What Are the Best Resources or Books for GATE Preparation?
Preparing for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) requires a combination of quality study material, effective resources, and practice to excel. The GATE syllabus is vast, covering both core engineering subjects and a section on General Aptitude (GA). The right study resources will help you understand the concepts in depth, enhance problem-solving skills, and boost your exam readiness.
Below is a comprehensive list of the best resources and books for GATE preparation, categorized based on the subjects tested in the exam. These books and resources are widely recommended by previous GATE toppers, experienced instructors, and coaching institutes.
1. General Aptitude (GA)
General Aptitude is a mandatory section in all GATE papers, contributing 15 marks to your total score. It tests verbal ability, numerical ability, and logical reasoning.
Recommended Books for General Aptitude:
A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal
This book is a comprehensive guide for practicing reasoning questions and enhancing logical and verbal ability.
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R.S. Aggarwal
A good resource for honing your quantitative aptitude, it covers arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data interpretation, which are crucial for GATE’s General Aptitude section.
GATE General Aptitude by M.S. Soni
A GATE-specific resource, this book contains solved examples and practice sets that reflect the GATE pattern.
2. Core Engineering Subjects
The core engineering subjects are central to your GATE preparation. Each branch has its own unique set of topics, and the right textbooks can help you grasp complex concepts. Below is a list of recommended books for each major engineering discipline.
A. Electrical Engineering (EE)
Electrical Engineering: For GATE/PSUs and Other Competitive Exams by R.K. Rajput
A comprehensive book for all topics in Electrical Engineering. It covers both theory and practice questions.
GATE 2023 Electrical Engineering (EE) by A. Handa and A. Kumar
This book is designed specifically for GATE aspirants and includes previous years' solved papers along with practice questions.
Electrical Machines by P.S. Bhimbra
A standard reference for Electrical Machines, with detailed explanations and solved examples.
Control Systems Engineering by I.J. Nagrath and M. Gopal
This is one of the best books for Control Systems, covering all the theoretical aspects as well as practical applications.
B. Mechanical Engineering (ME)
Mechanical Engineering for GATE by R.K. Jain
A comprehensive guide for all mechanical engineering topics, including manufacturing processes, thermodynamics, and mechanics.
Strength of Materials by R.K. Bansal
A highly recommended book for the topic Strength of Materials, known for its in-depth coverage and practice problems.
Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulic Machines by R.K. Bansal
A crucial book for Fluid Mechanics, it covers both theoretical concepts and problem-solving techniques.
Engineering Mechanics by A.P. Boresi
This book covers the fundamentals of mechanics, providing a solid foundation for Statics and Dynamics, both important areas for GATE.
Thermodynamics: An Engineering Approach by Yunus A. Çengel and Michael A. Boles
A widely accepted textbook that covers thermodynamics in detail, a must-have for Mechanical Engineering.
C. Civil Engineering (CE)
Environmental Engineering by B.C. Punmia
A popular book for environmental engineering topics, covering water resources, wastewater treatment, and environmental management.
Civil Engineering: Conventional and Objective Type by R.S. Khurmi
Provides a thorough overview of key civil engineering subjects, with both objective and theoretical questions.
Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering by B.C. Punmia
A must-read book for the subject Geotechnical Engineering, covering the entire syllabus in detail.
Surveying and Levelling by N. N. Basak
A key resource for Surveying, one of the core topics in civil engineering, it’s known for its clear explanations and detailed practice problems.
Reinforced Concrete Design by S. Unnikrishna Pillai
A reference book for Structural Engineering, covering reinforced concrete structures comprehensively.
D. Computer Science and Engineering (CS)
Computer Organization and Design by David A. Patterson and John L. Hennessy
A highly regarded textbook for understanding computer architecture and design.
Introduction to Algorithms by Thomas H. Cormen, Charles E. Leiserson, Ronald L. Rivest, and Clifford Stein
Known as CLRS, this book is a foundational reference for Algorithms, with thorough explanations of data structures and algorithms.
Discrete Mathematics and Its Applications by Kenneth H. Rosen
A highly recommended book for Discrete Mathematics, covering all the fundamental concepts needed for GATE Computer Science.
Operating Systems: Internals and Design Principles by William Stallings
A comprehensive book for the Operating Systems section, known for its depth and clarity.
Data Structures and Algorithms in C++ by Adam Drozdek
A solid resource for practicing Data Structures and understanding algorithms using C++.
E. Electronics and Communication Engineering (EC)
Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory by Robert L. Boylestad
This book covers essential topics in Electronic Devices, including semiconductors, diodes, and transistors.
Digital Design by M. Morris Mano
A standard textbook for Digital Logic Design with a comprehensive explanation of Boolean algebra, logic gates, and circuits.
Signals and Systems by Alan V. Oppenheim and Alan S. Willsky
A must-have for Signals and Systems, covering continuous and discrete signals, systems, and transforms.
Network Analysis by M.E. Van Valkenburg
A highly regarded book for Network Theory, explaining key concepts in electrical networks and circuit analysis.
Control Systems Engineering by I.J. Nagrath and M. Gopal
This book is extensively recommended for Control Systems, covering everything from the basics to advanced concepts.
3. Reference Books for Multiple Branches
Engineering Mathematics by B.S. Grewal
A comprehensive resource for Engineering Mathematics, covering a wide range of topics like calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, and probability.
A Textbook of Engineering Mathematics by N.P. Bali and Manish Goyal
This book is helpful for in-depth practice and understanding of engineering-level mathematics.
Problems in General Chemistry by V. K. Ahluwalia
For those preparing for Chemical Engineering or related GATE papers, this book offers practice problems and solutions in chemistry.
Integrated Electronics by J. Millman and C. Halkias
A detailed textbook for Electronics Engineering, covering analog circuits and devices.
4. Online Resources and Coaching Platforms
In addition to traditional textbooks, online resources can be highly beneficial for GATE preparation:
NPTEL (National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning)
NPTEL offers free online courses for many GATE-related subjects, taught by IIT and IISc professors. You can use these for in-depth learning and clarifying concepts.
Unacademy
Unacademy provides live courses, practice tests, and videos specifically designed for GATE aspirants across various disciplines.
Gradeup (Now BYJU'S Exam Prep)
Gradeup provides online mock tests, study material, and daily quizzes based on the latest GATE exam pattern.
Testbook
Testbook offers a series of mock tests, quizzes, and study notes tailored for GATE preparation.
5. Practice Papers and Previous Year Papers
GATE Previous Year Papers by Made Easy Publications
This book compiles previous years’ GATE papers along with their solutions and explanations, making it an excellent resource for familiarizing yourself with the exam pattern and difficulty level.
GATE Chapter-wise Solutions by Arihant Publications
A comprehensive collection of previous year questions with chapter-wise solutions, ideal for practice.
Test Series from Coaching Institutes
Institutes like Made Easy, ACE Engineering Academy, and GATEforum offer online test series that simulate the GATE exam environment.
6. Key Tips for Using Resources Effectively
Quality over Quantity: Focus on understanding core concepts from a few books rather than spreading yourself too thin with multiple resources.
Practice Regularly: Make solving previous year’s papers and mock tests a habit. This is crucial for improving speed and accuracy.
Revise Regularly: Keep revising important formulas, theorems, and concepts. Make concise notes to help you during the final revision phase.
Conceptual Clarity: Instead of rote learning, emphasize understanding the underlying principles, especially for subjects like Thermodynamics, Control Systems, and Circuits