1.

Engineering Mathematics
Stage 1: (9 Days for Preparation)
Start Preparing for GATE Exam with Discrete Mathematics then go for preparing
Common Engineering Mathematics. If you good at mathematics, then studying all
technical subjects will go easy. Many of mathematical concepts are used in core
subjects like functions, sets, graphs, matrices, probability and mathematical logic.
Rosen book has more number of exercises which will help you to practice. Try to
solve different model questions instead of solving similar questions during practice
through the book.

Book Name: Discrete Mathematics and Its Applications with Combinatorics and Graph
Theory, Authors Name: Kenneth H. Rosen, Edition: 7

This book is an excellent book for GATE Aspirants and guides you the right way to
prepare GATE by providing lot of problems at the end of every chapter. Book is
having good explanation and easy to understand for undergraduates.
After completion of the discrete mathematics, attempt subject wise online practice
test for the discrete mathematics.

Stage 2: (6 Days for Preparation)

Start preparing Common Engineering mathematics. Grewal book has enough
concepts for GATE exam, so follow the book according to GATE syllabus and keep
an eye on those topics which are not in syllabus. Try to prepare as soon as possible
and also do not forget to prepare revision notes to include formulas and concepts
wherever it is necessary.
Book Name: Higher Engineering Mathematics, Authors Name: B. S. Grewal, Edition:
43
This book is sufficient to cover linear algebra and other topics. Examples and
exercise problems are covered in this book to practice the questions. Grewal book
is famous for undergraduate engineering mathematics courses. Book is well
organized and recommended book for GATE preparation.

Key topics of Engineering Mathematics: Functions, Relations, Counting, Propositional

Logic, Predicate Logic, Graph Connectivity, Matching, Matrix Algebra, Probabilit

2. Aptitude
Stage 3: (5 Days for Preparation)
Aptitude can be prepared in less time compared to other subjects. Focus only on
GATE Syllabus and read all important topics from the following books. To know
the GATE Syllabusclick here:

APTITUDE SYLLABUS.
Book Name: A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning, Authors
Name: R.S. Aggarwal, Edition: Revised
Book Name: Quantitative Aptitude For Competitive Examinations, Authors Name: R.S.
Aggarwal, Edition: 7

3. Algorithms
Stage 4: (10 Days for Preparation)
First concentrate on finding time complexity for analysis of programs/algorithms.
Then go to algorithm techniques: Divide & Conquer, Greedy, Dynamic
programming. Mostly questions are on sorting, searching, and shortest path
algorithms, and traversals.
Use the following book to read the Algorithms.

Book Name: Introduction to Algorithms, Authors Name: Thomas H. Cormen, Charles E.

Leiserson, Ronald L. Rivest, and Clifford Stein, Edition: 3

This Book is the best for algorithms of computer science, it makes you understand
every concept of given algorithms. Read relevant portion of GATE and you may
read entire book when you have enough time.
Key topics of Algorithms: Recursive algorithms analysis, Merge sort, Quick Sort,
Insertion Sort, Binary Search, Dijkstras Algorithm, Longest common subsequence,
and Huffman coding.

4. Programming and Data Structures

Stage 5: (7 Days for Preparation)
Programming & Data Structure is the easiest potion of GATE Syllabus and very
important for GATE exam. I have given maximum 7 days for the preparation of this
subject and you may prepare it within 5 days if you have recently studied this
subject.
Book Name: The C Programming language, Authors Name: Brian W. Kernighan ,
Dennis M. Ritchie, Edition: 2
C programming language covered in the Kernighan book with all important logics
required in C. Which is must read book for all C programmers. Arrays, functions,
pointers and loop control statements are covered in detail.
Book Name: Classic Data Structures, Authors Name: Debasis Samanta, Edition: 2
One of best Indian author books is Classic data structures. All basic concepts of
data structure are presented with examples and easy for undergraduates to follow
this book. Arrays (Matrices), Linked lists, stacks, Queues, and Trees are having good
information for GATE.
Key topics of Programming & Data Structures: Recursion, Stack, Queue, Binary Search
Trees, Tree traversals, Stack Applications, and Linked Lists.

