All About The GATE Aptitude Syllabus

A highly coveted exam, the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering serves as a gateway to pursue specialized masters and PhD programs in the fields of Engineering and Sciences at elite Indian institutions like the IITs and IISc. Various PSUs also recruit candidates through the score obtained in this exam. Moreover, students from countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates are now permitted to take the GATE exam and study at top universities. Further, many international universities like Aachen University (Germany) and Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) have started accepting GATE scores to grant admission. Out of all the sections, general aptitude is considered the toughest. Thus, in this blog, we will discuss the GATE aptitude syllabus and will share some tips to score well in this section. 

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GATE Aptitude Syllabus: Breakdown

The general aptitude segment of GATE consists of 10 questions carrying a total of 15 marks. While 5 MCQs are of 1 mark each, the other 5 are of 2 marks each. The topics covered under the GATE aptitude syllabus has been summarised below:

Verbal Ability	Critical Reasoning, Verbal Deduction, English Grammar, Sentence Completion, Verbal Analogies, Word Groups
Numerical Ability	Logical Inference, Speed, Distance & Time, Number Series, Ages, Work, Module problems, Clock and Time, Directions, Geometry, Probability, Percentage, Base/Radix numbers

How to Cover the GATE Aptitude Syllabus Efficiently?

From devoting a significant portion of time on your strengths to last-minute formula checks, there are several tips you can use to improve your overall score and get admission into your dream college. Since the GATE aptitude syllabus is vast, we have collated some important suggestions to score well in both the Verbal and Numerical ability sections.  

GATE Aptitude Syllabus: Verbal Ability Tips

The very first element of the GATE aptitude syllabus is the Verbal Ability. This topic examines the candidate’s basic English language proficiency. Given below are some tips to score well in this area:

• Revise your grammar concepts regularly. It not only helps in solidifying your sentence structure but also improves your vocabulary.
• Use elimination techniques. More often than not, the questions get solved quickly through this method.
• Look for clues, directions, and triggers in the sentences. Words like ‘although’, ‘but’, ‘in spite of’, etc can help you sift through the options effectively.
• Read articles or essays from your field of interest. This not only makes studies less monotonous but also improves your speed in solving complex sentences.
• Verbal questions tend to be tricky so make sure that you read the instructions carefully before starting the question.

GATE Aptitude Syllabus: Numerical Ability Tips

The next important section of the GATE aptitude syllabus is the Numerical Ability. This part examines the applicant’s ability in solving basic math problems. Here are some suggestions on how to ace this section:

• Visualize word problems. Thinking creatively about a question can give you a lot of ways to solve it. 
• Even though using a calculator gives an accurate answer but you must resist the temptation of overdoing it. Instead, try to solve basic mathematical calculations mentally. 
• Read the instructions thoroughly before attempting the question. Don’t get confused with wordings and extra information. 
• Attempt mock papers and practice previous year questions before sitting for the final exam. Devote at least 1-2 hours every day to this section.  

Books for GATE Aptitude Section

Here are some of the best books that will help you prepare for GATE Aptitude section:

• GATE 2020 – Guide – General Aptitude
• Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations
• Rapid Quantitative Aptitude: With Shortcuts & Tricks for Competitive Exams

GATE Aptitude Sample Questions

Now that you have understood the GATE Aptitude syllabus and preparation tips in-depth, let us go through some sample questions

Q1 From the following, choose the correct option that matches close to the word “Nadir”

A) Medium
B) Low
C) Zenith
D) None of the Above

Q2 There are 2 friends, X and Y They are skilled enough to complete the work in 30 and 60 days respectively and for this, they would have been paid Rs 1,000 However, they only worked for 10 days. Calculate the total amount they’ll get together.

A) Rs 100
B) Rs 350
C) Rs 500
D) Rs 800

Q3 M, N, O, and P are the locations of the 4 major branches of an organisation. While M is located 4 km North of N, P is located 2 km South of O. Further, N is situated 1 km to the Southeast of O. Calculate the total distance between locations M and P in km.

A) 4.30
B) 5.34
C) 19.2
D) 28.5

Q4 In a region P, there is only 0.25 probability of having rainfall more than 100mm. Determe the average time between successive events of more than 100mm rainfall.

A) 2 Years
B) 3.5 Years
C) 5 Years
D) 4 Years

Q5 Out of the 4 options given below, find out the OPPOSITE of the word “ENERVATE“

A) Energise
B) Petrify
C) Devitalise
D) None of the Above

1. B
2. C
3. B
4. D
5. A

GATE Exam Structure

The GATE exam consists of 65 questions which are divided into 3 sections namely, Engineering Mathematics, General Aptitude, and Subject Specification section. From Aerospace Engineering and Food Technology to Thermodynamics and Microbiology, there is an array of subjects that you can choose from for this exam. The marks allocated to each section have been mentioned below:

Section	Marks
Engineering Mathematics	15 marks
General Aptitude	15 marks
Stream Questions	70 marks

GATE Eligibility

Before moving on to the GATE Aptitude syllabus, it is important to understand the prerequisites for this exam. The candidates who are planning to appear for the test must fulfil the below-mentioned eligibility criteria:

• Final year students pursuing their Bachelor’s degree in fields of Engineering, Technology or Architecture (4-year program after 10+2) degree programs.
• Final Year students pursuing their Master’s degree in any branch of Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Applications or similar field
• There is no age limit. 
• Candidates who are not in the final year of their course are ineligible to appear for the GATE exam.

Thus, the GATE aptitude syllabus is vast but not difficult to cover. We understand that the process of preparing for competitive exams can be stressful and can generate doubts. The counsellors at Leverage Edu will assist you in creating a personalized study plan that will take into account your strengths and weaknesses so that you clear the exam with flying colours.