Students have to apply to individual institutes and get application forms after the GATE results are out. M.Tech. course admission details are advertised in leading newspapers from April 1 till July end. However, some institutes do not advertise and students should approach them directly for the forms. The concerned institute may conduct a written test and/or interview for admission.
Students of M.Tech. are paid scholarships by the Government of India for the entire 18-month period.
Importance of coaching
Dr. Gokhale, who had been secretary, GATE examinations for 1997-98, notes that the examination is widely recognised in industrial and academic circles. He observes there were many coaching Institutes in cities like Hyderabad and Chennai.
Coaching was necessary, according to a former principal of a private engineering college. "The Chemical Engineering Department at the Government Engineering College, Kozhikode, offers coaching to students now as a small initiative," says Prof. V.K. Sasikumar, Head, Chemical Engineering Department, Government Engineering College, West Hill, Kozhikode.
However, experts advocate preparing for GATE by practising the old question papers following the time limits strictly, since time management in GATE is also crucial. Also practising the questions helps one to familiarise oneself with the GATE exam pattern. Some institutes have recently started conducting separate written tests or interviews or both for PG admissions, apart from considering GATE scores.
Importance of PG
Dr.Gokhale observes that even a student who has completed B.Tech. at a State engineering college can look forward to doing M.Tech. in a more reputed institute like an IIT or NIT by taking GATE and thus increase his value in the job market.
Prof. R. Sreedharan, who has been monitoring admissions, including M.Tech., at NIT-C over the years, observes that some of the students of self-financing engineering colleges outside Kerala try to get into an IIT or NIT by cracking GATE.