Preparing for GATE Aerospace Engineering requires a strategic approach. Many students make common mistakes that reduce their chances of success. Here are the top 10 mistakes to avoid during your preparation.
1. Not Understanding the Syllabus and Exam Pattern
Many students start solving problems without analyzing the official GATE Aerospace syllabus. This leads to wasted effort on topics that are not even in the exam.
✅ Solution: Go through the syllabus carefully and focus on high-weightage topics.
2. Ignoring Engineering Mathematics and General Aptitude
Some students focus only on core aerospace subjects, ignoring Engineering Mathematics (15 marks) and General Aptitude (15 marks), which together account for 30% of the exam.
✅ Solution: Dedicate at least 3-4 hours per week to these sections.
3. Not Referring to Standard Books
Relying only on coaching materials or shortcuts can be a mistake. Standard books provide in-depth understanding.
✅ Recommended Books:
- Aerodynamics – John D. Anderson
- Structures – Megson
- Propulsion – Hill & Peterson
- Flight Mechanics – Etkin & Reid
4. Lack of a Study Plan
Without a structured study plan, students end up wasting time on random topics.
✅ Solution: Create a 3-phase plan:
- Phase 1 (2-3 months): Concept learning
- Phase 2 (1-2 months): Problem-solving
- Phase 3 (1-2 months): Mock tests & revision
5. Avoiding Previous Year Question Papers
Many students skip past GATE Aerospace previous year papers (Download here). This reduces familiarity with question patterns.
✅ Solution: Solve at least 10 years of previous papers to identify trends and important topics.
6. Ignoring Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions
NAT questions do not have options, making them tricky. Many students struggle with these.
✅ Solution: Practice NAT questions daily from past papers and mock tests.
7. Not Taking Mock Tests Seriously
Some students avoid mock tests due to fear of low scores, which affects their exam confidence.
✅ Solution: Attempt 10-15 full-length mock tests on platforms like Testbook, Unacademy, or Made Easy.
8. Poor Time Management During the Exam
Many students spend too much time on difficult questions and fail to complete the paper.
✅ Solution: Follow a 2-pass strategy:
- Pass 1: Solve easy and moderate questions first.
- Pass 2: Attempt difficult questions later.
9. Lack of Revision
Studying without revising leads to poor retention.
✅ Solution: Revise formulas, concepts, and notes every weekend.
10. Ignoring Health and Stress Management
Burnout can affect performance. Many students ignore sleep, exercise, and relaxation.
✅ Solution: Maintain a balanced routine with proper sleep, light exercise, and short breaks.
Conclusion
Avoiding these mistakes can significantly boost your GATE Aerospace score. Stay consistent, solve past papers, take mock tests, and revise regularly. Success in GATE is about smart preparation, not just hard work!
