

How to Prepare for GATE Along with College: Preparing for GATE along with college can be challenging for students, but with the right exam strategy, it is manageable. PW GATE Online Coaching provides a well-structured learning experience to help you prepare properly along with your college exams. Basically, at Physics Wallah, we offer Online GATE Courses for various disciplines, including CE, ME, XE, CS & IT, DA, IN, EE, CH, and EC.
Candidates can check our GATE Online Coaching to know more about exam-oriented study material, practice tests, and useful resources to level up their GATE 2026/ GATE 2027 preparation. By organizing study time effectively and using these resources, students can do well in both college and GATE.
Basically, preparing for GATE while managing college studies requires strategic planning, dedication, and smart use of resources. Here are detailed steps on how you can efficiently prepare for the GATE exam alongside your college coursework:
Starting GATE preparation during college allows you to build a solid foundation early on, giving you so much time to master difficult topics and practice consistently. Basically, by beginning early, you can break down the GATE syllabus into manageable parts and focus on one subject at a time. Additionally, students starting early lets you adapt to the GATE exam pattern and reduce stress in your final year.
Check: How to Prepare for GATE from the 1st Year of College
Creating a balanced GATE study plan is important to avoid exam fatigue and ensure that you give much attention to both your college exams and GATE preparation. Basically, A well-organized GATE timetable will help you prioritize tasks and stay on track.
Divide your day as per subjects into fixed study hours dedicated to both GATE and college work. i.e., you can give 2-3 hours in the morning for GATE and another 2 hours in the evening for college studies.
Use weekends effectively for GATE preparation, as you’ll have more time to cover complex topics. Cover every topic properly. Basically, do not leave any topic. Ask doubts to your teachers from time to time if you face any difficulty.
Set weekly and monthly goals to track your progress and ensure you are covering the syllabus of both GATE and college exams.
Prioritize high-weightage topics and other important topics for GATE and important subjects for college exams to ensure efficient use of your time. Always plan your studies in a way in which you complete high-weightage topics on priority so that in the exam you can score better marks at least in these topics.
Check: Can an Average Student Crack GATE?
Books and study materials play an important role in preparing for the GATE exam. It is important for students to choose the right books that cover key topics, along with previous years' question papers and subject-specific guides.
Like, use study materials such as PW Books for targeted GATE preparation while following your college syllabus. This dual approach helps students to do well in their exams.
Physics Wallah’s GATE books are specifically made for exam-oriented preparation. They are made by our teachers to cover all essential topics in a concise, understandable format.
Basically, these PW books also provide so many practice questions, including previous years' papers and mock tests, to help you prepare better for exams. If students solve these questions diligently and understand the concepts without just rote learning they they will be able to score good marks in both exams.
Time management is one of the biggest challenges when preparing for GATE alongside college. However, with the right strategy, you can effectively manage both. Check Time Management tips below:
Create a GATE daily routine plus College Routine: Start by scheduling fixed hours for study, breaks, and sleep. A well-balanced routine reduces stress and keeps you productive.
Use productive breaks to freshen your Mind: Utilize short breaks between college lectures to review notes or practice a few questions.
Avoid study procrastination and delaying on Targets: Stay focused and disciplined during your study hours to make the most of the limited time you have.
GATE Online courses and test series offer flexibility, structure, and detailed coverage of the GATE syllabus, making them ideal for college students.
Structured Learning Process: Physics Wallah’s GATE Online Courses provide organized lessons, focusing on both theoretical concepts and practical problem-solving.
Real-Time Doubt Resolution from Teachers: GATE Live sessions and doubt-solving platforms ensure that you don’t get stuck and can clarify doubts as they arise.
Flexible Timing and Routine: Study at your convenience with PW's self-paced courses, making it easier to manage college exams and GATE preparation simultaneously.
Mock Tests and Practice Papers For Both Exams: Regular PW GATE mock tests help you track your progress, familiarize yourself with the exam pattern, and identify areas that need improvement.
Here are the common mistakes students make during GATE preparation, along with college studies:
1. Not Managing Time Properly - Many students struggle to balance GATE preparation with college work, either neglecting one or the other. So just manage your time properly, take advice from your elders on how to manage time, and along with this, keep your mind fresh.
2. Not Completing Things Timely - Waiting until the final year or after exams to start GATE prep leads to stress and rushed studying. This is the most common mistake every student makes when studying from the start. Basically, what every student does is they wait for the exams to come.
3. Studying Inconsistently Without a Timetable - Jumping into study sessions randomly without a routine makes it harder to keep track of progress. Prepare a proper study timetable with subjects divided with a clear goal.
4. Focusing Only on Theory Part of GATE Exam- Just reading books without solving problems can leave gaps in your understanding, especially for GATE. Do not always focus on the theory part. Focus equally on derivations and numerals.
5. Ignoring College GATE Syllabus - Some students focus too much on GATE topics and forget about their college exams, leading to poor grades. This situation is also not good, so try to balance both exams.
6. Collecting Too Many GATE Resources - Focusing too many books and study materials can confuse, making it hard to focus on what's important. Always focus on but study material, but do it properly.
7. Not Practicing GATE Previous Year Papers Dedicatedly- Skipping past years' question papers means missing out on understanding the exam pattern and important topics.
8. Skipping GATE Revision - Forgetting to review what you've learned can lead to forgetfulness and lower retention of key concepts. Do not forget to revise. And in the end, just do not take too much stress and just do your best for the exam.
9. Ignoring Health and Well-being Due to workload - Overstudying without breaks or proper rest leads to burnout, fatigue, and a lack of focus. So students are advised to take proper breaks and engage in certain activities, or just share their thoughts with friends or family.
Elevate your GATE readiness with Physics Wallah’s GATE Online Courses. PW GATE Online Coaching offers comprehensive live sessions tailored to the syllabus, invaluable study materials, practice tests, and much more.