How to prepare General Aptitude for GATE, ISRO

Summary

This video guide focuses on preparing for the General Aptitude section of exams like GATE. It emphasizes the importance of allocating dedicated time for daily or weekly practice, reviewing past years' papers, and engaging in problem-solving through reliable resources like Telegram and YouTube communities. Key areas of focus include numerical aptitude, logical reasoning, and verbal ability, with an increasing emphasis on analytical skills. The guide stresses the need for consistent, out-of-the-box thinking and warns against delaying General Aptitude preparation, as it significantly impacts exam scores. Regular practice can help achieve a high score, benefiting overall exam performance.

Takeaways

• 😀 Allocate dedicated time daily or weekly for General Aptitude practice to avoid procrastination and ensure consistent preparation.
• 😀 Focus on practicing good quality, gate-level questions to build conceptual understanding, not just memorizing shortcuts or formulas.
• 😀 Start by solving previous years' GATE papers from multiple branches to understand question types, level of difficulty, and frequently tested topics.
• 😀 Join the Telegram and YouTube communities for daily practice questions that cover various topics including Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, and Verbal Ability.
• 😀 Even if you only have 5 minutes, ensure you practice daily to consistently work on improving your General Aptitude skills.
• 😀 Emphasize logical reasoning and analytical aptitude, as these topics have seen increasing importance in recent exams, with a focus on out-of-the-box thinking.
• 😀 Don't neglect spatial reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and puzzles, as these are commonly tested in GATE and other competitive exams.
• 😀 Keep practicing verbal ability, though it is less emphasized, as it can still contribute a few marks (2-3 marks) in exams.
• 😀 General Aptitude is a vast section, so start early and integrate it into your daily schedule to ensure steady progress throughout your preparation.
• 😀 Even if you're already strong in General Aptitude, continue practicing regularly to maintain and improve your skills, aiming for at least 12+ marks out of 15 in exams.

Q & A

Why is the General Aptitude section important in exams like GATE?

The General Aptitude section is critical because it contributes to a significant portion of the total marks, typically around 15 marks in GATE. It tests key areas like quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, and verbal ability, and increasingly appears in many technical exams at the national and state level. This section can also impact your overall exam score and eligibility for further stages, such as interviews.

How much time should I dedicate to General Aptitude preparation?

You should allocate a specific time for General Aptitude daily or weekly. If you're a full-time aspirant, aim for 45 minutes to 1 hour per day. For someone with a job or in college, dedicating 30 minutes per day or 3-4 hours per week would be ideal. The key is to make this time consistent, even if it's just a few minutes each day, to avoid procrastination.

What type of questions should I focus on for General Aptitude preparation?

You should focus on practicing a variety of questions that cover all topics in General Aptitude. This includes numerical aptitude, logical reasoning, and verbal ability. The questions should be of different levels and from various topics to ensure you are developing a strong foundation in all areas. It's important to solve out-of-the-box questions that require analytical thinking.

Where can I find good quality questions for General Aptitude practice?

You can start with the previous five to six years of GATE question papers across all branches. This will give you insight into the topics covered and the question patterns. Additionally, you can join platforms like the Exergics Telegram Channel and YouTube Community, where daily General Aptitude questions are posted. These are a great resource for daily practice.

Why is logical reasoning emphasized in recent exams?

Logical reasoning has become more important in recent years because it tests deeper cognitive abilities beyond basic knowledge. These questions often require you to think critically, analyze patterns, and solve problems that may not follow traditional formula-based methods. More emphasis is placed on puzzles, inferences, non-verbal reasoning, and spatial reasoning.

How can I improve my skills in logical reasoning?

Improving your logical reasoning skills requires consistent practice. Focus on puzzles, inference-based questions, and non-verbal reasoning problems. Join groups or forums where you can engage with others solving similar problems, and don't hesitate to attempt questions that you find difficult. With regular practice, you will become more comfortable and faster in tackling these types of questions.

What is the significance of verbal ability in General Aptitude?

Verbal ability is a smaller portion of the General Aptitude section, typically accounting for 2-3 marks. While it’s not as heavily emphasized as logical reasoning, it’s still important for scoring well. Verbal questions test your understanding of language, grammar, and communication skills, which are crucial for overall exam performance.

What should I do if I’m already good at General Aptitude?

Even if you're already comfortable with General Aptitude, it is important to practice consistently. You don't need to dedicate an hour each day; instead, focus on solving a few questions daily (around 10 minutes). This helps maintain and sharpen your skills, ensuring you score high in the exam, ideally above 12 marks out of 15.

What are the benefits of practicing General Aptitude regularly?

Regular practice ensures you are comfortable with a variety of question types and improves your problem-solving speed and accuracy. It helps you develop strong concepts and strategies for tackling questions effectively. This leads to higher scores in exams like GATE, which in turn boosts your overall rank and chances of selection in interviews.

What are the risks of neglecting the General Aptitude section in preparation?

Neglecting General Aptitude can lead to lower overall exam scores, especially since it contributes a significant portion of the marks. Moreover, if you leave it for the end of your preparation, you may not have enough time to practice effectively. You may also face challenges in the interview stage, as some exams like ISRO require a minimum score in this section to qualify for interviews.