First of all get hold of GATE syllabus and few of the last year's questions papers. You can download syllabus elsewhere from your website.
Do topicwise/subjectwise analysis of at least recent 5 years GATE questions papers. Arrange topics/subjects in the GATE syllabus in descending order of weitage in recent 5 years papers.
When you start preparation for GATE, always start from the subject which interests you most, you are most comfortable with. Suppose Operations Research is your most favorite subject then start from that subject.
Engineers are pretty comfortable with Mathematics always. It is perhaps because of this they are in engineering. If you cannot zero in on any subject of liking, then as a thumb rule start from Engineering Mathematics.
Remember; always take that subject in the last which you dislike most (if any). Suppose you are NOT comfortable with Vibrations then take that subject at last for preparation. Unfortunately, if the subject you dislike most has the highest weightage in recent 5 years GATE question papers then you do not have any choice but to start reading that subject from scratch. In this process you will experience how most disliked subject turn into your favorite list.
If you work on this strategy and go on finishing your GATE syllabus, then your confidence will shoot up enormously.
REMEMBER; in any examination apart from your preparation what matters most is your confidence.
Always refer standard reference books for preparation. Guides/short notes for any subject should be the last option.
If possible prepare your own notes subject wise, topic wise. After you finish a topic/subject, immediately try objective questions on that topic/subject.
REMEMBER; at whatever length you read textbooks, everything cannot be covered. There are always gaps left in your readings. These gaps should be filled in by practicing objective questions. Hence practice as many objective questions as you can. Unless, you set the standard time for practice tests, you cannot learn the importance of time management. Even a brilliant student with improper time management is doomed to perform badly in real GATE. Exactly this is where online tests come handy.
Donot forget PRACTICE MAKES MAN PERFECT
TIME MANAGEMENT
Prepare time table for your study.
REMEMBER, for any branch of engineering, GATE syllabus is so vast that unless you plan your study schedule in the available time, you are bound to overdo some topics/subjects at the cost of other topics/subjects. Stress only those topics/subjects which have greater weightage in GATE papers.
If possible earmark at least one month before the exam for only revision. Whatever you read, revise it after some time.
REMEMBER, it is characteristic of human memory that we tend to forget ( though in varying proportions) whatever we read if we donot revise it periodically. Do you remember lesson No. 4 in your English language subject when you were in 8th standard? In all probability you donot.
In summary donot undermine the importance of revision. Keep proper time for revision in your study schedule.
If you are in the final year if engineering then you have to balance your time on 3 fronts. i.e.
- Regular Classes:- Donot neglect your regular college/classes/tests/exams. Do your seminar/project work seriously. It helps you in campus interviews/further study.
- Campus interviews:- Keep on preparing and appearing for the campus interviews until you get selected in your dream company.
- GATE preparation:- Continue your GATE preparation by reading standard books and practicing objective questions.
Hence time management is very very crucial for final year students.
GROUP STUDY:- If possible make a group of your friends who are also appearing for GATE. It is always beneficial if you discuss about theory topics, some typical objective questions among your group. If you think that if you help your friend in his preparation then he will score better than you then please shrug off this thinking.
REMEMBER, you are not competing with your friend, your competition is at national level.
HELP OTHERS TO HELP THYSELF
IF YOU ARE IN THIRD YEAR
Ideal time to start for preparation for GATE is when you are in the third year. When you are in the third year you van revise the subjects you have studied in first/second year and focus on third year subjects from GATE perspective. REMEMBER, old adage "EARLY BEGUN IS HALF DONE"
Early birds definitely have psychological advantage over late starters. Fully utilize the summer vacations after you finish your third year.
When you enter in the final year, at least 50% of the syllabus should be over. Try to finish all the syllabus by October and keep Dec and Jan months only for revision and practice tests.
REMEMBER, once you are in the final year regular academic activities, seminar projects, campus interviews would eat into most of your time.
Best of Luck!!!