Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a national level entrance exam and also a gateway to many PSU recruitments. GATE 2019 was held on February 2, 3, 9, and 10, 2019, the results for which were declared on March 15, 2019. In the Petroleum Engineering subject, the GATE 2019 AIR 1 holder is Vikash Raj. We contacted him over call and we got to know all about his journey towards his immense success. In this article here is all that Vikash Raj shared with us. Future GATE aspirants can take notes!
GATE 2019 Topper Vikash Raj (AIR 1 – PE)
| Name | Vikash Raj |
| From | Madhubani, Bihar |
| College (Graduation) | 5 yeard dual degree (B.Tech+M.Tech) in PE from IIT (ISM) Dhanbad |
| GATE Attempt | Second |
| GATE Score | 961 |
| GATE Rank | 1 |
About Vikash Raj
Vikash Raj hails from Madhubani, Bihar. He did his class 10 from IPS Madhubani and class 12 from DPS, Bokaro. He had qualified JEE Advanced and took admission in IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, from where he graduated in 2018.
Coming to Vikash’s family, his father is a businessman, his mother is a homemaker, and his sister who is pursuing Biology in Rajasthan.
Vikash had also qualified GATE in the year 2018. However, his scores were not adequate enough to land him in a post of his choice at ONGC and therefore he decided to go for a second attempt in 2019.
The preparation matters. You don’t have to focus on results.
– Vikash Raj (GATE AIR 1 in PE)
We asked Vikash Raj a few questions to which he answered with enthusiasm and honesty. He had shared is own preparation strategy in details. Let us check them out!
Q: Did you expect AIR 1? What was your reaction?
A: “I had nothing in my mind, except for one single thing that I have to focus on writing my exam the best way possible that I could write. I had nothing in my mind related to AIR 1 or any other rank. The absence of any kind of expectation has let to this fantastic result of mine.”
Q: What was your preparation strategy from the beginning? How Did you start?
A: The inspiration to start: “It goes back at the time of my 2018 attempt. I had this notion that this exam is going to be the last exam of my life. I am not going to appear in any exam. I was obsessed with this kind of thought. I was kind of a dabbler in the months following that period. I was moving on after the 2018 exam. I was no more thinking about a second attempt. I was not serious about where to go professionally or likewise. But my parents came to the rescue. They told me that, no you have to do something in life. We all need something to work towards with all our hearts, to lead our lives.
All these things came into the picture and it occurred to me, those are wise words. I then started preparing for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE). There is no democratically open option like the GATE exam. It is the only channel to get into the upstream Petroleum Industries without any direct contact and based on merit.”
How he prepared: “In 2018 I had already prepared with great details. That backed me internally, I just needed a sort of revision this time. That kept me on an easy foot. I kept pushing it. However, in the month if December, I realized that I should start the GATE preparation process. I devoted 50-60 days and that was enough for me as I had already prepared in 2018. The fuzzy imprint of the studies that I had done last year was still afresh in my mind and that helped me. This year I focussed on knowing the areas where I made mistakes repeatedly and improving them.”
“Deadlines were my inspirations” – Vikash Raj
He says, there are 2 steps for the preparation:
- “Study well and master all the study material you have. Cover all the chapters, topics in the syllabus of GATE. Make a sincere attempt to understand the concepts and apply them to the problems and question. Rot leaning is not the way.”
- “The final step is joining mock tests and test series online. It is like the prefinals that we do at home. This is what prepares us for the real exam day. The practice exam that we do at home, makes us familiar with the different types of questions, allows us to face ourselves and lets us understand how the notes and materials for preparation can be used in the exam to our advantage.”
Q: Did you take any coaching for GATE preparations?
A: “No, self-study is the only way for an exam like GATE, particularly Petroleum Engineering. Although I had joined test series online for practice and for testing my preparation.”
Q: Do you have any tips for the future GATE aspirants?
A: “Tips will not help them in whole, but there are some tips for last-minute preparation, that will supplement their preparations.
- In the last minute do not study any new areas. Concentrate on the areas that you are confident about.
- Try to attempt a maximum number of questions form those strong areas and convert them into your strengths.
- Divide the time among all the areas. PE paper may surprise you, there may be certain areas that were untouched in the previous year’s exam but this year’s maximum questions may come from those areas.
- Make a simple schedule to cover all the areas.
- Previous years question papers are an integral part of the GATE preparation. It is the only way to penetrate in the exam setters mind.
Familiarise with the previous year’s question papers. Attempt them like the real-time exam paper – Vikash Raj
- Do not share your strategy. You may end up being confused as everyone has their own strategy.
- Lastly, avoid stress and eat healthily.
Q: What are your plans now?
A: My plan is to join ONGC.
He wants to share an inspirational quote that inspires him a lot too:
“At the end of your life you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child or a parent.” – Barbara Bush
He advises:
Exam is not your life it is just a part of it. This is a general thing that one can apply it to any area of their life. Live joyfully, as we have a very limited time on this planet!
– Vikash Raj
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