gate aerospace tips 2014

Sivasubramaniyam A S
AIR 34, AE, 2009
M.Tech (AE), IIT-Kanpur
B.Tech : Madras Institute of Technology (MIT)
B.Tech CGPA : 8.6
B.Tech. Placement : CTS, ADA

Vinoth Kumar V S
AIR 82, AE, 2009
M.Tech (AE), IIT-Kanpur
B.Tech : Madras Institute of Technology (MIT)
B.Tech CGPA : 8.1

When and why did you decide to go for M.Tech?

Siva: In the beginning of 3rd year. There are not many core companies in aeronautical engineering. Also, I had come for 10-day flight training workshop in IITK, which is mandatory for aeronautical guys, and I had a good experience. So, I was looking forward to my MTech here.
Vinoth: 3rd year, I had also done flight training here, that was cool.

When did you start preparing for GATE in full swing?

Siva:  One month before the exam. Whatever we had studied in class was enough for GATE, most of the courses were covered before 3rd year.
Vinoth: Ya, it was kind of revision.

How many hours a day on an average did you devote to GATE preparation in this period?

Siva: 5-6 hours
Vinoth: We usually had class from 8:30-4:30, after that we used to devote our time to GATE preparation.

What was your mode of preparation?

Siva: self-study. Unfortunately, there is no material available for GATE in AE in any coaching center. Even books are not available for practicing questions for GATE.AE was introduced as a separate paper in 2007 only, earlier we had to give XE (engineering science). If you request the application form, from GATE office at any IIT, they provide you previous years' GATE papers.

Did the college curriculum interfere with GATE preparation? If yes, how did you manage it?

Siva: Not at all. On the contrary, if you attend classes regularly, you don't need any coaching.

Did you appear for GATE in your Third year? Do you think it's a good idea to do so?

Siva: Yes, I gave GATE in 3rd year and it really helps. Even if you don't get a good rank, you get a good idea and experience.
Vinoth: I too gave GATE in 3rd year, but score was not very good.But I had some experience which helped me score better, the following year.
Siva: In AE, even if you have a very good rank, percentile goes low, because number of candidates is less. Moreover, there is much competition for admissions, because mechanical and civil guys can also apply for aerospace and the intake is on the basis of GATE score. In 3rd year, I had GATE rank 46, but I decided to take the exam again because I thought I could do better.

What was your way of studying/ what should be the way of studying?

Siva: Its very important to get hold of the right books, in our case it was a hit-and -trial method. At best, you can get previous years' papers for practice.So, one should go through the concepts in detail.There is a course - space mechanics, offered as an elective in most colleges. Its very useful from GATE perspective. I took it in 4th year.

What would you suggest about the last days (say, one week) preparation?

Siva: Relax completely, take enough sleep.I had prepared some notes which I kept on revising during this period. Sometimes same problem is asked in different ways in different year papers e.g. critical loading problem in columns. There are 4 types of loading and question based on at least one of those can be expected every year.

Having so many options, why did you choose IIT-Kanpur?

Vinoth: We missed the deadline of IISc, because it was just 2-3 days ahead of the GATE result and we were unaware of that. Apart from that we applied to IITB, IITKGP, IITM, IITK.
Siva:  Research @IITK is very good, we thought placements would also be good at IITK, although IITB is better in terms of placement. But library, labs and facilities are the best in IITK. One can also get a pilot licence from gliding club. Only IITK has got the airstrip...........
The companies that come to IITK for recruitment are RAC, Airbus, HAL, CSIR (for ME/CE/AE).

Are you satisfied with your decision?

Vinoth:  Yes
Siva: Although grading is very tough here.

How should one choose the institute?

Siva: Other than aerospace, AE people can apply for applied mechanics(IITM, IITD) and ocean engineering(IITM, IITB), civil structures and mechanical structures in fluid mechanics.In IITK, flight mechanics has got only two faculty members which is very less but it has a lot of scope for research.
Aerodynamics, Structures and Propulsion are 3 branches that are very good in IITM. Placements are also good there.

What are your future career plans?

Siva: My first preference is job, but if I don't get placed in a core company then I'll go for PhD. There is a funny thing I would like to share here. I was selected in ADA (DRDO) under BC category. But later I found that I am not eligible for that as I am a general candidate as per Central Government rules. So, I am BC according to State Govt. while general according to Central Govt. An interesting lacuna of our political organisation, huh, but a little traumatic too.
Vinoth: I prefer to get a job after finishing my M Tech.

How would you compare M.Tech from IIT against Post-graduation from abroad?

Siva: MS from abroad would be preferred.

Who should do an MTech?

Siva: Anyone who comes for MTech should have the view that when one graduates from IIT, one should have learnt something new.
Vinoth: If one wants to do research.  Also, after BTech not much oppurtunities are available in India.

Q. Had you covered all the topics in GATE syllabus?
Siva: No. Space mechanics and rocket propulsion I had not touched upon. But unfortunately from rocket propulsion we have a lot of questions.
Vinoth: yes,i covered most of the courses (except space mechanics) & i prepared mathematics just before GATE exam.

Any other message?

Siva: One MUST select the RIGHT books.

Any other message?

A human has got immense potential; the only thing is recognize yourself.