5. Operating System
Stage 6: (8 Days for Preparation)
Book Name: Operating System Concepts, Authors Name: Silberschatz, Galvin,
Gagne, Edition: 8

Galvin book is best for GATE preparation which covers all concepts and GATE
Syllabus. Topics like process management, deadlocks, semaphores, memory
management and disk scheduling are covered in detail. This is only book you will
read operating system in less time and covers all important concepts.
Key topics of Operating Systems: Threads, CPU Scheduling, Semaphores, Page
Replacement Algorithms, Paging and Segmentations, Dead lock avoidance
algorithm, and Disk scheduling.

6. Computer Networks
Stage 7: (8 Days for Preparation)
Book Name: Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach, Authors Name: James F.
Kurose, Keith W. Ross, Edition: 6
Computer networking subject may take maximum time compared to other
subjects. IP addressing TCP problems are important and covered great in the book.
Key topics of Computer Networks: IP Addressing, Congestion control, TCP, UDP,
Routing Algorithms, Public Key and Private key encryptions.

7. Databases
Stage 8: (7 Days for Preparation)
Book Name: Database System Concepts, Authors Name: Silberschatz, Sudarshan,
Korth, Edition: 6
Data base system is easiest part in GATE syllabus, Korth book has all points
required for GATE preparation. This book has good set of examples to understand
database concepts like normalization, transactions, and SQL.
Key topics of Databases: Normal forms, Integrity constraints, Relational algebra, tuple
calculus, and SQL.

8. Theory of Computation
Stage 9: (7 Days for Preparation)

Book Name: An Introduction to Formal Languages and Automata, Authors Name: Peter
Linz, Edition: 5

There are many good books are available for theory of computation. But this book
is special among them for GATE preparation. It has many key points for GATE
preparation. Simple language, easy representation, good examples, and practice
problems are good enough to prepare GATE syllabus for this subject. Finite
automata, regular expression, grammars, Push down automata, Context free
languages are attractive in the book.
Key topics of Theory of Computation: Finite Automata, regular expression, grammars,
pumping lemma, context free languages, and undecidability.

9. Digital Logic
Stage 10: (6 Days for Preparation)
Book Name: Digital Logic & Computer Design, Authors Name: M. Morris
Mano, Edition: 1
Morris mano is old and best book for GATE preparation. Almost every GATE topper
would have been referred this book. Combinational Circuits and Sequential Circuits
are must read from this book. You can understand digital logic easily if you go in
sequence. Do not skip the topics in digital logic. All questions from digital logic are
easier in GATE Exam.
Key topics of Digital Logic: Simplification, Combinational Circuits, Registers, Counters
and Floating point representation.

10. Compiler Design

Stage 11: (4 Days for Preparation)
Book Name: Compilers: Principles, Techniques and Tools, Authors Name: Alfred V.
Aho , Ravi Sethi , D. Jeffrey Ulman, Edition: 2
Ulman book is sufficient for Compiler design and GATE questions are mainly from
the two topics: Top-down parser and Bottom-up parsers. No need to read
implementation details of compiler in this book, read all concepts of design.

During your preparation ensure you should not miss any of the following topics
because they are most important for GATE Exam.
Key topics of Compiler Design: Lexical Analysis, Phases of compiler, LL(1) Parser, LR
Parsers, First set computation, Follow set computation. SDTs.

11. Computer Organizations

Stage 12: (7 Days for Preparation)
Book Name: Computer Organization and Architecture, Authors Name: Hamacher,
Vranesic, Zaky, Edition: 7
Read this book after preparing the digital logic. Few of previous GATE questions are
formed directly from this book. Book is lengthy to read but easier to understand
the concepts explained in each topic. This book is recommended for GATE
preparation and you make a revision notes especially on pipelining and cache
organization.
Key topics of Computer Organization: Addressing modes, Pipelining, and cache
organization.

12. Revision/Practice
Stage 13: (6 Days for Preparation)
Last phase of GATE preparation is to revise and recall the concepts. Revision is
continuous process till the exam and practice the test during this time. Identify the
weakness of topics and revise when necessary. If you do not have sufficient time to
prepare few topics and not important for GATE then you may neglect them during

preparation. Your confidence level begins in this stage. To build your confidence
after the 11 stages of your preparation, you can do the following in the 12th stage:
Revision of topics regularly
Practice tests
Discuss and participate on forums
Enhance your problem solving skills during the practice
Plan yourself, number of hours and topics should be prepared on each day
depending on your environment and daily activities. No need to study in scheduled
hours but study minimum hours need to focus on GATE. I would be very happy if
you can reach the goal.
ALL THE BEST!!!

where theres a will, theres a way