Data Science curriculum was academically demanding, especially because of subjects like Linear Algebra, Probability, Matrix Computation, Deep Learning, and Python.

"Our first semester had nine subjects, including labs. The coursework was hectic, and the mathematics involved was much deeper than what we usually study in Computer Science."

Despite the demanding schedule, he refused to abandon his GATE preparation.

He began revising in the last week of November after his semester examinations and gradually shifted towards mock test practice from mid-December.

How Physics Wallah's Rank Improvement Batch Supported His Preparation

To prepare more effectively, Shreyansh joined Physics Wallah's Rank Improvement Batch.

Instead of starting everything from scratch, the batch helped him focus on revision, structured practice, and continuous assessment.

The lectures and practice sessions allowed him to revisit concepts systematically after several months away from Computer Science subjects.

This approach proved especially useful because, as he admitted,

"For almost four to five months, I hadn't touched my core Computer Science subjects because of my M.Tech coursework."

Revision Was the Biggest Challenge

One of the biggest hurdles Shreyansh faced was retaining concepts after focusing entirely on his M.Tech subjects.

Instead of reading textbooks repeatedly, he followed a focused revision strategy.

"I decided that I would revise one subject in three days. One full day was dedicated to revision, and the next two days were only for practice."

Following this schedule for nearly 25 days helped him rebuild his confidence before attempting mock tests.

According to him, revision combined with practice is far more effective than revision alone.

Mock Tests Helped Him Improve Dramatically

Another turning point in Shreyansh's preparation came through mock tests.

Initially, his scores were not encouraging.

"When I started giving mock tests, I was scoring around 47 marks. But after consistent practice and revision, my score crossed 60 and even 70."

Rather than focusing only on the marks, he analysed every test carefully.

He advises students to spend two to three hours analysing each mock test, identifying conceptual gaps as well as silly mistakes.

"Maintain a diary of your mistakes and revisit it before attempting the next mock test," he recommends.

Avoid Going Too Deep into Select Subjects

Reflecting on his first serious preparation, Shreyansh admitted that he spent too much time mastering subjects like Operating Systems, Discrete Mathematics, and Computer Architecture.

Meanwhile, subjects he considered easier received less attention.

"I thought TOC was easy, so I didn't practise it enough. During the exam, I made very basic, silly mistakes."

This experience taught him that every subject deserves equal importance.

Instead of mastering only favourite subjects, aspirants should ensure balanced preparation across the entire syllabus.

Staying Motivated Throughout the Journey

Long preparation journeys often lead to burnout, but Shreyansh believes motivation should come from within.

When asked how he remained motivated, he responded,

"Why do you need motivation? If your goal is to reach IIT, that itself should be your motivation."

He also credits his family and friends for supporting him throughout the journey.

"My parents, my brother, and my friends always encouraged me. During December, I followed a routine of going to the library every day, practising questions, and returning home at night."

His disciplined routine helped him remain focused during the crucial final month.

Balancing Studies and Personal Life

Despite preparing for GATE, Shreyansh believes students should never neglect their mental well-being.

He shared that listening to music and playing table tennis helped him relax after long study sessions.

Interestingly, just one week before GATE, IIT Guwahati hosted its annual cultural festival.

"I enjoyed the four-day fest completely because I knew that after months of preparation, four days wouldn't affect my performance."

According to him, maintaining a balance between preparation and relaxation helps students stay mentally fresh.

Shreyansh Gupta's Advice for Future GATE Aspirants

Towards the end of the interaction, Shreyansh shared practical advice for students preparing for GATE.

"First, be clear about why you want to prepare for GATE. Don't prepare just because your friends are doing it."

He further added,

"Start as early as possible. Complete every subject, practise alongside your lectures, and once the syllabus is finished, begin full-length mock tests with proper analysis."

He believes students should never ignore practice because concepts stay in memory only when they are applied regularly.

Shreyansh Gupta's journey proves that success in GATE is not determined solely by intelligence but by consistency, self-belief, and disciplined preparation. Balancing a demanding M.Tech programme at IIT Guwahati with GATE preparation was undoubtedly challenging, yet he stayed committed to his goal.

With regular revision, continuous practice, mock test analysis, support from family and friends, and guidance from Physics Wallah's Rank Improvement Batch, Shreyansh successfully secured AIR 285 in GATE 2026 CSE. His experience reminds every aspirant that a clear goal, a smart preparation strategy, and perseverance can make even the toughest challenges achievable.