GATE 2021 examination was conducted by IIT Bombay in February 2021. Nishita Chittora secured AIR-3 in MT paper. She is pursuing B-Tech in Material Science & Metallurgical Engineering from IIT, Indore. This was her first attempt. Achieving Top rank in the GATE examination is no small feat and needed much of hard work and preparation strategy. The future Aspirants can take much of learning from GATE 2021 MT Topper Nishita Chittora. Here is an awesome interview with her.
AskMeMetallurgy: Please, accept our heartiest congratulations on your splendid success. First of all, we would like to know about Nishita. Please introduce yourself.
Nishita: My name is Nishita Chittora. I am in my final year of B.Tech. in Metallurgy Engineering and Materials Science at IIT Indore. I am from Kota, Rajasthan.
AskMeMetallurgy: What rank did you get in GATE 2021? What is your GATE score and how many marks did you secure?
Nishita: I secured AIR 3. My GATE score is 913 and my marks are 87.
AskMeMetallurgy: Is this your first attempt or did you attempt GATE earlier?
Nishita: Yes, this is my first attempt for GATE.
AskMeMetallurgy: How was the GATE 2021 MT paper?
Nishita: I feel the paper this year was of medium level. There were some questions which I didn’t have any idea of and on the other hand, very easy questions were also present. Also, as there were less MCQs, less chances of negative marking while a lot of numerical types, which have a lot of uncertainty.
Preparation Strategy
AskMeMetallurgy: when did you start preparation for GATE 2021?
Nishita: I started my preparation 5-6 months before the GATE exam and I feel that much time is necessary and sufficient for GATE MT preparation (but maintaining consistency in that time is important). Before starting the preparation, it is necessary to analyze the syllabus first. Start with the topics you are comfortable with, once such topics are completed you will feel confident about your preparation.
AskMeMetallurgy: Have you taken any coaching or Online Mock Tests? How does they help?
Nishita: Yes, I have taken course material from Career Avenues and test series from Brightus Academy & Career Avenues both. The study material from the coaching reduced my load of searching of things from various sources and had a compiled topics of the whole syllabus and test series helped me to analyze my mistakes and regularly analyze my performance with respect to others.
AskMeMetallurgy: What is your style of preparation and notes making?
Nishita: Start preparation the day itself when you feel is the right time. Do not procrastinate. NEVER forget to make your own point to point precise notes while studying either through some coaching material or from the internet on your own. Such notes will be helpful for studying and revising at the end. Even if they go detailed, no issues. There are some important topics from each subject, which mostly repeat every 1 or 2 years, keep more focus on those. And if you cant remember some things (like the austenite stabilizers, iron carbon diagram etc.) just use sticky notes or maybe some paper, paste them in your room and read them regularly. This strategy is really effective for memorizing.
Previous Year Papers
AskMeMetallurgy: Does solving previous year question help aspirants? At what stage of preparation, Aspirants should start to solve previous year papers? What style did you follow for solving these papes?
Nishita: Yes, previous year paper solving is a crucial part of the preparation. According to me, you can practice 2-4 previous year papers after 2-3 months of preparation while after that the best time for any test series, mock tests or even the remaining previous year papers, is the last month of preparation simultaneously with revision. Last 10-11 year papers are enough for solving.
Read also: Fully solved GATE MT previous year question papers
Time Management
AskMeMetallurgy: What was your daily schedule like during preparation?
Nishita: In the morning I did revision for 1-2 hours, studied new topics in the noon time and after that took a break in the evening. All of this varies from person to person, and you can make it according to what suits you the best. Also, a sleep of 7-8 hours is manadatory for full functioning of the brain.
AskMeMetallurgy: What was your time management strategy in the real GATE exam?
Nishita: The most important thing is that I did not attach myself to any question. The best is to just read the question, and if you feel you know how to do it, give it a try, otherwise skip it. DO NOT PANIC, if you do not know something. I always attempted aptitude first, but it might vary according to personal choices.
Books For GATE MT
AskMeMetallurgy: Which books did you follow for GATE preparation? Pls name some very important must read books for GATE.
Nishita: All the standard books i suggest.
- Physical metallurgy- Callister and V. Raghavan
- Thermodynamics- Gaskell
- Mechanical metallurgy- Dieter
- Phase transformations- D.A. Porter
- Also NPTEL is a good source, but might go too much lengthy for some basic topics as per the GATE MT exam.
Suggestion for Aspirants
AskMeMetallurgy: What is the important topic that should be specially focused by the GATE Aspirants?
Nishita: All topics in the syllabus are well important in my knowledge and you can get an idea by solving or just by analyzing previous year papers.
AskMeMetallurgy: Please suggest some Do’s and Dont’s for the GATE aspirants during preparation.
Nishita: Do’s :
- Stay consistent with your efforts.
- Enjoy while Studying, don’t feel it a burden..
- Have some refreshing activity everyday for some time like playing outdoors, listening music.
Dont’s :
- Never procrastinate
- Do not panic
- Keep your phone away while studying
- Don’t avoid sleep
After GATE?
AskMeMetallurgy: What are you planning for your career after GATE 2021?
Nishita: I want to join some good PSUs in metallurgy after my B-Tech.
Read Also: Private and Govt. Metallurgy jobs alert for fresher & Experience
AskMeMetallurgy: What is your opinion/feedback about the Askmemetallurgy website?
Nishita: I visit this website since I started my preparation for the exam. I kept scrolling over the website and learnt many interesting things and concepts through its Q&A forum. There are notes of students available here, which comes in handy when you can’t understand where to study a topic from and also, the blogs of various toppers, how they cracked exam helped me a lot in getting this success today.
Thanks Nishita for such an awesome Interview. We wish you an amazing career and a healthy life ahead.
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