Which Institute Sets the Toughest GATE Paper?

GATE aspirants often wonder about the difficulty of the exam and which institute sets the toughest paper. While some speculate that certain institutes are responsible for creating more challenging GATE papers, the truth is more nuanced. Let's delve into the factors that determine the difficulty level of the GATE paper and explore the historical perspective.

Organizing Institute vs. Question Setters

It is important to understand that the organizing institute, which varies year-to-year, does not necessarily influence the difficulty of the GATE paper. The questions are typically set by a panel of experts from various prestigious institutes. This means that factors such as IIT Guwahati or IISc Bangalore being the organizing institute for a particular year do not indicate that the paper will be tougher than others.

Role of IISc Bangalore

IISc Bangalore, known for its robust research in various departments, has historically set some of the toughest GATE papers. For instance, in 2018, the GATE paper was set by IIT Guwahati, but the difficulty level was quite high due to the expert panel's choice of questions. In my experience, as a GATE aspirant from 2016 onwards, the paper set by IISc Bangalore was indeed the most challenging. Many questions came from topics that GATE aspirants usually avoid, making it particularly frustrating. However, with thorough preparation, it is possible to excel regardless of the institute that sets the paper.

Myth of IIT Difficulty

A common myth is that IITs (Indian Institute of Technology) tend to make tougher GATE papers. However, this is not accurate. Each IIT sets questions randomly from the experience and knowledge of its faculty. The difficulty level is maintained at a consistent level, designed to ensure fairness among all candidates. Additionally, some IITs, like IIT Guwahati and Roorkee, are known for their moderate to easy GATE papers.

Branch-Specific Toughness

Another facet of the discussion revolves around branch-specific toughness. For instance, IIT Kanpur is noted for creating one of the toughest GATE papers in the Computer Science (CS) domain. This highlights the importance of understanding the particular branch and the historical patterns of question setting by different institutes.

In Conclusion

The perception that certain institutes set the toughest GATE papers is often misleading. The difficulty level is independent of the organizing institute and is more about the quality of preparation and the strategic approach to understanding the concepts. With comprehensive preparation, candidates can manage any challenge posed by the GATE exam, regardless of which institute sets the questions.