How to prepare for GATE 2026 General Aptitude? PDF Download

The General Aptitude section of the GATE exam holds significant importance as it carries a weightage of 15 marks. Although it is the easiest section of the exam, it can significantly impact your score and help you crack the GATE exam.
The General Aptitude comprises of Verbal Aptitude, Numerical Ability, Analytical Aptitude and Spatial Aptitude.
Various Sections under GATE General Aptitude

Verbal Aptitude questions are generally straightforward and can be answered quickly, whereas Numerical Ability questions may require more effort and time, especially if you don't use shortcuts for computations.
This EduRev article can help you prepare for the GATE General Aptitude and improve your scores in the exam.

GATE 2024 General Aptitude Syllabus

How long does it take to complete the GATE General Aptitude syllabus?

• While the General Aptitude test may be considered relatively easier compared to the technical sections, it still requires consistent and dedicated preparation. Allocating 1-2 hours daily to this section can be a good strategy to complete the syllabus in less than 15 days. 
• However, the exact time needed for preparation may vary depending on individual proficiency and familiarity with the topics. It's important to set a realistic study schedule and practice regularly to improve your performance on this section.

Best Books for GATE General Aptitude Preparation

• A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning, by R.S. Aggarwal"A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning" contains a vast collection of practice questions and helpful hints for solving problems. This can help students to strengthen their reasoning skills and develop effective problem-solving strategies. Additionally, the book features solved problems, providing students with a model for how to approach and solve similar problems on their own.
• Quantitative Aptitude For Competitive Examinations, by R.S. Aggarwal
  "Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations" is a comprehensive guide to the numerical ability section of many competitive exams. It covers all aspects of the section and uses numerous examples to illustrate key concepts and problem-solving techniques. By working through the examples and exercises in the book, students can gain a deeper understanding of the types of questions they are likely to encounter on the exam. This can help them to feel more confident and well-prepared when it comes time to take the test.
  Overall, both of these books are excellent resources for students who want to maximize their chances of success on competitive exams.
• How to study with these books?
  Here are some steps that can be followed:
  • Cover relevant topics: Practice all the topics that are relevant to the GATE General Aptitude syllabus. This will help you stay focused and avoid wasting time on irrelevant topics.
  • Make short notes: Make short notes for every topic that cover all the important points and formulas. This will help you revise quickly and retain the information better.
  • Solve problems: Practice problems related to every topic. This will help you understand the concepts better and identify your strengths and weaknesses.
  • Practise previous year GATE questions: Solve previous year GATE questions from all streams after completing each topic. This will help you understand the exam pattern and types of questions asked in the exam.
  • Take mock tests: Take mock tests and sample papers to evaluate your performance and identify your strengths and weaknesses. 

Step: Practice Previous Year Questions for GATE General Aptitude

• While subject knowledge is essential for success in the GATE Exam, it's not sufficient on its own. To improve your chances of performing well, it's important to practice previous GATE questions and take online practice tests. This will help you to solidify your understanding of the concepts and recall them more easily when needed. 
• Additionally, practicing questions and taking tests can help you to identify areas where you need improvement and adjust your study plan accordingly. 
• Practicing previous year questions can also aid in quick and strong recall of formulas. By incorporating these strategies into your preparation, you can enhance your performance and maximize your scores on the GATE Exam.

Preparation tips for GATE Verbal Aptitude

Verbal Aptitude is a broad category that covers a range of topics related to the English language and communication. Some of the key topics that are typically included in the Verbal Ability section of the GATE General Aptitude exam are:

• English Grammar: This includes topics such as parts of speech, sentence structure, tenses, and punctuation.
• Vocabulary: This covers a range of topics related to the meaning and usage of words, including synonyms, antonyms, idioms, and phrases.
• Verbal Reasoning: This involves analyzing and interpreting verbal information, identifying relationships between words and ideas, and making deductions and inferences based on the information provided.
• Analogies: This involves identifying relationships between pairs of words and selecting another pair that has a similar relationship.
• Sentence Completion: This involves completing sentences with the most appropriate word or phrase based on the context provided.

Preparation tips for GATE 

Numerical Ability

Numerical Ability tests a candidate's mathematical proficiency and includes a range of topics related to numerical reasoning and problem-solving. Some of the key topics that are typically included in the Numerical Ability section of the GATE General Aptitude exam are:

• Arithmetic: This includes topics such as number system, decimals, fractions, percentages, ratio and proportion, and profit and loss.
• Algebra: This includes topics such as equations, inequalities, functions, and quadratic equations.
• Geometry: This covers a range of topics related to shapes, lines, angles, and spatial relationships.
• Probability and Statistics: This includes topics such as probability, mean, median, mode, standard deviation, and correlation.
• Permutations and Combinations: This involves the study of the ways in which objects can be arranged or combined.
• Sets, Relations and Functions: This involves the study of the relationships between sets of objects and the functions that operate on them.

GATE Preparation Material

Also read:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on How to Prepare for GATE General Aptitude

What is general aptitude in GATE exam?

The GATE question papers include around 10 General Aptitude (GA) questions, which account for a total of 15 marks. These questions are designed to analyze the language and analytical skills of the candidates. 

Does GATE have general aptitude?

Yes, the GATE exam has a section called General Aptitude that assesses a candidate's language and analytical skills. Scoring well in the GA section is important, as it carries a weightage of 15% in the overall GATE score calculation.

Is GATE General aptitude tough?

The difficulty level of the GATE General Aptitude section is subjective and can vary from candidate to candidate. However, in general, the questions in this section are designed to test a candidate's language and analytical skills, and with sufficient practice and preparation, most candidates should be able to score well in this section. The General Aptitude section carries a weightage of 15% in the overall GATE score calculation, so it is important to prepare adequately for this section in order to improve one's chances of achieving a good GATE score.